By now you're all pretty aware of #TorrentialDownpour and what it stands for. For those that don't know, a very, VERY fast briefing: Much like being handed overcooked stake in a restaurant when you ordered medium-rare, Torrential Downpour is at heart about you remembering you're a customer and that Nintendo, above all else, is a merchant. And you have a right to voice your complaints so that you get the product you spent good money on. To that end, this post is specifically highlighting the letter writing initiative, probably the most-important aspect of Torrential Downpour. The initial goal, here, is Nintendo of Japan, and the primary subject is going to be Fire Emblem Fates. Why here at Nichegamer? To start with: this is being done to my understanding with permission from the admins. This letter-writing initiative is going to be spread in other ventures, but due to the fact that there is a very real, very serious language barrier situation that needs addressing, seeking/attaining help for drafts of your letters are going to be in 4 places at the moment: NicheGamer Forusm, Kotaku in Action on Reddit, /v/'s board on 8chan, and /gghq/'s board on 8chan. I'm going to again emphasize the biggest obstacle we have right now because it bears repeating: the letters will have to be in Japanese. While you can attach an English letter, the contact forums themselves state on the Nintendo.jp site they only take correspondence in Japanese. So that's what has to take place. Okay so how do we do this? Succinct, formal, and polite is how you should frame your message. There is also a very dedicated and traditional method of letter writing in Japanese. As I learn more, I will be updating this initial post so please keep coming back for updates. 1. Arm yourself with information. Understand the numerous things that have been done to the game in question. The Fire Emblem Wiki now has every localized Support dialogue, and there is a pastebin with corresponding supports translated from the original Japanese. There are tumblr accounts detailing the vocal alterations of character, and youtube links that display the stark differences. All of which will be linked here in the beginning posts. Again, keep tabs on it. 2. Draft your grievances. Not just the collective, but what put you, personally, off of buying the English version of this game. Don't hold back. The key point here is that this is a DRAFT, and not your letter's final form. Once you have your draft written, post it to this thread so that others can advise on pairing it down, getting it streamlined and ready for translation. 3. Proof of purchase. THIS IS ACTUALLY SUPER IMPORTANT. The last thing we want is to be dismissed out of hand as just toothless complaining. Did you buy an import of Fire Emblem Fates? Did you preorder? Did you cancel it? Hell, did you BUY it and are unsatisfied? Print out a copy of the invoice or copy the receipt that shows you are a paying customer of Nintendo. Take a phone picture of an order page or cancellation of your order and print that. Include some form of proof of purchase, or proven intent to purchase, in the letter. 4. Translation. This is the point where things get sticky. This is the part where it has to be emphasized POLITENESS and FORMALITY have to take precedence when conveying your message. There are some beginner guides linked that give a good idea. Also, I'm in talks with others that have an understanding of Japanese to volunteer their help in getting these messages translated. I will also be giving my decidedly novice skills in assisting. If you know anyone that's willing to help, don't hesitate to poke and send them this way. Also as a rule of thumb, we're still intending to fix these letters to no more than a page of text. So don't worry about filling pages upon pages of work. Just like at a restaurant, your complain needs to be succinct, formal, and conveyed so the staff understands why you're unhappy. 5. Mailing. Stamps are cheap, postage is cheap. At most, it's going to be $5.00 for a letter with certified, sign on delivery options. There also IS a formal way to note the send and return addresses and they'll be gone over. What about Timing? Did some fishing for opinions, and it was decided that a two-week period is good enough time to get participants on board, drafting, and translated, and ready for mailing. We are aiming for March 15th as a sending date. The thing you can help with is spread the word. There are bound to be dissatisfied customers that aren't aware they have a voice and a power. Tell them about the hashtag on twitter, and the initiative to be posted here, 8chan, and also on reddit. The followup post in this thread will be full of relevant info for everything I mentioned here, and updates. This is the first real volley, so let's make it a good one. Remember, Nintendo isn't an enemy or a bad guy, here. What we're after is showing them it's financially feasible to have their branches step up their work ethic so that their customers don't get shafted with the next projects. Likewise, this operation will also morph and adjust for followup topic points, such as Bravely Second and other such titles that show grievous localized errors in the future.
This is the resource & Updates comment, keep your eye out here for changes. REMINDER: Deadline is March 15th POINT OF CONTACT: OpDownpour at gmail dot com Resources for Evidence FE Support Conversations - Localized Versions FE Support Conversations - Fan Translated FE English Support Vocal Tracks FE Fan Translated Vocal Tracks Demonstration of the Skinship Mechanic Demonstration that the Skinship Mechanic was NEVER lewd Resources for Letter Writing How to Write Letters in Japanese Addresses in Japanese In-Depth Letter Writing (Warning: Completely Japanese, cookie enabling needed)
Man, right when I've been getting back into uni for the year... I'll have to see if I'm able to do this at all, as I'm still waiting for my copy of the game to come in from Play-Asia.
Kinda. I've had far more help which I'm incredibly thankful for. My next move is going to be drafting letters, since they don't all have to come in one single form. Example being I've had people tell me they want to talk to Intelligent Systems, who are the developers for Fire Emblem. So drafting up simple request letters is possible, too. It doesn't all have to be angry demands. In fact, none of it should be. Continuing my restaurant example, it's only worth getting thoroughly inflamed when the waitress is being belligerent. While Nintendo of America and their flies have proven various stages of belligerent and indifferent, Nintendo of Japan has not. Ultimately, we want answers. It can when people get an idea they have a power to write to Ninty and ask what's going on.
Man, this thread died pretty quickly. Let's see if we can get it back up. Update from me: I got the game, but no progress on a letter or anything like that.
