Part 10/14:
Cases include rewriting scripts to include slang or political commentary not present in the original material, replacing character dialogues with more "woke" or culturally palatable language, and censoring content deemed offensive or problematic. Critics argue that such localizations distort original narratives, erode artistic integrity, and cater to hypersensitive social norms rather than genuine audience preferences.
The recent layoffs of localization staff, especially those implicated in these practices, have fed suspicion that Square Enix may be shedding individuals associated with activism or ideological infusions, possibly signaling a desire to move back toward more faithful and less politicized localizations.