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[Draugoth]

Edit: The post was debunked as fake, but everything points out to this information being true

From an Environmental Engineer at Nintendo of America

Post text:

My first major “win” at my new job: in the original version of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, this character, Vivian, is canonically trans in the Japanese release and is trying to escape her transphobic siblings who keep mocking her. In the US release, this was changed to her just being generally bullied. We remade the game for Switch, and a few months ago we were having a meeting about localization and I INSISTED that we keep her identity accurate this time. Not everyone was on board. MOST people weren’t on board because of the current political climate in this country over trans identities and bodies. She will be presented correctly in the US release of the game next month and I could not be more proud of queer fortitude and getting to fight for representation in the face of bullshit politics, even if it is just one fictional character in a cartoon video game. I’m glad they made the right choice.

Source

 

[Bridges]

EDIT: Actually if this leads to an English version of Captain Rainbow I'm completely onboard with it. Do Birdo next, cowards.

 

[lmimmfn]

Uggggh rollseyes.gif

 

[diffusionx]

Maybe I'll just play the original on Dolphin instead.

 

[nial]

Nintendo was ahead of everyone with the wokeness in 2004.
/s
or is it?

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Welp, if they were trans in the original Japanese version (I wouldn't know; haven't played it yet), and this is just a way of bringing the US release to same speed, I guess that's fine.

I don't see how it's prophetic or anything and unfortunately, with today's political environment, this type of stuff gets boosted for virtue-signaling (and dogpiling) way more than it deserves. Personally I'd like to hear more about QOL and any gameplay or game balance changes, or new content being added.

But, again, appears the character was trans in the original Japanese version, and there was a specific reason for them being bullied. People can't complain about censorship of Asian games and then get mad at this IMHO because it's just the US version being more accurate to the original.

 

[rapid32.5]

 

[U n i o n 0015]

If it's a more accurate translation take compared to the original, I'd say that's cool.

But the bigger concern with this game is that it runs at half the framerate of the original. Now that's not cool at all.

 

[KimDongHwan]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

 

[sigmaZ]

Trans has been a thing in Japan for as long as I've been here.There's no identity politics made of it. There's been plenty of trans and gender-bending celebrities that are pretty well respected. I don't think this is any kind of political move on the side of Nintendo of Japan.

 

[diffusionx]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

Pretty sure he's not authorized to speak on behalf of his company in this way. People get fired doing stuff like this all the time.

 

[Arsic]

Is Vivian a goomba? If so , LOL.

 

[OverHeat]

Just like that I’m not buying it

 

[Dr. Claus]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

They are mentally ill cunts. Shitty people who try to make immutable characteristics their defining personality.

No one gives a shit if you are gay, straight, trans, black, white, asian, ace or curious. Just shut the fuck up about it, talk about your hobbies, and keep your private life private. Cunts like this are why there is growing pushback against LGBT communities.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

If it's a more accurate translation take compared to the original, I'd say that's cool.

But the bigger concern with this game is that it runs at half the framerate of the original. Now that's not cool at all.

What? HOW, Nintendo, H O W?

Trans has been a thing in Japan for as long as I've been here.There's no identity politics made of it. There's been plenty of trans and gender-bending celebrities that are pretty well respected. I don't think this is any kind of political move on the side of Nintendo of Japan.

Anime & manga, too.

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

TBF, that other person could've just been normal about it too and just went on with their day instead of thinking anyone was interested in them stating they wouldn't be buying the game for (heavily implied) political reasons on his part :/

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Some People (Suddenly): "NOW I SUPPORT CENSORSHIP!!"

 

[Kilau]

What a win for queer fortitude, I'm glad they can see themselves in this character.

 

[Power Pro]

I thought this was always the case, so this is nothing new actually. I’m not bothered, cuz the implication was always there in the original, but they were too afraid to just say it at the time.

 

[nial]

Welp, if they were trans in the original Japanese version (I wouldn't know; haven't played it yet), and this is just a way of bringing the US release to same speed, I guess that's fine.

She was supposed to for what I know, even if I've seen some discussions over the years about her being actually a femboy, and not a trans woman.
It really makes you think when a Japan-only first-party Sony game had this joke in 2001.

 

[Draugoth]

Some People (Suddenly): "NOW I SUPPORT CENSORSHIP!!"

You were right on your comment, if she was trans in the original japanese release, then he/she should be trans in all versions

 

[Deft Beck]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

Beyond the whole Vivian thing, this is just obnoxious and rude of him. Speaking as a gay man myself.

 

[LordOcidax]

20 years old late “news”

 

[nial]

EDIT: Actually if this leads to an English version of Captain Rainbow I'm completely onboard with it. Do Birdo next, cowards.

Never happening, trans portrayal wasn't in a positive light in that game.
Plus, it was a mega flop that no one remembers, lol.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

I chuckled.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Vivian was always trans, and there was no way that modern NoA was going to change that. I was more "worried" that Nintendo Japan would just make her a girl in all regions and be done with it.

