Tokyo, Japan – The highly anticipated ‘Dragon Quest III’ remake is set to be released this November, bringing excitement to fans of the popular franchise. In a recent video interview, Kazuhiko Torishima and Yuji Horii discussed some concerns regarding unnecessary Western game censorship and changes to character designs in the upcoming remake.
The interview shed light on the alterations made to some characters’ costumes to align with perceived Western standards, despite the fact that the original game was released in the 80s. This move has sparked discussion on the cultural differences in gaming censorship and age rating systems across regions.
Over the years, age certification-related censorship has been a longstanding issue in the gaming industry, with each region having distinct requirements and standards. However, efforts have been made in recent years to streamline and unify age rating frameworks for games, such as the creation of the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) in 2013.
While IARC aims to provide a unified age rating system for digital releases, physical releases like ‘Dragon Quest III’ may not necessarily fall under this framework. Despite the push for a standardized age rating system, discrepancies in censorship decisions for different regions continue to exist, leading to frustrations among developers like Torishima and Horii.
The concern over unnecessary changes in character designs for a Western audience highlights the ongoing challenges faced by game developers in navigating censorship and age rating guidelines. It prompts a discussion on the necessity of adapting games to meet cultural expectations and the impact of such alterations on the overall gaming experience.
As fans eagerly await the release of the ‘Dragon Quest III’ remake, the debate surrounding Western censorship in gaming serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of the industry. With advancements in technology and a global audience, the need for a cohesive approach to age rating and censorship remains a topic of interest and concern among developers and players alike.