Give us the translations!

[harlequ1n]

Originally Posted by Flapperbol

I'm all in for subtitling games, but translating full voice-overs? No thanks.

I'm glad I grew up in the time where games weren't translated yet, learned alot from it.

(I set all my games/consoles to English, it all seems so childish when it's in my motherlanguage)

This is exactly how I feel. I live in Spain (though I'm not Spanish) and most of the games here, if not all, are translated and dubbed into Spanish which I tend to avoid completely and go for the English releases. It's just the best way to always polish my language skills while having fun, besides there's so many things lost in translation that it's not worth it.

[ilcapitano10]

Originally Posted by turingmachine604

I'm not intending to add any more to the argument, but I'd just like to repeat it's a lot harder than one might think to actually create a good translation of something, especially something that might use a lot of idioms and word play like the comedy in Monkey Island often does.

Secondly, it's not just translating into one language. If Telltale were to release a multilingual edition it would have to be for all 5 standard multi-languages in U.S. PC releases (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian) simultaneously.

So just saying it doesn't take that long to translate into German is ignoring a large part of the process.

I'm not intending to add any more to the argument, but I'd just like to repeat that they colud waited to enounce the release of the game...
We waited many years for this game (and i had lost all the hopes for a next episode of MI) and we could waited other times (especially if we didn't know that the TellTale work about this)...
I don't understand this hurry, they had all the times that they wanted to enounce the release, and add the subtitles (ENG-ITA-SPA-DEU-FRA)...

[turingmachine604]

Originally Posted by ilcapitano10

I'm not intending to add any more to the argument, but I'd just like to repeat that they colud waited to enounce the release of the game...
We waited many years for this game (and i had lost all the hopes for a next episode of MI) and we could waited other times (especially if we didn't know that the TellTale work about this)...
I don't understand this hurry, they had all the times that they wanted to enounce the release, and add the subtitles (ENG-ITA-SPA-DEU-FRA)...

Except, that Telltale is working on an episodic game schedule (the 'complete' Tales of Monkey Island won't be done for another 5-6 months). Basically you're asking why Telltale didn't go against the business model they've been using for the past few years. I always find it weird when people criticize the production of a game when they don't even bother to take into account how the production process works.

When releasing episodic games, the release date of not only the first episode but all the remaining episodes is really important. If you have a longer wait than a month there's a good chance that not as many people will buy the next episode. Having to do each episode in 5 languages would most likely take more than a month to do, hurting the sales of the future episodes. The timing between episode releases is very important.

Also, I'm sure there was some form of - I don't want to say pressure - but 'incentive' to have the first episode of Tales come out around the same time as Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. LucasArts does still own the rights after all.

Plus, if you don't mind waiting, then what's the difference that you'll be waiting for the subtitles? If they had waited to announce MI just so they could program subtitles then you'd be getting the game later than July 7th anyway. You seem to be complaining only because the English release is first. No one really doubts that a localization won't be coming in the future seeings as there has been ones for past TellTale games.

If you have a game ready to go in one language, it makes sense to release it (financially, especially for a small company like TellTale and for a genre that's not as popular as it was 10-20 years ago) then to hold off and wait for the other language versions to be completed. It secures revenue to continue releasing the later episodes, to allow it to be localized, and to test the market's reaction to the game.

[ilcapitano10]

Originally Posted by turingmachine604

Except, that Telltale is working on an episodic game schedule (the 'complete' Tales of Monkey Island won't be done for another 5-6 months). Basically you're asking why Telltale didn't go against the business model they've been using for the past few years. I always find it weird when people criticize the production of a game when they don't even bother to take into account how the production process works.

When releasing episodic games, the release date of not only the first episode but all the remaining episodes is really important. If you have a longer wait than a month there's a good chance that not as many people will buy the next episode. Having to do each episode in 5 languages would most likely take more than a month to do, hurting the sales of the future episodes. The timing between episode releases is very important.

Also, I'm sure there was some form of - I don't want to say pressure - but 'incentive' to have the first episode of Tales come out around the same time as Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. LucasArts does still own the rights after all.

Plus, if you don't mind waiting, then what's the difference that you'll be waiting for the subtitles? If they had waited to announce MI just so they could program subtitles then you'd be getting the game later than July 7th anyway. You seem to be complaining only because the English release is first. No one really doubts that a localization won't be coming in the future seeings as there has been ones for past TellTale games.

If you have a game ready to go in one language, it makes sense to release it (financially, especially for a small company like TellTale and for a genre that's not as popular as it was 10-20 years ago) then to hold off and wait for the other language versions to be completed. It secures revenue to continue releasing the later episodes, to allow it to be localized, and to test the market's reaction to the game.

