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Article published In:
Game Localisation
Edited by Xiaochun Zhang and Samuel Strong
[The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2] 2017
► pp. 183–202

Seeking delocalization

Fan community and game localization in the age of user empowerment

| University of Auckland, New Zealand

The continuing development of the Internet and broader technologization have made the presence of game fans and the diverse fan community highly visible, shaping part of contemporary global game culture. The influences of such user empowerment have been debated, notably along the lines of the emergence of participatory culture (Jenkins 2006). Increased fan participation in translation facilitated by technological environments is highlighting the need to pay attention to the role played by such highly engaged users in the localization industry. Yet, to date the topic has not been explored fully in game localization research. To fill this gap, this article considers the significance for game localization of the dynamically evolving status and influence of international game fan communities. Taking the case of a controversy that erupted during 2015 and 2016 over localization of a Japanese tactical RPG (Role Playing Game) title, the article investigates how user empowerment is impacting on game localization. This article demonstrates the importance – for game publishers and developers alike – of recognizing the increasingly significant presence of global game fan communities. In particular, game publishers and developers must be prepared to have clear and consistent localization policies and strategies in place in order to face the scrutiny of increasingly knowledgeable and empowered fan communities.

Keywords: game fan community, user empowerment, delocalization, localization policies, self-censorship
Article outline
  • 1.Background: Game fan community
  • 2.Problem space: Fan community and game localization
  • 3.A case study: Fire Emblem Fates
    • 3.1Background to fans’ participation in localization
    • 3.2Localization controversy over Fire Emblem Fates
  • 4.Discussion
    • 4.1Democratization of localization: Release time, social media and fan intervention
    • 4.2Theorization of translation by fans
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 26 January 2018
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/jial.00004.oha
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