Fanlation Submission Form
NOTE:
This page is for amateur/volunteer fan translators. If you are a professional translator, we might be interested in hiring you to do an official translation of Defender's Quest sometime in the future.
Right now we have only hired one professional translator, to work on the German translation. We have a limited budget for hiring professionals, but if we see good results from the German market, then we will probably seek professional translation services
for the next largest market(s). If you would like to be added to our list for consideration, please send us an email: LevelUpLabs [at] Gmail [dot] Com with the subject line "Professional Translator."
We now return you to your regularly scheduled fanlation page:
First of all, thank you for taking an active role in the improvement of Defender's Quest. We deeply appreciate your contribution and hope that not only you, but other players are able to benefit from that contribution. Below are the guidelines and terms and conditions for your submission.
1. Read the Instructions
2. Read & Accept the Terms and Conditions
3. Click "I Agree" at the bottom to get DropBox access.
Instructions
This continuously updated forum thread is the best place to get the latest information. "Getting Started" info is found below.
1) Get the latest test build
Send requests for a testing invite to leveluplabs [at] gmail [dot] com if you don't have one already. You'll receive instructions on how to get the latest in-development version of the game.
2) Download/install the test build
3) Find the "locales" folder
It's in the game's installation directory; on windows the default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\DefendersQuest. There should be a "locales" folder inside.
Once you're in this folder, it should show you all the locales (language packs) that the game supports. Right now you'll see a few files:
_flags (folder)
en-US (folder)
de-DE (folder)
index.xml
Open index.xml in a text editor, you will see something like this:
The index.xml controls what languages the user can select from the languages menu in the save slot screen. This is the entry for American English, or "en-US". "en-US" is American English's locale id. The locale id is the ISO 639-1 language code with 2-letter country suffix.
This includes the name of that language and region in its native language as well as other supported languages. You can just put placeholders in and you only need to define stuff for languages you plan on supporting. Right now only en-US and de-DE (German in Germany) are supported, so if you were to add, say, Polish, you would add an entry for "pl-PL". The
You might also want to add a flag for your country. Those are stored in the "_flags" folder and are 16x11 png files. We got ours from famfamfam. Just make your flag's name match the locale id and it will automatically select it for your locale.
Each locale is a combination of a language ("English") with a region ("United States"). This is because there are often regional variants of languages, and languages often cross country borders. For instance, there is German as spoken in Germany (de-DE) and German as spoken in Austria (de-AT). There's also Canadian English, Costa Rican Spanish, etc.
Anyway, that just defines what languages are available. You then have to supply actual text. The simplest way to get started is to just copy the en-US folder and rename it to your country code, then open the contents and start replacing text. That way, you will have something that works right away, but can slowly work through it and see your changes in game.
So, open up en-US and take a look. You'll see a lot of files. Generally, these are all CSV files, which are spreadsheets formatted as plain text. Generally, a row of cells is written like this:
Note that these are normal quotation marks, not fancy left/right variants, and regular commas. Every line MUST end with a comma or the game will choke. Furthermore, in some files we use 4 commas as a separator as a brute-force hack. That might change. Just follow whatever format you see in the given file and you SHOULD be fine. Do not add extraneous punctuation, extra lines, or break the pattern or you risk the file not working. Also, use a plain text editor like Notepad++, do NOT use a word processor like Microsoft Word.
Anyway, we'll have lots of fun dealing with encoding issues and CSV stuff as time goes on. This is kind of wild territory we're in and we'll figure it out as we go - for now this looks *pretty* stable.
So, let's look at data_status_effects.csv:
This defines the names of the flavors "slow", "freeze", and "light". So, in data files where you're putting the names of flavors, these flavors are now just ids - the game will attach "$FLAV_" to the front of a flavor id and then try to look up that value in the locale database to display the name. So, you might do this for, say, Norwegian:
And save the file. Keep in mind, if you use a spreadsheet program to edit these files, they might trash the formatting and it will have to be put back in manually. That's not *TOO* big of a deal - We can be on hand to give tips for fixing them after the fact, but in general if the formatting breaks, the game will choke, guaranteed. It might even choke if they're perfectly formatted! We'll be here to bail you out, either way.
