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

[Yellow]

I really enjoyed the NA Haurchefant, but the JP one is also hilarious and amazing too. It's a shame he was different, I don't think FFXIV needs to be worried about having odd/strange characters (your audience is hardly conservative - think of all the strange and odd things that have been accepted in previous Final Fantasy games).

Either way, I still think you did a great job! Don't take this upon yourself too harshly. It would be interesting to know why his behaviour was seen as problematic in the first place though. Was there concerns that players would be bothered by implying homosexual interest (hopefully not, because that would be pretty sad if that were the case)?

[Kikosho]

The EN Haurchefant wasn't terrible by any means and he was still endearing enough to have people clamor for a minion/portrait to remember him. Reading and watching the JP cutscenes though, I wouldn't have minded the JP version (in my case I prefer it). I personally didn't find the JP version creepy either and it's not like Haurchefant's archetype isn't a new thing in western media.

[Serilda]

Wow, as someone who played FFXI in Japanese in an English linkshell (where there were similar localisation discrepancies) and now plays XIV in English - with Japanese voiceover - almost exclusively alongside Japanese players, I am very critical of the communication difficulties and confusion that the localised text can cause. It drives me crazy trying to come to an understanding with my fellow players at times, and it makes it annoying to participate in fan activities across regions where details can differ so widely.

Thank you though, for going above and beyond to post this explanation and showing how much you care about the game and the players. Being able to switch the client language makes the underlying problem less frustrating this time around anyway, but taking on feedback and posting a heartfelt note to the community is very much appreciated

[Rufalus]

Things like this are why FF XIV is a very special game. We have a very special group of people working on it. They don't need to apologize and promise to work harder, but they do because they care so much. Thank you for this explanation, always nice to receive communication and information from the team.

[BreathlessTao]

It's very disturbing, experiencing such a thing - playing with Japanese audio and having English text, there have been times when I could clearly tell the difference between the spoken words and the written text, and that's without actually understanding Japanese, that's just how far it's gone. This isn't even the only such part, and like I said it's simply disturbing. I know a literal translation is not the way to go, in any kind of translation, but making sure that a given text is grammatically correct and uses "living language" is one thing. Changing up the setting, the tone, the personalities - those are completely different things, and should not be done by translators.

What I really don't understand is this very specific, very special concern over [Western players in general] basically not being able to deal with certain curiosities of the Japanese script. I just don't get it. All of the Japanese players are perfectly ok with all of the Western holidays, clearly, I mean - cue so many of the seasonal events. Why is there a special concern over what's literally one or two odd Japanese phenomena? For one, I'm quite sure that a lot of us have been "into" the Japenese pop culture enough to know what's what - at the very least to not be freaked out easily. For two, I understand that the team is Japanese, that the main focus audience is Japanese, but come on, the game's international. Differences coming from cultural backgrounds should be no issue, certainly not to such extent, anyway.

And this is basically the only aspect where extra special additional attention is being given to [Western players in general]. Why is that? Why are the English (and I only know about the English) forums still and time and time again full of the same (~2year-)old concerns that seemingly have not been given the special attention instead, even though they have been much more pressing matters? There's such a serious imbalance here that it's really a serious cause for worry.

For what it's worth - thank you for the time and energy put into the explanation. However, in the future I would prefer not having a cause for such in the first place.

[Lego3400]

The EN Haurchefant wasn't terrible by any means and he was still endearing enough to have people clamor for a minion/portrait to remember him. Reading and watching the JP cutscenes though, I wouldn't have minded the JP version (in my case I prefer it). I personally didn't find the JP version creepy either and it's not like Haurchefant's archetype isn't a new thing in western media.

Add me to the list of people who prefer it. Hell I play characters that match that arch-type in online RPs. That said I understand why, I read a few of the direct translations and they seem slightly creepy (Like him ordering skimpy clothes for adventurers he's hired despite everyone in corthas complaining about the cold). I still get the feeling even in english that he wanted in the WoL's pants though.

[Ryan77k]

To be entirely honest, I really did like Haurchefant the way he is currently in the English version. A steadfast and loyal friend, and all that. And when I learned of the discrepancies between the JP and everywhere else versions of Haurchefant, it didn't phase me much. At the end of the day, he was still steadfast and loyal. He, uh... just wanted a little more than "friendship", it seemed. Which isn't 'problematic', such as it cropped up so many times in the OP. If anything, I'm pretty sure the nobility are entitled to their eccentricities.

At the end of the day, if EN Haurchefant said the same as the JP Haurchefant, all that'd change is a bunch of Tumblrites not losing their minds in anger, but losing their minds at how fantastic the guy is.

Now, if you would just make Y'shtola love the Warrior of Light, then I'd be grateful. ;~;

[Mimilu]

Personally, I viewed Haurchefant as a boring, background character...

At least, until he died, anyway.

[CyberForte]

I feel the need to add my voice to those saying you made the right decision in changing his portrayal. Haurchefant was one of my favorite characters in this game, and his death hurt more than anything has in a long time, even character deaths in novels. And I strongly feel that I would not have cared nearly so much if he had been more directly translated, especially as I feel the stereotype from the original japanese would be painfully out of place in the otherwise compelling and immersive world of FFXIV.

[Dualblade]

snip

Its not always the players they worry about, but other certain outside interferences that tend to cry fowl over his type of charactization...some of which might play the game, but more likely would know nothing of the game and just care that this so-and-so character is acting in a way they don't approve of possibly being seen by "impressionable" children.

For myself I enjoyed the EN version, and while his character was brought more in line later on in the patch I think it works for the better, with him warming up to us greatly after helping in the story and being a steadfast friend/"more".

As well reading a bit more into the differences, it seems they may have also wished to avoid using sterotypes that could see being offensive as well, and again by his reapearence I think it works out for the better EN wise.