Anearth Fantasy Stories - Translation Project Thread

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/24/2015, 10:42 AM

Super exciting!!! Thanks for the updates!!

Quote from: SamIAm on 03/16/2015, 04:45 AMAlso, there are minor differences between the scenarios depending on which of the four characters you chose to play as, and I haven't (and likely won't) play all four scenarios. I don't have that kind of time at home, sadly.

So you're doing a translation of the dump rather than just translating the parts of the game that you are playing through. Is there ever a time when you need to see the actual scene/gameplay in order to understand the context of what you're translating? It's likely similar enough where you get the gist of what they could mean regardless of which character's story you play through, but I'm just curious.

Great work! Thank you.

SamIAm · 03/24/2015, 09:33 PM

Quote from: JoshTurboTrollX-16 on 03/24/2015, 10:42 AMSo you're doing a translation of the dump rather than just translating the parts of the game that you are playing through. Is there ever a time when you need to see the actual scene/gameplay in order to understand the context of what you're translating? It's likely similar enough where you get the gist of what they could mean regardless of which character's story you play through, but I'm just curious.

I have to write the translation in the text dump anyway in order for it to be reinserted, because there's a lot of important offset/control-code data in the dump. It's true that I could maybe try playing and translating at the same time, or watching a video playthrough, but it's better for my motivation if I am able to get stuff done more efficiently than I could doing that. I can usually tell what's happening, so it's not a big deal. If I make a mistake, I'll fix it later.

SamIAm · 03/27/2015, 06:47 AM

March 27th: Two hours. That third town is coming along.

SamIAm · 03/29/2015, 05:50 AM

March 29th. 30 Minutes. Coming up on the Pirate's Island!

By the way, the map in the game calls this "The Island of Pilates". I guess we ought to fix that, but it's awfully inviting for some jokes...

M1Savage · 03/29/2015, 10:04 AM

https://www.tg-16.com/anearth/pirate.html

Welcome to Pilates Island!

technozombie · 03/30/2015, 06:42 PM

Quote from: m1savage on 03/29/2015, 10:04 AMhttps://www.tg-16.com/anearth/pirate.html

Welcome to Pilates Island!

Those screen shots look great, I'm very excited to play this game!

wyndcrosser · 04/01/2015, 11:13 PM

Interesting :-)

pnauts · 04/05/2015, 11:38 AM

I Drool !

ultrageranium · 04/05/2015, 04:47 PM

+1 for Pilates Island

wyndcrosser · 04/06/2015, 10:49 AM

Yea I like to play as I translate, it helps me verify thst I'm making the story fit the atmosphere etc. I usually text dump but I use a table entry for like hex code 00fd=st, so I know when text starts etc or end or if there's a line break. I'm working on cool cool jam for NGPC now.

SamIAm · 04/07/2015, 04:15 AM

Good news and bad news.

The good news is that we got more stuff dumped, including everything around those special highlighted item names. Once we get the special item names themselves, we'll have 99% of the script, I think.

The bad news is that the new material is causing all kinds of de-syncing with my line-tracker program. It really goes to show you how the best thing is to get a complete script dump BEFORE you start translating.

Bardoly · 04/21/2015, 06:31 PM

Keep up the good work! It's exciting to hear how far along this is coming!

M1Savage · 06/07/2015, 11:51 PM

Any new info?

elmer · 06/08/2015, 11:20 AM

Quote from: m1savage on 06/07/2015, 11:51 PMAny new info?

I think that you'll find that the poor guy's free time has been completely taken up getting Zeroigar finished.

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19035.0

I'm sure that he'll get back to this when I stop standing behind him with a whip!

spenoza · 06/08/2015, 11:58 AM

Quote from: elmer on 06/08/2015, 11:20 AMI'm sure that he'll get back to this when I stop standing behind him with a whip!

Unless, of course, he likes it.

Mathius · 07/06/2015, 04:08 PM

This is mega cool!

pnauts · 08/10/2015, 09:17 AM

any news on the WIP ?

M1Savage · 10/28/2015, 09:41 PM

Squeek!?

SamIAm · 10/30/2015, 11:28 PM

Xanadu II has seen a much deserved revival lately, so that's what I'm focusing on.

This is far from forgotten, though. If I could do the Xanadus, this game, and Tenshi no Uta 1, I think I could die happy.

pixeljunkie · 11/01/2015, 04:50 PM

Quote from: SamIAm on 10/30/2015, 11:28 PMXanadu II has seen a much deserved revival lately, so that's what I'm focusing on.

