I SAY: Do not localize it

Atahualpa · October 2, 2001, 09:11

Sell the US version everywhere on the world.

Localized versions are mostly rips. They are poorly done. Atmosphere is lost. The whole game becomes something different.

Its because the message gets lost. That would be like translating Music to german

DO NOT LOCALIZE IT!
Sell the US version everywhere.
Or at LEAST sell the US version with the localized version. I REFUSE to buy the german version. I tell ya. And I will NOT pay a hundred bucks for importing the US version either (THAT IS NOT AN OPTION). Hey I am not Bill Gates.

Btw, there is a poll. Please only non-native english speakers enter.

Sincerely,
ata

General Ludd · October 2, 2001, 09:29

I suppose all console games should come in japanese now, too?

Roman · October 2, 2001, 10:58

Big NO to localisation!!!

English versions rule!!!

Roman · October 2, 2001, 11:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Osweld
I suppose all console games should come in japanese now, too?

Unlike English, Japanese is not an (almost) universally understood world language.

I want an English copy.

You echo my sentiments Atahaulpa.

Adagio · October 2, 2001, 11:07

Quote:

Originally posted by Atahualpa
Or at LEAST sell the US version with the localized version. I REFUSE to buy the german version. I tell ya. And I will NOT pay a hundred bucks for importing the US version either (THAT IS NOT AN OPTION). Hey I am not Bill Gates.

Totally agree...I didn't buy my favorite RTS game because I could only get it in danish, I don't want to pay some high fee to get the english version shipped to Denmark...Guess why The Settlers IV (My favorite RTS games) didn't sell well in Scandinavia..?

Rakki · October 2, 2001, 11:13

regardless of what you say, there are people who can't read English in the world and handling the amount of documentation that comes with civ3 (or any other large game) would be a chore.

if you don't want it localized, order from USA/UK

Nikolai · October 2, 2001, 11:16

Good idea, Atahulpa!

I always buy the english versions of games, especially since norwegian is a small language, and the nearest language is swedish!

(for non-norwegian/-swedish peope; norwegians and swedes have some sort of kindly humor about each other, difficult to explain!

)

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 11:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Rakki
regardless of what you say, there are people who can't read English in the world and handling the amount of documentation that comes with civ3 (or any other large game) would be a chore.

if you don't want it localized, order from USA/UK

I think the point was that it's too expensive to get it shipped from the U.S.

About localized versions: They should not get rid of the other versions. The best solution (in my mind) is to provide both the local and U.S. versions at major stores. This is, of course, up to the store managers.

Adagio · October 2, 2001, 11:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Sabre2th

I think the point was that it's too expensive to get it shipped from the U.S.

About localized versions: They should not get rid of the other versions. The best solution (in my mind) is to provide both the local and U.S. versions at major stores. This is, of course, up to the store managers.

I think the best solution would be to put both languages on the same CD/DVD

Patriqvium · October 2, 2001, 11:37

The sacred mantra:

Localisation is dumb. Localisation is evil. Localisation is from Hell. Localisation is meant for games meant for five-year-olds. That's the bloody point.

(Repeat and fade)

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 11:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Patriqvium
Localisation is meant for games meant for five-year-olds.

And I always thought it was so people could understand what was happening in the game

Not everyone speaks fluent English and even those that do may want it in their own language.

Roman · October 2, 2001, 11:53

By far the majority of people with computers and buying power to acquire Civ 3 do speak English.

We need no localisation.

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 12:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Roman
By far the majority of people with computers and buying power to acquire Civ 3 do speak English.

We need no localisation.

Maybe a majority do speak english, but they shouldn't leave the minority out.

Boris Godunov · October 2, 2001, 12:12

Quote:

[SIZE=1] Music to german

Considering the greatest music ever written was written by Germans, why would this even be necessary?

PS-I did not vote in the poll, as I am an American-speaking Yank who doesn't have to worry about it anyway. Ahhhh, it can be soooo good to be an American sometimes...

Roman · October 2, 2001, 12:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Sabre2th

Maybe a majority do speak english, but they shouldn't leave the minority out.

Is this financially worthwhile for them though? Especially considering the fact that some people hate the domestic versions so much, they will not buy the game, since it would ruin the atmosphere for them.

lockstep · October 2, 2001, 13:18

When EU2 (a history simulation with 180 playable nations) is released, would you rather like to play the original Swedish version?

