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Publisher Bethesda disarms Fallout 3 for Japanese audience
Voodoo Extreme dug up a kludgy translation of a Bethesda post for their Japanese audience detailing changes to the upcoming Japanese version of Fallout 3. In addition to some stuff about reduced gore, which is hardly surprising, there's a major change to the early stages of the game:Quest "The Power of the Atom" remove some of the choices
That may not make much sense even if you have played the game and know what it's talking about. But if you haven't played Fallout 3, here's the deal: in one of the earliest quests foisted on you -- it's virtually impossible to miss -- you're given the option to detonate a nuclear bomb that will destroy a town. This is a significant and unforgettable fork in the road, not just for the consequences of the various decisions you can make, but also for the way it introduces and rewards your early tendency towards a "good" or "evil" playing style. It's also the key to one of the game's coolest features: player housing.
Quest "The Power of the Atom" by "detonating a nuclear bomb" in order not to, NPC "Mr. Bourke" In the Japanese version has been removed.
I have no idea how Bethesda is going to work around a major change like that, and it's a bit surprising that it's being cut from the Japanese version of the game. I suspect it's a ratings issue. After all, there is no act known to mankind more violent than a nuclear explosion. But there's no other country that would better appreciate the impact of this part of the game.
By PeterD at 5:05 PM ON 11/12/08
"it's a bit surprising that it's being cut from the Japanese version of the game. I suspect it's a ratings issue."
You're kidding right? You don't think it's possible that the subject matter of blowing up a town with a nuclear bomb might be a bit sensitive in a country that had TWO cities blown up with nuclear bombs? Maybe?
While certainly many (or even most) Japanese gamers might not be concerned, it still risks being offensive to many older Japanese citizens, leading to the potential for protests or bans. Bethesda is simply avoiding the risk of that altogether by removing the option in the first place.
By Killa at 9:36 PM ON 11/12/08
Peterd is dead on. IMVIO, it'd be like a mission to crash a plane into a couple of towers, enemy or not. I wouldn't care, but many Americans wouldn't stand for that.
Maybe Mr. Chick isn't a history buff and wasn't aware...
By Faith at 9:44 PM ON 11/12/08
WTF? The nuclear bomb thing doesn't surprise me, but why would the Japanese care about censoring gore? That's fucking hypocritical, and I don't get it.
By FocusedWolf at 10:54 PM ON 11/12/08
Don't say "TWO cities blown up with nucler bombs" because remember what Tom Clancy said in "Sum of All Fears" commentary about how japan BURNED to the ground not because of the nukes destruction but because of how the cities were built close together out of paper houses... Sure their was the radiation and i'm not sorry for what happened to them. Not being prejudice... it was war (and my ps3's bluray reader died so i don't like japan in that respect :P)
By Enduro Man at 11:56 PM ON 11/12/08
Would it help if Bethesda changed the Megaton bomb's design from a Nagasaki 'Fat Man' into something more generic?
By Kahk at 2:25 AM ON 11/13/08
Focusedwolf you're an idiot. Getting your info from Tom Clancy for one, two being indeed prejudiced, three not knowing how to use grammar properly, and four for owning a PS3. I'm sure there are many more reasons as well. Just go rot in a hole somewhere.
By dingus at 1:30 AM ON 11/15/08
Hey Peterd and Killa, I'm concerned about your browsers. They seem to have dropped the last sentence of the post to which you are commenting. You should have that checked out.
Goofballs.
dingus:
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