'All Your Base are Belong to us'. Not if we can help it

So while video games were initially targeting the ‘boy gamer’, it seems that a new, broader audience now confronts the industry, and hold different expectations for their games. For instance, video games now have to market themselves to a wider age range, both genders, families, and commuters, as well as their traditional user base. Current research by Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) shows that 40% of current gamers in the US are female, with 80% of this group opting to play more casual titles on the Nintendo Wii. While current games no longer see such aberrations, the gaming industry often fails to take the required time to adequately localize each release for the international audience. According to Justin Potts, the Localization Manager at Active Gaming Media, publishers occasionally demand a localization turnaround time of 48 hours. This seems to be a huge shame, as games can take years to develop, yet are undermined by a nonchalant approach to localization. Video game localization can be a very interesting prospect for translators, as the text needs to remain accurate and functional, but it is also fundamental that it continues to entertain. Creative translators are assigned projects as opposed to a direct translation, and are able to make any changes deemed necessary. Some language experts even demand alterations to the story, design, and graphics to help a game localize. For instance, in 2000 Square released Final Fantasy IX, which became both a critical and commercial success. But Square was forced to revise the name of their main protagonist, whose name literally translated from the Japanese is Zidane. In North America, Zidane was able to retain his name. However, in Europe the name Zidane belong to someone else; the world-class French footballer Zinedine Zidane. Square were concerned that the use of Zidane’s name would not only incur legal problems, but it would also introduce incorrect connotations for the game. Therefore, Zidane became Djidane in the French version of Final Fantasy IX, and Yitán in the Spanish. Square, now SquareEnix, has always been a pioneer in terms of game localization. When a game is released in another region, publishers always change the box art to appeal to culturally different audiences. An interesting example is that of Kirby, the rotund, pink ball that has stared in his own video game series and television show. Yet, on his journey from Japan to the US, Kirby has become seemingly angry.

It's a Magical World, a Kingdom Hearts and Fullmetal Alchemist ...

It's a Magical World

Disclaimer : I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Kingdom Hearts . Sadly enough.

Warnings : Complete Crack… Yeah

AN: Fullmetal Alchemist/Kingdom Hearts. Never thought you'd see that cross, did you? Written for for AtLA Land's Red Envelope/gift-giving challenge.

Some part of Ed's brain, the part that isn't currently breaking and then crumbling into dust, is embarrassed. He knows he's staring. He knows it! But he just can't help himself!

He can take the talking dog. He can even take the duck with the speech impediment. The other weird monsters that randomly seem to appear to help their group. But this is really pushing it! This isn't impossible. It isn't real. It isn't!

"What the hell was that?" he half-demands, half-shrieks, and later, he'll be even more mortified to realize the high pitch to his voice. Right now though, his synapses are misfiring and he's lucky to remember his own name.

Sora shifts from one foot to the other and rubs the back of his head.

"Um… magic?"

Only, it comes out more of a question. Like he can't quite figure out what the other boy means or why he's so upset.

Ed feels his eye twitch. He wants to call him a lunatic. A quack. A mentally deficient moron who clearly needs his head examined.

But all he manages is "Guh?"

AN: So it's been like a thousand years since I played Kingdom Hearts. You don't want to know how long it's been for FMA.

RT : "I'm looking for someone. Hades promised to help." - Cloud ( Kingdom Hearts )

RT : "I'm looking for someone. Hades promised to help." - Cloud ( Kingdom Hearts )

"I'm looking for someone. Hades promised to help." - Cloud ( Kingdom Hearts )

Kingdom hearts 1, help on 100 acre woods ???

Just played Kingdom Hearts for a couple hours.. hah. Got the Hades cup. I'm almost done the game. I'm gonna need help though... hmm

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