56 replies to this topic

[Kirinet]

This is what I wrote in an LJ community (with some changes :]):

I was wondering,
if I were to create an English patch for an otome game (Sugar Beans, preferably. I loved Ijiwaru my Master and Under the Moon <3) would anyone be interested or would I just be wasting my time?
I saw that AGTH thing and it doesn't look like you can read anything with that Atlas program.
Seriously, I mean, I just tried seeing how it is for a while and
The hell?
<[kairu]>“Princess ......It is that and all right? Becoming worry, whether it does not become lonesome, ......”

What the hell?! Oh wow....

Right, so due to that and due to me wanting my friends to play and actually understand what's going on, I thought I'd release an English translation!

TL;DR (Too long, didn't read)

Please answer the following:
1. Would a translation patch be accepted and supported? No ---> Specify reason and disregard the rest
Yes ----> Continue to the next questions.
2. Would anyone like to join me? I could use a programmer and a hacker (since I'd like to release an English patch rather than just a translation)
3. Before I start is there a specific game you'd like to see translated? If not, my default choice would be Ijiwaru my Master, since I already translated the intro for that. (note: Anything Tiara Mode is crap, so no freaking way am I doing that... I won't translate yaoi, either)
4. Specify a route you'd like to see translated first in the game you stated above when I release the demo. (default choice is Leon's Shiroi Hane no Kiseki)
5. How would I go about publishing this translation?

EDIT: at first I was going to make a patch, but I was pretty naive to think that someone as inexperienced as me can actually do something like that. I guess I'm only good for translating, so for now I can only release a translation (which would actually be a lot faster) but if anyone here knows anything about hacking and creating patches then that would be great, if not, well, you can read along while you play the game.

[Ningyo]

I don't think anyone would find a patch useless.

Maybe you can try and ask the programmers here, and see if they are willing and have time to help with the game you choose: http://community.liv.../otome_eternal/
They're a nice group, and already focusing on otome games.

[Kirinet]

I don't think anyone would find a patch useless.

Maybe you can try and ask the programmers here, and see if they are willing and have time to help with the game you choose: http://community.liv.../otome_eternal/
They're a nice group, and already focusing on otome games.

Thanks, I'll try see if they're interested
This is starting to feel like I'm being thrown from one place to another hehehe.

[Ningyo]

Hehe maybe someone else here will also be able to help you out more. Unfortunately the only thing I'm good for is translating, I have no idea about the technical side of things ^^;

[Nika]

1. Yes, I think there would be more people interested.
2. I'd just vanish without a trace after a while, I'm good at that.
3. Start with something you, or your team, really likes.

Keep in mind that translating an entire game is A LOT of work, and that it will take a lot of time. But if you still feel up it, Go give it your best :D

[Kirinet]

1. Yes, I think there would be more people interested.
2. I'd just vanish without a trace after a while, I'm good at that.
3. Start with something you, or your team, really likes.

Keep in mind that translating an entire game is A LOT of work, and that it will take a lot of time. But if you still feel up it, Go give it your best

I'm sure that if I have people who will cheer me on then I won't let myself give up
Translating a game isn't that big a deal, I've been doing it verbally for my friends for some time, I just decided that I've had enough of hearing my own voice and I should just write it instead.

Also, verbally translating sex scenes is very awkward ):

[Kurisu10]

This is what I wrote in an LJ community (with some changes :]):

I was wondering,
if I were to create an English patch for an otome game (Sugar Beans, preferably. I loved Ijiwaru my Master and Under the Moon <3) would anyone be interested or would I just be wasting my time?
I saw that AGTH thing and it doesn't look like you can read anything with that Atlas program.

I personally would be thrilled to see an Ijiwaru my Master patch out there. I think if more people found out you were wanting to translate this, they'd come forward to help. Most women gravitate towards a steamy story than cutesy girls romance after a few years (we can't all be 15 forever). I think that a patch for Ijiwaru would be a very longstanding endeavor. More than likely both Sugar Beans games would benefit from an english patch because of their notable ero scenes with beautiful bishonen and fantastic seiyuus.

I really hope you succeed! I have no real skills to offer, or I would do so, for sure. ^__^ Good luck!

[Murasaki]

1. Yes!! I support you with all my heart! And I'm sure others would really appreciate it as well.
2. I have next to no knowledge of programming. Though, my dream job is computer programmer XD...I might be able to help in the future.
3. Any is fine with me. I've only played a bit of UTM
4. Maybe the more 'canon' routes first. (eg. Leni from UTM)

[Xeiran]

1. A patch will definitely be supported and welcomed by the fans. Especially those who can't understand Japanese, and I think even those can understand would play again with the patch (I would), just to be able to enjoy it in their own language.

