The Babylonian Problem
 

I know many of my friends who would like to play a game like dominion - if they could only understand it.

While English is the dominating language in the world, not everyone speaks it and of those only a few have the vocabulary to translate texts with fantastic/mythological content. Of those who can, only a few are able to translate lots of this stuff while enjoying a movie or a game.

That said, I asked the guys of Illwinter some time ago whether they would be interested in a German translation of Dominions 3, which I am sure would have the potential for a much greater success, with Germany being the primary market for computer and video games in Europe.

During my travels I met some swedish girls who told me that the Nordic countries use nearly exclusively English media, be it TV or book or newspaper. This is not the case in other nations, and the game that hit's the German shelves without being translated first won't be seen in a long time.

So I ask you:

would a localized Version be beneficial for Illwinter?

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

Actually I am quite sick of badly translated german Versions and by being obstructed from buying original Versions, since companies avoid the cost of putting two Versions on a shelf and since foreign orders are reputed to be risky because of the german customs overzealously obeying children protection laws especially for adults http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif (luckily there is this german retailer for dom2)...

...which, admittingly, is not a valid reason against a translated dom Version, since it is not sold via the shelf anyway.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

In Finland, I don't think translating Dominions II or II would worth the effort, but I understand it could be in other countries. Hard choice.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

Me too.
That's why I volunteer to help with the ranslation.
And I'm pretty shure my german does not suck as much as either my english and my multiplayer skills (not to mention OO-programming).

What I wonder: Will it be possible to do the translation as some kind of "mod" that simply replaces the text (files)? That way there needn't be a second Version to distribute ..

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

Mods can change the units' and nations' text. However, line changes aren't really possible; I have only been able to change two lines at once or none at all.

Spells' and items' description cannot be changed, and menu choices, orders (map/tactical vier) etc. neither.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

I tend to really dislike even excellently-translated stuff. I doubt that a localization of Dom3 would make sense for Illwinter, since its target group is a really particular niche. You need localizations for the Blizzard crowd to be sure, but the people who need or want localized games are not going to find Dominions3 in the German Version either. Well just my opinion, maybe I am wrong.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

The main idea is to have all text in a single file. To translate the game you could simply exchange the original file with a german one, much like using a mod.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

I totally agree with PrinzMegaherz. A lot of my friends didn't buy the game because they only speak french.

On the other hand, I think Illwinter can't manage all these localization by themselves. They probably should link their game to a free localization library (GNU/Gettext is distributed under a GNU/LGPL licence)
Dominion has a strong and very international community and I'm sure there is some people in this community who are able and willing to translate the .pot files at a marginal (a free game and a photo of Kristoffer and Johan http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ) or no cost.

Look at the Freeciv website how many Languages they support. Illwinter could sell a lot more copy of dominion 3 with such a broad localization.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

Thats my line, but I think the foto should feature some hot chicks http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

...so, you mean a picture like this? Straight from the Shrapnel's site. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ...okay, more chicks.

As to the translated Versions, I feel the same as probably all the Finns here - won't need it, maybe some others would. A customisable national namelists would be cool, though.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

Customisable national nameslists are already possible. You can either edit current ones, or create totally new one and choose the commanders that use it. All through modding commands, and has been available for some time. The names are even differentiated between male and female names!

Although currently you can only add names and clear whole list, that should be enough for almost all uses.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

I stand corrected then. Haven't looked into modding much. External lists just would have a few benefits like easily corrected typos and removing unintentionally funny names, I recall at least some gripes with Marignon's names and T'ien Ch'i's "King Arthur" equivalents.

...since there have been few suggestions for a nation based on Kalevala, I'd hope not to have same kind of gripes. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Just remembering Silent Storm's "Luutantti Olli"...

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

If Illwinter decide to have local Version of dom3, Iàll be happy to help them in making the traslation for Italian people s ... I really think )at least in italy) that it will be help a lot to get more player involved in the game ... Iàll be also happy to help in the traslation of the manual ... I haven't made an Italian Version of the dom2 manual becouse I know that illwinter is not so happy to have web Version of the originla manual going over the net!

... so devs, if you need my help for Italian Version, contact me!

good play
Liga

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

Nah don't translate the game .
I second Tinktank's opinion that i am sick and tired of games badly translated into german .
As example just especially baldurs gate 1 . The "sächsisch" speeking NPCs where a really pain and destroyed a lot of the flavour and mood http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif .

There are few good exeptions which are well translated into german , e.g. Schlacht um Mittelerde aka Battle for Middleearth .

I just buy the german Versions of the game because the english Versions cost much more because i would have to buy them from Amazon.co.uk e.g. and every such game would cost about 20% more .
I am always glad though if a game is sold in english like dominions or multilingual like Aow 2 shadow magic .

Additionally the translations would create additional costs which are not worth the effort .
If the game would not be distributed multilingual but only in e.g. german , italian etc. then it would be even worse because they print e.g. 10000 english only copies and sell 9000 . If they decide to do a german only Version too then they print e.g. 5000 germand and 5000 english copies and sell only 4000 german and 4000 english , so less .

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

As said before, you could simply exchange one textfile to change the language. Every copy of dominion could contain all text files available. Translating the manual would result in additional cost, but only the game? Even freeware games like Wesnoth have a german translation. And if you don't like the translation, nobody forces you to use it.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

IIRC wesnoth is open source and has some sort of really active fan community,
I don't know what legall implication this would bring along, butif you want it like wesnoth, we should wait for dom3 being released, with one text file, then it would be up to us to translate it or not.
I'm sure it would be great for the sells of dominions to have some localisation, (French and German mostly as I can see it), but I'm pretty sure this would mean a lot of work to... So I'm not sure it would be made (at least not by me, the work would be to big) after all.

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

I think that if the devs are able to put all the text into external files it will be easy (and someone will do for no cost) to make traslation (and also correct most typos) ... I would like to translate in italian to help some friends to play ...

also I would like to translate the manual and put it on the web ... but I don't think the devs would like it!

Liga

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

I wonder what you would call the dominions community, looking at all the people here in the forum

Re: The Babylonian Problem
 

That's a really good idea http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif