AGS Games with translations

[Leon]

This was discussed a while back, but the feeling of most game authors was that they didn't want the possibility of people creating very bad, unofficial translations of the game.

If you've made a game, I think you have a right to check any translation that somebody wants to do for it, to ensure quality standards; if people could just make translations at random this would be bypassed, and potential players could then unintentionally end up downloading an unofficially "translated" version of the game that would give them the wrong idea about what the game was like.

I understand, I wouldn't want that either. But wouldn't it be an idea to create some kind of translation-debug mode that the game maker can activate so the game reads 'raw' files? If the game maker doesn't want unauthorised translations het leaves it off. If he doesn't mind he can leave it on. A positive side effect is that he can turn it on while in beta and being 'officially' translated so it's easier for the translator to check his/her translations. The translator can then play with the translation file until he/she is satisfied and then return the file to the maker. The maker adds the translation file and turns translation mode off so the game only reads the official generated translation files.

It prevents the translator from needing the complete source to check the translation and thus all parties should be happy.. (although I'm sure there's always something to moan about .. :-)

[Dualnames]

To speak from my point of view, well, I'm naming the GUI where you can change translation as a Babel Fish, however that doesn't mean that putting 455 translations will make the game good, or give the bad idea (unless I promote it saying 'It has 455 translations'). I'd love to add as many translations as possible, but as kapputnik said it "Why translate a bad game?". So far I'm having 5 languages (Italian, French, English, Dutch, Chech) and will add spanish to settle it. Not 100% if it doesn't go to waste..still.

[Sledgy]

bicilotti

Of course, if you're worshipped like a God... aaaargh I was trying to make a joke on the unofficial russian translation of 1213, but I cannot find it in the database. Oh well, even internet celebrities have their rights...

LOL By the way, I tried to find Ben Croshaw and send him messages, but nothing. Because of that there's unoffical Russian 1213.

Leon

It would be nice though if the translation file itself is more accessible. At the moment the .tra file isn't plain text.

Tra mustn't be accesible for all people, 'cause they can easy change original game to sux parody ) or change some names or etc.

I mean, if any player could be create English tra from AGS game and change it.


Of course, any guy can change exe's, but no all of them you can change and there's limit numbers of letters. And it's hard for simple player - digging to "hex", searching all phrases.

Maybe just must be 1-2 guys, who can create and change Tra, if game author can't (doesn't want) do it. And all, who wanna translate game, must just ask those 2 guys help him It's like two special AGSers, normal good guys, who created special topic for it 

[Radiant]

I just checked the game database looking for a game to play and i felt sad when i saw that a little percentage of games have translations.

I'm sure it's improving. In the past few month, about half a dozen translations were done for Yrolg and Warthogs, with some more pending.