English Games

[Bjyman]

I'm begging you guys to make English translations for the Maniac Mansion games already released and future ones as well. Also is there an English Maniac Mansion starter pack? The one I have makes the text in German. Thanks

[Mister L]

You could try this episode:
http://rapidshare.de/files/26960998/Smi ... l.zip.html

There are no English MMM starter packs. And I don't think there will be any in near future... Sorry.

[KhrisMUC]

Well, there's already this thread, also started by you, and it's quite thoroughly explained in there why only a few MMM episodes provide english translations.

Creating an episode using one of the starter packs should be possible even if you don't understand german, but you'd have to use an up-to-date translation file at all times to test your game.
And, as I've written in another thread:

You'll need a good unterstanding of AGS, though. The scripts in the template are quite well documented, but the only tutorial for understanding its special mechanics has not been translated yet.

[Bjyman]

I understand it's a low priority but it's been a year. I was hoping someone would get around to it. I suppose if the authors will give me the source codes I might be able to translate the games I've already beaten myself in AGS. As far as the starter packs where do I get this up to date file translator? I would also need the english sprites for the Pick Up, Open, Close buttons. Thanks.

[KhrisMUC]

You don't need the source code of a game to do a translation.
Check the manual entry.
Translating the GUI is included in this process, as the starter pack very elegantly uses strings to define the GUI's button images and keyboard shortcuts.
This is the reason why it'd be necessary to keep an up-to-date translation file while one created an english episode using the starter pack.


Please understand that there are about 15 or more different authors yet, with greatly varying english skills and very different opinions about the necessity of having their episode translated.
I understand that you want to play the other episodes, too, and we are aware that you aren't the only one who'd like to see the rest of them translated, yet this is still a personal decision of the respective authors.
Speaking of low priority: for some of them, offering an english version has none at all.

Fortunately, people who published great episodes (there aren't as many as you might think) tend to do it. So there's hope

[Kruttan]

It's difficult to translate a game. When you play a german translation made by an native englisch speaker you'll regognice many things that aren't incorrect but often sound very strange...
For good translations you need a literary skilled native speaker who also speaks the original language of the game very well (translation sofware does not work). And translating jokes and wordgames is really hard work.
If you know someone who can handle this I think lots of MMM-creators would be pleased to see their game translated.

[Bjyman]

Hey khrismuc

I'd need the dta files in AGS of the authors games though to manually compile it into the .exe. I'm not exactly fluent in German though I'd do my best.

[Problem]

I will translate Episode 51 into english during the next weeks. You could beta test it if you like.

[KhrisMUC]

Bjyman:
I'm sorry if I've misunderstood you, but how would the source help you with translating a game?
And as Kruttan said, somebody who's very good at both languages would be ideal.

[Bjyman]

I'm not sure how the translation process works but I cant make the translation file without having the game in the AGS editor first. I'm not sure if I know anyone who is good in both languages but I think I can do a good job using free online translators

[KhrisMUC]

That's right, but IMO the best solution would be the following:

1. author creates translation source, then publishes it here
2. english person translates (alternatively someone else, then translation gets proofread by someone english), then sends the source back to the author
3. author creates translation file and publishes it

That's how it's usually done and the author won't have to give up the source.

Unfortunately, going by the overwhelming feedback here, authors don't care much about getting their work translated.

At least Problem and MisterL agreed to publish english versions recently, so as I said, there's hope
I'm going to ask the other authors, maybe some of them just need a little nudge.

[Bjyman]

Ok I gotcha now. I'll see if I can find a better translator.

[Waldkauz]

so - ich würde mich hiermit mal bereit erklären die ein oder andere (je nach Zeitaufwand) Übersetzung zu machen! Wer mag kann sich gern melden!

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anyway - I would help if anybody wants to translate his game!

[BENDET]

As long as there is no hurry or rush, I could do some translations, too.
One at a time. So, first come first served .

[Kaktus]

anyway - I would help if anybody wants to translate his game!

Ich finde es sehr geistreich, dass du in dem Satz, in dem du dich als Übersetzer zur Verfügung stellst gleich zwei Fehler einbaust: ein Logikfehler und ein Grammatikfehler. Es müsste nämlich eigentlich heißen: "I will help if anybody wants his game to be translated."
Da möchte ich gar nicht wissen, wie eine komplette Übersetzung von dir aussieht