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[John Rabbit]

They were "Foreigners" in the Japanese version of 2025/4.1.

Not to excuse this, but it's extremely unlikely there's a deeper meaning behind it. That said they should change it if only because it's a really stupid thing to be calling your invading enemy force in a game about giant ants and frogmen.

Bah, beaten:

This isn't new for EDF.

The enemies in EDF 3 and 4 are called "Foreigners" (「フォーリナー&#12301 in the Japanese.
See: http://www.d3p.co.jp/edf4/#foreigner

I am sure that, like the Ravagers of EDF 2017 and EDF 2025, their name will be changed for the US release.

So if not alien immigrants, how in English do you express the concept "alien life form that would like to migrant and live on earth"?

If this is a genuine question, it would be "extraterrestrial immigrant". However none of the aliens in EDF are attempting to emigrate to Earth and start a family. They''re an invading force that you murder wholesale by the tens of thousands. Calling them "immigrants" is a little too on the nose given the recent events with Syrian refugees and the ongoing debate about the state of immigration in the United States. Understandably, neither of those issues particularly affects Japan, but given Japan's historical stigma of xenophobia, it's still a poor choice of word.

 

[chillybright]

So if not alien immigrants, how in English do you express the concept "alien life form that would like to migrant and live on earth"?

 

[salromano]

So if not alien immigrants, how in English do you express the concept "alien life form that would like to migrant and live on earth"?

While I agree that the word Immigrants is technically not incorrect given that they're migrating from an alien world to live on earth, I think it's the fact that they're attacking and trying to take over that makes it sound weird.

It doesn't matter anyway because it'll be changed in English release just like the other games.

 

[TalonJH]

They were "Foreigners" in the Japanese version of 2025/4.1.

Not to excuse this, but it's extremely unlikely there's a deeper meaning behind it. That said they should change it if only because it's a really stupid thing to be calling your invading enemy force in a game about giant ants and frogmen.

Bah, beaten:

I don't think anyone thinks it's meant in a negative way. They just find it amusing or "eye-brow raising" use of words.

So if not alien immigrants, how in English do you express the concept "alien life form that would like to migrant and live on earth"?

We normally wouldn't call an invader an immigrant. If they were just aliens coming to our planet, immigrant would be fine. It's in the same way that you wouldn't call a robber, a visitor. I really think they were going for the pun on immigrANT which is pretty funny as far as puns go.

What's the problem here?
It's a videogame, and not a very famous one at that... and there's an obvious play on words here.

Immigrant, invaders, or slightly friendly neigbours who want to sell cookies, who cares, really. And there's no way the word 'immigrant' would be left as is in western versions anyway.


I just hope the game will be good.

I don't think there is a problem, people just think it's amusing.

 

[Pizza con salsiccia]

What's the problem here?
It's a videogame, and not a very famous one at that... and there's an obvious play on words here.

Immigrant, invaders, or slightly friendly neigbours who want to sell cookies, who cares, really. And there's no way the word 'immigrant' would be left as is in western versions anyway.


I just hope the game will be good.

 

[TreIII]

That was the EDF 3-4 continuity. In EDF 2 Vita they're called Buggernauts.

See, I didn't play the localized version of 2V, so that's news to me. HAH!

 

[Rudiano]

pre-order cancelled

Spoiler

jk I quit buying ps2 games years ago

 

[orochi91]

Fuck that.

I ain't gonna support xenophobes; not buying this game ever, unless they apologize and fix this shit.

 

[Extra Sauce]

We need to build a space wall, and the space bugs will pay for it.

*builds space wall*

*everything dies*

ive made a huge mistake.gif

 

[AlucardGV]

lots of people up in arms for a non offensive word. that's crazy

 

[sonicmj1]

We need to build a space wall, and the space bugs will pay for it.

 

[KnightimeX_Legacy]

im·mi·grant
ˈiməɡrənt/

noun
1.
a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.
2.
an organism found in a new habitat.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/immigrant

I really don't see the issue here.
Stop being easily offended over definitions.

