This was part of a jam we did last year. https://itch.io/jam/locjam-rpg
There were multiple Russian translations already, but give me a shout here and I'll add yours if you want. Ciao!
A member registered May 02, 2021 · View creator page →
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High resolution logos of the jam for use in print and websites
(Translate this game for LocJAM RPG)
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Please read the instructions carefully
More specifically:
1) Ensure you didn't break the CSV. For a quick confirmation, open it with notepad, it should be separated by tab, not commas
(If you broke the file, carefully paste your translation over the F column in the step below, using Excel)
2) Download the original zipfile, extract it, overwrite the original CSV with yours, ZIP THE WHOLE FOLDER AGAIN, and upload it as detailed on the guide
Please read the instructions carefully
More specifically:
1) Ensure you didn't break the CSV. For a quick confirmation, open it with notepad, it should be separated by tab, not commas
(If you broke the file, carefully paste your translation over the F column in the step below, using Excel)
2) Download the original zipfile, extract it, overwrite the original CSV with yours, ZIP THE WHOLE FOLDER AGAIN, and upload it as detailed on the guide
I double-checked and I confirm it works fine, provided it's all in the right format
Re-download the file and follow the instructions in the FAQ step by step
If you still can't display your text, send me your zipfile
Step 3: Uploading and testing your game
Once your translation is complete, it's time to post it as an itch.io game.
First of all, make a zipfile of the whole project folder, including the original game files and your edited CSV file.
Then click on the menu on the top right of the screen and select "Upload new project"
Use the following settings for the game to display correctly
Classification: Games
Kind of project: HTML
Release status: Released
Pricing: No payments
Uploads: Zip your game folder as-is, complete with the edited translation.csv file and set it as "This file will be played in the browser"
Embed options: Embed in page, Manually set size, 960 x 600 pixel, Automatically start on page load, Fullcreen button
Visibility and access: Public
Remember to:
-Add the following text at the end of the page
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The LanaPixel font (c) 2020, eishiya (https://mastodon.art/@eishiya) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
-Use and [xx] iso language code in the tilte if you are translating into one of the unlisted language(i.e. ca, fr-ca, nl, pl…)
And we're done. In order to stand out, don't forget to make a good project icon and to add description and screenshots.
Finally, use Edit theme in order to tweak the visual appearance of your page with colors and backgrounds (just like you did for your group page!)
Submitting your entry
Now that you have everything ready, joining is dead easy. Go back to the LocJAM page https://itch.io/jam/locjam-5 and click on Submit your project. At that point, just select the relevant details...
And that's all, best of luck!
(If you miss the deadline for the contest, leave a message on this forum and we will try to help you. Within reason 😉)
Step 2: translating the game
As announced on the jam page, the game to translate is Intergalactic Wizard Force by Powerhoof
Feel free to play it at the top of the page in order to familiarize with it
Then scroll to the bottom of the page in order to reach the Translation kit button
Download the -IWF-Web.zip file and extract it inside a folder of your computer. You will see the following files
If you have Microsoft Excel installed in your system, simply double click on the translation.csv file in order to access the game text.
If you don't have MS Excel on your system, download and install the free alternative LibreOffice.
Column E contains the original English text. Use it for reference while translating and revising but you shouldn't really change it
Column F is where you will typeyou translation. Feel free to replace the "Translated" header with the name of your language for it to display in the main menu.
When saving, Excel will ask you if you want to replace the current file format. Always maintain the original format or the text might become corrupt and unreadable
Do not rename the translation.csv file or move it into another folder or the game will no longer be able to load it.
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If you inadvertently saved in the wrong format, due to Excel’s numerous warning messages, download the translation kit again and follow the steps below when saving
Excel 2007:
-When closing the file or Excel, a warning message will display “Do you want to save changes to translation.csv?” Click Yes
-When saving, Excel will display a warning message saying “translation.csv may contain features that are not compatible with Unicode Text. Do you want to keep workbook in this format? To keep this format, which leaves out any incompatible features, click Yes” Click Yes
The same happens if you use “Save” while translating, just click yes. Never use “Save as” and never change file format
Excel 2013:
-Always save manually (Ctrl+S). Never use “Save as” and never change file format
-When saving, Excel will display a warning message saying “Some features in your workbook might be lost if you save it as Unicode Text. Do you want to keep using that format?” Click Yes
-When closing the file or Excel, a warning message will display “Do you want to save your changes to translation.csv?” Always click Don’t save
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For advanced users:
If you want to go beyond simple translation and change the very structure of the game, download the Unity source code. These are the instructions (also included in the zipfile)
OPENING THE PROJECT IN UNITY
- Use unity version 2020.3
- Download it from here https://unity3d.com/unity/qa/lts-releases
- Unzip the source folder, and open as a project in unity 2020.3
- The game was created with PowerQuest, so when testing and editing the game, you should open the PowerQuest window.
