Level of Translation Prefered

[Krescen]

In case people did not know, proper english translations are being worked on for the open beta. We are using the half-baked translations to just get a proper feel for the game.

Many people apparently have been giving suggestions regarding the translations, and while the grammar concepts make sense, as well as fixing obscure names such as the skill names, monster names, and a few items (such as the mana potions), an odd issue has risen regarding this concept.

There is two sides to the desired translations. One side wishes for all the translations to persist the chinese words, such as chinese class names, chinese npcs, chinese locations, and so forth (however all written using roman lettering). They wish to have as many chinese elements remain as possible.

The other side wishes simply for 'Americanization of Terms'. All words and names should be common english words and names, as comparable as possible, to make concepts familiar with English Gamers.

What does everyone think of this?

I understand the concern regarding retaining the cultural values within the game, but equivalences should not be hard to find. Japanese games released in English manage this quite well, so I don't think there should be any problems with a simple conversion. Manage to completely and properly convert everything and things will be fine.

Most of the people who are hardcore on retaining the chinese terms are avid chinese players. As such, they should have no problem with retaining chinese concepts only on the chinese server version. This is not to say that I don't welcome them, but instead it means that for chinese people who know english you can see both servers with a completely different feel and concept. Such a person could play either based on the concepts they prefer. This idea is alike why I think character names should be restricted to alpha-numerics (a-z,A-Z,0-9,space). How does an english only person talk with someone in whispers over long distances, or invite them to parties or friends list, if their name is foreign (Chinese Traditional or Simplified)? (I would like to see someone purely english try to whisper ??? in game if their character or name was not otherwise available.)

[meangirl]

yes they should Americanize the translation, it'll be a better playing experience.

[NavMan]

I don't see how making it all English terms is "Americization". You know, there are other English speaking countries out there. Ever heard of Britain or Australia? Regardless, this is the international version of the game, those who wish to play with Chinese characters should stick to the Chinese versions.

[Jingli]

They need to stick with the English translations..changing the names and all won't harm the game and it would make sense to.

[Krescen]

Americanization of terms is partly cultural. We aren't talking just changing the word, but often the meaning. I believe they already did this when they translated "Werefox". If I recall correctly, the original name did not mean werefox.

[Sno]

Direct translations from the Chinese will never make sense so I reckon they have to change the terms to suit an International audience. However I do believe that the most accepted 'international language' is American English, so I agree that some terms will have to be made to suit American English. But this is no real reason why an international version (which is supported by Malaysians) should restrict names to purely English only. Yes, this obviously poses problems to whispering etc; they could try developing a quickreply button which you can choose names from a list who to whisper to that have whispered to you. Or maybe right click their names in the chat screen to bring it up.

This may be somewhat a skewed argument, but by banning Chinese people from using Chinese characters in their names, is like banning a Brazilian from using a Brazilian name. But people don't think to ban those names because it's in English, but with Chinese/Japanese/Korean/ or any other language that does not use the English alphabet, people prefer to ban that. And I don't think 'we can't communicate with them properly' is a good enough reason to ban those characters off the game in an international server.

Hoooooooowever, having said that, does anyone know if this is THE international server? Or will the upcoming American one be it? But I do think this is the international server. In my opinion, International servers are mainly for those who wish to experience many cultures, are living under a multicultural society or are under different cultures in their families - thus being unable to choose a server where they can be happy since they want to be in both.

But if we do retain the Chinese character names, I reckon the Chinese players will, in the end, stick to the Chinese players and it will cause, possible racist problems as well.

[Krescen]

I never said you can't take a chinese name, I said chinese characters should be blocked. Alpha-numeric representations of the chinese name are perfectly viable. Most international games do this actually, since all languages have a standard to write anything in alpha-numeric. This standard is called roman-latin, not even english. The japanese call it romanji, or ????. Computers are most familiar with this format, it is declared international. Persisting in the use of anything not alpha-numeric is just going to force a separation rather then build a community. I mean, I'm rather a fan of the use of japanese words/terms/phrases/sentences, but it's destructive in an international community if not in roman-latin/romanji characters.

And there is no word on an international server rising yet. >.>

[Sno]

Oh, right. I see, but not everyone would know how to use romanji though right? So a quick response addition to the game would be helpful for communication.

[NavMan]

I don't see why someone wouldn't play on the Chinese servers, if they wanted Chinese characters in their names. Like Kres said, all it would do is create a separation between the two communities. And lets face it, which international server of any MMO out there allows Chinese characters?