[Sektenspinner]

"Velaya - Tale of a Warrior" is a big and popular german Gothic 2 modification where the player leads Velaya through 4 chapters and roughly 40 hours of playing time. The story is set in Khorinis, several weeks after the player left the island. There is a small German webpage here.

I think an english translation would quite a good step to reach the none-German audiences but I do not know anyone who simultaneously has the will, the skill and the time to do it. And neither do I.

But I thought, if the whole community could participate in a wiki-like process where everyone can do as much or few as he or she likes, there might be a good result in the end. This is why I wrote the page http://velaya.worldofgothic.com/translate.

The page should be fully functional. Feel free to test whatever you like. If you do not want to register (but you can, if you like) you can use the test accounts "testuser", "testuser2", "testuser3" or "testuser4" the passwords are the same as the usernames.
But do not start with the actual work, since this is but a test version.

Here are my questions:

• Do you think, that this project might work?
• Who of you would like to participate in that project?
• What do you like or dislike about the page (I can still fix it)

If there is enough interest among you, the project can start very soon.

Edit: I made a screenshot of the page. So if you want to have a very quick overview, click here.

[Larisa]

an english translation would quite a good step to reach the none-German audiences

The number of mods in English is quite small (and I'm talking about a new story/world, not just new items/textures), so such translations are welcomed.

[Ondo]

I might participate, but only at weekends, when I'm at home. I'm not a native English speaker, though, and I write quite slowly in English. I also haven't played Velaya yet, so I'll try to play through the current (German) version first. (My knowledge of German is not good enough to write or speak in it, but I understand enough to have played through some modifications with help of a dictionary.)

I like the idea of linking the strings to their places in scripts a lot. By the way, I noticed some strings that shouldn't be translated, like "BOSSFIGHT", "UNTEN", "CAMPFIRE" etc. like in this example on page 8 :

NPC_ExchangeRoutine (Rengaru, "UNTEN");
AI_Teleport (Rengaru, "NW_CITY_KANAL_ROOM_05_01");
B_LogEntry ("Das Spionagenetz", "Der Kerl ist irgendwo bei Hanna verschwunden! Wie kann das sein? Wo ist er hin?");

The string "NW_CITY_KANAL_ROOM_05_01" (from AI_Teleport() function) is correctly not offered for translation, but the string "UNTEN" is.
I think you should skip all strings from NPC_ExchangeRoutine() function calls.

What are the "anti-tech-spider" and the "script-spider" for?

This project may work if there are not too many contributors (because each would have a bit different style and knowledge level of English; and for a consistent translation, it would be good that at the end of the work, one person goes through all entries for a final checking) and if the contributors are stubborn enough to persevere until the translation is done. (If not, then be prepared to be the above mentioned final checker yourself, and to sacrifice the rest of your summer holidays for it...) I wish you luck, and I hope I'll find time to contribute a bit myself.
Gruß, Ondo

[Sektenspinner]

What are the "anti-tech-spider" and the "script-spider" for?

Those are only algorithms. After having extracted all the strings out of the German scripts I let the "anti-tech-spider" decide whether the entry should be marked as a "tech-entry" or not.
The "script-spider" searches the original English scripts for a string at the "same" place. If the filename and the function/instance/constantname are identical the english version is assumed to be the correct translation. Example:

In the file "Content/Items/IT_Addon_Armor.d" there is the item "ITAR_PIR_L_Addon" with the name of "Piratenkleidung". Since this item allready existed in Gothic 2 NotR the english translation also exists already. The scripts spider recognizes that and translates the entry as "Pirate clothes". The script-spider is not perfect, though. Neither does is find all translations, nor does it translate everything correctly. Someone will have to look over it.

Concerning the "anti-tech-spider" you're right. I can still improve it quite a bit (by now it just scans for empty strings and the occurence of the underscore (_), which is never used in plain text).

for a consistent translation, it would be good that at the end of the work, one person goes through all entries for a final checking)

This "final checker" should be a native speaker. I hope, there is someone who is willing to do it.