This is far from forgotten, though. If I could do the Xanadus, this game, and Tenshi no Uta 1, I think I could die happy.

I'm sure this has been brought up before - but have you considered a gofundme or something for you work? I would gladly throw money at projects like this. It's no different than people funding star trek/wars fan films.

CrackTiger · 11/01/2015, 05:25 PM

Quote from: pixeljunkie on 11/01/2015, 04:50 PM
Quote from: SamIAm on 10/30/2015, 11:28 PMXanadu II has seen a much deserved revival lately, so that's what I'm focusing on.

This is far from forgotten, though. If I could do the Xanadus, this game, and Tenshi no Uta 1, I think I could die happy.
I'm sure this has been brought up before - but have you considered a gofundme or something for you work? I would gladly throw money at projects like this. It's no different than people funding star trek/wars fan films.

Do people really get away with reworking the official films/shows and not aren't just making fan fiction?

pixeljunkie · 11/02/2015, 11:07 AM

in a way - they are completely messing with protected IP's, but because it's "not for profit" and merely an homage to the IP it's usually cool. It would just have to be very transparent. Donations for someone's time, cost of materials, etc... The final product being given to people at cost + handling as well as marking titles screens with "don't pay money for this" disclaimer.

The point is, I think it's technically doable. It would just need to be carefully crafted and worded.

CrackTiger · 11/02/2015, 01:37 PM

I don't think that fans uploading The Force Awakens with Japanese subtitles or selling pressed blurays with a disclaimer would be viewed the same by Disney as a homemade video of some fans playing Star Wars in their garage.

We're not talking about a Seiya Monogatari doujin manga.

pixeljunkie · 11/02/2015, 03:28 PM

Quote from: guest on 11/02/2015, 01:37 PMI don't think that fans uploading The Force Awakens with Japanese subtitles or selling pressed blurays with a disclaimer would be viewed the same by Disney as a homemade video of some fans playing Star Wars in their garage.

We're not talking about a Seiya Monogatari doujin manga.

Very true.

But I still think there is some grey zone to be exploited here. I'm a big fan of waiting for the cease and desist myself.

Take the actual disks and/or disk images out of the equation then - Let's talk about just releasing patches. Point being, there are avenues to legally fund these projects in some form or fashion.

Hell, even under the table through this forum. Set up a paypal donation system. Speaking for myself when working on projects - money helps it move faster.

CrackTiger · 11/02/2015, 03:33 PM

I think that the only crowd funding that is potentially safe is to just accept donations towards a translation patch that will be made available to everyone for free and you'll have to patch and burn a cdr yourself. Maybe give donors silk-screened cdrs and make translated packaging images available.

M1Savage · 01/30/2016, 09:24 PM

Project dead or just resting?

NightWolve · 01/30/2016, 09:26 PM

Resting, let 'em work comfortably on Legend of Xanadu I & II before attention is resumed here.

SamIAm · 01/30/2016, 10:16 PM

I definitely haven't forgotten about it.

But yes, the Xanadus are getting priority. We're coming up on five years since I started trying to get Xanadu II translated, and Dog is my witness, it's going to get finished.

elmer · 01/30/2016, 11:25 PM

Quote from: SamIAm on 04/07/2015, 04:15 AMIt really goes to show you how the best thing is to get a complete script dump BEFORE you start translating.

<sigh>

Yep, and for the programmer to understand the game code well enough to have at least some idea of how it's all going to get inserted back in after being translated.

SamIAm · 01/31/2016, 01:08 AM

Having easy, efficient, and accurate scripts for the Xanadus is a major plus.

Also, it's funny to look back on some of my updates in this thread and see numbers like "30 minutes" and "90 minutes". I'm doing 4+ hours a day on Xanadu I at the moment. On the craziest days, it's more like 8. I can't say I would want to put in that kind of time looking at incomplete, messy, and otherwise inelegant script dumps like we have for Anearth here.

I shouldn't have been all "Gimme, gimme, gimme" to Esperknight, and rather should have patiently pushed through all the steps to get one really nice script. Although on the other hand, as much as I like the guy, I'm afraid progress might have gone dormant without a single word being translated if I had asked him to get that far before doing anything myself.

We'll see what happens when the project resumes.

elmer · 01/31/2016, 03:32 PM

Quote from: SamIAm on 01/31/2016, 01:08 AMHaving easy, efficient, and accurate scripts for the Xanadus is a major plus.

Absolutely!

