Gaming Gaming Companies that fans can appeal to for translation?

[Pluupy]

Recently i've seen fans be able to appeal to companies and recommend a game to be localized(translated). It's even happened the other way around. For a game like Sigma Harmonics, however, who do you have to email for a localization appeal? Think Garage(developer) or Square-Enix(publisher)?

I've been doing a little bit of research on companies who have worked with Square-Enix in the past:

Spoiler

• Activision (probably not, they have private studios doing thier own work)
• Natsume (they usually localize leftovers, shoujo, and specific series) Will listen, but depends upon publisher availability. If I encounter another game that could use localization that suits Natsume, I could give a ring back.

  You are certainly free to suggest titles we should localize; however, as you state, it's definitely better to suggest a title that doesn't have a North American publisher, or is something that we would likely publish.
  
  We can't guarantee anything, of course, but we will definitely listen![*]Atlus (Great company with a forum for localization appeals like NIS America. They claim to ONLY localize games. Worth a shot... )[*]h.a.n.d. (???)[*]Graffiti Entertainment (would try but their forums are new and buggy as hell)[*]Nippon Ichi (sounds a little promising. They have a whole forum board dedicated to appeals Won't work with Square-Enix. If I do, in fact, find a company that would do localization...I have to contact Square-Enix in the end. vampkoIt's because Square-Enix would probably never let someone else localize one of their games. And they definitely have the final say in the matter.

• Ubisoft (there have been a few Ubis running around the GD talking with members about localizations... will look into)

If things get a little dirty... I might have to appeal Square-Enix for localization in the end. (I just hope this doesn't have to happen)

More Information on Sigma Harmonics:

• Official Site
• Joystiq Article
• Official Trailer:

 

[injected11]

A nice letter won't convince any company to localize a game. Only perceived potential profits will.

 

[Phoenix Goddess]

I agree with injected. You'll need more than a letter to get them to consider spending all that money to localize a game.

 

[dysan]

for some reason I don't think it would be THAT hard to translate a game...
if a company hired one of those good people that do the translations on their free time and paid them 1500 euros a month(which in my opinion is A LOT for a month's pay) I bet there would be translations in no time since then it would be their job to translate it...

seriously now....I think an english version of tales of graces for the wii would sell a lot more to make up for the translators pay...

 

[Phoenix Goddess]

for some reason I don't think it would be THAT hard to translate a game...
if a company hired one of those good people that do the translations on their free time and paid them 1500 euros a month(which in my opinion is A LOT for a month's pay) I bet there would be translations in no time since then it would be their job to translate it...

seriously now....I think an english version of tales of graces for the wii would sell a lot more to make up for the translators pay...

Except this is the NDS section, not the Wii.

It cost more than you think to localize a game.

 

[Demonbart]

I agree with injected. You'll need more than a letter to get them to consider spending all that money to localize a game.

One letter won't have a big impact, I agree with you on that. But if everyone who wants a game localized, requests that game, then the publisher might be like 'hmm, many people want this game, we'd have lotsa profit if we were to localize it"
This won't always work, but at least it will have a bigger chance of getting localized.

 

[Phoenix Goddess]

One letter won't have a big impact, I agree with you on that. But if everyone who wants a game localized, requests that game, then the publisher might be like 'hmm, many people want this game, we'd have lotsa profit if we were to localize it"
This won't always work, but at least it will have a bigger chance of getting localized.

Yes, but think of how many people would actually do that for a single game. Then if it's a success, think of how many spoiled brats will start whining and bugging for more. We don't want to push our luck and end up running companies flat broke from too many requests.

 

[Demonbart]

One letter won't have a big impact, I agree with you on that. But if everyone who wants a game localized, requests that game, then the publisher might be like 'hmm, many people want this game, we'd have lotsa profit if we were to localize it"
This won't always work, but at least it will have a bigger chance of getting localized.

Yes, but think of how many people would actually do that for a single game. Then if it's a success, think of how many spoiled brats will start whining and bugging for more. We don't want to push our luck and end up running companies flat broke from too many requests.

