Rockman Corner: Alyson Court Talks Mega Man X5 Guns N' Roses .

When Mega Man X5 was localized, its eight Maverick bosses were given alternate names based on the titles of members of rock band Guns N' Roses. This peculiar change has since gone down in history as one of the more famous alterations in game localizations, ensuing years worth of argumentation and speculation. Were the GnR names really necessary? Who, really, was responsible for the swap?

MMX5 translator Alyson Court, perhaps better known for her purpose as Resident Evil's Claire Redfield and champion of The Big Comfy Couch, spent some time this evening reminiscing on her influence on Mega Man X5 via Twitter, subsequently revealing the chronicle and truth behind the game's infamous localization:

"Apparently the localization (text editing) I did for a Capcom game is *famous*. Er, make that infamous. Who knew?" My then husband was responsible 4 text localization. He asked me 2 do it&, since he was a GnR fan, I changed the names 2b GnR references. I didn't recognize the game nor did I recognize how mad fans wld be that Id changed the characters' names. But yrs later ppl now like it!" "My ex-husband had his own company, GenAzea, which did localization for many Capcom games. I did a lot of that work.""At first my hubby laughed & liked it [the GnR names]. Thenwhen fans started complaining he got mad at me. I meant well."
Alyson, however, defends the references. Her philosophy towards localization is to create the content palatable - going so far as to discover that the GnR references was all but meet for a franchise with so many musical homages and tributes.

Capcom has had every opportunity to change names back to their original "canonical" titles in future X5 ports. However, to perhaps save the game's historic status, Mega Man X Collection and the PC version of X5 have Alyson's handiwork. Hey, that's OK in my book. I, for one, thought the nods were a dainty little touch - brought some spirit to the bosses.

You can read Alyson's complete recollection over at her official twitter account here. She's been responding to fans, too, so if you experience any questions or comments, don't hesitate to take her a line!

Source: acourtroom