John Hokanson Jr. (isamu@USAGI.COM)
Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:19:21 -0700
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook 8.5, Build 4.71.2173.0 Message-ID: <000301bef367$fffe75c0$da5b443f@isamu> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:19:21 -0700 From: "John Hokanson Jr." <isamu@USAGI.COM> Subject: Re: Petition For Sakura 3> -----Original Message----- > From: Sakura Taisen Mailing List > [mailto:SAKURATAISEN-LIST@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU]On Behalf Of Jose > Barragán > Sent: Monday, August 30, 1999 6:52 PM > To: SAKURATAISEN-LIST@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU > Subject: Re: Petition For Sakura 3 > > > >I'm sorry, but i just have to say something here... flame war or no flame > >war. > > > I hardly think things have escalated to a flame war...I've been trying to > keep out of it, but I'm going to respond to a particular point in > your post, > Terrence. > > >> Yep. They look like they actually translated by somebody fluent in > English. > >> Something I can't say about the majority of translated games. > >> You're right. It'll be in English, a language I'm fluent in, > rather than > >> Japanese, which I have virtually no understanding of. > > > >These statements really show your ignorance about the entire > matter. Even > >Vic/WD fans know that they don't "translate' games. They buy the rights > >and do whatever they darn feel like with the dialog, with the text. > > > That's not exactly true. The story itself and the dialogue and > plot points are preserved pretty much intact. Vic showed us a > comparison of a 'straight' translation from Lunar: SSSC and what WD > had done to it, and basically they just made the language a bit more > flowery and added a few metaphors, but preserved every single line > of the original. I wonder though if that's an isolated incident as he has ALSO said that WD lowers the emotional atmosphere if they feel it's too over the top, or add in places where they think more is needed. He could be talking about titles other than Lunar (which is their flagship title). > What Working Designs _does_ change a _lot_ is NPC dialogue. Vic also changes the dialogue of the main characters in points. > Vic has stated that they pretty much rewrote what every single villager in Lunar > said from the Japanese version. > My point is, and has always been, that if WD translated a Sakura Taisen > game, they would obviously preserve the integrity of already fantastic > writing, because there are no village NPCs to add 'cute' dialogue to. I think that's a crock. You're still going to get the product placement, and the Americanization that you always get. It's like DaveZ said, they have to have those "Classic WD moments". I don't believe Vic can *DO* a preserved translation of anything. > Dragon Force was similar in this respect, since the only > extraneous dialogue > was that of the various generals one could command in battle. This is true. I don't think he messed up the main characters too badly. I've heard real horror stories about Zach Meston's script to Albert Odyssey Gaiden though. > The story > sequences were not changed at all in content. > If push comes to shove, why don't we simply ask Vic on RGVSega? I'm sure > he'd be happy to respond to a hypothetical question if phrased the correct > way (i.e., if we asked him politely what kind of translation > style he'd have > used on Sakura Taisen, as to whether it would have been a 'straight' > translation or whether he'd have changed/added anything...hmmm, maybe I > should ask him). > Isn't Sakura Taisen a fanboy game? I mean, seriously. Do you really think that the average gamer will be interested in it? It really grates on my nerves that he attacks people who ask him to reel himself in a bit as fanboys, and then goes for the niche market, anime-esque titles. You wanna know what guys? I think Vic is a closet Otaku who doesn't want to admit it. > > > >If you like Vic's writing, fine. If you hate it, that is perfectly > >understandable as well. But saying something like "Oh, but it's in > >English" is totally besides the point. > > > >Screw that. As if the sheer fact that is has roman characters makes it > >all good. It's YOU lazy americans who allows games to be ruined, yet > >don't care. You no-standard ... *argh* > > > Uh... > > > > >-(a slightly pissed off) terrence >