Sorry, but really do you think that they 've done only the first episode??? Now they are ready for all the 5 episodes, but their policy is that release one episode for a mounth, and now they are working to prepare the game for the digital delivery or other little problems.
It's natural that they can't do a game (also if it's short like 5 or 6 hours of play) in a months, then why don't wait that the game was ready with subtitles??? I repeat me, also WALLACE & GORMIT!?!??! Why this step behind??? It was a mark of respect for all the fans of MI of the world!!!
An interpreter for translate "Monkey Island" you find it also for free and that's a work not over a week for each language!!!
It's impossible that they are so poor that are forced to sell now the game to avoid bankruptcy! Came on!

I like so much this games (it's my favourite of alla time) that i can't wait, and i don't want wait, and i want the cover painted by Steve Purcell, but i can't, you think that is right?

[TrueGuyb]

HELP ME PLEASE. Last day for advance sales of TOMI, what do?
-1- Book TOMI with its bonus ... but in English and can not play until the version in Italian with the probability of having to re-buy
-2 - Wait for the Italian version that it will take months and no bonus! HELP DO THAT PLEASE ?????

[Silverwolfpet]

Originally Posted by TrueGuyb

HELP ME PLEASE. Last day for advance sales of TOMI, what do?
-1- Book TOMI with its bonus ... but in English and can not play until the version in Italian with the probability of having to re-buy
-2 - Wait for the Italian version that it will take months and no bonus! HELP DO THAT PLEASE ?????

Dude, english is not that hard. Buy the MI with the bonus, and get an english dictionary. That's how we all learned english in my family, from adventure games! Really!

[ilcapitano10]

Originally Posted by TrueGuyb

HELP ME PLEASE. Last day for advance sales of TOMI, what do?
-1- Book TOMI with its bonus ... but in English and can not play until the version in Italian with the probability of having to re-buy
-2 - Wait for the Italian version that it will take months and no bonus! HELP DO THAT PLEASE ?????

We have to wait, i don't buy the game in english because i don't enjoy it in other language!
This is my advice...

[TrueGuyb]

Originally Posted by TrueGuyb

HELP ME PLEASE. Last day for advance sales of TOMI, what do?
-1- Book TOMI with its bonus ... but in English and can not play until the version in Italian with the probability of having to re-buy
-2 - Wait for the Italian version that it will take months and no bonus! HELP DO THAT PLEASE ?????

The Telltale team has an official give me advice for my question?
Please answer!

[Didero]

Like Silverwolfpet said, the Monkey Island games are a pretty good way to learn English. So I'd buy it now.
Plus, the bonus is pretty sweet.

[turingmachine604]

Originally Posted by ilcapitano10

Sorry, but really do you think that they 've done only the first episode??? Now they are ready for all the 5 episodes, but their policy is that release one episode for a mounth, and now they are working to prepare the game for the digital delivery or other little problems.

Are you kidding? Go read the other forum threads, go learn how episodic games are made. They do not have all 5 episodes done. In fact, they are probably just finishing voice recordings for the 2nd episode now. I'd be surprised if they even have the last episode written. What they have is the engine done, puzzles planned, over-all story mapped out. They haven't already made all 5 episodes and then decide to release it monthly, they continue to make all 5 episodes throughout the whole time. What do whole seasons of TV shows finish filming before they air the first episode... no.

It's obvious you have no idea how an episodic production schedule works. It's no wonder all your posts only sound like you're complaining and insulting TellTale.

Originally Posted by ilcapitano10

An interpreter for translate "Monkey Island" you find it also for free and that's a work not over a week for each language!!!

Yes, yes, that's right you can get professional quality translations done for free, *rolls eyes*. So, you also have no idea how localizations are done. If it's so easy for translations why don't you do them then? Even if someone is translating between two languages they are fluent in, localization also involves finding appropriate substitutions for idioms and wordplay that can't be translated in addition to cultural references that another country might not understand.

Not to mention the amount of dialogue in a Monkey Island game, it's not like translating a first person shooter...

Originally Posted by ilcapitano10

I can't wait, and i don't want wait

Well, I'm sorry you don't want to wait. *rolls eyes*

[onlyamonkey]

Srsly stop bumping this thread and give fuel to these absolute donkeys. They just wanna be emotional and stir up trouble, they're not suspectible to reason.

[TrueGuyb]

Originally Posted by turingmachine604

Are you kidding? Go read the other forum threads, go learn how episodic games are made. They do not have all 5 episodes done. In fact, they are probably just finishing voice recordings for the 2nd episode now. I'd be surprised if they even have the last episode written. What they have is the engine done, puzzles planned, over-all story mapped out. They haven't already made all 5 episodes and then decide to release it monthly, they continue to make all 5 episodes throughout the whole time. What do whole seasons of TV shows finish filming before they air the first episode... no.