Here's one short example of EsperKnight's Xanadu 2 script extraction, which is done in a format that's compatible with the generic "Atlas" rom-hacking tool.

<$13><$FF><$03>
// Pos : 0DE1
// Ptr : A488
#EMBSET($0000001D)

//する者を救いたいという
<EL>
<$13><$FF><$06><$40><$54>
//たのために
<EL>
<$13><$FF><$04><$8E><$84>
//の力を授けましょう。
<PAUSE>

Here are exactly the same 3 lines in the current format that was designed specifically for Falcom's scripting language.

_move_cursor_yx( $ff, $03 )
{愛する者を救いたいという}*
_move_cursor_yx( $ff, $06 )
{あなたのために}*
_move_cursor_yx( $ff, $04 )
{私の力を授けましょう。}
_wait_for_keypress_then_clear()

I hope that most people would agree that the 2nd version is a bit more readable (and so easier to translate).

It also shows that the Atlas format is hiding the fact that EsperKnight had mis-calculated the size of the _move_cursor_yx() script command, and that he was chopping off the first 2 bytes of each line of text.

That's the reason that IMHO, custom tools are an important part of any complex translation project ... which gets back to the need for programmer-help when working on some games.

QuoteI shouldn't have been all "Gimme, gimme, gimme" to Esperknight, and rather should have patiently pushed through all the steps to get one really nice script. Although on the other hand, as much as I like the guy, I'm afraid progress might have gone dormant without a single word being translated if I had asked him to get that far before doing anything myself.

That's a huge factor that we've briefly mentioned before ... team motivation, and how to keep everything moving forward when things get tough.

You're absolutely correct, of course ... it's almost impossible to keep motivated when you're needing one person (the programmer in this case) to do months-and-months of unpaid weekends (after a hard working week), all without seeing much visible progress.

Having a good partnership, and knowing that the other guy/gal is also working hard on the project, is an important factor in keeping up the willingness to put in the many hours of hard work when you'd probably prefer to be doing something else.

In the specific case of the Xanadus ... it was my knowing that there was already a huge amount of translated English script data waiting for me, that made it worthwhile to spend the man-months of time that it required to actually understand how the game was put together, and create the custom-tools that it needed.

spenoza · 01/31/2016, 05:45 PM

Well, I'm hoping you both enjoy your partnership well enough to consider other projects after the Xanadu titles. SamIam is already a proven asset to this community and western PC Engine fandom at large, and I dare say Elmer has been burning rubber to make up for lost time. It's quite impressive to witness the progress, as well as the openness. I've learned quite a bit about what goes into a translation like this from both of you, and while I don't think I'll be taking up the reins any time soon, it's awesome to have a better understanding of things. I'm of the opinion that the information you guys share is just as important as the end result. And thanks to this being a non-public forum, we don't have the amount of trolling ("Are you done yet? When will you be done?").

elmer · 02/01/2016, 11:42 AM

QuoteI've learned quite a bit about what goes into a translation like this from both of you, and while I don't think I'll be taking up the reins any time soon, it's awesome to have a better understanding of things. I'm of the opinion that the information you guys share is just as important as the end result.

If enough people think that the information is useful to others (I hope so), then perhaps we could "sticky" a new thread at the top of the page that would point to all the of the major translation & homebrew development threads so that they don't get lost in the noise.

Necromancer, does that sound like a reasonable idea?

Or perhaps expand the "Master List of PC Engine Homebrew Games" thread to include translations and to also include links to threads here in the development forum?

NecroPhile · 02/01/2016, 12:22 PM

I like the idea of a separate thread over expanding Paul's, but either is fine by me. If ya start a master list of translations (or whatever ya wanna call it), I'll sticky it.

nectarsis · 04/28/2017, 10:43 AM

Just curious if this is on anyone back burner....maybe after teh Xanadus

Mathius · 04/28/2017, 08:29 PM

Quote from: nectarsis on 04/28/2017, 10:43 AMJust curious if this is on anyone back burner....maybe after teh Xanadus

This, Xanadu and Blood Gear are my top three translations I'd like to see. I'm so thankful Xanadu is seeing a possible release. But what of its sequel?

elmer · 04/28/2017, 09:46 PM

Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 08:29 PMI'm so thankful Xanadu is seeing a possible release. But what of its sequel?

?
??
???
????

Mathius · 04/28/2017, 10:03 PM

Quote from: elmer on 04/28/2017, 09:46 PM
Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 08:29 PMI'm so thankful Xanadu is seeing a possible release. But what of its sequel?
?
??
???
????

