ResetEra: how language options should work

[the-pi-guy]

This is something I've wanted, but how difficult would it be?

Developers and console manufacturers: here's how language selection should work | ResetEra

Sorry if this thread is ranting, but I need to get this off my chest. We're heading into a new generation of consoles, and game languages is still mishandled in many cases. And since it's an issue that rarely affects English speaking and Japanese speaking users, it's often overlooked. It's not complicated though.

 I'm talking specifically about language options that do exist, when translations are available, but the game makes assumptions on what language you want based on your region or the language of the system, and doesn't let you chose.

 - You should be able to change the game audio language in game, independently from the region of the console, and the language of the console.
 - Same goes for subtitles, same goes for menu text. Those options should be available, and none should be linked to the language of any other stuff.

 There are many reason I'd want to play a game in any language I want. Maybe I want the original voices for this game. But maybe this other game is too text heavy and I want it in my own language. And I know that other game like the back of my hand and I want to replay it in Japanese this time because I'm learning the language currently.

 Things have been somewhat better in some cases, but not every time. Switch is a nightmare for example. I want to be able to play Animal Crossing in my language because the translation is so good, but other games in English because the translation sucks, and I still need to change the language of my console and reboot it each time I switch games. This is stupid. Xbox One used to be the worst, forcing the language on the region. You had to change your region to change the language, but then you'd have store issue. It got better when they got rid of the Kinect.

 Same goes for various PC clients. Want to change the language of a Game Pass for PC or an Epic Game Store game? Well good fudgy luck.

 I really hope things are going to be simpler on the new systems. We're seeing European translation for games that used to have none (Persona, Yakuza) and that's great, so I feel like it's an issue some people are at least thinking about.  

[Legend]

It's not hard and I assumed most games worked that way. That's how Twisty Puzzle Simulator works.

Game defaults to system language. If the player changes the language, then that is saved with their game profile.


Bigger games cannot ship with every language per region or easily swap languages while running but I wouldn't expect them to lack in game language options.