The issue
In a game intended for global release, the Chinese instruction “瞻仰神像” was rendered as Worship. Players received a reward for completing the interaction. In this context, the English wording could convey religious devotion to the statue.
Why it happens
The wording signals a religious act
Worship has an explicit religious sense. In a statue interaction, it conveys something different from simply observing or admiring an object.
Rewards reinforce the meaning
Linking statue worship to gameplay benefits may conflict with Islam’s prohibition of idol worship. In light of documented industry incidents, we recommend treating this as a high-priority cultural risk, particularly before release in Indonesia and relevant Middle Eastern markets.
Recommended solution
Match the wording to the action
If players are genuinely admiring or examining an object, consider Admire or Examine and align the Chinese and other languages. Neutral wording cannot substitute for changing an actual worship interaction.
Review the whole interaction
Check kneeling, prayer or offering animations and whether rewards or progression depend on them. Where needed, use observation or investigation that fits the mechanics, updating animation, audio and prompts together.
Involve cultural advisors in retesting
Cultural advisors and native-speaking testers should review the updated build together, checking language, visuals, actions and rewards in context.
Regression checks
Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish and Italian wording has already been adjusted toward neutral expressions equivalent to Admire. An English change is recommended; the effects of any interaction and visual changes still need verification.
Culturalization examines cultural, political and religious sensitivities by putting the text back into its actual gameplay context.