"Metal Gear Redux" in a bind - Joy Division requests assistance

Supporter (15)

18-02-2003, 23:21

[Latok suggested I post this in the forums instead. Here it is...]

Experienced programmer/"hacker" sought for implementation of text that is fully proofread, localized, and formatted. Professionalism a must - we take our work very seriously, and are interested in networking with likeminded and talented individuals.

Metal Gear for the MSX platform was a landmark title in gaming history, and is the cornerstone of Hideo Kojima's legacy as a designer. Over 40% of the text was cut from the Homesoft translations (MSX, NES) and we're proud to present a fully updated script that is worlds apart: Missing messages have been restored, grammar and spelling have been corrected, and distinct dialects and deliveries have been localized appropriately for a Western audience.

We would like to have fully-functional beta by April 17th, for outside testing and for bug fixes. After that, our goal is to officially unveil our retranslation on May 15th, coinciding with the release of The Matrix: Reloaded, and the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

Sound like something you'd be interested in?

Drop us a line at contact@almasymarquis.com

Thank you!

-Dr. J

By anonymous

incognito ergo sum (116)

18-02-2003, 23:42

In addition to my reaction on the newspost; How can you state a deadline when there is no telling how long it will take someone to hack the game enough to be able to insert all texts?

By Dr. J

Supporter (15)

19-02-2003, 01:04

That's the Catch-22, isn't it? Daniel Caetano, who is working on the Snatcher translation, said that wouldn't be a feasible deadline for him. While we're still going to assist him with the Snatcher localization, my post here was to see if there was anyone out there who'd be able and willing to work within that timeframe.

Mid-May is an important time for Metal Gear fans - Konami is unveiling the next installment in the Metal Gear series (MGS3?), potentially the rumored "remake" (http://www.gamesarefun.com/cgi-bin/newspro/fullnews.cgi?newsid1039752874...,), and, as The Matrix served as one of Hideo Kojima's biggest inspirations for Sons of Liberty, the release of The Matrix: Reloaded is also highly anticipated by Metal Gear and science fiction fans alike.

Furthermore, just as Takamichi Suzukawa has taken the initiative in reworking the first Metal Gear title, he is also extremely interested in retranslating its sequel, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. If at all possible, we would like to release both titles this year. As chief "localizer" (read: Proofreader/Writer), I'm more than happy to put in the hours necessary to see both projects through. Indeed, the script to Metal Gear Redux was the result of a lot of deliberation and peer-to-peer discussions, and it would be a damn shame if all that work was in vain.

-Dr. J

By Grauw

Ascended (10820)

19-02-2003, 01:12

Eh? Metal Gear 2 has already been translated, by Takamichi! Well, if he really thinks it would be worth the effort of translating it again he should contact Maarten ter Huurne, he's the one who implemented Takamichi's translation the first time (not very long ago), and he's still active in the MSX scene. He knows how MG2 is programmed, he has the tools to do the job, he would be fit the best for it.

~Grauw

By Dr. J

Supporter (15)

20-02-2003, 22:40

UPDATE: We now have an experienced rom hacker on board, and he's taken charge of many of the technical aspects involving compression, pointers, and so forth. Once we're able to figure out the script format, I'll probably be working on that for some time.

As for Maarten, he's shown no interest in translation projects as of late. However, with Metal Gear Redux, we hope to grab at least someone's attention! For the record, it would be great to work with Maarten again, and I hope he takes an interest in MG2:SS Revisited and other translation efforts. At the very least, his advice would be appreciated very much.

-Dr. J

By snout

Ascended (15187)

20-02-2003, 23:39

Great to hear you found someone to get the job done this soon. Good luck!!

By anonymous

incognito ergo sum (116)

21-02-2003, 03:42

I suppose MG2:SS Revisited will include an upper and lower case font like what was originally planned as an update for the current MG2:SS translation?

By Dr. J

Supporter (15)

21-02-2003, 04:15

It's all up in the air, at this point. Fortunately, Takamichi's task (when he has the time, means, and will to work on it), will mostly involve going over his old translation and comparing it to the Japanese text dump. MUCH easier than retranslating an entire game...

I'm not sure about things on the technical end. One of the crazy ideas I was throwing around was doubling the characters per character space. Since the font is 8x8, though, it's easier said than done.

-Dr. J