Poll: OST Localization Ruins Games

[jisouserious]

Before I begin, I'm not rejecting opinions against my own; but this is my opinion for you to agree or disagree with.

Now that that's all sorted, I feel we've all had that moment when playing a game which is inherently Japanese, where the company will completely change the intro of a game, or even the entire soundtrack. This is to me, a game breaking exercise, as it can completely change the original intended feel of a game. More so when an entire soundtrack is changed, and agreeably not so much when it's just the opening theme.

The dragonball z series is a perfect example of this, as their games seem to duck in and out of localization when it comes to soundtracks on a regular basis. Remember the budokai series? remember the intro's and stage themes and how they were kept original? I sure do, and one of the things that broke the later releases for me was the fact that they suddenly decided the games needed soundtrack localization, I'm glad it was recovered after Burst Limit, but it simply annoys me that companies think we'd enjoy a game less if it was kept intact. What must a company think to come to the conclusion that a game needs it's music changing? were they all like "Oh no! It's Japanese! So people will reject it since it's cultural stand point doesn't eat steaks the size of a table!"?

That's what gets me more than anything else, surely it's more costly to redo it? or are copyrights expensive for OST's internationally? I find it hard to believe that it's harder to share revenue on an OST than make a totally new one.

Either way, to me, games are an art form, an expression of the production team's goal when making the product, and it just feels so tainted when it's changed. Everything in a game was put there for a reason; what if somebody gave Japan a game like skyrim, but then worried the chanting OST would lose cultural interest? do we go pay a few japanese artists to make a more eastern OST?

I REST MY CASE YOUR HONOR!!! GOODNIGHT!!!

 

[Daystar Clarion]

This actually happened with Sonic CD.

For example, here is the Japanese version of the intro.


And this one was the US version.


Funnily enough, I actually really like both tracks

 

[jisouserious]

This actually happened with Sonic CD.

For example, here is the Japanese version of the intro.


And this one was the US version.


Funnily enough, I actually really like both tracks

I was going to mention this but felt the reference was a little dated. Though you are right, there was an entire revision of the entire OST in Sonic CD, and not just the intro. In my opinion I feel the original holds more weight since it was the intended sounds of the creators, but I know what you mean, Sonic Boom was pretty sweet, I can't say too much about the US level tracks though, they don't really stick in your mind as much either.

 

[LittleBlondeGoth]

I did get a bit annoyed when the Japanese version of FFXIII shipped with a lovely closing song and us in the West got Leona sodding Lewis.

 

[jisouserious]

I did get a bit annoyed when the Japanese version of FFXIII shipped with a lovely closing song and us in the West got Leona sodding Lewis.

I didn't know that, though it makes a lot of sense; I thought it was weird that Leona Lewis was in it, and it makes WAAAAAAAY too much sense that she wasn't the original choice.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Snip

Yeah, US tracks for the levels were pretty weak.


The Japanese/EU version of Palmtree Panic Zone just felt like a better fit than the US version.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

99% of the time I don't even know when they changed the soundtrack until someone tells me about it so most of the time as far as I know the soundtrack I'm getting IS the original soundtrack. And since I don't know any better I don't really have any reason to go look it up.

Either way, to me, games are an art form, an expression of the production team's goal when making the product, and it just feels so tainted when it's changed. Everything in a game was put there for a reason; what if somebody gave Japan a game like skyrim, but then worried the chanting OST would lose cultural interest? do we go pay a few japanese artists to make a more eastern OST?

I wouldn't doubt that that actually happens.

 

[LittleBlondeGoth]

I didn't know that, though it makes a lot of sense; I thought it was weird that Leona Lewis was in it, and it makes WAAAAAAAY too much sense that she wasn't the original choice.

Yeah, the original was a beautiful song in Japanese, and it fits in melodically with the rest of the soundtrack. It's called Kimi Ga Irukara - fits much better imho. Leona was just a bit jarring for me. Luckily, I bought the Crystal Edition that came with a 4 disc OST, and that had the right song on it.

 

[jisouserious]

99% of the time I don't even know when they changed the soundtrack until someone tells me about it so most of the time as far as I know the soundtrack I'm getting IS the original soundtrack. And since I don't know any better I don't really have any reason to go look it up.

Well that's fine, but it doesn't change the fact you're playing something that wasn't originally intended to be a certain way. By the way, our games don't get localized all too often believe it or not, and never in terms of OST, the only Localization we've had in recent years was in saints row 3 when players could swing a dildo thing around, and the Japanese desensitized it.

It pays to do your research overall. And I guarantee if you appreciate something enough, you would look at it more in depth and learn about it. It's a form of interest and it ends with deeper knowledge.

 

[A Weakgeek]

I have a feeling this is really a anime dub vs. sub question all over again. Like in the former, I'm neutral. Few OSTs are perfect, you can do better most of the time. So if the localization manages to be better sounding I applaud their efforts.

As for integrity, I feel very few games have a soundtrack that actually reflects the rest of the game in a way that you cant imagine the game without the specific tracks. If the originals are truly masterpieces, then you shouldnt sacrifice the athmosphere of the game just for the sake of globalization

 

[Canadamus Prime]

99% of the time I don't even know when they changed the soundtrack until someone tells me about it so most of the time as far as I know the soundtrack I'm getting IS the original soundtrack. And since I don't know any better I don't really have any reason to go look it up.

Well that's fine, but it doesn't change the fact you're playing something that wasn't originally intended to be a certain way. By the way, our games don't get localized all too often believe it or not, and never in terms of OST, the only Localization we've had in recent years was in saints row 3 when players could swing a dildo thing around, and the Japanese desensitized it.

