Silksong's Reception Among Chinese Gamers
Hollow Knight: Silksong, a highly anticipated sequel in the gaming community, has encountered unexpected hurdles with its Simplified Chinese localization, eliciting a wave of mixed reviews from Chinese-speaking gamers. Despite its global success with an impressive 80% "Very Positive" rating on Steam, the game struggled to resonate with the Chinese audience. Out of approximately 80,000 reviews worldwide, nearly 11,800 of the 16,000 negative reviews are penned in Simplified Chinese.
Localization Challenges
Localization experts and players suggest that the translation fails to capture the essence and tone of the original game, likening it to an overly dramatized narrative more suited to a novel. Tiger Tang, a seasoned professional in game localization, emphasized the creative missteps rather than grammatical errors, while translation expert Loek van Kooten made a vivid comparison with "a high-school drama club's Elizabethan improv night." The translation challenge is compounded by the fact that only two translators were employed for Silksong's Chinese version, compared to six for its predecessor.
Team Cherry's Response and Future Steps
Recognizing the substantial criticism, Team Cherry, the game's developer, promptly acknowledged the feedback and assured fans they are "working to improve the translation over the coming weeks." The company's receptiveness to player feedback and its commitment to addressing the quality concerns highlight its dedication to maintaining a positive reputation in the global market.
The Path Forward
The significant discontent among Chinese reviewers has prompted industry commentators to recommend that Team Cherry potentially commissions a new localization. Such a project could require considerable time and resources, but it appears necessary to rectify what has become a significant kink in Silksong's otherwise successful launch armor.
Insights and Speculation from Insiders
Adding to the intrigue, information reportedly emanated from one of the credited translators, Hertzz Liu, who seems to have provided insights about the game's release and future localization efforts on Chinese social media platforms. A Reddit post even captured a screenshot from a Tieba Q&A with a user named "Hertzzz," sparking further discussion among fans.
The potential need for a completely revamped translation highlights the complexities of localizing games for diverse audiences. Balancing accuracy and creativity while preserving the game’s spirit is a delicate act that requires adept handling. Silksong serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges inherent in globalization endeavors in the gaming industry.
