It has come to light that Nintendo, a renowned company in the gaming industry, has been excluding the names of external translators from the credits of games like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These translators play a crucial role in localizing games for international audiences, yet their contributions go unacknowledged.
An anonymous former Nintendo employee, currently working as a translator through an external company named Localsoft, has shed light on the harsh conditions faced by external translators. Apart from being denied credit in the games themselves, these translators are required to sign a strict 10-year non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that bars them from even mentioning their work on these titles. This not only deprives them of due recognition but also hampers their future job prospects.
The plight of external translators is further exacerbated by the power dynamics at play in the translation industry. Any attempt to challenge Nintendo’s policy is met with the threat of being blacklisted, effectively cutting off a crucial source of income for these translators. The anonymity of the translators reflects a pervasive fear of reprisal and underscores the imbalance of power in the industry.
While the majority of external translators remain silent out of fear for their livelihoods, there is a growing call for public pressure to hold companies like Nintendo accountable for their practices. Without a concerted effort to address this issue, the status quo of excluding external translators from their rightful credit is likely to persist. It is imperative for industry watchdogs and consumers alike to demand transparency and fair treatment for all individuals involved in the localization process.
Nintendo’s practice of withholding credit from external translators raises important ethical questions about recognition and respect in the gaming industry. By highlighting the experiences of these translators, it is clear that there is a pressing need for greater accountability and fairness in how companies handle localization efforts. It is time for companies like Nintendo to reevaluate their policies and ensure that all individuals involved in the creative process are duly acknowledged for their contributions.
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