Mandarin Halo 3 angers fans

By Alex Villafania, hackenslash Reporter
INQUIRER.net

HALO 3 may be the most anticipated game for the Microsoft Xbox 360 but it was a big letdown for some in Hong Kong who lined up to get a copy, only to find out that it was in Mandarin.

In the official Xbox forum, some members who lined up hours before the opening of some toy and computer shops selling video game titles complained that the version being sold was in Mandarin. Some have accused Microsoft Hong Kong of knowing that customers were being scammed by not telling them what language the game would be in when it was released last September 25.

Among those who complained were Xbox forum member BushPir8 who said he was the third in line at a Hong Kong shop waiting for the sale of Halo 3 but found out that the copy being sold at the shopping center Windsor House was in Mandarin.

Another member, Leocyh noted that Microsoft did not bother to check the actual Chinese dialect being spoken in Hong Kong : “Most of the people here are Cantonese dialect speakers (and many are English speakers as well). If Microsoft do not consider the Cantonese dialect speakers to be target customers, they should at least sell English version Halo 3.”

Those who bought titles from the Hong Kong game retail site Play-Asia.com, found out that their titles were indeed in Mandarin. A quick check of Play Asia’s website revealed that the company has added a “Chinese voice” warning to their copies of Halo 3.

On the other hand, Singaporeans were sold the English version of the game, which played in “Asian” Xboxes (NTSC-J). The Halo 3 launch in Singapore was held in the Suntec City shopping mall.

Members of the Xbox Forum in Singapore said the copies they purchased were in English but a few who ordered their copies from Play-Asia.com also found out that their versions were in Mandarin. One such buyer is CloverMY, who said, “I finished the game but ain’t feeling satisfied after realizing [that I was] not understanding most of the story when playing…”

Some members of the Philippine forum PinoyXbox have also warned other members of the group to avoid buying from Play-Asia. One member, Reggie1, described his Play-Asia-purchased Halo 3 Limited Edition, which had the Essentials Disc in English while the Game Disc itself is in Chinese without English subtitles. He added that the Limited Edition’s manual and art book were in English and Chinese.

A few members who have pre-ordered the game from Play-Asia fear that their copies would be in Mandarin. PinoyXbox forum members LeAF7 and don4025 said they will be receiving their copies within the week.

However, one forum member, Screaming Keiko, said his copy from Play-Asia was indeed in Chinese, though it was on hold after sending an e-mail to the company.

Some forum members have received e-mail from Play-Asia regarding the shipping of their copies noting that September 26 was a holiday in Hong Kong and thus their shipments could not be held back. Later, some of the members received a second e-mail stating that the subtitles could be changed to English, which was not possible in their copies.

To this extent, Screaming Keiko has started a PinoyXbox forum brigade to get refunds for the titles they received.

Meanwhile, Philippine game rental website Gamehopper said its versions would be in English. Its co-founder John Paul Ramos said they got a different supplier for Halo 3 and that their copies will be in English. Usually, they get their titles from Play-Asia.

Meanwhile, retail shop DataBlitz also said their Halo 3 copies are in English as these came from Singapore. Company spokesperson Jo Oliver told hackenslash that they have already received several pre-orders of Halo 3 and said they will only carry the Asian (NTSC-J) version since it could be played on US version Xbox 360s. The items will be sold on Friday.

Share This