It's obvious you have no idea how an episodic production schedule works. It's no wonder all your posts only sound like you're complaining and insulting TellTale.



Yes, yes, that's right you can get professional quality translations done for free, *rolls eyes*. So, you also have no idea how localizations are done. If it's so easy for translations why don't you do them then? Even if someone is translating between two languages they are fluent in, localization also involves finding appropriate substitutions for idioms and wordplay that can't be translated in addition to cultural references that another country might not understand.

Not to mention the amount of dialogue in a Monkey Island game, it's not like translating a first person shooter...



Well, I'm sorry you don't want to wait. *rolls eyes*

ilcapitano10 may have exaggerated his part but you're exaggerating on the other side. so by industry experts that the location does not cost more than 8-900 dollars per language, if not produced in different languages Tomi is why did not want to do. Wallace and Gromit has been translated probably because their target customer is less than 18 years and you see a teenager today with translating vocabulary? Tomi has a target of higher age and therefore of people who may have already studied English enough. And even the quality of the subtitles do not think that this great problem if there are historical notes could not understand them either in English or other languages, however, Wallace and Gromit has been translated into Italian and other languages and then use the same translator, right? .

[Smopiiac]

If you translate Monkey Island, part of the jokes will not make sense.

You'd have to get a REALLY GOOD localisation team for that...

[vacacionero]

Originally Posted by Smopiiac

You'd have to get a REALLY GOOD localisation team for that...

Smopiiac: I've played all 4 monkey islands spanish localized, and believe me, none of the jokes had lost (except that "jojo" monkey wrench puzzle in Monkey 2. Monkey Wrench, a tool, generally is translated to spanish as "Llave inglesa" the spanish name for that tool, So, I never figured out that i had to use the monkey in my inventory to close the pump because i didn't know the real connotation of jojo monkey with the real meaning of a "monkey" wrench )

[Aezay]

This post might come off sounding a little arrogant, so skip it if that is a problem.

After having read through this whole thread, a few things came to mind, mostly because this subject about translation in media has always puzzled me somewhat, and is thus interesting to me.

As someone who does not care for subtitles or speech in my native language, I have to state how much I hate having to wait and pay for the whole translation process of games. I don't need it, so why do I have to suffer from it?

It could be interesting to know how many lost sales the lack of subtitles causes. Obviously, it must be a fair amount since so many games are getting translated these days. But I think this threads paints an exaggerated image of the issue, I believe most people are just fine with English speech and subs, not the 1% as someone said. It seems many people think that translating a game is a simple process, and something you can do quickly. Doing a translation of a game like MI requires a lot of background work, they have to look into how the previous MI titles were translated, they also have to work on translating the jokes so they still make sense. All this is not an easy task, and takes a lot of time and money.

To me, it seems like most of the people that complains about the lack of translations are from Germany, France, Italy or Spain. This is no wonder though, as they are the countries which dubs TV, and have most things translated. They are some the largest countries in Europe, so that might be why they shut themselves off, and ignore English so much? There are a lot of other languages in Europe, but most of us are just fine with things only available in English, because we've learned it well, it is afterall the number one language in the world (after Mandarin, but who counts that?).

If the reasoning for using a localised release, is that you do not feel talented enough with the English language, and thus just stick with your own. Then that might just be the problem right there, you never get the change to expand your vocabolary.

Someone said that Italy didn't start to teach English in school until 2000, that really shocked me. I kinda feel sad that we in this day and age, aren't better at communicating in a global language.

Just to be clear, I am partially against translations of games (and other types of media), because the price for the translations usually ends up on every buyers hands. But if the people who needs the translations, payed the price for it themselves, I wouldn't have any problems, and would be all for it.

As a final word, open up to the English language, study it. You use and hear your own language every day, so spend each chance you get to learn something new.

[ilcapitano10]

Originally Posted by turingmachine604

Are you kidding? Go read the other forum threads, go learn how episodic games are made. They do not have all 5 episodes done. In fact, they are probably just finishing voice recordings for the 2nd episode now. I'd be surprised if they even have the last episode written. What they have is the engine done, puzzles planned, over-all story mapped out. They haven't already made all 5 episodes and then decide to release it monthly, they continue to make all 5 episodes throughout the whole time. What do whole seasons of TV shows finish filming before they air the first episode... no.

It's obvious you have no idea how an episodic production schedule works. It's no wonder all your posts only sound like you're complaining and insulting TellTale.