So, basically all a translator has to do is make their own localization folder, enable it in the localization index file, replace English strings in their copied folder, and your localization folder is ready for submission.
Caveats:
Encoding. Save your text files as UTF-8. If you don't know what this is, just save your files normally and if they choke, talk to me and we'll fix it
Fonts. Font support will take some time. The latest version of the game uses an extended Latin character set, so I know it will pick up ümläüts and Nørwegiån characters, etc., but We are not so sure about those little cross-lines on Polish characters, for instance. Also, Asian, Arabic and Cyrillic characters DEFINITELY won't work, I'll have to do some major overhauling to support that, which means there'd have to be either proven interest in Asian markets, or a lot of demand from Asian/Arabic fans, for us to consider it. Cyrillic is not as big a deal and we'll add that soon because it's only a few extra dozen characters and otherwise behaves mostly like latin text (i.e., left to right, similar word lengths, etc.). So, if you do a translation and some characters aren't showing up, post a list of them on this forum and we'll add them in the next build if we can.
Syntax. Grammar, word order, word length, varies wildly between languages. More than likely, a translation you're working on might not fit in the space allotted. There are two solutions: 1) get us to make the game more flexible, and 2) get creative, perhaps by thinking of a shorter synonym. We'll try to help where we can, but often you'll have to resort to option 2. In reasonably situations, We will try to add support to the game in places we anticipate this will happen - such as cut-scenes. There is already support for making cut-scene lines show only if a certain locale is active, so if one line in English becomes enough for two in German, you can add a second line for the German one in this way and still have the cut-scene play smoothly. Again, contact us and we'll work it out.
Documentation. Full documentation is forthcoming. This is just to get you started. There are a lot of tips/tricks and tools available to you that we don't have time to cover just yet, but we will get to them all eventually.
Terms and Conditions for Submission
In order for Level Up Labs to release the unofficial "fanlation" localization files for Defender's Quest, you agree to submit to the following terms and conditions (herein "Agreement"):
Assignment
• By submitting your localized file, you represent and warrant that your translation is a true and accurate translation of Defender's Quest (herein the "Game") and that your translation is an original translation that does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party.
What this means:
Please do not submit translations that you've ripped off from other people. Also, don't submit shoddy or intentionally incorrect translations (like using "merde" --French for "shit"-- for "light"). You're not being funny, you're being a jerk, and it's not appreciated.
• You hereby assign all rights, title, and interest, including without limitation all intellectual property and proprietary rights, in and to your contribution to Level Up Labs, LLC and its successors and assigns (herein "Level Up Labs").
What this means:
We can't release the translated localization file unless we own the rights to that translation. By submitting your translation, you are handing over your rights to the translation, which is essentially a derivative work (look it up) of our game.
• To the extent that any rights in and to the translation are not assignable, you hereby waive any existing and future claims in and to that translation, including without limitation droit morale or similar author's rights, whether under U.S. or foreign law, to the extent that they are waivable.
What this means:
In some countries (such as France) there are "author's rights" that can't be assigned. If you are from one of those countries where such laws exist, you are agreeing that you won't exert those rights in order to have your translation included in the game.
• To the extent that any translation is a collaborative effort between multiple parties, your submission constitutes an assignment and waiver by all of the parties to that contribution. You represent that each party has read and acceded to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and that each party fully understands the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
What this means:
If this is a group effort, please make sure everyone who contributed to the collaboration reads these terms and understands that they are assigning and waiving any rights or future claims they may want to make.
• We are not obligated to release any translated localization file submitted to us. Submitting your translated file will not guarantee its use or release by Level Up Labs. Each submission will be carefully reviewed, and the release of that translation will be determined at Level Up Labs' sole discretion.