It is what it is and you must accept.

 

[Loomer]

D3, publicly apologize and cancel EDF5 or you can kiss your business goodbye.

 

[IpsoFacto]

Oh, no! The ants are eating us but I can't let my internalized xenophobia win because that's what the ants really want!

 

[L Thammy]

Can someone tally the number of people complaining about people offended versus the number of people who are actually offended in this thread?

 

[AHA-Lambda]

This game will sell gangbusters in UK.

.

 

[skelekey]

I thought immigrant and alien were the same thing. On dictionary.com the second definition is, "an organism found in a new habitat". I'm not seeing the issue here.

Edit, Whoops, I see I'm a little late.

 

[stuminus3]

It's not particularly offensive but the lack of awareness is astounding. I mean...

What's the problem here?

...you really don't know what's going on in the Western world at the moment? The Syrian refugee crisis? Brexit? The rise of Donald freakin' Trump? Come on.

 

[chillybright]

If this is a genuine question, it would be "extraterrestrial immigrant". However none of the aliens in EDF are attempting to emigrate to Earth and start a family. They''re an invading force that you murder wholesale by the tens of thousands. Calling them "immigrants" is a little too on the nose given the recent events with Syrian refugees and the ongoing debate about the state of immigration in the United States. Understandably, neither of those issues particularly affects Japan, but given Japan's historical stigma of xenophobia, it's still a poor choice of word.

While I agree that the word Immigrants is technically not incorrect given that they're migrating from an alien world to live on earth, I think the fact that they're attacking and trying to take over that makes it sound weird.

It doesn't matter anyway because it'll be changed in English release just like the other games.

We normally wouldn't call an invader an immigrant. If they were just aliens coming to our planet, immigrant would be fine. It's in the same way that you wouldn't call a robber, a visitor. I really think they were going for the pun on immigrANT which is pretty funny as far as puns go.

Ok. Sorry for my poor engrish vocabulary. Invader does seem more fitting given the context but immigrANT is definitely more punny.

 

[sonicmj1]

Ok. Sorry for my poor engrish vocabulary. Invader does seem more fitting given the context but immigrANT is definitely more punny.

Invader would be more fitting, which is why they used that name for the aliens in EDF 1 and 2.

Every time they reboot the series, they change the name of the aliens.

 

[NoPiece]

At least they're space ants and frogs and not actual humans

xseed will prbably change that name lol.

It is a good play on words, Immigr-ant.

 

[OverBlood 3]

Damn space immigrants!

 

[Psxphile]

Oh, I get it.

Immigrants.

 

[SixMachine]

I hope they keep it just to hear the hammy voice actors constantly stress the pun. Especially the constantly bewildered scientist who always talks to you.

 

[KDR_11k]

I doubt it's a pun, just a case of not knowing what they're saying. Japan has a tendency to grab random English words and use them completely wrong because they sound cool. Especially EDF, look at all the mythological or otherwise borrowed names stuck onto the various weapons and vehicles that make no damn sense or are at best something nobody would ever call it. Air Raider and Fencer for a start (often used as a proper nouns in the dialog).

 

[manfestival]

To save our mother earth from any alien attack!

 

[Eiji]

We sure it's not "immigrANTS?"

PC version confirmed.

LOL!

 

[Fisty]

Guys, there is this thing called parody

 

[Version 3.0]

I get that the Japanese have a well-earned reputation for xenophobia, but given the past EDF games' clowny ham-filled dialog and atmosphere, I think we can dismiss any notion of deliberate intent here. This is English text in a Japanese game. Anyone with experience in that area knows how stilted the text can be.

Call me if it's still there after localization and I'll stop laughing.

 

[lemon__fresh]

Social commentary, neat!

 

[Riposte]

Military game jerking off on nationalistic propaganda? Tell me something new. Most war games are unbearable pieces of shit with their depictions of the "enemies" too. Not sure what's more offensive tbh. They're all trash games anyway, glorifying the utter failure of man.

Did you eat lunch?