 

[Draugoth]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

Unless you are a board member or an investor you are retarded if you defend a bllion dollar corporation... (even if it's the one you work for!)

 

[Mr Reasonable]

Beyond the whole Vivian thing, this is just obnoxious and rude of him. Speaking as a gay man myself.

I think the response is fine and that "I'm not buying" guy should have just kept it to himself.

 

[jshackles]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

I'm glad that this guy was passionate enough to have the representation outcome he wanted to be included in the game.

Anyway - what an asshole.

 

[Arsic]

Seems totally fair play and a non issue. If the character was designed to be from the jump, BY JAPAN, then it’s all gravy.

The current climate in the USA about this is a shit time to run it, especially from Nintendo which many thought was a final bastion to avoid these kinds of topics in games.

 

[Xellos]

Had to look it up but apparently this is how it was in the Japanese version. There's a reference in Super Paper Mario as well. If this is just a more accurate translation of the Japanese original then I'm all for it. Japanese version seems to make it clear that the character is a guy dressing up like a girl.

 

[Big Baller]

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

glad theyre being accurate to the original story. shouldve been that way in the first place.

tiresome as usual to watch these people jack themselves off to "the cause" though.

 

[Sethbacca]

Hey at least you guys still have the Japanese devs right !!!???

(Honestly tho, there are sexually ambiguous characters in a massive percent of games and anime etc, feels pretty normal for the Japanese market honestly).

 

[captainpat]

I have no problem with the game being true to the original japanese version but this guy has to be exaggerating. Also why would environmental engineer be spearheading thing like that? Would that be on the localization staff?

 

[ReBurn]

Are we going to be reading about how Nintendo unfairly fired this dev after they went on social media and crapped all over the rug?

 

[Arsic]

Hey at least you guys still have the Japanese devs right !!!???

Never did is what many will find out lol.

 

[Xellos]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

He could have just said "this is a more accurate translation than the 2004 version."

 

[F0rneus]

Just like that I’m not buying it

You don't like better translations?

 

[Ozzie666]

Accurate translation, nothing to see here. Yes the messaging is a bit over the top. It's a win for respecting the source, nothing more. No need to weaponize it.

 

[Portugeezer]

It's in the original Japanese version, which is fine, Nintendo just feels more comfortable to have it in other regions these days.

 

[bender]

Sounds like a win for more accurate localization. Dude seems like he has no chill though which could shorten his Nintendo tenure.

 

[UltimaKilo]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

Did you see this post yourself? I find it hard to believe that someone would actually post something so pompous that is affiliated with Nintendo. Yamauchi and Iwata would be rolling in their graves.

 

[Guilty_AI]

What the guy doesn't mention though is that her whole 'being a boy' thing was played for laughs, and the game fully treated the character as a male.

Now watch the usual pink-haired twitters get mad over this.

 

[Pejo]

I have little skin in this game either way, but I'm gonna chalk this up to somebody in Treehouse causing this change.

 

[MagnesD3]

Its fine because Japan did it way back before the cancer of the american political landscape but Americans will do thier best to be obnoxious with it, thats really the only thing that makes me roll my eyes. Either way I sure hope this game leads to a Paper Mario 3.

 

[MagiusNecros]

Unprofessional response. The guy saying he wasn't buying the game was the more mature one. Lots of passive aggression and vile animosity is emanating from the other guy. Should probably take a chill pill.

 

[Golgo 13]

Pretty sure he's not authorized to speak on behalf of his company in this way. People get fired doing stuff like this all the time.

For sure. Nintendo doesn't like this at all. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get in big trouble for this. You can't say "we", and then end the message with "Fuck off" with tons of politics in the middle, speaking on behalf of a very conservative, family oriented company like Nintendo. Not good.

 

[Sushi_Combo]

Its fine because Japan did it way back before the cancer of the american political landscape but Americans will do thier best to be obnoxious with it, thats really the only thing that makes me roll my eyes. Either way I sure hope this game leads to a Paper Mario 3.

Can't take any of them seriously anymore.

 

[Holammer]

Vivian was a female in the US/EU versions of the game, it's one of a couple of the original Gamecube versions localization sins. A product of its time, now assholes like this guy runs victory laps and sours it for everyone and makes it a product of current year issue instead.
Did he ask Nintendo to fix Peeka & Lahla's censored bunny ears? Of course not, they're even in the Japanese version now.

 

[kiphalfton]

Imagine doing this but just being normal about it? why is it always accompanied by this type of people (dev from the source):

"We made 12B last year" - talk about entitlement. You didn't make anything, it was Nintendo's output of good games and not your forced political thought (if anything, there might be analysis done on how this negatively affects the company in the long run)

"We"

The fucking hubris.