Hacking Final Fantasy Type-0 RomHacking

[Goofy Time]

If I can be honest, I believe the lack of a fan translation project is so many fans are absolutely bewildered that a game of this caliber is not officially localized. Like, the situation with the games popularity and comments from Square have lead fans to thinking it's coming somehow, somewhere. These fans should remember this is Square-Enix, a company that has done nothing but a massive series of mistakes this generation.

I for one welcome and wholly support a fan translation. I have no skills I can particular offer except time, so I can at best do some testing of the project if/when it has progress and needs to be tested.

 

[SkyBladeCloud]

I'm glad to see some real interest in this forum, I'm gathering some last bits of information before starting to code. I hope the 1º version of the tool will be able to extract and reinsert all (or at least 90%) of the images in the game.

Sadly I won't be able to code as fast as I could, since I have to deal with university at the same time IRL.

Once the tool starts working, I will need some one to convert the font to txt (someone able to recognize all the characters in it and write them in a txt). Obviously the game have some more font files than the posted in the OP, but I think they all have the same characters, in the same order (still, I say "think", cos half of those glyphs look the same to me :S). One txt version per font (if in the end they are different) is needed to decode the text encoding.

Also some asm tweaking will be needed when reading pointers, since the game's code can only read 16 bit pointers (limiting the text file size to 64 kb).

And that's it, images + text. This should allow us at least to do a complete menu/misc/CC translation. I can't tell for sure if the story text is actually among all the text files I've found so far (it's difficult to tell, being in japanese AND coded: I could be mistaken about .lang files being story text). But if it isn't I'm confident I can find it before all we'll have is translated.

Regards:

~Sky

 

[NSRSM]

I suspect most of the cutscene dialogue isn't just standard text like the ingame engine is for basic dialogue boxes like talking to NPC's, but rather image files. That's what it appears to me to be.

 

[LEDAHGRIM]

Hey Sky, How did you extract the 3D models just like the cater render screenshot you
posted on the main post? I don't know what tools you used to extract everything and I
can only think about UMD Gen sadly...

I was actually gonna do some modding with the 3D models for fun and because of some
idea I got from a friend but never had access to the 3D models, Or if you have them extracted
already can you PM me them?

Of course don't bother sending me them if the files are big, Just throw a simple README if
you have time.

As for translation effort I'm actually learning coding and hacking as part of my university and
I do use it every now and then in PSP Games, Namely inserting the PC text of "Eien No Aseria"
on the PSP version of the same game.

Not much I can do for Type 0 since my japanese level of skill is not enough to read complex
text like Type 0 offers... (combination of hiragana, kanji, furigana, etc...)

Cheers guys.

 

[xhai]

Hey Sky, How did you extract the 3D models just like the cater render screenshot you
posted on the main post? I don't know what tools you used to extract everything and I
can only think about UMD Gen sadly...

I was actually gonna do some modding with the 3D models for fun and because of some
idea I got from a friend but never had access to the 3D models, Or if you have them extracted
already can you PM me them?

Of course don't bother sending me them if the files are big, Just throw a simple README if
you have time.

As for translation effort I'm actually learning coding and hacking as part of my university and
I do use it every now and then in PSP Games, Namely inserting the PC text of "Eien No Aseria"
on the PSP version of the same game.

Not much I can do for Type 0 since my japanese level of skill is not enough to read complex
text like Type 0 offers... (combination of hiragana, kanji, furigana, etc...)

Cheers guys.

i think this is the tool he used Sky`s Console File Scanner..
SkyBladeCloud tool

 

[StorMyu]

Noesis can open them.

 

[coredecepts]

I registered here to offer my help.

I know very little Japanese, but I would like to help any way I can. I can proofread/edit and test.

 

[reveirg]

I'd be glad to help, but kinda limited for this kind of project since I don't speak Japanese.

If you ever encounter any audio needs (editing, recording, etc.) for whatever reason, I can help!

 

[earlynovfan]

I'd be really interested in joining this project. Currently teaching myself Japanese. (I know, bad idea. -.-") But I would also enjoy learning coding/programming. (Which I have been trying to learn.) Anything I can do to help, just PM me.

 

[SkyBladeCloud]

Updated the OP with a tool that will allow any image editor to edit all images in IMG/IMGP in the game (yes, there are quite some text in those). I've also included a PDF on how to use it, and some advices to edit the images.

unfortunately, I won't have time to manage this "almost-project" so, someone should offer to be the manager (you know, someone to organize and check the work, make sure everything is done and ready, etc...).

I hope I can have a similar tool for reinsertion once all the images are ready (you know, if they are finaly translated).
Also feel free to report any bug you may find.

Note that there are way more images in the game (maps/textures, etc...). In order to make things fater, I'm only decoding two formats this time. i think only theese two formats can have text, but if there is any missing image with text, don't worry... As long as the "project" keeps going, i can find them

Regards:

~Sky

 

[xhai]

Updated the OP with a tool that will allow any image editor to edit all images in IMG/IMGP in the game (yes, there are quite some text in those). I've also included a PDF on how to use it, and some advices to edit the images.

unfortunately, I won't have time to manage this "almost-project" so, someone should offer to be the manager (you know, someone to organize and check the work, make sure everything is done and ready, etc...).