Yes, yes, that's right you can get professional quality translations done for free, *rolls eyes*. So, you also have no idea how localizations are done. If it's so easy for translations why don't you do them then? Even if someone is translating between two languages they are fluent in, localization also involves finding appropriate substitutions for idioms and wordplay that can't be translated in addition to cultural references that another country might not understand.

Not to mention the amount of dialogue in a Monkey Island game, it's not like translating a first person shooter...



Well, I'm sorry you don't want to wait. *rolls eyes*

LOL Are you serious???

Then, or the Telltale's staff are completely incapable to do their job, or you have no idea that you are saying and how an episodic production schedule works.
Any game (also a little game like an episode of MI) can to be done in a month, it's impossible! Now they have completed all the history of the game (otherwise how can they could to give the titles at all the episodes???), the game engine is the same for all episodes, and very probably they have implemented the history in that too (maybe the last episodes miss that), they only must to make some graphic improvement for the game, or test it!

Now, about the translation discourse, anyone with average intelligence understand that i was exaggerated, however it's not difficult to find an interpreter for that job(like they did for WALLACE & GORMIT, but you think that it's an FPS, right??? ), and it isn't surely expensive for a company like the TT, and even it requires a lot of time.

P.S.: I want to say you that i'm very happy that my favorite game is relive thanks to Telltale, but i am very disappointed by him because i can't play it as american and english gamers as, that's it! understand?

[Impossible3144]

It's great when people who have absolutely no idea what they're talking about or how the development process works say these things...

From what I recall reading in an interview, they've said that they're currently working on around episodes 3-4 at varying stages. Dominic Armato referred to recording his lines for episode 2 most recently. In any case, I can't believe the people who WANT Telltale to rush releases and just get the games out as fast as possible. I don't care if a game is delayed in the short run, because in the long run, all anyone cares about is the final product and its quality. And this isn't even a delay, it's just a game being released in chapters as it is still in development.

Wallace & Gromit was targeted at the European market, because it's a popular IP there. For ToMI, it wasn't as high a priority, and when the games are on a very fast development schedule, it's far too problematic to slow it down to translate, localise (which is a whole process on top of translation that can take a long time for text-heavy games and especially games like Telltale's where maintaining the meaning and humour is crucial) and implement 4-5 other languages. You just have to accept that it takes time. Many games take months to be released in PAL regions, and even English speakers in Australia and the UK have to wait for them - games that are already in their own language. What Telltale offers is far better than that.

[DAddYE]

There is a point that all no-english and no-subs and no-voiceover consider!!!!

Children!!!!

I've a brother 9 years... and he don't understand english very well... so now MI have a lot lot lot lot of FANS.... I think there isn't a game in the world with this auction yea?

How many years you had the first time that you have played MI?

Any think that my brother can play and understand MI? Any are sure that my brother will be a fan of this game?

[Olaus Petrus]

Originally Posted by DAddYE

There is a point that all no-english and no-subs and no-voiceover consider!!!!

Children!!!!

I've a brother 9 years... and he don't understand english very well... so now MI have a lot lot lot lot of FANS.... I think there isn't a game in the world with this auction yea?

How many years you had the first time that you have played MI?

Any think that my brother can play and understand MI? Any are sure that my brother will be a fan of this game?

Unless you want to wait for localized version, there is also another solution to that problem, which is dictionary. Like me and few others mentioned earlier in this thread, we learned more English from adventure games than from school. I was about the same age as your brother, when I started playing adventure games back in the 80's and I didn't know more English than "Hello, my name is..." and "How are you?"

Your own attitude decides if language becomes problem or not, but in general children are usually quick to learn if they want to play something.

[Javi-Wan Kenobi]

I've only read some of the posts on this thread, I haven't the time to read all of them, so maybe my questions are already answered. If so, I apologize.

I'm spanish, and although I'd like a localized version (just on the texts or even the voices), I have no problem on playing a full english version (provided it has at least subtitles).
I did so with Strong Bad on WiiWare, I'll do so with ToMI on WiiWare, but with ToMI on PC I'll wait until a localized version, just like I did with Sam&Max.
It was nice to find that W&G were multilingual from the first day, and I have heard that the reason is because Microsoft requires translations for its XBOX Live games.
So my questions are:
* Nintendo does not require translation for its WiiWare games?
* Even if Nintendo does not require the translation, why Telltale can do that for W&G and not for ToMI? I know the problems of time with the episodic schedule, but these problems should be also in the W&G series. Why not just simply delay a few days/weeks the launch of the ToMI games till the translation is done? I have also read the low budget problem. Is the game texts (just texts, no voices) translation process a such expensive thing that you can afford it only for one game series?

Well, I think these are all my doubts.
I'm not complaining, I'm just looking for info.
Thanks