Even though NCSoft has finalized the release date for Aion update 1.9 over the weekend (Yes, it’s coming in May!), players still clamored for an explanation on why it takes several months to implement an update from Korean servers to Western servers.
Many max-leveled Daevas–obviously itching to play new content and updated features–view the Westernization process as an excruciating “delay”. NCSoft has come out with their detailed defense, explaining the long process of bringing Update 1.9 and other major patches to Western servers.
NCSoft cited translation and testing work as the main culprits behind the month-long Western ports. It seems the developer also works on French and German versions before releasing the English translation, so this could be a point of improvement should the developer wish to sync their patch releases worldwide.
I mean, if other games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI deliver multi-language patches within the same week, then Aion should either wait for the translations to finish before releasing the Korean version or improve their translation pace.
Gamers are naturally competitive, so it’s logical for Western players to feel envy when their Korean counterparts get first dibs on update 1.9. For all it’s worth, here are choice snippets from the Aion Community Team on the Westernization process (or read the full version here):
“We have to go through quite a few steps to bring an update from the Korean to Western markets. The first step, obviously, is getting the update so we can begin testing…
After that, the team makes sure that any new files it has received match the previous terminology changes, which leads to lots of exacting search and replace work…
The team transforms that content into native English speech delivered in a natural tone and idiom that makes sense in a westernized culture while preserving the unique lore of Aion. When the team members finished that, it’s time to translate that English version into French and German…
Many times, the content goes through several testing iterations during which we change the wording, tweak the UI and its labelling, and fix bugs as they are found…
We create new installers, plan the server updates, and plan and test the backend technical pieces that deliver the new software, integrate it into the software, and talk to the various databases that are integral to getting the content and new features from us to you, the player.
Last, we let everyone know about the update! This involves a scheduled and coordinated effort by our Community, Marketing, and PR teams to get the word out through the press, various events, the forums, news items, and email messaging.