I hope I can have a similar tool for reinsertion once all the images are ready (you know, if they are finaly translated).
Also feel free to report any bug you may find.

Note that there are way more images in the game (maps/textures, etc...). In order to make things fater, I'm only decoding two formats this time. i think only theese two formats can have text, but if there is any missing image with text, don't worry... As long as the "project" keeps going, i can find them

Regards:

~Sky

Sky does you tool support other games or it is intended only in type-o...

 

[NSRSM]

Going through it now. Came across one that has translation for the save menu thing, that has english text to begin with. Interesting nonetheless. I don't think I would be a good manager. You'd have to give me a better description of what I would be doing, if it's simply keeping translated material in one place I suppose I can do that. But I think a good idea is for all translators involved to basically share with each other a way they can all communicate with each other so they can each check each other's progress.

My thoughts.

Edit: I've looked through the compatible IMG and IMGP files. Majority is menu stuff, and the Chapter intro text. The majority of other stuff that makes up the meat of this game must be in some other format. This was searching through Disc 2. None of the Crimson Codex and all that is in this format.

 

[Maxtram]

Going through it now. Came across one that has translation for the save menu thing, that has english text to begin with. Interesting nonetheless. I don't think I would be a good manager. You'd have to give me a better description of what I would be doing, if it's simply keeping translated material in one place I suppose I can do that. But I think a good idea is for all translators involved to basically share with each other a way they can all communicate with each other so they can each check each other's progress.

My thoughts.

Edit: I've looked through the compatible IMG and IMGP files. Majority is menu stuff, and the Chapter intro text. The majority of other stuff that makes up the meat of this game must be in some other format. This was searching through Disc 2. None of the Crimson Codex and all that is in this format.

the translators can do that thing you are saying but what sky is refering is that there needs to be someone that takes control of what team is doing and whos doing it and always check that the translation work

it needs to someone to be the manager of the translation group

I cant help with this one i get lost pretty easly

 

[NSRSM]

Well I suppose the first step would be translating what is available to be edited. I have some of the Crimson Codex Translated by hand but until we are able to find what format the CC is in, I can't do anything with it.

 

[SkyBladeCloud]

This tools will only work for type-0, both UMD's, as the image format is specific of this game.

As for the manager, I am suggesting it so the project wouldn't die: The manager should have enough time to manage the ressources of the project during the time it lasts (so must be a person involved in the project and with some free time.). He/she would keep tract of the work done/to do, which translators are translating what, etc... I think it is a must in all projects of this kind (I've made many Spanish translations and they all had a manager...).

As for the extracted images, yes, I know the menu/mics text (inclusing the crimson codex) and the story text (cutscenes and such) are not images, but text. They are mostly located in .one and .ately(p) files. I even reverse engineered the encogin used:

Given a pointer ($a1) to a text character, this routine decodes it. So given a pointer to a text intervention, the result of decoding it is an array of font positions. Using that (and a TXT font) all the text in the game can be dumped to plain editable TXT. But There is plenty enough time to work on that, there are a lot of images to be edited and no one working on it... xD

~Sky

 

[FAST6191]

Though the idea of a manager sounds good and works elsewhere in the world in ROM hacking projects it is a tricky proposition, indeed the only ones I have ever seen that work are those that have some measure of skill in a field already (usually interpreted as if they had the time they would be able to do a lot of the translation or hacking maybe save for some trickier parts), are otherwise highly respected among the community you happen to be in or are members of an existing "closed" team.

I do hope it works but that has been my experience of project managers in ROM hacking.

 

[SkyBladeCloud]

Well, while I agree it may not be 100% necessary, I've had good experience with that system xD (I've made quite a lot of video game Spanish translations in the last few years). But yeah, guess a solid team wouldn't need a manager.

BTW, I forgot to add that PMF videos can be edited too (as long as the editor knows how to it right, it should be possible to reinsert them along with the images).

~Sky

 

[coredecepts]

I would love to offer my time and effort to manage a localization team for Type-0.

It's obvious by my post count that I am not a regular on these forums, and I have never been involved in a localization project before. I have very little Japanese knowledge, and literally no experience coding. I also have a full-time job, so I cannot work on this during the work day. I would only be able to work on this during week nights and weekends.

But I have managed a team on a retail product. I have experience managing outsourcing and local teams. And I want to do anything I can to make a localized version of Type-0 available to fans.

 

[Artistan]

Sky,

As I mentioned before I'm definitely good to go anytime. Managing wise... I have two kids and can't really commit my time more than just doing translation and graphics work; so if it is necessary it is a position suited for someone else.

Also, a quick note... Photoshop seems to be opening the converted IMG file just fine. Nevermind, it doesn't seems to... gotta play around a bit more.

 

[SkyBladeCloud]

Alright, I mean, it's OK by me, everyone who offers to help on the translation, and can help, is welcomed.

Well I suppose the first step would be translating what is available to be edited. I have some of the Crimson Codex Translated by hand but until we are able to find what format the CC is in, I can't do anything with it.

Yes, you guys can simply let me know when this can be inserted and I'll get to it. BTW what would yo prefer to be extracted next? Story script (events, cutscenes...) or secondary text (menus, help, etc...)?

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