826 replies to this topic

[Arthmost]

I have applied to EA support about this and have been promised that this issue will get escalated. Nonetheless, I've decided not to rely solely on that and try and give it more attention since I believe in its utmost importance.

 

I am Russian and (apparently) I am based in Russia. I am a fluent English speaker and half a dozen years ago I've decided to only acquaint myself with all the works of art - including movies, books and games - in its original language (if it's English). Aside from experiencing something in its original state, without any kind of alterations or contortions that take place commonly in internationalized versions, I simply love English language with all my heart.

 

Since Origin is region-locked, I cannot purchase the game in English. It only offers me Dragon Age: Inquisition with Russian and Polish languages. I salute EA and BioWare for this approach to solve my fellow countrymen well-known problem with English language. But please make it possible to purchase an English version of the game on demand, for those who need it. What if I was based in Russia but only spoke English well?

 

As much as I would want to support BioWare and buy the game, this issue is forcing me to find other ways of obtaining the game in English. I don't want to do that. I want to be able to legally purchase the game in the most widely-spoken language in the world. I feel like my rights are being violated by being forced to play a game in Russian.

 

UPDATED 18/11/2014

 

FAQ

 

Q: What regions are affected?

A: So far, it's known that Russia, Ukraine & Poland are plagued by this issue. See the next question to find out if your region is affected.

 

Q: What are the odds of me experiencing this issue?

A: Navigate to DA:I page in your Origin store. See SUPPORTED LANGUAGES section. See English there? You're fine. If not, you're in trouble.

 

Q: So what, I won't have English language in game?

A: Voiceovers - YES. Text (dialogues, codex entries, names, etc.) - NO. Unless you perform certain actions to fix this.

 

Q: What about the promises we were given by the developers? What about [numerous links and quotes of statements by Derek Ferench and other BioWare/EA employees]?

A: Perhaps they intended to do what they promised. Perhaps not, and it was all a lie. We will never know, it seems. The truth is, English texts are butchered from our games.

 

Q: Wait, I can't play with English VO and my regional language text! It's terrible!

A: Is it, now? Welcome to the club.

 

Q: Wait, there's a free English DLC available!

A: Those are English Voiceovers. Meant for people with VO in language other than English. This DLC doesn't affect text language.

 

Q: Can we alter the files or swap them around or do anything with our locked games to play in English?

A: Yes. Below is the detailed guide by digital_daemon. Note that there is an alternative path described after it.

1. Install the game normally using Origin.

2. Download the English language pack: http://rghost.net/59136659(Note to other members: please feel free to re-upload the pack to other file hosting services).

3. Extract the archive contents into "Dragon Age Inquisition\Data\Win32\loctext". The default path for 64-bit systems is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\Dragon Age Inquisition\Data\Win32\loctext". You do not need to delete the existing files (ru.sb and ru.toc or pl.sb and pl.toc, depending on your selected language version). Leaving them in place will let you switch freely between English and Russian/Polish subtitles.

4. Download and install Outcome - free replacement for the Origin client: http://outcome.nofate.me/

5. Close Origin. This is important! If Origin remains running, it will always force the game to start in the "Russian/Polish only" mode.

6. Run Outcome and log in with your Origin credentials. Outcome will automatically patch "DragonAgeInquisition.par" in the Dragon Age Inquisition directory and create a .bak file. Note: if DragonAgeInquisition.par is overwritten (for example, if you do a game repair in Origin), Outcome will be unable to patch it again until you manually delete the DragonAgeInquisition.par.bak file.

7. Launch the game directly by double-clicking DragonAgeInquisition.exe in the Dragon Age Inquisition directory, or use the desktop shortcut if you created one.

8. Choose your desired subtitle language in the game: "Настройки - > Звук -> Язык текста" in Russian, "Options - > Audio -> Text Language" in English (Note to other members: please feel free to add the correct path for the Polish version).

9. Optional: to access online features such as multiplayer and Dragon Age Keep, Alt-Tab from the game, run Origin, log in and go online, then Alt-Tab back into the game and press "Log In" on the main screen. Don't forget to close Origin when you need re-launch the game.

 

Q: Is there another way to play the game in English and enjoy it?

A: Yes. You can refund your subpar locked edition and purchase another one with English support. Follow these steps:

1. Apply for a refund for your locked game. If necessary, contact the EA support via Live Chat. Explain that you are currently staying in a certain region, but you're not its citizen. You don't understand game language. They will most cooperate and go ahead with the refund.

2. VPN to Mexico/Peru (where DA:I has full English support and is not overpriced considerably) and open Origin. Add DA:I to cart. Before checking out, turn the VPN off, otherwise it won't work! Check out, grab your game, play. Use VPN Gate + Softether for best results. Just google 'VPN Gate' and follow the instructions on the official site. It's free. Learning how to and using VPN takes 10 minutes at best. It's not hard.

 

Q: Do I hate EA now?

A: Oh, you do.

