Seth McMahill could quite possibly have the best job ever. As the Head Product Localization Specialist for Pokemon, it's his job to make sure the Japanese-born Pokemon games make sense to American fans. That means that all translations, from language to cultural traditions, have to sync up so audiences have the best game experience possible. It also means that he gets to visit Japan regularly and play Pokemon games 24/7.
When I talked to Seth about the particulars of his job, one example he gave me for something they changed in a game that we Americans might not quite grasp is a tradition that involves smashing a watermelon on a beach. When Seth described this part in a Japanese Pokemon game, I became instantly jealous that I may never live to see a jolly Squirtle dancing among the pulpy bits of a squashed watermelon. Then again, if the games were filled with stuff like this, they'd probably be a lot different from the Pokemon games that we've come to know and love.
Speaking of the games we love, I also grilled Seth on the newest Pokemon game, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. For the first time ever, you get to play as an actual Pokemon! Yes, it's as cool as it sounds. The game gives you a personality test to find the Pokemon that suits you best. From there, you can explore hundreds of caves, make new friends, or hunt down criminal Pokemon - the choice is yours. There are two versions - Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, that each have different Pokemon. Since this game is completely different from those before it, it's not necessary that you've played the ones before it to have a good time.
Wanna find out more about the Mystery Dungeon and Seth's awesome job? Check out our audio interview with him on the next page.
