The Babylonian Problem

PrinzMegaherz · #1 January 11th, 2005, 12:43 PM

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?

Chazar · #2 January 11th, 2005, 01:01 PM

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

(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.

Endoperez · #3 January 11th, 2005, 01:10 PM

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.

Arralen · #4 January 11th, 2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Chazar said:
Actually I am quite sick of badly translated german Versions and ..

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 ..

Endoperez · #5 January 11th, 2005, 01:30 PM

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.

tinkthank · #6 January 11th, 2005, 01:34 PM

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.

PrinzMegaherz · #7 January 11th, 2005, 02:05 PM

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.

lebarjack · #8 January 11th, 2005, 02:58 PM

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

) 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.

PrinzMegaherz · #9 January 11th, 2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

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 ) or no cost.

Thats my line, but I think the foto should feature some hot chicks

atul · #10 January 11th, 2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

PrinzMegaherz said:

Quote:

at a marginal (a free game and a photo of Kristoffer and Johan ) or no cost.

Thats my line, but I think the foto should feature some hot chicks

...so, you mean a picture like this? Straight from the Shrapnel's site.

...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.