What this means:
We sincerely appreciate your contribution, but we can't promise that we'll release it. Everything released by Level Up Labs undergoes extensive quality checking. If for any reason your translation doesn't pass muster, we will have to shelve it. Please don't let this discourage you from submitting! This should serve as encouragement to give us the highest quality translation you can produce.
• You represent that you are 18 years of age or older and have the capacity to agree to the terms set forth herein.
What this means:
We can't use your translation if you're a minor. Minors can't be legally bound to contracts in the same manner as adults in most circumstances, so it's a risk we can't afford to take.
• As consideration for your translation, we will credit each contributor to that translation in the page or link in which your translation is available. To that end, please provide us with the name or handle of each contributor to be credited for the translation.
What this means:
You're going to get credit for the work you've done. If you don't want to use your real name, give us the name you want us to use. If there are multiple contributors, give us all of the names or handles so all of you can share in the glory.
Miscellaneous
• Arbitration You agree to follow this Agreement's dispute resolution policy as set forth below in connection with any potential claims or disputes arising from your submission of your translated localization file:
o Informal Negotiations. Parties to a dispute concerning this Agreement will attempt to informally negotiate a potential settlement or resolution to the dispute;
o Online Arbitration. In the event that informal negotiations are unsuccessful, the parties agree to follow the American Arbitration Association's online arbitration procedures to resolve the dispute.
o Binding Arbitration. If for any reason online arbitration is unsuccessful or unavailable to the parties, parties agree to submit to binding arbitration in the jurisdiction of Brazos County, Texas.
What this means:
Arbitration is cheaper and easier than litigation. If there's a dispute, we want to resolve it in the cheapest and most efficient way possible-this benefits both you, the translator, and us. If you have a problem with our use of your translation, we welcome your feedback. If the matter is significant enough, mediation and arbitration are our first steps in resolving that matter. Additionally, if you've violated the terms and conditions of this agreement, arbitration will be our first step to resolution of that matter.
• Jurisdiction and Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement are governed and controlled by the laws and regulations of the state of Texas. In the event of a dispute you agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal Courts of Brazos County, Texas.
What this means:
If there is a dispute, that dispute will be resolved in Texas. You're agreeing that your sole means of remedy is placed in the hands of the Texas courts; additionally, you're agreeing that Texas not only governs this document but governs your actions in connection with this Agreement.
• Severability. If any portion of this Agreement is found invalid by any competent Court of Law, the invalidity will not affect other provisions or applications of the remainder of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid portion.
What this means:
If a court determines that any part of this Agreement isn't legal or enforceable, the rest of the Agreement that IS legal and enforceable remains in force. The entirety and enforceability of this assignment doesn't hinge on the enforceability of any one particular provision.
• Notification of Changes to this Agreement.
We may from time to time change this Agreement. You agree that notification to you of these changes will be effective upon posting those notifications and changes on the Defender's Quest web site.
What this means:
this Agreement may change at any time. When it does, we will notify you through our website.
• Prior Versions.
This Agreement constitutes the full understanding of your agreement with us. Any prior versions of this document have no effect on this Agreement.
What this means:
Only this version of the Agreement is binding. Prior versions are no longer enforceable.
• Assignment.
This Agreement may be assigned by Level Up Labs to any third party at our sole discretion by acquisition of the Game assets or company, or by merger.
What this means:
Studios or their game properties get bought out from time to time. If that happens, this Agreement will still be enforceable by the third party who assumes ownership over us or the Game.
• Legal Fees.
In the event that either party is required to obtain the assistance of an attorney in order to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the Party prevailing in such an enforcement action will be entitled to recovery of all reasonable attorney's fees in connection with such action.
What this means:
Attorneys aren't cheap. If you violate this Agreement, in addition to other damages, you may be liable for our attorney fees.
Accept the terms & conditions and get Dropbox access: