[OT] Games and their localizations

[Alneyan]

Disclaimer: this is likely to be somewhat of a rant. Proceed at your own risks, as you were warned.

Once upon a time, games weren't usually translated in French, or when they were, multiple Languages were supported rather than French alone. These were the good days, where you weren't compelled to stand an awful translation with its own bugs, in a language you don't fancy.

Nowadays, while almost every game is translated, you can seldom choose your own language, even for "international" releases. (For example, AOW: Shadow Magic was exactly the same in France than in the US with an added translation, but you couldn't choose between English and French, while both Languages were actually supported. The original exe was all that was needed to change the language, but wasn't provided) You can argue it is due to space constraints from time to time, but do a few text files weight this much, when you still have some free space on the CD? Voices might be a problem in games relying heavily on voice acting though.

As you may know, France is well-known from being protective with its own language, which might explain this change in recent years. Very few games are now available without any translation (unless imports that is), but is it because the editors know too well English games would sell poorly or because of some regulation? I would not be surprised if the latter was the more appropriate explanation, as I *seem* to recall reading something along these lines concerning Quebec. And they *are* other laws quite similar in France, so.

So, is it basically the same in a country such as Germany (which should be the biggest market for games in Europe), or can you actually find games available in other Languages there? Or rather, is it yet another French peculiarity or some general trend? I can only speak about the situation here in France, as I don't know how it is handled in other countries where English isn't widely spoken.

Lastly, I am right in assuming there is no general mean to "delocalize" a game save for buying it again in English, especially more recent ones? (There might be some site dedicating to hosting the original, unaltered files... I should stop daydreaming.)