MMO Rappelz changes imagery, themes to meet Middle-Eastern customs

by Michael Zenke Dec 2nd 2008 at 2:30PM

Filed under: Culture, Patches, Rappelz, Free-to-play, Politics

The issue of localization is a thorny one when it comes to MMOs, because often content, looks, and story are so intertwined. While some developers swear by the concept of creating content aimed directly at the local culture, others make only minor (or no) changes to their games when moving into new areas. The South Korean free-to-play MMO Rappelz is making plans to move to the Middle-Eastern market, and developer Gala is working with the company Game Power 7 to make unprecidented localization modifications.

According to TechRadar, nearly every element of Rappelz is going to see changes. Background music, costumes worn by the avatars (especially the female avatars), and even the noises that the monsters make will all see changes. The company will also make an effort to remove non-Muslim holy symbols, such as crosses. The resulting game is slated for release in some 19 countries, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Egpyt.

[Via Gamepolitics]

Tags: politics, rappelz

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony said on 3:24PM 12-02-2008

Interesting. It would be cool if they'd allow the various cosmetic changes to be used by the rest of the world too. Could result in some interesting clothing, for example.

Post Monkey said on 3:37PM 12-02-2008

This seems a bit ridiculous. There are non-Christians in this country but they don't make a big fuss over there being crosses in the game. I guess this just goes to show how brainwashed... err... devoted... those Middle-Eastern countries are to their religion.

Jess said on 3:50PM 12-02-2008

Or MAYBE the developers understand that the West has been meddling in that part of the world for the past 800 years and would not like to be part of that age-old tradition of ramming one's culture down another's throat?

Graill said on 4:13PM 12-02-2008

Your pretty ignorant of history arent you? You may want to go back those 800 years and change and find out why "westerners" had to do something, of course you have your soapbox and no amount of history will change your mind, whether it's shoved in your face or not.

As for the cultural aspect of these games looking for more subs and in doing so bending to the requirements of that culture, thats up to them. Having a game, any game in such backward assed countries can only help these people.

***(yes my opinion on the way "they" treat woman an any subculture not to their liking)***

These folks live in the same fantasy setting folks play in MMO's (thats religeon baby, make believe for the masses) only they dont get any perks. The only thing they get to look forward to is jail time or worse if they do not adhere to the religions edicts, thats a fact.

Who is shoving what is whos face?

Jess said on 5:19PM 12-02-2008

Graill, if majoring in history in university makes me ignorant of it, then in that context I am guilty. And if my soapbox involves serving in the military and travelling all over the world, then once again, guilty as charged.

You on the other hand, resort to nothing but base vitriolic speech with nothing to back it up. Your ignorant comments on religion only help show this.

The reality of the matter is that people live differently in other parts of the world and all of them pale in comparison ot the West when it comes to imposing their culture on others. The Romans did it, the British after them, and now it's the American's turn....and the Middle-East (with the possible exception of Africa) has had the worst of the West's greed over the centuries.

The sooner we live and let live, this world will be one step forward in the right direction.

There is nothing wrong with what Rappelz is doing. It's called being RESPECTFUL.

Ingrod said on 4:21PM 12-02-2008

Remove religious simbols from a game is some of auto-censorship, I'm not muslin but im not offended for find muslin simbols, or buddish or hinduist, etc. in a game.

I like adapt the game mechanics to cultural differences -some game style with succes in korea can be a fail in europe- but specifically changue things how female clothes -is obvious the reason for that- and remove religious simbols in a fantasy game is censorship. Same that "adapt" the game to chinese censorship laws.

Wildhammer said on 10:54PM 12-02-2008

That's just pathetic. Why not just add them without taking out everything else? They're taking the United Kingdom approach to dealing with muslim demographics.

Claytondora said on 11:01PM 12-02-2008

LOL@themiddleeast. I wonder if those "unprecedented localization modifications." will include changing every female graphic to that of a full body burka. They should also add npc's that patrol all major cities looking for uncovered women, aggroing and beating any they find. To further the localization they should add a fully fledged sectarian genocide pvp system.