Jose Barragán (devilot@WORLDNET.ATT.NET)
Tue, 31 Aug 1999 01:32:25 -0400
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 Message-ID: <000f01bef372$36b97e20$3de14d0c@141149625> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 01:32:25 -0400 From: Jose Barragán <devilot@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Subject: Re: Petition For Sakura 3>> 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). I confess I never read that particular RGVSega post, so I really can't comment in what context he was saying it. >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. Two words: Iron Storm. ;) Still, I wonder if he'd be as eager to put in many anachronisms in something like Sakura Taisen...would he maybe change some of the jokes in the game to ones more easily understood by a typical American gamer? Probably. But I think he'd steer away from anachronisms and sex humor. > >> 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. Zach Meston did Albert Odyssey a _favor_. That game was _extremely_ mediocre. The humorous translation made the game a lot of fun to play. Also, I think it's the worst offender as far as changes in WD translations go. Considering the type of game AO was, I honestly can't blame WD for making the changes it did. > >> 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? Vic obviously thought so, since he almost translated it. Japanese audiences obviously thought so. I mean, just look at how the title did over there. Remember, only a little while back, stuff like Final Fantasy and Lunar were also considered games for fanboys. > >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. Y'know, I'm sure if when Vic had started to post in Usenet, he'd received some well-written and concerned letters about his translations, though he probably wouldn't have changed his translation style, he would have responded respectfully and given his reasons for his company's changes in ported games. However, considering how badly Vic is bashed by the fanboys and otaku, it's only natural that he's defensive. He really doesn't like fanboys and otaku 'cause all they do is bother him, insult his company and degrade his work. I wouldn't be handling it so well if I were in his shoes, let me tell you. (I'm not defending Vic here, fellas, I'm just telling it like I think it is...) > >You wanna know what guys? I think Vic is a closet Otaku who doesn't >want to admit it. *shakes head* Doubtful. If he were an otaku, he'd do very straight translations and would make no changes save for shortening loading times and reducing slowdown in his games.