- Open the interface by clicking "Window -> PowerQuest"
- More information on powerquest is here: http://powerquest.powerhoof.com
TESTING THE GAME IN UNITY
- From the PowerQuest window, in the list of "Rooms", find the "Space" entry, and click the "Scene" button
- Press unity's "play" in unity and it should play from the start of the game. You can also start testing from other 'rooms' by opening their scenes.
TO MAKE A BUILD
- Click File->Build Settings...
- There you can change which platform you wish to build for, and make a build.
- Refer to Unity's documentation for more information
TO CHANGE VOICE OVER
- Replace files in the "Assets\Audio\Resources\Voice" directory with your own
- Each filename has the character name, and line ID, that match the ones in the CSV
- The script is 663 lines split among two protagonists (220 lines each) and 6 NPC (50 lines at most)
TO CHANGE TITLE MUSIC
- A version of the theme song with no vocals is included in the zip
- To replace the song in-game, copy the iwf_title.mp3 file over the one in Assets\Audio\Music\ and build the project.
- Lyrics:
Wizard Force
Wizard Force
Intergalactic Wizard Force
Keeping order throughout the galaxy
Beyond where crystal balls can see
On missions of stellar gravity
Facilitating magic bureaucracy
Intergalactic Wizard Force
Intergalactic Wizard Force
Let's see step by step what you should do to join the LocJAM. It's not that hard, but I'd like to share a few tips along the way :)
Step 1: Create a team
This year's game is 4800 words long. Since an average translator can cover about 2500 words per day, it is fully possible for you to join the alone, translate it in full and test it within the three days of the jam.
But why not taking the chance of working with someone new? You will discover some new perspectives and have much more fun!
It's obviously easier if you have some interested friend already but if not -no worries- just check our forums and you will quickly find someone to pair up with.
Then, it's time to create your group profile on Itch.io. Just open https://itch.io/, click on Register and input your data.
The use the Edit profile and Edit theme tools to describe your team with custom icons, headers, colors and a description with your members, hobbies, online contacts and more.
Some underestimate this passage, leaving just minimal information or none at all. But it seems a shame to me.
First of all, an appealing profile might help your career. Maybe not directly, but a polished jam entry with a neat profile can give your CV a little push while getting started, or show your creative side when you're more affirmed in the profession.
And then, having a common "house" will definitely bring your team closer together.
Look at these great profiles, don't you want to meet them all?
https://jam-the-locagrams.itch.io/
https://the-tetraforce.itch.io/
https://alquimia-linguistica.itch.io/
Last step: let's register for the jam! Just reach https://itch.io/jam/locjam-5 and click on the red "Join Jam" button
Done, now we're ready to translate a videogame!
LocJAM 5 will be our eight event in eight years, and we built a little bit of history along the way. For example, did you know that it all started with indie game legend Lucas Pope?
Well, unwittingly, at least at the start I (Alain Dellepiane) was creating a video tutorial and -to be free from NDAs- I used a flash game that was popular at the time: "Republia Times". It was a lot of fun to translate and many asked how to do it themselves, which gave me an idea
I had just become one of the chairs of the IGDA Localization SIG and the group was reeling from losing its main asset: a full day of talks at GDC called "Localization Summit". I felt a translation jam could revitalize things and, after getting approval from Lucas, took the plunge
It was an unexpected success, with 511 participants and workshops worldwide. Four editions followed, including one from Japanese. The highest honor was probably when the European Commission (!) invited us to discuss the project at one of their conferences!
Still, I called it quits in 2017. Having a localization jam is unusual today, but was almost incomprehensible eight years ago. So -despite the name- LocJAM was set up as a contest, with rules, jurors and prizes. In turn, this spurred on competition, which was exhausting to manage
In 2021, I rebooted the event around sharing and co-operation: -Fully independent: no IGDA o agencies -Pure jamming: no prizes or ranks -Minimal: based on Itch·io And built momentum through two smaller, adorable events http://itch.io/jam/locjam-rpg https://itch.io/jam/locjam-wmhd
Which brings us to today, with LocJAM 5 marking our return to videogames and (hopefully!) to a larger crowd. Please make sure to register on Itch·io if you haven't already, and stay tuned for more previews and updates https://itch.io/jam/locjam-5
