Anybody else getting seriously pissed over this? You might refute this by saying that most Japanese games won't translate well overseas. That part is all fine and dandy, and I completely understand why. Case in point - the Yakuza spin off game: Ryu ga Gotuku Kenzan, where the game dabbles in child prostitution. That alone will get some people in the West very mad, and even though the Yakuza series is pretty niche, I can see why Sega won't risk localizing it here.
But that's not why I am mad. The thing that is really getting into me is when a Japanese company releases a game here in the West, but then to completely turn a 180 and subsequently release a "more special, more complete" versions of their games exclusively in Japan. That is a god damn slap in the face. The big offender here is Square Enix, putting out an "International" version of their products but then only to have it be completely Japanese. I won't even be so surprised anymore when Final Fantasy XIII: International comes out and be "Japan Onry."
Another Japanese company that is known to do this is Bandai Namco. Putting out Tales of Vesperia for the 360, calling it exclusive, but a year later, they announce a PS3 version. It had tons of new content, as if the PS3 version of Vesperia is the "definitive" version of the game. Namco Bandai even heavily implied that the 360 version was essentially a beta. While all might have been forgiven, the most aggravating thing was they refused to make a Western localization. There are other "Tales of" games that were given the same treatment, but this whole fiasco with Vesperia is the most well-known and recent one.
While other companies are guilty of this, those two are the ones that really stuck to me. Even now, the former is once again pulling a fast one on us as a "Final Mix" version for the latest Kingdom Hearts game for the PSP have been announced. For those who didn't get that, yep, it will be Japan Only.
With the rise of globalization, refusing to sell their products overseas seem to be a moronic thing to do. But what really makes me so god damn mad is that I want to play their games, and, understand it in a language I know and love at the same damn time. Seriously, what is the logic behind this? It's no wonder that, asides from Nintendo, most Japanese games are seen as a joke these days.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
A good point. This forces me to import, which costs more than just buying it locally.
ReplyDeleteThen there's the whole "it's all in Japanese" thing.
They feel that people won't want to buy the same game again for extra features over here, and they're kinda correct in thinking that way.
ReplyDeleteMoney makes the world go 'round.
ReplyDeleteMoney keeps the games in Japan.
Also:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_IhHRo0TJVzM/TKUxf4Q_8pI/AAAAAAAAAHc/3YHmSbxEqe4/Capture.PNG
Yep, this does make me quite unhappy, have thought about learning Japanese to play lots of exclusive games.
ReplyDeleteI've also noticed that even when some games are licensed and translated, they do not get European releases! I don't live in America, and the games are often region locked.
It's not good enough, totally unfair.
ReplyDeleteNot mad about Vesperia bro, cause I gots me a 360 (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞
ReplyDeleteAt a job interview:
ReplyDelete"Do you like money?"
"I hate it!"
"Welcome to Namco Bandai!"
Oh all the untranslated SNES roms I wish I could have played in junior high...
ReplyDeleteI'm not really surprised that this happens, Japan is very proud of itself so of course they are going to make things that no one else can get without buying directly from them.
ReplyDeleteClash of culture, my friend. The parents in Japan are less crazy and won't assume their children will become criminals after playing video games :)
ReplyDeleteEh, it sucks, but the only real option is to either put up with it or learn Japanese.
ReplyDeletevery nice
ReplyDeletei like it
supportin !