But I’ve often been wondering: when does localization cross the line of censorship? Aren’t these changes killing some of the game’s fun?

Let’s take a recent example, let’s see how Yakuza 3 on PS3 was adapted for the US territory. The game was heavily criticized by gamers who suspect the localizerd edited or removed significant game elements.

Now the question is: do all of these elements actually required to be changed? Isn’t that just based on a stereotype that American gamers tend to be more religious and concerned about nudity and violence? I assume that someone purchasing the third installment in a game series would normally have a pretty good idea as to what kind of content they were getting into, especially with a series such as Yakuza, which is relatively well-known. The games even receive ratings similar to films, giving the consumer an even better idea of what the game in question contains.

Now if you look at it, most gamers actually are adult and will absolutely not care to find certain elements. In fact, their absence may come as a huge disappointment for them and alter their gaming experience. So should developers think a little more about what public they are targetting, or just assume anyone may buy the game by accident, and thus edit it?.

Game translation shall always be respectful of gamers.