ARTICLE | Singapore |
Sony will release their safari photo hunt game, Afrika, in Japan next month. Afrika wasn’t around at E3 and there aren’t any announcements about Sony publishing it in North America. The game will see get a release in Asia, but not under the same name. Outside of Japan Afrika has been renamed Hakuna Matata. Yes, that’s the same phrase made famous by Timon and Pumbaa in the Lion King. This is interesting since Sony Computer Entertainment Asia usually uses the same marketing materials as Japan.
I wonder if this is a sign that the Asian version will have English menus similar to recent first party releases like Siren: New Translation and Echochrome. Unfortunately, the page doesn’t have language details so we’ll have to wait for concrete confirmation. Also unusual is how the game is listed as "Asian Japanese Version". Games get labeled either Asian version or Japanese version, not both.
Images courtesy of Sony.
Good god. Please tell me that the name change was just for marketing and that the game does not include a lot of Disney references. Of course, I know next to nothing about the game, so maybe it was designed with that in mind. XD
Afrika was a far better title… this sounds all… i dunno, i think it will help it appeal to a wider audience… i mean, it is a casual game, but Afrika…
“Games get labeled either Asian version or Japanese version. Not both.”
Asian-region Japanese-language version. As opposed to Asian-region English or Chinese-language version. It’s not uncommon.
@Xythar - Interesting point. Every time I bought a SCEH game physically in Hong Kong it’s labeled as the “Asian” version if it comes with the English/Chinese pamphlet. The Japanese version is usually a seperate release and considered an import.
But I see what you’re saying and it may simply mean “Asian-region Japanese language version”.
Man I hope this game comes out in North America with the title Afrika. Hakuna-Matata sounds to kiddy and really resonates with the Lion King and although the Lion King is Popular they need to distinguish themselves from the the Lion King not make people think they are buying a Disney Game.
Hakuna Matata… -_- really.
Now I get the vibe if Sony was publishing Endless Ocean they’d call it Finding Nemo.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
The animation and atmosphere could make or brake this game, it have so much potintial, ex Sega staff don’t fail me!