2. I can help with translating/proof reading, if you want another person. I've always thought about doing it on my own before, but I am not completely confident in my skills yet, and want to wait till I'm 100% fluent.

3. I've never played Ijiwaru my Master before. So I wouldn't mind seeing that one. I would be happy with any otome game to be translated, since there really aren't any out there.

4.Like I said, I've never played the game before, so whatever route is most interesting to you would be fine with me.

5. There are multiple ways you can go about publishing it. One is by making/having someone make you a website for the game or even an LJ or something like that. Another is by getting it known on Vn this website: http://visual-novels...i...ge&Itemid=1

Pm me if you want help with translating or proof reading^^

[Xenokitten]

1. Would a translation patch be accepted and supported?

yes, I would buy the game if it had an english patch, which would lead to more enjoyment/exposure of the game, and your patch would be used by those of us who can not read Japanese

2. Would anyone like to join me? I could use a programmer and a hacker (since I'd like to release an English patch rather than just a translation)

I unfortunately do not have the skills required to assist. I could donate some webspace or something, other than that can't help much

3. Before I start is there a specific game you'd like to see translated? If not, my default choice would be Ijiwaru my Master, since I already translated the intro for that. (note: Anything Tiara Mode is crap, so no freaking way am I doing that... I won't translate yaoi, either)

Well since you are asking, I'd really like to see an english patch for the nintendo DS versions of Tokimeki memorial girl's side one and two. I own both games and love them and play them all the time but can't read a darn thing they say. Knowledge of written japanese = zero
Buuuuuuuuuut.... This is YOUR project, so my thoughts on the matter are go with your "default choice" since that is what you really want to do deep down.

4. Specify a route you'd like to see translated first in the game you stated above when I release the demo. (default choice is Leon's Shiroi Hane no Kiseki)

In my request I'd like to see Kei's route in the demo, since he's the "main" guy. As for IMM, I don't know anything about the game so that'd be up to you

5. How would I go about publishing this translation?

Uhm you wouldn't really be "publishing" anything as that'd be infringing on the copyright of the game creators. You'd basically just get a website, or a blog, and as you work on translating make updates there, and then visit forums like neoromance and update your progress there, and wait for fans to come, and then those fans by word of mouth draw other fans, and so on

[Kirinet]

Uhm you wouldn't really be "publishing" anything as that'd be infringing on the copyright of the game creators. You'd basically just get a website, or a blog, and as you work on translating make updates there, and then visit forums like neoromance and update your progress there, and wait for fans to come, and then those fans by word of mouth draw other fans, and so on

Wrong use of words, you get what I mean.
(Don't worry, I have a good proofreader hehehe.)

[Nika]

Also, verbally translating sex scenes is very awkward ):

I Can imagine that, haha.

[Maverynthia]

I welcome anything at this point and would play it.
If you'd want to try other games however I really want the PC Angelique games and/or other Koei games. Basically games with more than "pick the right word route". :3
Though erm.. I kinda really was those Last Escort games too (*cough*) :3 :3

As for hacking I'm not that good at it, but if someone can tell me what I'm doing I'd be willing to put in some man power.
I /think/ I can hack .swf games like Yo-Jin-Bo and Animamundi. (I say think since the program I have may or may not be able to extract from it and turn it into a .fla.) So if there's some of those floating about...

[aznkeo]

I welcome anything at this point and would play it.
If you'd want to try other games however I really want the PC Angelique games and/or other Koei games. Basically games with more than "pick the right word route". :3
Though erm.. I kinda really was those Last Escort games too (*cough*) :3 :3

Since she doesn't have well any basic means of making a patch for a simple visual novel ^^;; well trying to make a patch for games by Koei is much harder. Also since they run on a completely different system, and not to mention that would take a much bigger team to help with this translation process. I think games like that would have to be translated by a company (or Koei lol) instead, but most likely not to happen.

So I think IMM isn't that bad of a choice to start out with since it's something she and her team so far like. ^^

[Savvy]

1. Definitely. You may not have thousands of people downloading it, but the niche of those that do would be very, very grateful. (I usually try to bribe people with fanart.)

2. The homemade game Katawa Shoujo picked up a lot of support and developers at the /a/ board of 4chan, and they're making an entire game basically from scratch. If just making a translation patch is easier, you might be able to find people there that can help you. The /v/ board is also worth a look.

3. Honestly I'll play any otome game I can get my hands on, but I usually prefer something a little less hardcore. Adult content is all well and good, and indeed I'd rather play through an adult relationship than a teenage one, but sometimes they border on pornographic instead of tasteful.

4. As you can see below my avatar, I like the jerks. Not really in the main character is submissive kind of way, but in more of a Slap Slap Kiss kind of way.

5. Spam internet forums everywhere. 4chan, gaiaonline, all those ren'ai websites... just get the word out.

Also...

