Indy localisation
by Nauris Krauze · in General Discussion · 10/08/2003 (11:51 pm) · 7 replies
In Dexterity forums some developers from europe helped with simple translations for each others games.
This is when it struck me - Garagegames community is much bigger and even more diverse - wouldnt it be possible to create some kind of "grid" of people who state that they could translate simple texts for fellow indies?
Such system would work only for games with small amount of text of course. Like, one instruction screen, user interface and maybe couple of pages of story throughout the game.
I think that localisation for small games shouldnt be ignored. Especially in Europe. Hardcore maybe gamers have accepted that english is international "gaming tongue", but newcomers might simply not bother with games which they do not understand fully.
Such a "grid" system would have one problem though - how does developer know that translation is on acceptable level? Maybe translated texts could be displayed public so others who know that language could rate it or even suggest their variations for specific texts/sentences.
Other prob is pay. However, I think that in such community as GG, it could be understood that money isnt streaming in like mad. Maybe give translators a three copies of game each, maybe some symbolic pay. Maybe help them on their projects, whether with art assets or translation.
Just my two cents of course.
This is when it struck me - Garagegames community is much bigger and even more diverse - wouldnt it be possible to create some kind of "grid" of people who state that they could translate simple texts for fellow indies?
Such system would work only for games with small amount of text of course. Like, one instruction screen, user interface and maybe couple of pages of story throughout the game.
I think that localisation for small games shouldnt be ignored. Especially in Europe. Hardcore maybe gamers have accepted that english is international "gaming tongue", but newcomers might simply not bother with games which they do not understand fully.
Such a "grid" system would have one problem though - how does developer know that translation is on acceptable level? Maybe translated texts could be displayed public so others who know that language could rate it or even suggest their variations for specific texts/sentences.
Other prob is pay. However, I think that in such community as GG, it could be understood that money isnt streaming in like mad. Maybe give translators a three copies of game each, maybe some symbolic pay. Maybe help them on their projects, whether with art assets or translation.
Just my two cents of course.
About the author
Nauris Krauze is 2D designer/illustrator with 10 years experience in game development. Currently art director at 3Nstudio, working on games for social networks, occasionally doing some contract work. Portfolio: http://3nstudio.com/nauris/
#2
We launched our first game, almost two years ago, on the PocketPC platform. We have always recieved rave reviews, a large fan base, and still a top selling game for the industry. Our first review was in Hebrew, within 8 hours of the initial launch, and the game was only in English.
We now have several reviews in Russian, German, Italian, French, Swedish, etc. None of them deduct points for lack of localisation.
Our text in-game are fairly large- well over 100K. but we found that the humor in the game probably wouldn't translate very well into other languages. Anyone that has played the French version of Monkey Island knows this to be true.
Our game interface is simple enough to understand, the gameplay doesn't require tech manuals to comprehend- the storyline is just there for the hell of it. Its basically nonsensical hullabaloo.
Any localisation we have was translated by fans and friends. Most players use the standard English, even though Germany is the #2 consumer (US is #1).
10/14/2003 (12:37 pm)
To some people, localisation seems very important. Depending on the game, it may. But don't count on it to significantly boost sales. This is why a percentage is a bad idea.We launched our first game, almost two years ago, on the PocketPC platform. We have always recieved rave reviews, a large fan base, and still a top selling game for the industry. Our first review was in Hebrew, within 8 hours of the initial launch, and the game was only in English.
We now have several reviews in Russian, German, Italian, French, Swedish, etc. None of them deduct points for lack of localisation.
Our text in-game are fairly large- well over 100K. but we found that the humor in the game probably wouldn't translate very well into other languages. Anyone that has played the French version of Monkey Island knows this to be true.
Our game interface is simple enough to understand, the gameplay doesn't require tech manuals to comprehend- the storyline is just there for the hell of it. Its basically nonsensical hullabaloo.
Any localisation we have was translated by fans and friends. Most players use the standard English, even though Germany is the #2 consumer (US is #1).
#3
10/14/2003 (5:11 pm)
I find that smaller game companies tend to actually "de-localize", in that they move away from making games in both their local language and english, to only making games in english. It saves a lot of cost, and it makes sense for games not intended for a young audience.
#4
Maybe a plan to localize after release, see if it sells, then localize when you have some money.
I am still interested in what is the foundation of this thread, getting localization folks togteher in a list :)
10/14/2003 (5:16 pm)
Yes, well, percentage sales is all I have right now :)Maybe a plan to localize after release, see if it sells, then localize when you have some money.
I am still interested in what is the foundation of this thread, getting localization folks togteher in a list :)
#5
People making the game wont know the quality of the translation.
Like many of you here and my bosses, if I had given you a text that said "this is better than that" Many would write it as "this is better then that"
So it comes down to "how do you know you are gettting what you are paying for?"
10/15/2003 (6:14 pm)
Problem I see is quality.People making the game wont know the quality of the translation.
Like many of you here and my bosses, if I had given you a text that said "this is better than that" Many would write it as "this is better then that"
So it comes down to "how do you know you are gettting what you are paying for?"
#6
Willing to do big or small localization on a per project basis, time permitting and all that.
I have more paper dictionaries and thesaurus than you can shake a stick at, and I won't go into the CDROM part of my library :)
On a side note : I can do English to French, French to English, Spanish to English or French, but NOT to Spanish, at least not for the foreseeable future :)
10/16/2003 (10:16 am)
Well, that's where I can help, as an ex-pro translator to French :)Willing to do big or small localization on a per project basis, time permitting and all that.
I have more paper dictionaries and thesaurus than you can shake a stick at, and I won't go into the CDROM part of my library :)
On a side note : I can do English to French, French to English, Spanish to English or French, but NOT to Spanish, at least not for the foreseeable future :)
#7
Nicolas, how much would you value your work? And would translator charge per page or word or using some arcane system?
10/16/2003 (10:46 am)
See, there are people who could actually help:)Nicolas, how much would you value your work? And would translator charge per page or word or using some arcane system?
Torque Owner Edward Gardner
This came up this weekend while were were showing Lore, someone asked about localization, I'd be interested in seeingwhere this conversation goes.