Why are you miffed? Did I miss something (entirely probable)?

elmer · 04/28/2017, 10:37 PM

Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 10:03 PMWhy are you miffed? Did I miss something (entirely probable)?

I'm not miffed at all! I'm just wondering if I'm totally-failing to understand your question.

AFAIK, the only sequel to Legend of Xanadu, is Legend of Xanadu 2 ... and there over 70 pages of messages in the Development Section here showing the progress on both translations.

They're both basically done, and are only waiting for the dub in order to be releasable.

The current dub project is for both games.

So ... I'm lost here ... what "sequel" are you asking about?

Sarumaru · 04/29/2017, 01:07 AM

Seiya Monogatari is amazing. I am so excited about Xanadudes, if Anearth Fantasy Stories also got the translation treatment, I would die. You guys are amazeballs.

NightWolve · 04/29/2017, 11:45 AM

Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 10:03 PM
Quote from: elmer on 04/28/2017, 09:46 PM
Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 08:29 PMI'm so thankful Xanadu is seeing a possible release. But what of its sequel?
?
??
???
????
Did I miss something (entirely probable)?

Yes, you're getting two fan patches for the price of one right from the start for both Legend of Xanadu I & II.

Elmer is the most prolific updater of a fan project thread I've ever seen, 70+ pages and counting, so it's somewhat surprising you didn't notice the project is for both games simultaneously by now.

SignOfZeta · 04/29/2017, 12:52 PM

These are the halcyon days. Right now.

elmer · 04/29/2017, 01:41 PM

Quote from: Sarumaru on 04/29/2017, 01:07 AMSeiya Monogatari is amazing. I am so excited about Xanadudes, if Anearth Fantasy Stories also got the translation treatment, I would die. You guys are amazeballs.

Let's just say that you might want to check with your attorney, and make sure that your will is up-to-date.

pnauts · 04/29/2017, 01:43 PM

seieienbu · 04/29/2017, 04:36 PM

Quote from: elmer on 04/29/2017, 01:41 PM
Quote from: Sarumaru on 04/29/2017, 01:07 AMSeiya Monogatari is amazing. I am so excited about Xanadudes, if Anearth Fantasy Stories also got the translation treatment, I would die. You guys are amazeballs.
Let's just say that you might want to check with your attorney, and make sure that your will is up-to-date.

It's a great time to be a PCE fan.

Mathius · 04/29/2017, 09:57 PM

Quote from: NightWolve on 04/29/2017, 11:45 AM
Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 10:03 PM
Quote from: elmer on 04/28/2017, 09:46 PM
Quote from: Mathius on 04/28/2017, 08:29 PMI'm so thankful Xanadu is seeing a possible release. But what of its sequel?
?
??
???
????
Did I miss something (entirely probable)?
Yes, you're getting two fan patches for the price of one right from the start for both Legend of Xanadu I & II.

Elmer is the most prolific updater of a fan project thread I've ever seen, 70+ pages and counting, so it's somewhat surprising you didn't notice the project is for both games simultaneously by now.

Not sure why but I seemed to only notice the original Xanadu was being translated. I only briefly skimmed through the NintendoLife article before excitedly coming here to give my thanks. My bad, guys, my bad. I don't look through the sub-forums as much as I should hehe

poponon · 04/30/2017, 10:38 AM

Quote from: elmer on 04/29/2017, 01:41 PM
Quote from: Sarumaru on 04/29/2017, 01:07 AMSeiya Monogatari is amazing. I am so excited about Xanadudes, if Anearth Fantasy Stories also got the translation treatment, I would die. You guys are amazeballs.
Let's just say that you might want to check with your attorney, and make sure that your will is up-to-date.

you guys are gods. thanks so fucking much

NecroPhile · 05/01/2017, 10:45 AM

Quote from: elmer on 04/29/2017, 01:41 PM
Quote from: Sarumaru on 04/29/2017, 01:07 AMSeiya Monogatari is amazing. I am so excited about Xanadudes, if Anearth Fantasy Stories also got the translation treatment, I would die. You guys are amazeballs.
Let's just say that you might want to check with your attorney, and make sure that your will is up-to-date.

My pants are tight!

jtucci31 · 05/02/2017, 08:41 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 04/29/2017, 12:52 PMThese are the halcyon days. Right now.

For strictly fan translations and excellence at that, then hell yeah we are!

elmer · 05/07/2017, 07:39 PM

Quote from: guest on 05/07/2017, 08:51 PMShouldn't this be in the Xanadu thread?

<edit>

Whoops!

Moved to the right thread!