[Semyaza82]

   At a guess I'd imagine that in the past this would have been more of an issue to resolve as space on the disk was probably a big issue and shipping with multiple language would have been difficult. While it might well be a pretty big file there could always be the option of downloading different language patches or something. That said, while I hope you do get want your asking for here I'm not sure this is an issue of 'rights'.

[ajiehb]

Yeah, me too. I want to use original English dub because I don't trust Russian actors. Their work with DAO was so terrible that I wish I could pay them to not to do it

 

P.S. I wonder if DA:I for Russians is at the same price? Because one of the reason why you can't get English version of the games in Russia was that other English speaking players were buying it in Russia for less money. So they've restricted English dub for Russia region.

[Althix]

If you would search the forum, topic starter, you may find topics such as yours about this issue. BW staff member actually mentioned, that from BW side they want to deliver full experience with the game to the end user (which includes all language packages).

 

However EA may or already have different opinion on the subject, with their regional policies.

They do not consider that some people may work in other countries. Or that people have to stay in other contries for one reason or another.

 

Yes in Russia, as in a second world country, you may buy let say DAI for 40$. However upon return to your home in let say Sweden or Germany - you have to buy the game again. For euro this time. But euro =/= dollar, not to mention difference in prices in general.

 

No thank you dear EA. Such approach is one of the reasons why i don't buy DAI.

 

http://forum.bioware.../#entry16477094  #Derek French response.

"Language selection will be available in some manner within the game"

[Reznore57]

I remember Derek French talking about an English VO patch , available on Origin.

Not sure how it's going to work exactly .

[AmberLynx]

@Arthmost  I completely agree with you. I'm from Russia as well and I don't want to be forced to play DAI in Russian. From what I've heard about the ME and DAO localisation, it was truly embarassing. I think that Russians who speak English fluently and enjoy playing in the original state, should be given the possibility to play in original language.

 

@Kantr you're right. The game won't be dubbed in Russian, but all the texts, codex records, ability descriptions and so on will be in Russian. Considering that the text count of DAI is higher than that of DAO and knowing that translators are given little time for localisation, I'm really worried about the quality of texts. 

[ajiehb]

I got the russian version of me3 and I could play it in nz and now uk so I don't know what you are talking about.
 
@op the game is not dubbed in russian (or at least it shouldnt be) the only thing you have to worry about is subtitles and the ui
 

 

Oh, then I'm fine just need to be sure that there is option for turn off subtitle ^^.

[Kantr]

You might even be able to add english subtitles either via origin download or some website showing you how to modify the files (that's what I had to do for the russian me3)

[Amfortas]

Are you sure we can't do this already? I'm living in Germany and I have no problems downlading the games in english. You just need to have your origin client in english and then every time you download a game you'll get first a pop up with a list asking you to choose the language (including russian).

[Arthmost]

   At a guess I'd imagine that in the past this would have been more of an issue to resolve as space on the disk was probably a big issue and shipping with multiple language would have been difficult. While it might well be a pretty big file there could always be the option of downloading different language patches or something. That said, while I hope you do get want your asking for here I'm not sure this is an issue of 'rights'.

I've just described the way I feel about it - which is horrible - I didn't really mean to accuse BioWare/EA of rights violation of anything. Sorry if that's misleading.

[Arthmost]

Yeah, me too. I want to use original English dub because I don't trust Russian actors. Their work with DAO was so terrible that I wish I could pay them to not to do it

 

P.S. I wonder if DA:I for Russians is at the same price? Because one of the reason why you can't get English version of the games in Russia was that other English speaking players were buying it in Russia for less money. So they've restricted English dub for Russia region.

Well, they could just check if the purchase is made with the credit card, issued in Russia. Current solution seems rather drastic.

[Arthmost]

If you would search the forum, topic starter, you may find topics such as yours about this issue. BW staff member actually mentioned, that from BW side they want to deliver full experience with the game to the end user (which includes all language packages).

 

However EA may or already have different opinion on the subject, with their regional policies.

They do not consider that some people may work in other countries. Or that people have to stay in other contries for one reason or another.

 

Yes in Russia, as in a second world country, you may buy let say DAI for 40$. However upon return to your home in let say Sweden or Germany - you have to buy the game again. For euro this time. But euro =/= dollar, not to mention difference in prices in general.

 

No thank you dear EA. Such approach is one of the reasons why i don't buy DAI.

 

http://forum.bioware.../#entry16477094  #Derek French response.

"Language selection will be available in some manner within the game"

 

I did search for those topics. The thing that really worries me now is what I see in Origin when I try to pre-order DA:I-> "Supported languages: Russian, Polish".

 

I got the russian version of me3 and I could play it in nz and now uk so I don't know what you are talking about.
 
@op the game is not dubbed in russian (or at least it shouldnt be) the only thing you have to worry about is subtitles and the ui
 

 

I don't want anything even remotely Russian in my game Texts are a signifcant part of the game.

