How does one translate a video game? -

[Richard29]

I would love to translate Final Fantasy 3-6 on steam to my native language. I am just curious how its usually done? Or if one needs a tool for it by programmers?

 

[ducktales4gameboy]

Dig through the files in the steam folder and look for localization strings. They're usually a json or xml file or sqlite database and if you're lucky they'll be uncompressed so you can just edit the strings directly. If not they might be buried in some specially formatted archive or in some weird compressed non-Unicode format.

Best bet really is to look for a specialty tool for hacking the specific version of the game; Romhacking.net is generally a good source and something as popular as FF6 probably has at least one editor that supports the steam version.

 

[Frank D'arbo]

Go ask Mato, head translator for the Mother 3 translation, and how he and a group of others used speciality tools to translate mother 3

 

[Richard29]

Dig through the files in the steam folder and look for localization strings. They're usually a json or xml file or sqlite database and if you're lucky they'll be uncompressed so you can just edit the strings directly. If not they might be buried in some specially formatted archive or in some weird compressed non-Unicode format.

Best bet really is to look for a specialty tool for hacking the specific version of the game; Romhacking.net is generally a good source and something as popular as FF6 probably has at least one editor that supports the steam version.

Final Fantasy 3 has a text document called Strings "which is dat file". Here is some screenshots. But i take it, its detective work around it!

 

[DumbDude42]

Dig through the files in the steam folder and look for localization strings. They're usually a json or xml file or sqlite database

he's talking about 25 year old console-exclusive JRPGs. json and xml weren't even invented when these games were made.

OP this is some deep autism stuff you're asking for. maybe look around emulator/romhack communities or final fantasy specific fan sites, they probably have info on those technical details somewhere

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole]

Norrbaggar shouldn't play Final Fantasy games, they will get weird ideas.

 

[Stoneheart]

Final Fantasy 3 has a text document called Strings "which is dat file". Here is some screenshots. But i take it, its detective work around it!

why does the file say FF8 over and over again?

I cant realy help you, my modding expertise is limited and very focused on Paradox games.

 

[Richard29]

why does the file say FF8 over and over again?

I have no idea.
Edit: i found a guide.. so maybe this will help https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=653786974

I did manage to do this part in FF4 atleast "Meny stuff" if only i can find all the dialogues then i would be so happy!

 

[I can't imagine]

he's talking about 25 year old console-exclusive JRPGs. json and xml weren't even invented when these games were made.

OP this is some deep autism stuff you're asking for. maybe look around emulator/romhack communities or final fantasy specific fan sites, they probably have info on those technical details somewhere

These aren't the console versions of the games, they're the Steam ports of the games, which I think are themselves ports of the mobile version.

 

[Back me up!]

You go ask on romhacking.net. Hell it might have already been done for you.

 

[Richard29]

You go ask on romhacking.net. Hell it might have already been done for you.

I will. Thanks for the tip!