Square Enix Germany Hinting at Localization for Kingdom Hearts X[chi]?
- Details
- Published on May 11, 2015 @ 04:33 am
- Written by Sign
It's been a long time since any news has surfaced regarding a possible release of Kingdom Hearts X[chi] for the western audience. Although plans to incorporate English text into the existing Japanese version were found in the source code long ago over a year ago, it has yet to become a reality. Combine that with Siliconera's discovery that a previous attempt to localize Kingdom Hearts X[chi] through Playdom - a social game network owned by Disney Interactive - had failed, the future did not look bright.
Still, the fans continued pushing onwards, particularly through the Twitter movement #ChiToTheWest, using the social network to raise awareness and encourage the community to express their interest in the game.
Perhaps it is because of #ChiToTheWest that the long-awaited localization of Kingdom Hearts X[chi] may finally become a reality?
Square Enix Germany posted a image from Kingdom Hearts X[Chi] earlier today, depicting a card, otherwise known as a Fragment, being acquired.
The caption below says,
KINGDOM HEARTS FOREVER <3 <3
Was es mit dem Post auf sich hat? ...einfach nur so, musste mal gesagt werden.
Which roughly translates to,
KINGDOM HEARTS FOREVER <3 <3
What this Post is all about? ...Just had to be said.
What do you think this could mean? Is it a hint of things to come? Or perhaps just an accident caused by someone coincidentally unfamiliar with the image that they used? Let us know!
For more information about Kingdom Hearts X[chi], please check out the fourth episode of our Kingdom Hearts Mysteries collaboration with Gametrailers as we discuss the importance the game holds, and drop by to chat with our dedicated Chi community!
COMMENTS
Well, that is undoubtedly a Fragment. My first thought was "It's just an announcement for some new Chi content" but then I realized this is the German Square page, not Japan. So, yeah. The hell would SE Germany be posting cryptic messages about KH Chi for?
Oh, I sure hope that this means localization (although hopefully they announce it before E3 so they don't use it as one of their "announcements" there). I really enjoyed what I played in Japanese, even though I understood practically nothing about it. However, I've been holding off since because I wanted a localization/my current laptop can't handle it right now.
Oh, I sure hope that this means localization (although hopefully they announce it before E3 so they don't use it as one of their "announcements" there). I really enjoyed what I played in Japanese, even though I understood practically nothing about it. However, I've been holding off since because I wanted a localization/my current laptop can't handle it right now.
I know what you mean. I always get the feeling that my laptop is going to blow up every time I try to run it. Miraculously, my work PC seems to have no trouble at all (good thing my boss doesn't care about my internet usage lol).
I double-checked the game as well; that image is from the sequence that plays during a Card Draw. While I think it's very strange for the Germany branch of all people to be the one to leak it, I'm certainly not going to discount it especially with it being so close to E3~
FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT #CHITOTHEWEST STARTED HERE AT KHI <3
I hope this means localization in NA too. Maybe not, but I can't wait to play this game. If I had a twitter I'd #ChiToTheWest too but unfortunately I don't. I'll gladly take credit if its localized however!
Yay I can't believe it's finally being localized. Although it seems to be a mystery whether it'll be browser based or for smartphones.
Interesting, I don't think they will be trolling with this. :wink:
Brace yourself for the black hole of events, you'll never escape.
I know what you mean. I always get the feeling that my laptop is going to blow up every time I try to run it. Miraculously, my work PC seems to have no trouble at all (good thing my boss doesn't care about my internet usage lol).
That actually makes me feel better knowing I am not the only one who has that problem with it lol. I just hope that doesn't mean that, when I eventually get my new laptop for g̶a̶m̶e̶s̶ school, it's not able to run the (potential) localization, whenever it comes out.
Brace yourself for the black hole of events, you'll never escape.
I'm not prepared. There's so much in the real world I haven't done yet.
Does this game have guilds, if so we better start preparing one I'll be ambassador terra-xehamog
e3 pls come, pls have ps4 port that can communicate with PC servers.
Chi is the only social game, besides the Simpsons Tapped Out, that managed to keep my attention for more than a month. If this is happening, goodbye world
Oh, I sure hope that this means localization (although hopefully they announce it before E3 so they don't use it as one of their "announcements" there). I really enjoyed what I played in Japanese, even though I understood practically nothing about it. However, I've been holding off since because I wanted a localization/my current laptop can't handle it right now.
My thoughts exactly. Chi being localized is cool and all, but that to me is like a "Cool! What else?" type of announcement. So, if it's revealed prior to E3, then with FFXV having a minimal presence as well, then leaves more and more room open for bigger announcements, both for KH and others.
They can have it at E3 (maybe during their PC conference?) and still have other surprises :)
Oh chaser. That ":)". What are you trying to do with my emotions, dragging my heart along with hints of what's to come.
