Best way to create a multilanguage game ?

[._.Stashed Girl._.]

So, my wish will be create a game that can handle more than one language in terms, dialogs and others stuffs (like graphics)...

I think that I can set a variable which handle the language id (such as: fr, en, de)
and use that variable in a direct result of the choice made by the player.


So, imagine if from the start of the game, a question is asked to the player which he must specify the Game Language he want use through choices of

• 1. French (fr)
  
• 2. English (en)
  
• 3. German (de)

I make an event which store the player's choice in a permanent variable and global scope called per example as {LANG_VARIABLE}, so like that, the game further will load TXT files from prechoosed location like

/_dataSystem_/dialogs/{LANG_VARIABLE}/{DIALOG_NAME}.txt

If he choose 'English (en)':
Game will be ever Loading dialogs from: /_dataSystem_/dialogs/en/*.txt
Files (formatted like that: npc_{NPC_NAME}.txt) will be containing only UTF8 text datas.
per example for dialogs of the NPC called Nick: npc_nick.txt:
Hi, I'm Nick, Don't you know that the city is infected by zombies-bugs?

Or if he choose 'French (fr)':
Game will be ever Loading dialogs from: /_dataSystem_/dialogs/fr/*.txt
Files (formatted like that: npc_{NPC_NAME}.txt) will be containing only UTF8 text datas.
per example for dialogs of the NPC called Nick: npc_nick.txt:
Salut, je suis Nick, ne sais-tu pas que la ville est infectée par des insectes-zombies?


I think that will be working.. But (you will understand I hope) it's will be really not easy to maintain (particulary after 800+ dialogs files)..

So.... Do you have an idea of the things can be achieved in a safest way?
(XML will be amazing to use... but that require scripting in ruby.. I would use first some technics in place in the basic events scripting not ruby, but if required, I want know your answer too !).

** For dynamic-changing of terms/monsters names/and all databases terms, there is a way to use a substitution databases if a language is choosen and differ from that one provided within the main exported game?


I want finish to say: THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING THAT AND HELP IN THAT BY ADVANCE.

[Gaygunlord]

Bumping, I am also interested

[Illius]

Other than making the game in your first language first, then using your variable and a translator to change it, but after that you may get a bad case of Metal Gear Solid ("I feel slept. Leave massage", or "The truck have started move"). I don't think it would be difficult rather than time consuming personally.
However, with little experience (Read: None) with the program (I haven't had a chance to get it yet, I'm just reading through for tips personally >.>, I just know a bit of coding), I can't say for sure if their is an easier and/or more efficient way. I would like to see if there is, but honestly doubt it, especially considering (If I'm not mistaken) that other games tend to do a similar thing.

[Gaygunlord]

If you're looking for a english to german translator, consider me in.

[._.Stashed Girl._.]

Well, that's sad to not have solid ways to create a multilanguage game, also, I can translate myself the game, (and I prefer by the way be very far away from Automatic Translator! lol)

@Captain Carbonyl : why not by the future :)

[StealthMomo]

Search at oogle, someone already done this and it worked!

Language File System v1.2[forums.rpgmakerweb.com]

Author: DerTraveler
Author URL: http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/user/16083-dertraveler/
Commercial: E-mail
Non-Commercial: YES

This script enables you to load any of the game's text content from external files. This includes messages, choices, and any database text. With this script it is much easier to manage your in-game text content, since all of your dialogue is at one central place instead of being spread over hundreds and thousands of events...more[forums.rpgmakerweb.com]

[Nexus_Viatorem]

@StealthMomo, yes that a really nice one. Emailed him. 50$ for commercial licence but think its worth.

[Hajami]

Are you sure you need Multi Language Support?
How About just Making 1Game than Translate it in 3 different Language Versions.
Would Safe you some Money. Or maybe there s a same Script for Free available! Search before Pay. But if you want to Support the Script Dude, maybe Buying isnt a bad Idea.

[StealthMomo]

Originally posted by The Kalm Traveler:

@StealthMomo, yes that a really nice one. Emailed him. 50$ for commercial licence but think its worth.

I tried it before but somehow it's not compatible with message scripts that adds new control characters (\fa[], \bf[], \oc[], etc).

I will try it again later on to see if it's compatible with yanfly's message system

As for the payment, finish your game first and when decide to release the game as commercial that's the time where you pay for license.

Try Yanfly's scripts[yanflychannel.wordpress.com], all the scripts are free to use in non and commercial games.

[Nexus_Viatorem]

Hmm nice tipp nevery heard of Yanfly but seems like there are some usefull scripts from him.

The problem with the comercial licences ist that you even have to buy them as soon as you start a kickstarter for your game, and since i am going on indiegogo in a few days/weeks there are many licences i have to pay but that for i am kickstarting....

Hope this licences would be more like as soon as you earned 1cent+ for your game buy them. But buying before having the money gained is a bit poor in my opinion...

[StealthMomo]

Well just see it as a future investment.

[._.Stashed Girl._.]

Yanfly did write a multilanguage system ?? I can't found it ! Where it is please ?

[Nexus_Viatorem]

its not from Yanfly its from DerTraveler from the rpg forums, link is in a upper post.