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Does Nintendo Treehouse rely on memes too much? (Tri Force Heroes Localization)
- Thread starter Tom Nook Sawyer
- Start date
kitchenmotors
Banned
I'm glad the BitBlock is getting his fifteen minutes of fame for his dumb Twitter rant. A 14 minute video about nothing, pretty amazing.
Also, listening to this it's obvious the entire vibe of the game went way over Josh's head.
Screamapillar
Member
Purely going from the OP screen capture, it seems like NoE is perhaps going for a more traditional approach of "Let's translate this as close as possible to the original Japanese text". NoA goes for "Let's translate it, but let's give it our own flavor and give it some personality".
I can see the benefits (and drawbacks) of both approaches. I think that in some cases, such as a serious game like Metroid or a true Zelda, it would perhaps be obnoxious for NoA to go over-the-top and risk spoiling the game for some. I would prefer NoE's approach for some of the more serious moments in serious games. But people at NoA are experts at their craft, and I trust them to know the difference between a serious moment and a light-hearted moment. I don't find the use of memes insulting, mainly because I didn't know even know it was referencing a meme until I read this thread.
I can see the benefits (and drawbacks) of both approaches. I think that in some cases, such as a serious game like Metroid or a true Zelda, it would perhaps be obnoxious for NoA to go over-the-top and risk spoiling the game for some. I would prefer NoE's approach for some of the more serious moments in serious games. But people at NoA are experts at their craft, and I trust them to know the difference between a serious moment and a light-hearted moment. I don't find the use of memes insulting, mainly because I didn't know even know it was referencing a meme until I read this thread.
It makes me sad that people think that localisation is the exact same thing as translation. US English and UK English differs greatly in many subtle ways that would probably not even be apparent if you had scripts side by side.
I'm glad they have the budget to do this.
Concerning the actual issue of memes, it is just more prevalent nowadays because of how widespread they can become. Back in terrible translations back in the day they must've had similar. The issue is more a reflection of how terrible society, they're trying to cater it to us - their audience, after all.
I'm glad they have the budget to do this.
Concerning the actual issue of memes, it is just more prevalent nowadays because of how widespread they can become. Back in terrible translations back in the day they must've had similar. The issue is more a reflection of how terrible society, they're trying to cater it to us - their audience, after all.
kitchenmotors
Banned
As someone who works with kids, this is true. It's really not that big of a deal considering these are all ages games that appeal to kids.
My students have recently started saying the Shia "just do it" phrase.
If people here think that localization should only be straight-up 1-to-1 translation, you should probably read the articles on Clyde Mandelin's site about the importance of localization
Funny enough, he just posted an article about this "controversy". Some of the Tweets he shows are salty as fuck.
Funny enough, he just posted an article about this "controversy". Some of the Tweets he shows are salty as fuck.
TheMoon
Member
Back in the days it was just movie references. Or things you hear in TV commercials. Kids love to repeat what gets stuck in their brains and amuses them.
The UK and US editions of books get it too. US English can be really jarring for a UK audience (and presumably vice versa). It's attention to detail, it actually bugs me when US AAA games don't localise 'armor' to 'armour' etc for a UK edition when you see it on every menu screen of a game. I don't mind so much when it's one-offs or small digital titles, but when it's every sub-screen of a globally-launched game with a huge budget it just feels cheap. You might as well ask why the menus on UK editions of DVDs etc are in UK English too.
Obviously it depends on the game, but if you are going to detail a member of staff to work on something, a localisation that bears in mind local colloquialisms, preferred word choices/curses, and stuff that might be unintentionally funnier in one territory than another (US vs UK use of 'pants' is a good one) isn't that expensive compared to some of the time spent perfecting much less immediately evident parts of a game.
KuroPyonyo
Banned
Normally I would not play a game in two different languages, but for speedrunning ALBW I did change to the faster english version. One of the most glaring differences early on that I remember is:
I really question the decisions of whoever wrote the english text. Overall I enjoyed the upper version much more, far better style.
Also memes (and references as a whole) are like the lowest form of comedy. I expect better from a professional trying to be funny.
Literal translation: "You have obtained the charm! The warmth of Zeldas skin still lingers."
I really question the decisions of whoever wrote the english text. Overall I enjoyed the upper version much more, far better style.
Also memes (and references as a whole) are like the lowest form of comedy. I expect better from a professional trying to be funny.
Starwolf_UK
Member
For anyone scared of memes in Star Fox there won't be a UK English dub to save you*. Bring on ayy lmao Falco.
*-Going by history. Kid Icarus uprising had one line changed and it was due to a
reference (instead
is said)
*-Going by history. Kid Icarus uprising had one line changed and it was due to a
Brain Age
Brain Training
There were Farting Cabbages in French OOT?
Dangansona
Member
I'm wondering if NOA does anything right at this point.
Yeah, but I think they're missing something there. "Péteur" derives from the word "péter" that can mean "to fart" but it is also commonly used in french to say "to blow something up". When I was a kid and played OoT, I thought it was just a funny and silly way to say "exploding cabbage", with some ambiguity.
To me me they will always be choux-péteurs !