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It’s no secret that Nintendo often has to change a few things when localizing games for western audiences. Obviously language translation between varying countries is essential, unless you happen to be fluent in Japanese, but there are many other elements to localization that may also require tweaking. This might be to satisfy local regulation and legal requirements or modifying content to suit specific audience tastes and beliefs so as not to offend. One such 3DS title has recently fallen to the latter due to a somewhat controversial scene involving apparent “gay conversion” and “drugging.” We’ve included the scene below so you can see what all the fuss is about.
In a recent statement, Nintendo of America has confirmed that a scene in Fire Emblem Fates has been changed before its official US and European release in February. The scene in question (without giving any spoilers) involves a female character succumbing to a magical powder given to her by the male protagonist in order to “cure” her of her attraction to women.
We’ve mirrored Nintendo’s statement below:
In the version of the game that ships in the U.S. and Europe, there is no expression which might be considered as gay conversion or drugging that occurs between characters.
There has been no confirmation of exactly what has been changed, or whether the scene has been cut at all.
What is important to state here, and to offer some balance to this story, is that the scene in question goes a lot deeper than what’s highlighted above. The full conversation between the male protagonist and the female character (again, without giving spoilers) focuses more so on his wanting to help her to be more confident in herself and to become stronger around other women; something I’m sure most people would see as a positive trait.
So, is the company possibly guilty of blowing this out of proportion, or is it making the necessary changes to avoid any controversy when the game is released? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Source: Nintendo Life
