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As many of you have probably heard by now, Capcom has pulled down the YouTube-based translation of
Dai Gyakuten Saiban.
One of the project leads posted a statement on Reddit, which you should read in full, but here's the part that's probably relevant to most users:
Quote:
So what can we do? Well, the translation is not lost. Our footage is gone, but the subtitles themselves still exist in our Google Docs. So what's next for DGS and DGS 2? Well, most likely we will be taking DGS related content to a different platform. What platform? We don't know yet. For now, I know I am going to sit down and figure something out. Over time, I have gotten a new computer and failed to back up the original files. So what do I have on hand?The episodes from Randst Magazine are still on my hard drive, so that's step one.
[...]
EDIT: I have filed a counter notification against Capcom, so possibly something will come about from this. It falls under fair use and educational use. On the other side, we do have a back up, thanks to someone on Discord. This contains all of our video (albeit in 360p) and our subtitles. Assuming, nothing occurs regarding our counter notification, we will release these videos on an alternate viewing platform.
It is unsure whether or not this was accidental. There are several other channels, from Japan, that have uploaded full commentated let's plays of Dai Gyakuten Saiban. Along with the few from the US. I am not instigating a witch hunt, but rather showing that Capcom specifically targeted our channel.
So if you've been following along with the YouTube translation, all is not lost.
But more importantly, I wanted to put a little cold water on one of the common responses I've been seeing to this, namely that "this is a sign Capcom is working on a DGS localization." To be clear, I can't prove that's
not what's happening. But I do want to set expectations.
Capcom is no stranger to pulling down Japanese Ace Attorney videos. Back in the day (because I'm an old person now) I would upload highlights from AAI and AAI2 after they were released in Japan. As of AAI2, Capcom filed copyright strikes against those, eventually pulling down my YouTube channel altogether. When I moved to other platforms (Vimeo, Twitch) for AA5 and DGS, they yanked those too. All of which is to say,
Capcom pulling down Japanese AA videos is not out of the ordinary.
I've also seen many people pointing out that because DGS1+2 is being made, that may be to help with bringing the series west. Putting aside the cost of translating two games together and then figuring out how to sell them at a price point that won't drive away Western users, there's the fact that this bundle explicitly
isn't a special combination of the games. It's a slipcase for the DGS1 and DGS2 boxes along with a special CD. (The DGS1 box being packaged is even the price-cut "Best Price!" edition.) The games are still on separate cartridges entirely.
Finally, while there's been no specific official reason that DGS1 was never translated (beyond Janet Hsu saying there were "certain circumstances"), there are at least two large
possible reasons: first, that these games have relatively high localization costs due to the amount of text as well as relatively low sales in the West, and second, that the rights for some of the Sherlock Holmes stories are still in limbo in the US, with two competing groups claiming ownership. While DGS doesn't particularly draw from these stories, it's not difficult to imagine a claim being made regardless, resulting in a legal battle that could become very costly very quickly. As far as we know, neither of these things have changed.
I dearly hope all of the above was wrong, and Capcom is working on an official localization of the series! But before that rumor gets out of hand, I wanted to remind people where the games stand. We offer our sympathies to the YouTube team and wish them the best in finding a new hosting platform or getting their videos returned.
There is also the ongoing fan translation effort on GBATemp, which will require homebrew to play but will allow players to experience the game for their 3DS.
The DGS series is a breath of fresh air for Ace Attorney, and we maintain that it's truly disappointing that English-speaking fans don't get to experience it. Hopefully, that'll soon change one way or the other.
Hi! I've largely stepped back from C-R due to life stuff. Please contact one of the other staff members for help!Wooster wrote:
If there was such a thing as the "
Wooster Seal of Approval",
this post would get it.