Players Upset as "New World Carnival" Anniversary Event Heads to Japan

The popular BL mobile game "New World Carnival" has officially announced its first-ever overseas event, marking its three-year anniversary with a live celebration titled "Neon Carnival" in Japan. However, this significant milestone will only feature an in-person event abroad, leaving Taiwanese fans to settle for a mere cinema broadcast. This news has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and protests among players in Taiwan.

For the past two years, the anniversary festivities of "New World Carnival" have taken place in Taiwan, attracting enthusiastic participation through a lottery system for ticket purchases. Despite the limited venue capacity, fans eagerly attended the vibrant live events. This year, however, the official announcement revealed that the anniversary celebration would be held at the SAKURA TOWN Japan Pavilion Hall A in Tokyo, with Taiwan only receiving a live broadcast at the Taipei LeSound Cinema.

Following the announcement, discussions erupted within the gaming community, with numerous comments and feedback flooding the official posts. Taiwanese players voiced two main concerns. Firstly, the live broadcast is limited to Taipei, leaving fans in other regions without any supportive venues, which is quite inconvenient for those not located in the north. Secondly, past in-person events in Taiwan featured professional interpreters providing Chinese translation services for performances. This year, however, with the event moving to Japan, the official notice stated there would be "no translation services for live performance segments," discouraging many Taiwanese fans who are not fluent in Japanese from attending the broadcast.

Official Responses to Player Concerns

In response to the growing dissatisfaction, the official team released a follow-up statement the day after the announcement, attempting to clarify the ticket purchasing process, which now distinguishes between "Japan" and "non-Japan" regions. They explained that due to the spontaneous nature of the hosts and guests, preparing subtitles or arranging translation services in advance was not feasible. Additionally, they provided details regarding video replays and merchandise sales at the event.

However, this supplemental announcement did little to quell the unrest among players, as some of the statements sparked further controversy. Originally, the announcement clearly stated "no translation services" would be provided, but in the follow-up, it mentioned, "Due to the possibility of omissions in real-time translations, we did not specify that this service would be available, leading to misunderstandings among players. We apologize for this." This inconsistency left many fans feeling confused and frustrated.

Updates and Changes to Event Details

Currently, the official team has updated the event website's notice section to clarify that "Taiwan venue support tickets" will indeed offer real-time Chinese subtitles for live performance segments. They emphasized that this decision was made to ensure Taiwanese players have the best possible audio and viewing experience. Despite this, the most hotly debated issue remains the decision to hold a commemorative anniversary event overseas, for which the officials have yet to provide a clear response.

Community Reactions and Future Considerations

The community's reaction has been mixed, with some fans expressing gratitude for the newly introduced subtitles while others continue to voice their disappointment over the lack of a local in-person celebration. Many players feel that the essence of the anniversary should be celebrated within their home country, considering the game's significant following in Taiwan.

Moreover, discussions have emerged about the implications of hosting major events abroad. Players are concerned about the future of local engagement and whether the developers will prioritize overseas markets over their loyal fan base in Taiwan. This shift could potentially alienate a large segment of players who have supported the game since its inception.

Impact on Game's Community and Marketing Strategies

The decision to move such a pivotal event overseas raises questions about the game's marketing strategies and community relations. As fans express their discontent, it may prompt the developers to reassess how they approach future events and communications with their dedicated player base. Building a strong relationship with local communities is essential for the long-term success of games like "New World Carnival."

As this situation unfolds, it will be crucial for the game's team to actively engage with players, addressing their concerns and fostering a sense of community. Only time will tell whether these adjustments will be enough to mend the rift between the developers and their Taiwanese audience.