What western games do you want in Japan and vice versa

Speaking as someone now in a position to be able to bring games from the west to the east and vice versa.
I mean games that have not been released in japan that could do well and games from japan that need a release in the west ?
I thought I would float this on here to see peoples interests.
As i work as a games producer in Japan this is finally now a reality ^_^

 

Who do you work for?

 

The key is quality localization of text, voice and changes in controls to suit Japanese when it comes to bringing Western games over. UBISoft fails at this regularly which is why their games get thrown to the discount bins quickly (AC3 is already 2980 yen everywhere).

Most companies including Microsoft don't have big budgets for localization so not sure what you think you can do. 2ch is full of Japanese consumers who complain about the low level of localizations.

 

What is AC3? I couldn't care less anyway since I just buy the Asian versions of 360 games if they're not Japanese exclusive because they're in English and cheaper. I was really pissed to find my Japanese copy of Halo 4 had all the English speech taken out leaving only Japanese. They left the English text in though.

 

Assassin's Creed 3

I wonder why it is hard not to just let people choose the language. Why does it have to be Japanese only if the game was English in the original version? This always bugged me with German versions of games, too. Sometimes they just didn't let you choose and then you're stuck with a shitty dub like for Halo 2, except if you import the game from the UK.

I do understand Shou's concerns though because Asian versions are not the solution to many collectors. They are generally seen inferior to Japanese versions. I guess because people are concerned about conformity in their collection or online ordering or both. I can't blame them, I'd always prefer a Japanese version over an Asian one except if there's a striking benefit.

 

Don't most Europe releases have multi-languages?

It's weird to know that Japanese releases don't have the option for English. Breakdown was similar, some areas were in English, and rest of it was in Japanese, voices were English too...

 

Licensing costs of the required audio tracks maybe?

This is frequently one reason why some Japanese games don't have dual language options in US versions. It's cheaper to produce a whole new audio track than to license the existing one in some cases.
And when you are dealing with something that is basically a niche in the target area. It makes justifying the costs hard most likely.

Doesn't help that the mainstream trend is "Boo hate Japanese games they all automatically suck!". If they sold better, they'd be more inclined to justify the cost i'd think.

 

I'm talking more about the perspective of the average Japanese consumer who does not understand English.

Halo has had Japanese dubbing since the original game, not sure why you're surprised? There was a big uproar (relatively) when the Japanese cast was changed for 4. Undoubtedly, one of the reasons why the English track is removed is due to limited space on DVDs. Many of the JP 360 online communities are segregated from the rest of the world so there's another mark against localized releases...really, Microsoft has morons running the show.

I buy games from the region they originate from unless there is some kind of region restriction so in the case with 360, I'll go for the Asian release but I'm buying more and more PC releases these days and getting my next gen on now.

 

I've never played any Halo before and to be honest I thought they would have kept the original vocal track in there but i guessed wrong.

 

"The key is quality localization of text, voice and changes in controls to suit Japanese when it comes to bringing Western games over"

I am also working on a from scratch product (not localization) and we had a prototype the other day where Japan and the West conflicted on the controls.
Solution is to have both control schemes and options to change them out

Also Japanese gamers like the original english (if an english game) voices to be in there too as they want the original feel.
Like western gamers prefer keeping in Japanese VO sometimes.

 

Japanese gamers also don't mind good dubbing. UBI pays for some famous "talent" in their games but some are just so inappropriate. See Erika in Prince of Persia 2008 for a good example.

I'd also pay attention to the UI. Often times, localizations just leave UI as is and just translate the embedded text.

PROTIP: Don't use Pole to Win for translation work.

 

"Talent" is a marketing tool but as you say quite often inappropriate.
It's funny you say this about the UI.
We have a MMORPG as well and there is a bunch of UI in english.
The game is released only in Japanese region so I asked the team why this was the case.
They said it looks cool.

Also one of the things they complained about it Japanese does not have a huge amount of good fonts.

 

For me, having the voice of a "talent" or that should be "NO Talent" is an instant put off. I can't stand those people but then again that may be just me.

 

That's why UI is difficult. If you want to stylize it for localization, it requires resources to redo fundamental pieces. That's big hurdle if your potential sell through is very little in the region.

I can go on and on about stuff like this but I'd rather get paid for it lol

 

I'll buy you a beer as I am in Tokyo now ^^

 

I'll be flying back into Tokyo tonight. I live near Roppongi so let me know if you're around here.

 

Can't make it to see you tonight as I have a date but I live in Asakusa now so lets catch up in near future. I'll PM you to check your availability!