Okami to feature no PAL enhancements

PS2 News | Localisation to blame.

Okami, from the soon to be defunct Clover Studios, is set for release in Europe and Australia in just a few weeks, but it appears that PAL gamers will get the same game that was released in America in September.

"The reason it's taking so long to get it from US to here is the localisation into European languages," a Capcom spokesman told Eurogamer. "The script is about 1000 pages I believe, it's a 60 hour game." It seems that Australia is left to once again play the waiting game whilst American titles are translated into numerous European languages.

We'll have a preview of Okami in the coming days and you can expect to see a review shortly thereafter.

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20 Comments

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Haven't people heard of write out the story in two languages while you make the game? Honestly how hard could it be to hire a translator or someone who's bilingual and just has a passion for games to translate. Hell give me a dictionary and a copy of the script and I could translate it

armageddon12

5 years ago

It's not as simple as just editing some file where the script is contained. You have to go through making sure every dialog box shows the text correctly, and you haven't gone over the allocated space. They're not just translating it into English either. They have to make sure it makes sense in English. They are also translating into about 5 different languages; German, French, Italian, Spanish, and English (though it's unlikely that it's going to change from the American release).

I really don't see why they don't just release the US version of a game in AUS though. I guess if they plan on releasing an enhanced version in Europe it makes sense. But otherwise they are just missing out on potential sales - depending on time of year and what's being released then of course.

Nexus

5 years ago

As long as we get a copy with Mum, and other such words corrected I will be happy. I am picking a PS2 in the near future with this game being on of the main reasons behind my purchase.

Kaiden

5 years ago

Stupid localization. I dont need european languages taking up more space and delaying release.

NismoR34

5 years ago

I'm at the point where I am used to these 'delays' for localisation and while it sucks, I'm patient enough to just wait for them generally. I have considered importing a few times and will probably do so in the future, but for now I am happy to wait. Plus, Okami (to me) seems like the kind of game that you would want to wait for. Purely because when you finally get it in your hands, it will blow you away.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

nikack wrote

Yup, couldnt agree more.

renegadesx

5 years ago

I should have just imported this game

killjoy83

5 years ago

Kaiden wrote

Stupid localization.

I'd localise this but it'd take me a few months.

EvilHayama

5 years ago

NismoR34 wrote

Plus, Okami (to me) seems like the kind of game that you would want to wait for. Purely because when you finally get it in your hands, it will blow you away.

Or you could have imported it and finished it off months ago!

I think it's the testing that would take the most time, after you've translated into a language and inserted that into the game someone has to play through a few times to check every dialogue option.

magrat

5 years ago

nikack wrote

If it's being done for Europe, your looking at not just one or two but a stack of languages - french, italian, greek, german, sweedish, spanish, etc. And while translating the text might not take that long, you'd need to ensure it's not just a literal translation and that it actually means the same as the developers originally intended - or you'll end up with such pearls as "All your base are belong to us"!

It would get worse with voice acting, because you need a group of actors who can do proper voice overs, a studio to record the speech - and then the new audio would need to be incorporated and tested into the original release.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

I think people have been misunderstanding me...

nikack wrote

Common sense here, I guess I can let it go because it is a PS2 game, but you know it's going to still happen this generation. Look at Blue Dragon for starters, then you'll have Zelda, Pokemon, Kingdom Hearts 3 and Final Fantasy XIII do it too. In the age of High-Definition all this region and localisation crap was suppose to be kicked out the door. That's your killer app for the non-believers.

Nikack wrote

Hell give me a dictionary and a copy of the script and I could translate it

I have a decent understanding of Japanese and I'm quite capable of translating a script into English without Engrish. I'm sure a couple others in the forum could too.

Se7en

5 years ago

NismoR34 wrote

Agreed. Patience is a virtue. Good things come to those who wait. <insert third relevant cliche here>

Nexus

5 years ago

NismoR34 wrote

I am at a similiar point but I just have so many games to finsh that any new games would just get added to the pile. I think I might need to just take a year off and spend a whole year playing through them all. Any new games are just added to the pile. Also being low on cash doesn't help.

admeister

5 years ago

That's a bit of a shame, but the game is great anyway.

I'm sure nobody will care when it gets released.

Frozencry

5 years ago

I'll gladly wait a few more weeks. This game looks on par with Colossus IMO.

Nexus

5 years ago

admeister wrote

I'm sure nobody will care when it gets released.

Now if you said that near the US release last year then I am sure that only a few people would have objected to it but now things have changed. I remember the first time I about Okami, it was on a Nintendo podcast where one of the hosts was talking about the poor sales of a game that he thought every Nintendo fan should play. Now Okami has the IGN GOTW and has received good reviews ect. I am sure that there are a lot of people who care. Me included and I don't yet own a PS2.

Se7en

5 years ago

nikack wrote

Hell give me a dictionary and a copy of the script and I could translate it

I think people have been misunderstanding me...

Nexus wrote

admeister wrote

I'm sure nobody will care when it gets released.

Now if you said that near the US release last year then I am sure that only a few people would have objected to it but now things have changed. I am sure that there are a lot of people who care. Me included and I don't yet own a PS2.

He was implying that people will buy it whenever it comes out (at least that's the tone with which I read it).

Karai Pantsu

5 years ago

Erm, sorry to sidetrack this just a tad - but does anyone know whether there will be a special/limited edition of Okami? If so then that takes priority, if not then I'll put my dwindling monies toward something more instantly useful.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Se7en wrote

nikack wrote

Hell give me a dictionary and a copy of the script and I could translate it

I think people have been misunderstanding me...

He was implying that people will buy it whenever it comes out (at least that's the tone with which I read it).

Other people were talking about how it takes time and such to translate the game. However my point was that they could (should) do it as they develop the game, which makes most of those points moot.

magrat

5 years ago

nikack wrote

However my point was that they could (should) do it as they develop the game, which makes most of those points moot.

Definitely they should, and if the development of the game sticks closely to the script they probably could - but I suspect the in-game assets needed to be translated would still be being modified up until pretty close to the time it's complete. That and it would be bloody annoying to send a build to the publisher and have them send it back asking for script changes, which could conceivably require the redoing of the already translated assets.

I guess the other possibility is not knowing how successful a game is going to be in advance, especially for more esoteric or unusual games. If the publisher isn't certain it's going to be successful they may not be willing to pay for localization until it's proved itself in it's primary market first (ie. Japan or the US) Sucks to be us.

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Okami

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  14/02/2007 (Confirmed)
Standard Retail Price:
  $79.95 AU
Publisher:
  Activision
Genre:
  RPG
Year Made:
  2007
Players:
  1

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