LocJam 3 Barcelona Workshop

Carme Mangiron & Jordi Pejoan

Friday, 18th March, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

LOCJAM

• Started in 2014.

• Non-profit videogame translation contest.

LET’S TRANSLATE WORLDS!

• Spread the word about game translation and localisation.

• Open the door to translators wanting to specialise in this field.

• Have fun!

COMPETITION

• Only one entry per participant (one language!)

• Amateur vs. pro categories

• Prizes: studio tour or diploma

LOCJAM 3

•14th March to 27th March at 23.59 (Greenwich Mean Time).

•Languages: FR, GE, IT, JA, SP, LA SP, RU, PT, BP

•Deliver a zip file (LocJAM3.zip) withthe manual and the maps translated.Do not change their format nor name!

LOCJAM 1: GAMEPLAY

LOCJAM 2: NARRATIVE

LOCJAM 3: GAME MECHANICS

By Matthew Nedelhalf & Alain Dellepiane

THE HOTEL OF MADNESS

• 2 player board game inspired by horror stories of the 1980s.

• One player controls an evil hotel.

• The other player guides its caretakers.

WHY A BOARD GAME?• Tutorial: rules and instructions

• Game mechanics

• Need for clarity

• Inventory

• Parameters

• Space constraints in maps, counters

LOC KIT

• Readme file

• Manual – Word

• Maps – Excel– Map 1– Map 2– Counters

MAP 1

MAP 2

COUNTERS

GAME MECHANICS

• Game played on two maps, representing the Lookover Hotel and its surroundings.

• Counters represent Human units and Hotel units.

• Defeat all enemy units to win. After 20 turns or if the human player escapes, it is a draw.

TRANSLATION ISSUES

• Terminology

• Style

• Space constraints

TERMINOLOGY• Board game

– unit, counter, activity points; decoy, turn track, to-hit number, ramming attack; die roll, square, hex, etc.

– Human/Phantom 1d6 saved AP hit

– Parameters

TERMINOLOGY

• Intertextuality: snowmobile, Lookover Hotel, room names

• Internal cohesion

• Mathematical languageAndrew Hann has a number of activity points equal to his total minus the number of squares he advanced before being intercepted.

STYLE

• Repetition• Need for clarity• Informal register and humour

We don’t cotton to any of that silly “zone of control” stuff, neither.

The game is played in turns (as opposed to being played in prison, or in a tuxedo)

MAKE YOUR TRANSLATION STAND OUT!

• Correctness

• Clarity

• Keep the humour and informal tone

• Keep in mind space constraints (maps, counters)

FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS

• Use of mathematical formulas?

• Use of bold to highlight important terms?

• Add remissions? (see “Andrew Hann” in section x)

• Edit images? (1st floor, etc.)

EDITING

• Review the translation thoroughly.

• Use the spell checker.

• Read it aloud to make sure it is clear and easy to understand.

• Play the translated game or get friends to play it.

MORE INFORMATION

• http://www.locjam.org/

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/5617301247/

• Official chat: http://pilgrim.io/locjam3

• Original counters: http://imgur.com/3XYqRDF