Capcom Addresses Game Localization Concerns as Gamers Predict Company's Bankruptcy
Capcom presented its policies on game localization, but they by no means won the company any applause.
Translating cultural texts (such as books, movies, and games) can be an unappreciated task. However, the strong response from players to Capcom's game localization rules isn't due to undervaluing the work of translators.
A few days ago, the localization team of a Japanese publisher shared their code of conduct on X, outlining their approach to translating games published by Capcom. Some of the more general assumptions didn't raise any objections, including the need to maintain context.
However, players clearly didn't like the emphasis placed on "cultural adaptation" and "inclusiveness" when translating games into other languages. Capcom describes the latter in the following way:
Localization efforts extend to promoting inclusivity through language and representation. This involves adapting not only the linguistic aspects but also addressing gender-specific language, cultural norms, and diverse perspectives. The aim is to create an immersive experience where players from different backgrounds can identify with the characters and narrative. This can be very challenging for certain languages due to grammar.
Decisive reaction
The comments under the localization team's post clearly show the lack of enthusiasm from players towards the laid-out localization rules. This appears to be the result of an increasing reluctance to endorse the ideology of diversity and inclusivity (Diversity and Inclusivity or DEI) driven not by ideological motives, but purely by business considerations. These moods intensified after the recent turmoil around the Sweet Baby Inc.
The comments of internet users make this clearly visible. Players accuse Capcom of creating localization for a "non-existent modern audience" and imposing "Western values" on games from other countries. Some people think that this approach actually has the opposite effect of what was intended, as users of X interpret it as Capcom attempting to change different cultures into a Western model, rather than promoting diversity through their presentation.
It's important to notice that the rules clearly emphasize the need to balance "adapting" the translation with preserving the character of the original language version. Not that anyone pays attention to it in the context of the rest of the post. It's easier to find people predicting the publisher's bankruptcy.
So far, Capcom hasn't responded to these negative reactions.
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