Oh chaser. That ":)". What are you trying to do with my emotions, dragging my heart along with hints of what's to come.
I can say a whole lot of lies, but as long as I use ":)" you believe it.
Anakin Skywalker, Johnny storm and Shrek confirmed for KH4 :)
Oh my god guys did you hear that, screw 3, 4 is GOTD material. I trust chaser's word.
This post is a national treasure and should be treated as such.
what is the possibility of a way to transfer data from Japanese version or get bonuses for English language version for the early adopters who didn't wait for localization?
what is the possibility of a way to transfer data from Japanese version or get bonuses for English language version for the early adopters who didn't wait for localization?
I trust Square to let people use the same sign in information for the game.... If they don't then that would be truly disappointing, especially to those who have paid real money and worked so hard on their Japanese accounts.
Imo microtransactions in video gaming can gtfo so I agree that people who've spent money should be able to reap the benefits and not take a loss.
do you think it'll be on track with the JP version or be similar to launch day?
I go one day without checking the news, then everything happens!
Maybe, we'll find something out at E3. Wait, I forgot. Did Square say that they were gonna show something this year, besides the D23?
Nope. They just announced the possibility that they may be announcing an announcement.
what is the possibility of a way to transfer data from Japanese version or get bonuses for English language version for the early adopters who didn't wait for localization?
There simply must be a way for them to make that possible. Some have spent years playing the Japanese Chi, it would be horrible to start all over.
Usually, games that have a previous version and an updated version accept data transfer and give bonuses for previously playing that game, I think that's how it could work for Chi too...
gee, should I now put a ChiToTheWest tag somewhere, everywhere? would it matter now that it's hinted they started this?
I trust Square to let people use the same sign in information for the game.... If they don't then that would be truly disappointing, especially to those who have paid real money and worked so hard on their Japanese accounts.
This begs the question then, should Chi is indeed released in English, would the people in the forum remain in the Japanese game or transfer to the English game without being able to transfer their progress?
Oh boy...i so hope that this will happen.
I just hope the western version will be in English as well then... and not be exclusive to Germany and Japan then. I am better at Japanese than German, even though they're my neighbour country.... oops.
I hope it has a English release. Now i might finally get to play.
This is amazing news! While it doesn't say we could be getting an English release, it's still cool how they may be getting ready to localize the game! Hopefully as well we'll be able to transfer our data. But if not, I'll just play both at once XD
Well, looks like that post has been deleted from the Square Enix DE Facebook page...how suspicious lol maybe that post was released earlier than it was suppose to, or was not supposed to be posted to begin with :confused: I agree with some of the others in this forum, in that if the localisation of X Chi was the smartphone game that Nomura mentioned, then it would seem unecessary to reveal it at E3, an online reveal via YouTube or a SquareEnixPresents video would be more than sufficient (given the nature of the game and its influence on the market). That way, E3 could be used to focus on Kingdom Hearts 3 and, I'm hoping like crazy, a Kingdom Hearts HD Collection for PS4 :)
Oh SE Germany. Nomura does not like his surprises being leaked before the appointed time. :3
Well, looks like that post has been deleted from the Square Enix DE Facebook page...how suspicious lol
While it would have been ideal if the post wasn't deleted, this at least assures us that something will definitely be coming. Why else make a post using KH x art and cryptic messages (although the cryptic message did worked in their favour to generate hype).
How would chi work on smartphones though?
How would chi work on smartphones though?
Like every other social game app? It's a point and click game. Streamline areas into smaller zones, only animate battles, streamline menus into appealing touch phone button menus, voila.
Very interesting, I hope we'll see an international version soon. It' still very strange that this was announced from the German branch of SE. In my opinion that means it's no simple browser game anymore but something different (like a separate mobile/PSVita port) since I can't point to a single browser game from SE that offers EFIGS support (or even only EFG support like it was done for DDD).
Like every other social game app? It's a point and click game. Streamline areas into smaller zones, only animate battles, streamline menus into appealing touch phone button menus, voila.
Thank you can't e3 hurry up already
Ooh, Square-Enix... you tease. =3=
It'd be great if it was at long last getting a localization; I think it's been long overdue. I'd love to play Chi, as well; I'd play the Japanese version we have already, but I want to be able to understand the game without the use of translation guides and whatnot (no offence to the lovely people who work hard on those!).
So, fingers crossed!
It' still very strange that this was announced from the German branch of SE.
The European side of Square Enix leaks a lot of information.
The European side of Square Enix leaks a lot of information.
They should leak more often, it was a shock to know it might be thing if it's true.
