Quebec prohibits English-only games

Canada's most outspoken province is speaking out again, and this time it's about video games.

The Toronto Star reports that Quebec has enacted a law prohibiting the sale of English-only video games, provided a French version is also available.

The measure is intended to "promote and protect" the French language, although the region's game retailers are concerned that the rules will lead to delays in receiving product. In turn, that could result in lost revenue as impatient gamers opt for alternate ways to buy, such as by going online or crossing the border.

En Francais, S'il Vous Plait

"I'm afraid it's going to cost me my business," said Ronnie Rondeau, co-owner of retail chain Game Buzz. "If it really was going to make a difference, I'd be for it, but only a small number of people want to play in French. The rest don't care. And money-wise, it's going to hurt."

Others worry that the law could create unwelcome issues for publishers. Companies could balk at the financial costs of releasing a French version of a game solely for Quebec, a notion supported by Montreal-based game developer Haig James Toutikian, who believes that translation problems can "take up a lot of bug-tracking time."

But to Danielle Parr, executive director of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, the bottom line is that Quebec gets what it wants.

"They will see more games available in French. And that's good news."

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