True, but so far, far too few good games have had an american localization, and even less have made it to europe. I think it's time the publishers got off of their lazy asses and started translating titles we really want instead of making another fucking Imagine series game.

 

[dysan]

for some reason I don't think it would be THAT hard to translate a game...
if a company hired one of those good people that do the translations on their free time and paid them 1500 euros a month(which in my opinion is A LOT for a month's pay) I bet there would be translations in no time since then it would be their job to translate it...

seriously now....I think an english version of tales of graces for the wii would sell a lot more to make up for the translators pay...

Except this is the NDS section, not the Wii.

It cost more than you think to localize a game.

tales of graces was an example

well,propably it's not as easy as I say it's gonna be, but I really don't understand why companies will release a game in english and not release the "sequel" or the same series again in english (YES I'm still talking about the tales series)

 

[Phoenix Goddess]

True, but so far, far too few good games have had an american localization, and even less have made it to europe. I think it's time the publishers got off of their lazy asses and started translating titles we really want instead of making another fucking Imagine series game.

Again, things cost money. Not to mention, I haven't seen an Imagine game in a while. Those were aimed at little kids, anyway.
It's not about getting off their asses, it's about time and money.

QUOTE(dysan @ Aug 20 2010, 06:16 AM) tales of graces was an example

well,propably it's not as easy as I say it's gonna be, but I really don't understand why companies will release a game in english and not release the "sequel" or the same series again in english (YES I'm still talking about the tales series)

Most likely has to do with what's allowed and what isn't. Some games aren't allowed into the states, just like some movies. As for a certain series, that depends on the company. If they don't have the money or time(due to other projects), who are we to bitch? People don't seem to appreciate time and effort. They made the game in Japanese, for romhackers and translators, that's all we need. It may not get localized, but it does it translated, as one of the "Tales" has.

 

[Pong20302000]

Start Facebook pages
if u get many many followers company's normally notice them

 

[naglaro00]

Start Facebook pages
if u get many many followers company's normally notice them

Lol




or spam the company's facebook page.
Take Namco's page as an example

 

[tk_saturn]

I remember when the PS2 came out and new PSX games started to dwindle. Sony started raiding all the unreleased/ untranslated games and started releasing them.

It's possible Nintendo may do the same with the DS, as there won't be that many games with the 3DS due soon.

 

[Pluupy]

Just got back from Natsume and NIS America. Apparently, Square-Enix is a no-go zone for them. Will be trying Atlus next.

 

[dysan]

Just got back from Natsume and NIS America. Apparently, Square-Enix is a no-go zone for them. Will be trying Atlus next.

ok square is no-go

what about namco?
did you know there are tons of tales games we haven't even heard of?
damn...makes me angry!

 

[Pluupy]

Just got back from Natsume and NIS America. Apparently, Square-Enix is a no-go zone for them. Will be trying Atlus next.

ok square is no-go

what about namco?
did you know there are tons of tales games we haven't even heard of?
damn...makes me angry!

Namco is likewise extremely stingy about thier games. Many companies have offered to localize Tales of Vesperia (PS3) however according to a contract Namco has with Microsoft (which is rumored to expire this month) the game is denied PS3 port localization. Perhaps next month we'll have progress.

 

[dysan]

sadly I don't have a PS3
I was talking about the ds and wii tales games

 

[Pluupy]

sadly I don't have a PS3
I was talking about the ds and wii tales games

Ah those. Oh don't worry. Tales of Innocence has already been fully translated, Tales of Hearts is being translated, and Tales of Graces is on it's way being translated. Don't even bother with Tales of the Tempest. Horrible game. Good thing Tales fans are smart and determined.

Let good ol' Grandpa GBATemp provide you with flashcarts for your DS to enjoy them.

Edit: Speaking of which, if localization fails I plan to take up the initiative to translate Sigma Harmonics. After...somehow learning a bit of rom hacking.

 

[Uzumakijl]

Didn't read the whole thread as i'm half asleep but, Aksys has published some stuff due fan request, same with Atlus so you could "suggest" them this game.

You have like a 0.1% chance of seeing the games localized though but it's still good nonetheless.

 

[Pluupy]

Whoa got a reply from Natsume. Craziness. Edited TC.