I'm inclined to take the role of skeptic. I still feel that if it was going to happen, it already would have happened. And the post being taken down doesn't mean it was actually indicative of anything; it could very easily have been taken down to try to quell the excitement of people like us because there ISN'T a localized version in the works. Maybe someone at SE Germany just thought that was a super rad screen grab. (;
To other various suppositions in this thread, for what it's worth... I think Chi would work marvelously as a mobile game. I play it on my phone with the Puffin browser (it's less than idea, but it works), but if it were optimized for smartphone, I actually think that could be better than the PC version.
Also, I highly, highly, HIGHLY doubt there would be any sort of data transfer available for people who have been playing the JP version. Any kind of data transfer would have to nerf existing accounts by huge amounts, and would still probably be too large an advantage over new players. Personally, if Chi is localized, I don't foresee switching over to the new version. I might play it just to view the in-game, English story missions, but my primary play time will stay with my existing account. I've put way too much time into this thing to abandon it.
The European side of Square Enix leaks a lot of information.
Yes, but in this case it means that a potential localized version of [chi] will also be in German, and that's highly unusual for a browser game.
I'm inclined to take the role of skeptic. I still feel that if it was going to happen, it already would have happened. And the post being taken down doesn't mean it was actually indicative of anything; it could very easily have been taken down to try to quell the excitement of people like us because there ISN'T a localized version in the works. Maybe someone at SE Germany just thought that was a super rad screen grab. (;
To other various suppositions in this thread, for what it's worth... I think Chi would work marvelously as a mobile game. I play it on my phone with the Puffin browser (it's less than idea, but it works), but if it were optimized for smartphone, I actually think that could be better than the PC version.
Also, I highly, highly, HIGHLY doubt there would be any sort of data transfer available for people who have been playing the JP version. Any kind of data transfer would have to nerf existing accounts by huge amounts, and would still probably be too large an advantage over new players. Personally, if Chi is localized, I don't foresee switching over to the new version. I might play it just to view the in-game, English story missions, but my primary play time will stay with my existing account. I've put way too much time into this thing to abandon it.
Why would they screengrab from a Japanese-only social game that neither looks like KH at first glance or come from a moment that fans would be familiar with if that was the intention?
Why would Germany even care about a Japanese-only social game and have a screenshot of it to use in the first place?
Well this was unexpected! *high pitched squees*
While I've always wanted to play chi I didn't think I'd be so excited about a localization. And the post being taken down only proves that we're gettin' something chi. This is too exciting! Now I just have to hope it's a browser game and not a smartphone game.
Why would they screengrab from a Japanese-only social game that neither looks like KH at first glance or come from a moment that fans would be familiar with if that was the intention?
Why would Germany even care about a Japanese-only social game and have a screenshot of it to use in the first place?
To your second point, I care about a Japanese-only social game, and don't speak/read a word of Japanese. I could have a screenshot of that screen, why couldn't someone at SE Germany?
To your first point, I think it looks like KH -- there are two instances of the KH heart logo on the back of the card. I'll admit that I have a bias toward recognizing it, though, so it's hard for me to tell what others would see. As to why? No clue.
I'm mostly just trying to advocate that people lower their expectations, just in case. I know the lack of Chi localization has been a sore spot for a lot of KH fans, and this smells of yet another potential disappointment.
I'm inclined to take the role of skeptic. I still feel that if it was going to happen, it already would have happened. And the post being taken down doesn't mean it was actually indicative of anything; it could very easily have been taken down to try to quell the excitement of people like us because there ISN'T a localized version in the works. Maybe someone at SE Germany just thought that was a super rad screen grab. (;
It is highly unprofessional for someone who is controlling the social media for a major game company to upload a picture just because they felt liked it. There are a thousand better "super rad screen grabs" from that game, but those screens would give away a lot. The back of the card that contained the crown gives out enough knowledge - the crown shows it's for Kingdom Hearts, the art style is Chi. It was their way of showing us something would down right confirming it (which has now turned into another case of released too early).
In regards to your part where you say that if a localised version of Chi was to happen it would have happened already, Playdom was originally going to localise Chi. This was stopped because Playdom, a social network company owned by Disney Interactive, was shut down.
Yes, but in this case it means that a potential localized version of [chi] will also be in German, and that's highly unusual for a browser game.
Whoever they've hired to deal with the localisation might deal with translating games into multi-languages. It could just be the game in English and it would be playable in Germany as well. Germany has leaked English details for Square games before.
To your second point, I care about a Japanese-only social game, and don't speak/read a word of Japanese. I could have a screenshot of that screen, why couldn't someone at SE Germany?
To your first point, I think it looks like KH -- there are two instances of the KH heart logo on the back of the card. I'll admit that I have a bias toward recognizing it, though, so it's hard for me to tell what others would see. As to why? No clue.
I'm mostly just trying to advocate that people lower their expectations, just in case. I know the lack of Chi localization has been a sore spot for a lot of KH fans, and this smells of yet another potential disappointment.