It pays to do your research overall. And I guarantee if you appreciate something enough, you would look at it more in depth and learn about it. It's a form of interest and it ends with deeper knowledge.

Meh, ignorance is bliss. Besides there are some things I just don't want to know, like I don't want to know if the soundtrack was changed when it was localized. And even if I happen to find out that they did I have to ask myself how much I actually care. Do I like the soundtrack they used? Yes/no? If yes, then I don't care.

 

[jisouserious]

Meh, ignorance is bliss. Besides there are some things I just don't want to know, like I don't want to know if the soundtrack was changed when it was localized. And even if I happen to find out that they did I have to ask myself how much I actually care. Do I like the soundtrack they used? Yes/no? If yes, then I don't care.

If ignorance were truly bliss in any life situation we'd all be in trouble mate. If ignorance were bliss EA would probably double their prices if people didn't feel the need to complain about what they deserve as a consumer. We as people embody the right to enjoy content and its true-est and most expressive. No self respecting consumer feels that ignorance is bliss when games are an expensive investment on all sides; you can enjoy a revised version, and that's fine, but I for one don't feel like this current era needs ignorant people; there's far to much ignorance and not enough love for the content recieved, and that's why companies make financial choices over aesthetic ones more often.

I only hope that you proceed from here with less ignorance, though please don't feel obliged to. You can enjoy life however, but I just can't imagine it fun to be in your shoes. Nobody sees in the dark after all.

 

[RedLister]

I did get a bit annoyed when the Japanese version of FFXIII shipped with a lovely closing song and us in the West got Leona sodding Lewis.

THIS! x9000! I had to turn off the sound on my telly during the ending to prevent my ears bleeding

 

[Gearhead mk2]

I've never really come across a game with a localised OST, but my personal opinion is that if the music fits and it's good in the original, it shouldn't be changed in the ported version. Listening to Blazblue's J-rock, I honestly can't imagne what a western composer would change with it, but it just wouldn't be the same. Besides, we get japanese games with english lyrics.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Meh, ignorance is bliss. Besides there are some things I just don't want to know, like I don't want to know if the soundtrack was changed when it was localized. And even if I happen to find out that they did I have to ask myself how much I actually care. Do I like the soundtrack they used? Yes/no? If yes, then I don't care.

If ignorance were truly bliss in any life situation we'd all be in trouble mate. If ignorance were bliss EA would probably double their prices if people didn't feel the need to complain about what they deserve as a consumer. We as people embody the right to enjoy content and its true-est and most expressive. No self respecting consumer feels that ignorance is bliss when games are an expensive investment on all sides; you can enjoy a revised version, and that's fine, but I for one don't feel like this current era needs ignorant people; there's far to much ignorance and not enough love for the content recieved, and that's why companies make financial choices over aesthetic ones more often.

I only hope that you proceed from here with less ignorance, though please don't feel obliged to. You can enjoy life however, but I just can't imagine it fun to be in your shoes. Nobody sees in the dark after all.

Don't pity me. Obviously there are things that are worth getting upset over, the soundtrack of a video game however isn't one of them.

 

[jisouserious]

Don't pity me. Obviously there are things that are worth getting upset over, the soundtrack of a video game however isn't one of them.

Who said you were being pitied? and please understand your opinion has been taken into account, I just don't feel it's a very strong one, I'm very open minded, but like all intellects I get to then choose how justified an opinion is and how weighted it is to me. It's the beauty of free speech, an effect to which you have also been capable of.

 

[jisouserious]

The only time that localization has ever bugged me is in Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3. Because licensing the tracks from Gundam SEED and Gundam 00 is a LOT of money (since the tracks are done by popular J-Pop artists) they were excluded entirely. If "Ash Like Snow" had been on the tracks (like it was in Japan) I would have never stopped playing.

That being said, the annoyance was minor. I've played a LOT of Japanese games, and the soundtrack changes either didn't bother me or bothered me very little.

This is a seriously good point, it indicates that it is very "type of person" specific and has opened my eyes up a fair bit. I'd like to say it's all about how passionate you are about something as to how much it matters, but please understand I am not suggesting that you lack any form of passion with this opinion; far from it in fact, as you have researched to subject matter well and have gone out of your way to truly enthuse in the content you enjoy.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Don't pity me. Obviously there are things that are worth getting upset over, the soundtrack of a video game however isn't one of them.

Who said you were being pitied? and please understand your opinion has been taken into account, I just don't feel it's a very strong one, I'm very open minded, but like all intellects I get to then choose how justified an opinion is and how weighted it is to me. It's the beauty of free speech, an effect to which you have also been capable of.

Well it sure came across as pity and more than a little condescending too. And BTW, when I said "ignorance is bliss" I meant in this situation only, not everywhere. Obviously it pays it be well informed when it matters.
And ok, I'll admit sometimes it really sucks when they go and change the soundtrack from the original. An example of a changed soundtrack that I can't stand is Dragon Ball GT (yeah yeah, shut up) I first watched the show on YTV which featured a dub done by Ocean which kept the OST mostly intact, then I wanted to get the episodes on DVD so I found several while shopping down in the states and started watching and found the soundtrack was not only different, but some horrid hip-hop type thing. I couldn't even get past the intro. So I don't entirely disagree with you, but one has to consider how much of a big deal it is. For me, yeah it sucks, but it's not worth wasting bandwidth over, esp if the replacement soundtrack is good too.