I'm sure that if I have people who will cheer me on then I won't let myself give up icon_smile.gif

Don't be so sure. I was part of a game restoration mod that started out with a fairly big team, and we always had tons of support from the community. It started way back in 2005, and there's now only one member left still working on it at a very slow pace, to the point that people wonder if it will ever get done. As the animator my part is complete, so now I can only watch and hope....

If you're going to tackle a really big project like this, make sure you really want to do it, not because other people want you to do it. You can easily end up hating a game you may have once loved if that original motivation doesn't run strong and deep. That said, I wish you luck, and hope you find success with this project. (Cause I really want to play )

[Ningyo]

Well, one more otome translation project would be awesome, so I'll wish you all kinds of luck!!
(Although like Savvy, I'm not really into hardcore titles like from Sugarbean... so I may not play it.)

And it's true, translating is a huge project. I'm really happy with how far we have gotten with Princess Nightmare at this point, but seeing how long it took, and how much is left...
Yes, you really have to have a passion for translating that particular game, so asking others for opinions on what you should translate may not be the best idea. Choose whatever excites you

[Kirinet]

Me and Xeiran are working on it and we're doing real fine, even if we don't have a patch we'll put it in our website as a choose your own adventure kind of game and those who have the game itself can read it as they play, even if it doesn't sound very convenient right now, it's just until we find someone who'd be willing to hack and patch the game for us.
We're also working our way nicely on Ijiwaru my Master, we're both pretty fast, too, almost 25% in in our respectable routes, I believe.
I think we can finish it all in much less than a year, or 4 years in Savvy's case and once we're done with that game we'll move to Starry Sky.

As for asking 4chan, those fa--- fine gentlemen wouldn't be interested in an otome game, besides, /v/ wouldn't support something like that, they'd be a little more interested if it was a galge. Besides, I'm scared of what might happen with Katawa Shoujo, since memes and stereotypes run it, I'm scared they're going to violate precious innocent Scarface with that GIVE ME THE CHOCOLATE HISAO meme. /a/ would tell me to GTFO or gb2/jp/, /jp/ are too busy fapping to Touhou and wouldn't care all that much...
I don't know, I just can't ask them, I don't see a reason for them to be interested.
As for GaiaOnline, oh wow, no thanks, I'm really not in the mood for Gaia. Ever.

[niichan]

1) Yes to translation patch. Everyone loves a patch. Galge translation usually has those patches.
2) http://forums.novelnews.net/ is a very good board that will help you. Just visit the Production section and ask away what you want to know or req. for help =)
ANother option is to try the generic rip tool.
I remember both Ijiwaru and Under the Moon was possible to rip the stuff out of it.
Please pm me if you want that tool...and a repacker. (I'm sure there has to be one. I'll dig it up if you know what the file types are for script and Cg if needed to be edited)
3) I think Ijiwaru is a good choice (but Under the Moon is the most popular I think. Leni omg)
4) Just start with the canon route. So leave your default choice as it is.
5) Make a website if possible or just spam make a topic about the project and add some info on it:
http://forums.novelnews.net/
http://Visual-novels.net
Animesuki forums
etc.

[Xeiran]

Like Kirinet said, the two of us are translating the game, and we are also currently working on getting our website up. I'll post the link to it here once its done.
If anyone could make fan art or some sort of original art for our site, It would be great^^ Since I have about as much knowledge in photoshop as I do making a patch.

Thanks a bunch for the website links niichan^^

[Savvy]

As for asking 4chan, those fa--- fine gentlemen wouldn't be interested in an otome game, besides, /v/ wouldn't support something like that, they'd be a little more interested if it was a galge. Besides, I'm scared of what might happen with Katawa Shoujo, since memes and stereotypes run it, I'm scared they're going to violate precious innocent Scarface with that GIVE ME THE CHOCOLATE HISAO meme. /a/ would tell me to GTFO or gb2/jp/, /jp/ are too busy fapping to Touhou and wouldn't care all that much...
I don't know, I just can't ask them, I don't see a reason for them to be interested.
As for GaiaOnline, oh wow, no thanks, I'm really not in the mood for Gaia. Ever.

Lol, yeah, that's a pretty accurate description of 4chan, but not everyone there is a bad person. Just most of them. And from what I've seen of Katawa Shoujo they seem to be making a professional quality project.

While Gaia does seem to be perpetually populated by ten year olds, a quick post there can let the interested parties know the game exists, and if they want to ask questions or anything to head on over to your website so you don't have to stick around there.

Speaking of... do you guys have a website up yet? I'd like to check it out and see if I could make a fan art for it somewhere. Although with Beatles Rock Band coming out soon I'm going to be pretty busy brushing up on my classic rock history, so...