 

Are you sure we can't do this already? I'm living in Germany and I have no problems downlading the games in english. You just need to have your origin client in english and then every time you download a game you'll get first a pop up with a list asking you to choose the language (including russian).

 

The problem is, Origin won't let us even change it to English. I've set ALL the possible settings in the client to English (only left my country of residence as Russian Federation) and the shop is still fully Russian and is offering me Russian deals and special offers.

[Kantr]

I did search for those topics. The thing that really worries me now is what I see in Origin when I try to pre-order DA:I-> "Supported languages: Russian, Polish".

 

 

I don't want anything even remotely Russian in my game Texts are a signifcant part of the game.

 

 

The problem is, Origin won't let us even change it to English. I've set ALL the possible settings in the client to English (only left my country of residence as Russian Federation) and the shop is still fully Russian and is offering me Russian deals and special offers.

use a proxy (technically against terms of service)

 

Or wait for someone to upload the subtitle and ui files

[Arthmost]

use a proxy (technically against terms of service)

 

Or wait for someone to upload the subtitle and ui files

 

I assume that, by using a proxy, I will be able to appear as a resident of another country. This may result in billing conflict as my credit card is issued in Russia. I know of the shady ways. I want to be able to do it legally, that's why I'm applying to EA/BW.

[Kantr]

well. If you dont want the DD edition. Go to GMG and pay via paypal

[AmberLynx]

Strangely, GMG doesn't let me purchase DAI. When I click on the pre-purchase button I'm shown Error 404, when I try to search for DAI from the main page there's nothing in the results, as though they don't have the game.

 

Still thanks for the alternative, maybe it'll work later!

[Kantr]

http://www.greenmang...ge-inquisition/ maybe use a vpn/proxy for the site if it does that.
 
23% off with BWG00E-QJP45O-INFGR1
 
http://isthereanydea...oll:#highlights <- Will show you all deals for the game (not many)

[Althix]

I got the russian version of me3 and I could play it in nz and now uk so I don't know what you are talking about.

exactly, you don't.  because if you buy let say BF3 through Origin, you will have your region lock. You buy it region free which will cost you 10$ more - you will have a 'full' game.

Another example is DAO and DAA. Both games were in russian language with horrible vo and translation, however few years later i can play it in full english.

 

Difference in price* and language packages avaliable makes you wonder what you actually buying. And i can tell you for sure, from a guy who is a reseller - that DAI do have region lock:

- Russian, Ukraine and CIS.

- Region free (for 5$ more).

 

how about that?

 

*(because difference in price is around 25-30$)

[Kantr]

I got ME3 via a third party site so I didnt have to spend $100NZD on the deluxe version, so that may have been it (still annoyed at how it was russian and cheaper)

 

Anyway the game doesnt have Russian VO.

 

I dont buy Origin games though (aside from DA:I and DA2)

[Althix]

exactly my point. you bought ME3 through a reseller. so did i. and i can play it around the globe.

[Darth Taurus]

How to change Titanfall language on Origin. You have to use a command line

 

Might help for other games

 

http://help.ea.com/e...-game-language/

[Pen-N-Paper]

What if I am based in Russia but only speak English well?

Will this also be a problem for people buying the CD version of the software license? For that matter, is the game's language portable? (i.e a Polish guy buys in Poland but moves to the China - will his game language change on him based upon region?)

 

I am a unilingual franca lingua speaking Canadian expat, interested in this game as but one from a group of other English-native expats, living in Poland. 

 

The issue Arthmost raises affects us with Google (try to change language settings when everything is foreign!) Blogger (forget it!) and other such clever IP reading region specific "help."

 

How ironic this problem would be, caused by my fellow Canadians.....

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Jne9t8sHpUc

 

[Solid_Altair]

I'm a Brazilian and I also prefer the original version if it's in English. I think we're gonna get it.

[Kantr]

Will this also be a problem for people buying the CD version of the software license? For that matter, is the game's language portable? (i.e a Polish guy buys in Poland but moves to the China - will his game language change on him based upon region?)

 

I am a unilingual franca lingua speaking Canadian expat, interested in this game as but one from a group of other English-native expats, living in Poland. 

 

The issue Arthmost raises affects us with Google (try to change language settings when everything is foreign!) Blogger (forget it!) and other such clever IP reading region specific "help."

 

How ironic this problem would be, caused by my fellow Canadians.....

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Jne9t8sHpUc

 

It selects the language based on your system settings (or in the case of Origin Russia) your location. So once you have it in English you won't get it in Chinese (if there are even official chinese subtitles) if you go to china

[JWvonGoethe]

There is one way to ensure you can play the game in English - play on PS3, PS4 or Xbox 1.  None of these consoles are region-locked, so you can order a copy from the UK or US and get the English version. I realise it's not cheap, so you'll have to balance the cost of the console against the added value to you of playing in English.

 

Be warned, though, that I would stay away from Xbox 1 if you are planning to purchase DLC. Microsoft seem to be region locking digital games and DLC on the console.