NIS America Accelerates Western Releases of Trails and Ys Series
Good news for fans of Falcom's Trails and Ys RPG franchises! NIS America, the publisher bringing these acclaimed Japanese titles to the West, has announced a significant push to shorten localization times. This commitment to faster releases was revealed during the recent digital showcase for Ys X: Nordics.
Alan Costa, NIS America's Senior Associate Producer, confirmed the increased effort in an interview with PCGamer, highlighting Ys X: Nordics (releasing this October) and Trails Through Daybreak II (early 2025) as examples of this accelerated process. While specifics on internal changes remain undisclosed, Costa emphasized the dedication to quicker localization without compromising quality. The 2025 release of Trails Through Daybreak II, originally released in Japan in September 2022, represents a substantial improvement on past timelines.
Historically, Western fans faced lengthy delays. The Trails in the Sky series, for example, experienced a seven-year gap between its Japanese PC release (2004) and its Western debut (2011). Similarly, titles like Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure took twelve years to reach a global audience. These delays were previously attributed to the immense volume of text requiring translation, a challenge exacerbated by limited translation teams, as explained in a 2011 blog post by a former XSEED Games Localization Manager.
While the localization process remains a two-to-three-year undertaking, NIS America stresses the importance of maintaining high-quality translations. Costa clarified that speed won't come at the cost of accuracy, highlighting the ongoing efforts to balance both aspects.
The past challenges, including the one-year delay of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana due to translation issues, serve as a valuable lesson. However, the recent release of Trails Through Daybreak suggests a successful stride towards faster, high-quality localizations. The positive reception of Trails Through Daybreak from fans and critics alike bodes well for future NIS America releases.
For a full review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, please see the link below.