 

[junpei]

I get that the Japanese have a well-earned reputation for xenophobia, but given the past EDF games' clowny ham-filled dialog and atmosphere, I think we can dismiss any notion of deliberate intent here. This is English text in a Japanese game. Anyone with experience in that area knows how stilted the text can be.

Call me if it's still there after localization and I'll stop laughing.

xenophobia doesn't need ill intent to be xenophobia. That being said I need more info before I call this xenophobia. This issue will likely be changed when this comes stateside.

 

[micster]

Holy shit, some of these replies. Japan's resident card for foreigners used to be called the alien card. It's a mix of bad translation choices and not understanding how that meaning carries over when looked at under a western spotlight.

 

[BTA]

Not sure what you're referring to, but they have change names of groups, enemies, items etc all the time

edit: change might not be the best word, localize is what i mean.

I was mostly joking- I do expect that they'll change this, especially given the precedence pointed out in this thread. I was referring to their staff's backwards idea of what "censorship" means and how they've specifically kept wording that'll be worse in the US in the past.

 

[crinale]

As for Buggernauts, they now have frogs as enemies so it can't be used anymore I guess?

 

[NinjaTehFish]

its amazing how many people are jumping to the games defense like japan doesn't have its own immigrant issues (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/07/national/media-national/japans-resident-koreans-endure-climate-hate/#.V-R49_l94dU)

And it just as amazing that, even if there is no i'll intent, people are still defending this as ok to release in the west given the climate and language used around immigration issues.

Its not ok and absolutely needs to be changed for a world wide release.

 

[jediyoshi]

If this is a genuine question, it would be "extraterrestrial immigrant".

Mmm, rolls right off the tongue.

 

[HappyBivouac]

I'm sure they don't mean any offense. It only seems like that!

 

[jayu26]

They should role with miss translation and call it satire.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

A poor choice of words but if the in game aliens are trying to take over the planet then it's not the incorrect word to use. It is a correct use of that word.

Not the most sensitive choice of words, though.

I didn't realize the word immigrants was associated with people trying to take over.

 

[Toxi]

A poor choice of words but if the in game aliens are trying to take over the planet then it's not the incorrect word to use. It is a correct use of that word.

Not the most sensitive choice of words, though.

When talking about the Nazis invading France, do we usually call them immigrants? No.

It's bizarre how many people don't understand that words have connotations. It's not just that calling monsters trying to invade the planet "immigrants" is a tad offensive, it also is an extremely unfitting word for the context.

 

[KDR_11k]

Military game jerking off on nationalistic propaganda? Tell me something new. Most war games are unbearable pieces of shit with their depictions of the "enemies" too. Not sure what's more offensive tbh. They're all trash games anyway, glorifying the utter failure of man.

EDF is a game about the human military going "EDF EDF EDF!" and getting horribly murdered by the aliens. Even the name EDF refers to the useless military that gets stomped in the first half hour of any Kaiju movie to give a reason why only the heroes can stop the monster.

 

[decaf]

Immigants... I knew it was them. Even when it was the bears I knew it was them.

 

[Hektor]

I didn't realize the word immigrants was associated with people trying to take over.

The Europeans colonizing America while systematically slaughtering natives were and often still are reffered to as immigrants too.


What was that other than trying to take over?

 

[Cheesecakebobby]

Makes sense. Everyone in the UK knows how much the EDF hate immigrants

Oh wait that's EDL

 

[caligula13]

The Europeans colonizing America while systematically slaughtering natives were and often still are reffered to as immigrants too.


What was that other than trying to take over?

that might be true but the immigrants of today are not white...for the left that changes everything

 

[B_Signal]

that might be true but the immigrants of today are not white...for the left that changes everything

That's not true

 

[Toxi]

that might be true but the immigrants of today are not white...for the left that changes everything

White immigrant here.

Though I'm not sure you would count me as white with that comment.

 

[Lord Frieza]

Japan probably has the least percentage of immigrants in its population among all developed countries.

And now we know why

 

[Link1110]

Make Japan great again?

日本を取り戻す
It's close...