Regarding the Localization of Haurchefant in the EN/FR/DE Versions of FFXIV

[Inzoum]

I wasn't aware of such a discrepancy, but I'm happy with how Haurchefant was made to be in English. However, there are many instances where I feel the different localization teams should try harder to sing the same tune. My wife plays in French and I play in English, and sometimes the quest dialogues can sometimes be COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I would laugh about some humorous situation and my wife would be "what are you talking about, there is no joke here".

One major example of this is the Delivery Moogle quest with Humberct Longhaft, which is filled to the brim with innuendos. She could not remember anything of the sort because there WAS nothing of the sort in the French version. I looked up the quest dialogues online they are ENTIRELY different (and honestly terribly tame and stale like most of the French loc.).

These localization differences are causing us to miss some enjoyable interactions because at times, we truly are playing a different game together, however that works.

[FJerome]

"Problematic"

Game is rated T for Teen. If the people playing this game can handle executing the insane (early Ifrit-related scenario quests), pirate sex slaves (Sastasha), and child abuse (Dark Knight quest line), then they can handle a guy who loves muscles and adventurers' bodies.

"to ensure that our players regarded Haurchefant as positively as the JP player base was intended to"

It wasn't that we couldn't handle it, it's just that a lot of the EN playerbase wouldn't have liked him as much? JP Haurchefant's behaviour can easily be interpreted as "massive creeper" if you just do a straightforward translation and cutscene re-use.

One major example of this is the Delivery Moogle quest with Humberct Longhaft, which is filled to the brim with innuendos. She could not remember anything of the sort because there WAS nothing of the sort in the French version. I looked up the quest dialogues online they are ENTIRELY different (and honestly terribly tame and stale like most of the French loc.).

Off-topic but I had wondered about that, so thanks!

[Brannigan]

"Problematic"

Game is rated T for Teen. If the people playing this game can handle executing the insane (early Ifrit-related scenario quests), pirate sex slaves (Sastasha), and child abuse (Dark Knight quest line), then they can handle a guy who loves muscles and adventurers' bodies. Please remember that FF doesn't need the Nintendo seal of approval anymore. You don't have to change pubs to cafes or prayers to wishes for fear of offending parents or the religious. Likewise, you don't need to change characters like Haurchefant because you're afraid of offending the easily offended. They're going to find something to be offended about anyway. It might even do them some good to have the "Whoa this guy is weird" reaction before realizing that he's one of your staunchest allies.

[Riardon]

"Problematic"

Game is rated T for Teen. If the people playing this game can handle executing the insane (early Ifrit-related scenario quests), pirate sex slaves (Sastasha), and child abuse (Dark Knight quest line), then they can handle a guy who loves muscles and adventurers' bodies. Please remember that FF doesn't need the Nintendo seal of approval anymore. You don't have to change pubs to cafes or prayers to wishes for fear of offending parents or the religious. Likewise, you don't need to change characters like Haurchefant because you're afraid of offending the easily offended. They're going to find something to be offended about anyway. It might even do them some good to have the "Whoa this guy is weird" reaction before realizing that he's one of your staunchest allies.

Pretty much this thank you

[meldon90]

Its not that english Haurchefant is bad, i really enjoyed the character, it just feels strange to have such a big difference between us and Japan.

[Hezkezl]

<snip>...elaborate custom animations that would be required for 3.2 main scenario and a certain...well, you'll just have to look forward to it!).<snip>

Hildibrand confirmed! Possibly for 3.2 Main Scenario Quests?

[ArkNova]

No need for an apology you made the right call Corvinoobus, you guys still made Haurchefant a very memorable character that brought tears to the fan's eyes when his time came.

[Vydos]

I do remember the first few encounters with Haurchefant ingame. And they left me a bit confused, mostly during that one cutscene where my character raised an eyebrow at him, with a puzzled expression. The content of his words made me wonder why my character even reacted like that. It was only when I heard about the difference between EU/JP that I realised why he had that expression.

That said, I do notice that the LOC is greatly improving over the time. And learning from their mistakes. Like for example how you made Midgardsormr speak more normally during Heavensward, instead of cryptic words that made him sound evil like during our first encounter.

[TheGrimace]

As a player of the English version, I don't think that the decision to remove Haurchefant's flirty tendencies should be chastised. I enjoyed every moment of the character and completely agree with the reasoning for adjusting his mannerisms in the 2.X series. I think that the decision to change his portrayal should be commended. He is, at his heart, still the very same character, but presented in a slightly different way to the rest of the world. That's localization, is it not?

After 3.0, tons of EN players were clamoring for more ways to express their love of Haurchefant. With 3.1, we received a minion, a portrait, and a Fortemps family shield as a way to express our devotion to our fallen friend. We may not have seen his character in exactly the same way, but I would argue that the changes may have actually made him more endearing as a steadfast friend. He made his mark on our hearts, and if you are responsible for his growth as a character, I would like to thank you, Corvinoobus.

[Mieck]

As others have said, I think his arc plays out better in English because the localisation represses those parts of his character that were present in the original Japanese. I don't the final scenes would have meant as much without that choice.