Is it the Orange Box? Non, c'est La Boîte Orange!
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Oct 12th 2007 at 1:45PM }
Our United States readers may not know this (we didn't), but in Canada companies are required to apply both English and French labeling to all products. Apparently this is a cause of great frustration among some folks. Being disconnected from the whole thing, we find it amusing. For example, if you live up north and plan on snagging a copy of The Orange Box, you're going to have to look very closely. As you can see, the French title for the game takes prominence on the packaging. Why Electronic Arts decided to go this route we don't know, but we have a sneaking suspicion. See, La Boîte Orange (LA BWOT OHRAWNJ) is just more fun to say. Try it: La Boîte Oraaaaaaaange. Feels good, doesn't it?
[Thanks, xenocidic. Image credit: MattBrett]
[Update: Looks like the labeling law covers all of Canada, not just Quebec. Corrections made.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xenocidic @ Oct 12th 2007 1:52PM
Normally games will be shrinkwrapped and then there will be a wraparound cover and french instructions with more shrinkwrap. This is how they comply with the Quebec language laws. of course this extra french cover and manual gets discarded like a useless husk.
However, I think in this case they're trying to cut costs and not go this extra mile. I'm calling foul!
Thanks for posting my story =]
Mitch @ Oct 12th 2007 1:53PM
This is absolutely a Canadian thing - EVERY BOX must have both French and English on it if you're gonna sell it, no matter where you are in the country. GH1 was delayed here because of printing issues. Blech. However, I do find this hilarious, and it caused mass confusion for me when I picked up my copy :)
Patrick @ Oct 12th 2007 1:59PM
Yeah, it is a Canadian thing. But, usually, the titles are a little more proportioned together than that. Funny.
xenocidic @ Oct 12th 2007 1:59PM
@mitch - Yep, but this is the first time where French has been so prominent (with the tiny English subs), as far as I can remember.
By the way, this issue is also being discussed here - http://forums.xbox.com/16083100/ShowPost.aspx , if anyone is interested in hearing more of my incessant whining.
Lunitsond @ Oct 12th 2007 2:02PM
Just wait, soon enough in the US all games will be released with Spanish titles with the English title in small print. We have to protect those illegal aliens and make sure they can buy and understand our games.
Xvalue @ Oct 12th 2007 2:08PM
Actually, Quebec is the only province that does not have to have bi-lingual packaging. Just the rest of Canada.
crux @ Oct 12th 2007 2:21PM
I was about to add a comment on the illegals myself. The way things are going in the US you can bet that will happen given that they seem to have way more rights than actual citizens. Games in Spanish first is no doubt on the way.
Tony @ Oct 12th 2007 2:22PM
Lord knows no one who speaks Spanish has ever come here legally.
Stores do carry a Spanish only version of Forza 2, though. You can get it pretty much anywhere.
xenocidic @ Oct 12th 2007 2:22PM
@6 while that's technically correct, I can't think of any Xbox 360 games that are made only in the French language. So since the primary language is English, and French is necessary, the article is still technically correct.
Of course if there was a video game made in French only, they would be allowed to release it in pure French.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_the_French_Language
SuperChuck @ Oct 12th 2007 2:25PM
Erm, Spanish is just as popular with LEGAL immigrants as illegal.
BlackBeltJones @ Oct 12th 2007 2:30PM
The only thing I hate more than Canadians are French Canadians. (sorry knuckles)
rTwelve @ Oct 12th 2007 2:37PM
You might say it has a certain je ne sais quoi.
Matthew Falk @ Oct 12th 2007 2:43PM
blackbeltjones:
the only thing I hate more is ignorant Americans is vocal ignorant Americans!
charleytony @ Oct 12th 2007 5:56PM
Hey everyone, you might not know this but Canada is a bilingual country. Sure a huge percentage of french canadians happen to be in the province of Quebec but you're supposed to be able to get service in both languages all over the nation.
BTW this helps if you are getting a speeding ticket in Vancouver and say to the police officer that you only speak french. If he can write you up and explain your infraction in your language then you get off free !!!
CDN Crockett @ Oct 12th 2007 2:53PM
I don't buy things with french on it, if I really want that game or a movie I would make a special trip to the US to get it!
Patrick @ Oct 12th 2007 2:55PM
And just like that the Canadian/US relations break down. :P
hiiro @ Oct 12th 2007 3:48PM
Some of the comments on this thread make me sorry for humanity.
"Lord knows no one who speaks Spanish has ever come here legally."
After the US invaded Puerto Rico much like they invaded Iraq they added a few million legal spanish speaking citizens. I guess God wouldn't know about that.
And what the hell is the deal with being anti-Canada? Honestly? Is it that horrible to share the continent with another country of white english speakers who somehow manage to have less crime and better healthcare than the states while at the same time being as free as the states? What, does that make some americans feel less special and incites mindless hostility?
I didn't think racism and ignorance where that badly spread until I started playing on Xbox Live.
STEVE @ Oct 12th 2007 4:37PM
WHO CARES!
mfed3 @ Oct 12th 2007 6:15PM
the french are gay, orange box = the real name
maniac0201 @ Oct 12th 2007 7:49PM
#19, if the French are gay, how do they keep reproducing?
Dylan @ Oct 12th 2007 11:33PM
You were right the first time, French labeling is only required in Quebec.
Lucky @ Oct 13th 2007 8:44AM
What's so wired about this is that uesly they way they do it is put a paper cover and french booklet over the already shrink-wraped and packaged game, the shrink-wrap it agien.
Not to metion thow bilingial overs have the titles equal size for both games. Seeing it Packaged this way is VERY strange.
Lucky @ Oct 13th 2007 8:45AM
@18
Unless you speak English and your in Quebec. I love the double standereds they have for Quebec.
=3
And people wounder why the English and French communities here dis like each other.
sefk @ Oct 13th 2007 9:19AM
I'm living in Quebec.
And this thing is purely stupid. Because normally, as wikipedia confirmed, la loi 101(the charter of the frenche language) does not demands this kind of unequal title.
And for a HL fan likes me, this kind of wrapping is annoying because when I buy a game, I want the original box in the original language, not this ****.
But then, maybe a joke from valve?
Etienne @ Oct 13th 2007 1:32PM
These comments are funny. You know, I come from Belgium, and in Belgium, we speak French :D But we don't like French people... Strange, no ? So I also find it's a bad name. French is my mother tongue but I find that the name "La boite Orange" is just... bad. Usually, in Belgium, all names of games are in English...
TheDFactor @ Oct 14th 2007 11:25PM
Actually, I think the reason the french is the prominent text is because the paper cover in the plastic was turned inside-out. I know that for some movies i have the paper inside can be taken out to reveal a double sided cover, one which is french dominant and an other that is english dominant. Of course im not sure this is the case here but i would definitely put it in the high 80's for myself.
xenocidic @ Oct 15th 2007 8:29AM
Dfactor, I doubt it.
on the long thread about this matter (click the article picture or see above) no one has mentioned that they found an English-prominent version on the other side.
Anyways, I've ordered a copy from the U.S.A. off eBay.
Damn you EA, if you try this B.S. for the next title I want to buy off you guys, we're through.