Escapist News Now: Bravely Default Censored in Western Market

[Fdzzaigl]

The "issue" I have with this kind of thing (although that is a big word here, I personally don't like revealing armor), is that devs just take action to censor their own product before any questions were asked.

When self-censoring becomes such a normal and ingrained thing to do, well that's not okay in my book.

This is not censorship. The word I believe you're looking for is 'localization'. 'Censorship' implies an outside organization is preventing information from being transmitted. That's not what's happening here. This is a case of a private company deciding they will sell more copies and make more money if they make the version sold in one country superficially different from the version sold in another. And that's their right. They own the IP.

AKA, it's self-censorship.

 

[Sir Prize]

It's self-censorship and I can't really see the issue here.

If it wasn't done, then chances are at least one group would be screaming bloody murder of it. Sure sexualisation happens in other mediums and it's worse; it's just that video-games still an easier target.And frankly I'm betting that Western games get censored over there, rightly or wrongly. The fact that Square is covering it's ass before the crap hits he fan is a smart move though.

 

[LazyAza]

They're animated stylized characters in a completely fictional universe and context. I'll never understand why so many people knee jerk react to this kind of thing as if its the work of satan. But then I grew up on anime and manga so I guess being use to fictional characters of varies implied ages having certain designs/outfits whatever is just another thing I don't really see any reason to make a fuss about.

I mean if you don't like that kind of thing then don't play/watch the media that has it, simple as that.

 

[Something Amyss]

The question is, do we really want other parts of the world treating the west like oversensitive prudes?
The sexualization is just an example, it could be anything.

This operates under the assumption that it is normally the Japanese (or other country) who set the standard here when routinely it's us. The treatment of the game in Europe is no doubt a direct response to other titles being pulled from stores or simply not released. Thus, it's in no way preemptive. We've established these things.

I can't answer the question as it's a false premise.

However, Japan can think what it wants of the West, and I really don't care. I care even less when you consider that groping is so common that they actually have to have separate train cars for women. They can judge us by our society's standards, and we can do likewise.

]It isn't censorship if the creator's do it of their own volition. That's just localization. This is really no different than Nier being released in the west with an older, burlier protagonist.

Self-censorship is still censorship.

 

[Something Amyss]

Part of me says who cares, and the other part of me says... Who the fuck cares? I guess I see the logic just fine, but I mean, really? As if the rest of the western gaming world doesn't sexualize people. It's just the age part I guess? Fair enough, sorta. If this is the case though, how the hell did the Dancers and Nightseekers in Etrian Odyssey 4 make it past this "censorship" (Not really censorship)? THAT is a curious question. I'm sporting a super tight bikini clad loli girl kicking ass in my party in that game. Why? The game had her and was pretty much begging for it :3

You're in Canadia, yes?

I don't know how frequent it is, but there have been more than a few times where the European localisation and the NA one are done different. And we still have no word as to whether this will happen with the US version, too.

The "issue" I have with this kind of thing (although that is a big word here, I personally don't like revealing armor), is that devs just take action to censor their own product before any questions were asked.

Who says no questions were asked? It's not like this game popped up in a vacuum. At the very least, ratings boards have to certify the game, and there's past precedent.

 

[Adventurer2626]

Yea I'm gonna go ahead say I'm okay with this. I was about read to break out the popcorn for some good ol fashion 1984 torch and pitch forking but this makes too much sense. Age limits have always seemed arbitrary to me but I understand the need for them and to pick a number and stick with it rather than endlessly debate. I do have a problem with sexualization of "child-like" characters in any medium. It just rubs me the wrong way. I get artistic freedom and all but I do draw the line here. Also as I get older I prefer to keep any "eye candy" separate from my entertainment; it's just too distracting. I get lots of "Wait, what just happened? Where's the rewind button? I was too busy staring at the low-cut top" moments. That's what mods are for.

 

[Fdzzaigl]

The "issue" I have with this kind of thing (although that is a big word here, I personally don't like revealing armor), is that devs just take action to censor their own product before any questions were asked.

Who says no questions were asked? It's not like this game popped up in a vacuum. At the very least, ratings boards have to certify the game, and there's past precedent.

In the Joystiq news, it was stated that square enix made this decision beforehand to prevent any problems afterward, to avoid similar problems as were had with Dead or Alive: Dimensions.
I searched for rating by the ESRB on Bravely Default, it hasn't been rated for Europe yet as far as I can see.

To me it looks like a knee jerk reaction where the company self-censors itself before the public has even given a reaction.

 

[CaptainBill22]

Has anyone taken a look at most 15 year old American girls? They pretty much dress scantily anyways. This kind of localization or censorship doesn't make sense.

 

[thisbymaster]

So they improved the game to comply with anti child pornography laws, I see a win/win.

 

[klaynexas3]

I don't see why both needed to be changed. Either change the costumes and keep the age, or change the age and keep the costumes. I don't see the necessity of both changing. But that's just me. Besides that, I'm mostly indifferent. If they censored the narrative or gameplay, I'd be pissed, but visual censorship I'm fine with. Why do I need them to dress them in scantily clad outfits when I have /b/ and /h/?(just kidding please don't kill me)

 

[Lok'tar]

]It isn't censorship if the creator's do it of their own volition. That's just localization. This is really no different than Nier being released in the west with an older, burlier protagonist.

Self-censorship is still censorship.

It would depend on the reason why the creators alter their works wouldn't it?

If the change was a preemptive move done to prevent wasting time because the creators knew it wouldn't get passed the censorship people then yeah, there's little difference. However if the motive for the change was making the game more desirable for that localization then I don't think the censorship label applies. Lest it be applied to every company that ever existed.

 

[Lok'tar]

edit: First post and it's a double

I blame the "I ACCEPT" screen.

My opinion on the original matter I suppose is well it's their decision to make. Sucks to be in the west if you really wanted the unedited original but that's how it is.

If people are really so eager to get the uncensored version there's always a petition, not that Nintendo really listens to them.

editception:

Well that was stupid of me. Not all games released on the 3DS are made/produced by Nintendo. So the petition might work, I don't know if Square Enix has said anything to the contrary.

 

[[REDACTED]]

Self-censorship is still censorship.

No it isn't. I self-censor all the time, modifying my speech in different ways to better get along with whoever I'm speaking with at the moment. Am I violating my own rights by doing so?

The people behind this game made a change to their own game to make sure it sold more in a certain market. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.