Because they work at SE. They can be fans, but work comes first and foremost. The reputation and image of the company is represented by them. It is not only a risk to their job to misrepresent SE by posting something like this that does not represent their current body of localized works, but also a risk to the reputation of SE because SE DE represents the company.
And yes, that is a bias. A fan who has no idea what chi is would not recognize that card and at best you can make the guess it might be Kingdom Hearts but that is no emblem ever used in the main series.
Wow, they actually deleted it. Even though Square Enix doesn't exactly have a reputation of just laughing off a mistake or accident on social networks, it does say a lot that they've decided to get rid of it altogether.
Please let it happen *fingers crossed*, Let E3 commence!
Wow, they actually deleted it. Even though Square Enix doesn't exactly have a reputation of just laughing off a mistake or accident on social networks, it does say a lot that they've decided to get rid of it altogether.
Reminiscent slightly of all the infamous Bill Farmer tweets about kh3 releasing this year that got swiftly removed too once SE got wind of it.
If chi gets localized then I'll HAVE to play it. But I don't know if that's a good thing or not, I'm not a big fan of these kind of online games...
Reminiscent slightly of all the infamous Bill Farmer tweets about kh3 releasing this year that got swiftly removed too once SE got wind of it.
(Bill still believes in KH3 and isn't afraid to say it xD )
If chi gets localized then I'll HAVE to play it. But I don't know if that's a good thing or not, I'm not a big fan of these kind of online games...
They aren't that bad. You spend 30 min playing a day, move on to other things. It is less about the game as much as it is about building a sense of community with your union and party members. If you like the idea of being able to team up with other people to work towards a common goal for fun, then it is not that bad of a thing.
Talk to some chi players and get an idea about the game.
(Bill still believes in KH3 and isn't afraid to say it xD )
Wait, has he still been tweeting about to people since that day his original tweets got taken down? =0 They need to let him go up on stage at E3 and just confirm either way in Goofy voice. That would be prime.
Wait, has he still been tweeting about to people since that day his original tweets got taken down? =0 They need to let him go up on stage at E3 and just confirm either way in Goofy voice. That would be prime.
He has, and also in podcasts/interviews he participates in with other websites. It's bizarre.
It's too bad Roxas and Neku aren't in the game and require VAing, otherwise we could count on one of the Jesse's to leak us a confirmation.
He has, and also in podcasts/interviews he participates in with other websites. It's bizarre.
Wow, I am surprised I haven't see any sneaky reports about it. I mean I know it's non-news and SE have refuted it officially but still. Something has got be there with what he said. SE have waiting a long time these last 6 months to announce any kh related new. The reliance on leaks getting is painful.
I don't really think this means anything. Like, as much as I want KHx to come to the Western regions, this Facebook post doesn't really back it up. It just seems merely people getting antsy and jumping to a conclusion.
I don't really think this means anything. Like, as much as I want KHx to come to the Western regions, this Facebook post doesn't really back it up. It just seems merely people getting antsy and jumping to a conclusion.
But then that raises the question - why else would the German division of SE post about a Japan-only KH browser game? It's not a confirmation, of course, but it also wouldn't really make sense for German SE to post about this KH game in particular when it's currently Japan-only.
I have a good feeling about this.
So suppose this is actually a thing - what format would you prefer a localization of Chi to be? To be able to play the original game itself in English? To be recreated in HD cinematic theater? Or something else?
I know most of us have previously expressed interest in the KH3D HD + Chi Theater + KH3 demo hype train especially after seeing the Type-0 HD + XV demo, but has that changed recently?
I'm still holding out for the theater personally, though I'm curious as to what the player character will look like if we go down that road lol
I would rather see chi get the re:coded treatment tbh, or incorporated into III as its own raid mode/dungeon crawler with co-op in the realm of sleep, unlocking cutscenes that show sora as a silhouette observing what's happening, giving appropriate"WHAAAAAT" reactions as plot revelations.
Welp, SE have actually done it and announced the mobile port. I am guessing for Japan only at this point but look forward to the new topic!
So suppose this is actually a thing - what format would you prefer a localization of Chi to be? To be able to play the original game itself in English? To be recreated in HD cinematic theater? Or something else?
I know most of us have previously expressed interest in the KH3D HD + Chi Theater + KH3 demo hype train especially after seeing the Type-0 HD + XV demo, but has that changed recently?
I'm still holding out for the theater personally, though I'm curious as to what the player character will look like if we go down that road lol
Now that the Smartphone game has been announced, I'm reconsidering the questions in its context. I suppose it depends on the nature of the smartphone game, though. Hmm...
I find this all the more ironic considering Chi is shutting down this September.
I find this all the more ironic considering Chi is shutting down this September.
Why do you always have to bump old Threads, when there is literally no reason to? I am really curious.
Chaser
May 11, 2015 @ 04:59 amOffline