As for music: That it is in no need of translation is its very beauty.

Sabre2th · October 2, 2001, 13:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Roman
Is this financially worthwhile for them though?

That's for them to decide.

Earthling7 · October 2, 2001, 13:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Rakki
regardless of what you say, there are people who can't read English

Then they should LEARN!!!

Rakki · October 2, 2001, 14:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Earthling7

Then they should LEARN!!!

Why ? Is this some kind of cultural imperiaism bullsh*t you are sprouting ?

Earthling7 · October 2, 2001, 14:01

The point is that -Learning To Count With Bugs Bunny- should probably be translated, but CivIII with all it's upcoming mods ans scenarios should not. Think of the mess, having a German game and an American mod.

About packingh both versions together. It may work for Red Alert or something that requires just a 24 page manual, but it would be way too expensive shipping CivIII with it's 300 (hopefully) page manual in two languages (three for Belgium, 5 for Swiss).

Let's just get the International version, or at least give us a choice.

Rakki · October 2, 2001, 14:07

luckily "localization" is usually done by local publishers.. although the original developer may choose to make things easier by having built in support for localization.

I always thought it was kinda weird my Civ 2 came with Spanish and French (or was it just Spanish ?) but as long as I can read ONE of the languages I am happy.

Boris Godunov · October 2, 2001, 14:20

Quote:

Originally posted by lockstep
When EU2 (a history simulation with 180 playable nations) is released, would you rather like to play the original Swedish version?

Come to think of it, that would be funny...

Vverdy vverdy vvert vvert vvert, bork bork bork!!!

(My bad Swedish Chef impersonation)

Well, since Swedish is, compared to English, a VERY uncommon language, it would be pretty silly of them to do this from a sales perspective. But, financially, a game company can put out an English version only and do fine.

Sucks, don't it?

Roman · October 2, 2001, 15:17

Why are native English speakers for localised versions and non-native English speakers for a universal English version?

Don't worry native English speakers, we won't brand you as imperialists if you support the universal English version.

cyril25376 · October 2, 2001, 15:38

When the localization is done well, I prefer the localized one. But would be fine, when you have the choice between installing the original and the localized

Inverse Icarus · October 2, 2001, 15:54

american here, not participating in your poll.

i see many of your points, the game was HARD CODED in english, and transferrign it to, say, german, would lose some, if not a lot of, effect.

Adm.Naismith · October 2, 2001, 16:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Earthling7
About packingh both versions together. It may work for Red Alert or something that requires just a 24 page manual, but it would be way too expensive shipping CivIII with it's 300 (hopefully) page manual in two languages.

a) We don't know if Civ III will have a big manual or not. I'm guessing we'll get a small install/introduction manual and a larger .pdf file on CD/DVD.

b) I can live with a manual in original language and the file .pdf of the translated version (or viceversa).

If the game can work with both language, you can still build Mods working in english (required/mandatory) and the translated language of your choice (the one know by people who make the Mod, that is).

Of course is too late, but I already posted on this topic - translation and patches - in March, so none can tell I never mentioned this before

Boris Godunov · October 2, 2001, 16:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Roman
Why are native English speakers for localised versions and non-native English speakers for a universal English version?

Don't worry native English speakers, we won't brand you as imperialists if you support the universal English version.

How's this for Imperialist - I don't care because the game is originally in English and therefore I don't have to worry about it.

*Proudly sticks head in the sand*

dainbramaged13 · October 2, 2001, 16:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Roman
Why are native English speakers for localised versions and non-native English speakers for a universal English version?

because the non-native speakers are living on the bad end of the equation for themselves. The native english-speakers can see the whole spectrum... you should not discriminate against the minority of civ3 buyers in foreign countries. IF infogrames makes a profit-related desicion not to do localized versions then it mkaes sense, even though it still is discriminating - theyre a company, they can do what they want. BUt you want no localized version for your own sake and hadn't even presented that argument yet, so....

Trifna · October 2, 2001, 17:11

It's not because english is well known by alot that others who aren't as familiarized with english should suffer not getting all the game's depth because of their language.

Personnally, I know english enough to buy the first copy that'll be out, wether it be french or english.

PGM · October 2, 2001, 17:13

English version

.
Translations are a waste of time and effort. It's up to the players to learn english if they want to play the game.