Localization Community Spotlight: Operation Zero

This week, we continue our Localization Community Spotlight feature in which we interview various fan campaigns that center on the localization of games. This time we interview J.T. from Operation Zero who wants to see the remake of  the Playstation 2 classic Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly (known as Project Zero 2 in Japan and Europe), released in North America. The remake is currently set to release in Japan, Europe, and Australia, but no word on a North American release. Some say the Crimson Butterfly is the scariest video game ever made!

Oprainfall: Can you tell us what Operation Zero is all about for those that do not know?

J.T.: Absolutely, Operation Zero is a campaign dedicated specifically to the Fatal Frame series. Our mission is simple, to make sure that Fatal Frame is given its due worldwide, with specific emphasis on North America as that is where we are based from and of right now it seems to be the last remaining region that has yet to receive an announcement on whether or not this wonderful game is going to hit these shores.

Oprainfall: Can you tell us why you are personally interested in Project Zero 2?

J.T.: Project Zero 2, better known as Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly in North America, is easily one of my all-time favorite survival horror games. If you never played it, you need to, I can’t express enough how fantastic the game truly is, for that reason alone I want to see this Wii version come to North America  It is not the only reason though.

From what I heard, this remake version of Fatal Frame 2 will most likely carry the subtitle “Deep Crimson Butterfly” in North America should it be released. I have a little evidence showing it just might end up coming. I shall cover that during our last question.

Oprainfall: Was there a Project Zero 1 and was it released in North America? If so, are the two games connected?

J.T.: Yes, there was indeed a Project Zero 1, again known simply as Fatal Frame in North America. Yes, the two games are connected in that together they both tell of the adulthood (Fatal Frame) and childhood (Fatal Frame 2) of a particular character. Also, get this, the first Fatal Frame takes place in 1986, while Crimson Butterfly takes place two years later in 1988. So essentially Crimson Butterfly is a prequel trapped in a sequel’s body.

Oprainfall: This game is being localized for Europe correct? Does part of your campaign involve promoting European sales of the game when it is released?

J.T.: Yes indeed, the game will be known as Project Zero 2: Wii Edition in Europe. As for promotion of European sales? Yes, we are encouraging those in Europe, Australia, and whomever is in a region of the world that is receiving the game, to purchase a copy as soon as they can. However, the emphasis right now is on making sure that North America gets it as well.

Oprainfall: Can you tell us the story about how the community got started and also tell us who the people are that are involved with the community?

J.T.: Yep! First off, I am actually not the founder of Operation Zero, I consider myself the current helmsman. The honorary title of founder goes to a woman whom uses the hashtag “~Mel”. Mel (real name Melissa) founded it back in December of 2011, but she didn’t have the time to run things properly so it kinda just sat there on the backburner for the longest time.

How I ended up helming this whole thing was a huge coincidence, I actually got the idea of a write-in/call-in campaign to Nintendo of America from seeing you guys at Operation Rainfall be proactive and take action to bring a trinity of titles to North America. While so far only two have been announced, without your actions, they probably wouldn’t have even come at all.

Anyway, with that idea in my mind, I immediately contacted Emi, the proprietor of Beyond the Camera’s Lens or BCL for short, and somehow ended up joining WE WANT FATAL FRAME on Facebook, which just happened to be run by ~Mel. I suggested the same thing to her, organizing a write-in/call-in campaign to Nintendo of America for Fatal Frame Deep Crimson Butterfly.

She then told me that she actually founded Operation Zero, but just didn’t have the time to run it. I immediately offered to help out, which she jumped at, and upon making me an administrator, I began molding things to where they are today. She still helps out on occasion though.

But, I couldn’t have done the successful work that’s been done without the help of someone I’ve deemed as Operation Zero’s official graphics designer, Shawnel is her name. Without her help in fueling these ideas, and her unbridled enthusiasm, I do not think Operation Zero would’ve been as successful as it has been. The three of them, along with Emi and her support from BCL have been my rock.

Oprainfall: What are your current and upcoming plans for the community and what is your ultimate goal?

J.T.: Right now, we are in what I’ve deemed as Phase 3 of our campaign which has been broken into three parts. We’re re-enacting Phases 1 and 2 for all the newcomers whom joined us and missed out on them when they were going on, those being the write-in/call-in campaign, and the physical signature collection on dedicated printable cards, both will be ending at the same time, near the end of June which is in time for the European/Australia/Japanese release of the game.

Part 3 is a video collaboration in the works as well that basically has 10 – 15 people recording video of themselves answering 10 interview questions. The videos will be sent to Shawnel whom is going to be editing and then burning the video onto DVDs complete with menu and everything, once that is done, she’ll be sending these DVDs to IGN, Gamespot, Nintendo of America, and whomever else we can think of.

The ultimate goal is to make sure that this game and all future Fatal Frame titles are given their due not just in Japan, but worldwide too; Europe, Australia, North America, South America, etc. We want to make sure this series gets that gold treatment it so rightfully deserves.

Oprainfall: What was your reaction that there was no news about the localization of the game at E3? Were you expecting it to be announced for localization?

J.T.: Well, I think we all agree that E3 was a total bomb for Nintendo. One of the only bright spots was the announcement of Fire Emblem 3DS for North America. When there was no news, I was at first a little dismayed. Not only did Nintendo not announce Fatal Frame Deep Crimson Butterfly and Pandora’s Tower, but it felt like they just ignored the original Wii completely.

As for expecting an announcement? I was holding out hope for at least a hint at it, but I was never expecting an outright announcement. We weren’t even given a hint as to what was going to happen with these last two bastions of Wii gaming greatness. Some of us were completely dismayed, and began losing faith. Me, and many others, have never lost the faith. If anything, the evidence I am about to present, while nowhere near an announcement, has given us all a bastion of hope.