[Ondo]

The "script-spider" searches the original English scripts for a string at the "same" place. If the filename and the function/instance/constantname are identical the english version is assumed to be the correct translation.
Example:

In the file "Content/Items/IT_Addon_Armor.d" there is the item "ITAR_PIR_L_Addon" with the name of "Piratenkleidung". Since this item allready existed in Gothic 2 NotR the english translation also exists already. The scripts spider recognizes that and translates the entry as "Pirate clothes". The script-spider is not perfect, though. Neither does is find all translations, nor does it translate everything correctly. Someone will have to look over it.

Nice. Even if not perfect, it can nevertheless help a lot.

I've just registered with this username on your wiki, so that you can count me in. Unfortunately time is a problem for me, so I can participate only at (most of the) weekends. But I'll do what I can. How much time do I have to try playing the German-language Velaya until the work actually starts?

[basescu]

This sounds really interesting and I would be glad to help as much as I can.
I will have to admit that I have (sadly) neglected my skills in foreign languages during the last year but I think I can still speak (and write) in English at a rather acceptable level.However my knowledge of German is somewhat basic ( which means there is a chance that I won't understand some of the more subtle meanings, though I'll be trying my best to avoid such situations ).
One little question though: Is this mod just for G2 or does it require Notr?
I think that those 40 hours are really impressive and the creators of the mod deserve some applause ( for I am sure it wasn't an easy task );
( some time ago I tried to mod G1 but due to the constant crashes that I encountered with the spacer I had to stop.Though I remember I enjoyed playing around with the scripts)

I think there will be quite a few willing to help you on this.

"...since this is but a test version.".If so tell us when will the action start.

[Khaled]

Welcome back Basescu
Forza Rapid

[Larisa]

Is this mod just for G2 or does it require Notr?

It needs NotR. Afaik, all mods for G2 require NotR.

[basescu]

It needs NotR. Afaik, all mods for G2 require NotR.

That is what I imagined but it was worth the shot.Well then, I was thinking about finally buying it anyway ( though this may turn out a bit tricky, since it implies the usage of credit cards.. ).

@Khaled

[Sektenspinner]

I've just registered with this username on your wiki, so that you can count me in.

Thx.
I have added the link to your WoG-Profile and adjusted your rights.

Is this mod just for G2 or does it require Notr?

mistress_larisa is right. The mod is for NotR as all mods are.

"...since this is but a test version.".If so tell us when will the action start.

Since there have not been a lot of complaints about the system or the page itself, the work can start within the next days.
I just didn't want to start too early since it could have resulted in a lot of work. Changing the system and nevertheless keep the work that has already been done could have been complicated.

I think I'll open a thread in the German forum tonight or tomorrow (I don't have a lot of time right now) and if they have no suggestions for improvements either the work can start on saturday or sunday.

[WernerTWC]

But I thought, if the whole community could participate in a wiki-like process where everyone can do as much or few as he or she likes, there might be a good result in the end. This is why I wrote the page http://velaya.worldofgothic.com/translate.

A very great idea!
I wish you all the best for that project!

I know that at this state of the project it's impossible to guarantee something, ... but let's say the project runs well, ... is there an english voice-over aimed?

@all:
I've played the mod and can say it's really worth it, ... so everybody who can help, ... just do it!

[Sektenspinner]

I know that at this state of the project it's impossible to guarantee something, ... but let's say the project runs well, ... is there an english voice-over aimed?

I have no idea where to get the speakers.

First of all there must be a good and reliable female speaker. And I would be glad if someone else leaded such a project. It is quite time-consuming.

[WernerTWC]

I have no idea where to get the speakers.

First of all there must be a good and reliable female speaker.

The most of the speakers in my g2 mod (check my sig) were quite good imho, plus you can check the english version of the "sprecher börse" here:
http://forum.worldofplayers.de/forum...d.php?t=253693

And I would be glad if someone else leaded such a project. It is quite time-consuming.

Nono, don't look at me.

[RobinHood 13.]

hmm. I don't speak german, but maybe I could participate in making the voices, although I don't think my speaker is good enough for it, and don't know if my english is good enough either.

[Sektenspinner]

I have just opened a new thread (the project is not a suggestion any more, but it is running!).

This thread can be closed.

@WernerTWC: Thx for the link!
@RobinHood13: Thx for your offer!
@both: But I would really be better to finish the translation before thinking about the dubbing.

[Hellbilly]

This thread can be closed.

Closed. Let me know if there is a need to re-open it at some point.