Runaway 2 announced

[PolloDiablo]

Well, it had been announced unofficially already, but now Pendulo Studios have released three screenshots.

http://www.gamershell.com/news_BRunaway2BUnveiled.shtml

:)

[Jackal]

Hmm, no sign of the bimbo, but a very intriguing sidekick in one of those.

[Kolzig]

The background art looks beautiful, like in the first one :)

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Hmm, no sign of the bimbo, but a very intriguing sidekick in one of those.

I hope you're not refering to the surfer dude. :D As far as the girl working on the apparently archlogical dig, I personally hesitate to consider her a sidekick just yet. I mean, I don't even think that other guy is Brian.

Also, I'd have no problems with Gina returning, just as long as they made an effort to give her more than a tag-along role. I mean, in the first Broken Sword Nico wasn't much better than Gina, except Nico's lines were slightly less painful to hear.

Still overall, fantastic views and unless this turns out to be a global world tour, I think we can expect to be localized around South America.

Sky Warrior Bob
PS - Where are Piranas located? I think its South America, but I suppose it could be somewhere in Africa. All I know its one & not the other.

[Jackal]

Hey, I could care less if that's Brian, unless he's developed a personality recently, too. I suspect it probably IS him, though, all duded up. :rolleyes: But if they're going to have recurring characters, I just hope to see the techie blonde more in the second game.

Gina might have been all right if she DID tag along, but she was too busy getting lost or falling down holes, wasn't she? :P

[Mattsius]

Somehow I get a feeling that it's in Central America or the northernmost part of South America. All those HummVee's give me that feeling, because many countries in that area are more or less controlled by the military. Just a thought.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Hey, I could care less if that's Brian, unless he's developed a personality recently, too. I suspect it probably IS him, though, all duded up. :rolleyes: But if they're going to have recurring characters, I just hope to see the techie blonde more in the second game.


But in the other pictures, in which it clearly is Brian, and Brian doesn't look much different than Runaway 1. In that picture, the guy in question, has hair that looks on the black side, as well as having sideburns that Brian doesn't have. Plus, it could be a trick of the lighting, but I think he's got a 5 O'Clock shadow.

Also, maybe I'm too forgiving of Runaway, but for me, the only real problem I have with Runaway 1 is the dialogue, and I write that off to translation issues. I mean, I find the puzzles & pixel hunting no more annoying than that of Sam & Max, and at least graphically, I'm very impressed.

So overall, I'm very looking forward to Runaway 2:Judgement Day.

Sky Warrior Bob

[lemonhead11]

This is exciting, I enjoyed Runaway and I like games with a tropical setting so this should be a real treat.

PS - Where are Piranas located? I think its South America, but I suppose it could be somewhere in Africa. All I know its one & not the other.

It's South America.

[VoodooFX]

By the looks of it there will be a new hero, probably some surfer dude, who will - while scooba diving(one of the first concept art, posted while ago) - discover 'something' and by doing so, will step on a foot of someone like... military. And so he has to run, and while doing so, discover, why they want him dead,... like C3PO would say: "Here we go again" :D

Damn i'm smart :D

[VoodooFX]

It's South America.
Exactly! Piranhas live in South America, in Amazon river to be precise,how James Cameron managed to place them in sea water is beyond my comprehension :)

[Erwin_Br]

The screenshots look crisp and clean like in the first game. I hope they spiced up their encoding algorithms for the cut-scene videos.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

Also, maybe I'm too forgiving of Runaway, but for me, the only real problem I have with Runaway 1 is the dialogue, and I write that off to translation issues. I mean, I find the puzzles & pixel hunting no more annoying than that of Sam & Max, and at least graphically, I'm very impressed.

So overall, I'm very looking forward to Runaway 2:Judgement Day.

Sky Warrior Bob
I had not that much of a problem with pixel hunting or the puzzles or even the dialog. The big problem with the game is that Brian and Gina are the two most uninteresting characters in the whole of adventure game history.

[Dujodu]

The screenshots look crisp and clean like in the first game. I hope they spiced up their encoding algorithms for the cut-scene videos.

--Erwin

I hope they ditch the "no animation while talking" & "lips move independantly from body" as well... I honestly don't care if the lip syncing is off while converting to english or other languages... I would rather it looked natural.

And yes, I hope they don't do cheap "gina is never mobile except in the cut scenes" stuff. Those were really my only complaints with 1, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to this one.

[100ja a.k.a. mr_mitja]

It really looks great, just like the first one did! And I believe that the guy is Brian, except he's probably like the cool dude now ( :confused: ).
Maybe he ditched physics altogether! :D

[wakane]

Runaway is one of the very last commercial "traditional adventure games". It's 2D, it's point-and-click, and it has inventory-based puzzles (instead of mechanical/slider/myst-like puzzles).

I'm more excited with Runaway 2 than Dreamfall or Farenheit :) But then again, I'm a minority here.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

I had not that much of a problem with pixel hunting or the puzzles or even the dialog. The big problem with the game is that Brian and Gina are the two most uninteresting characters in the whole of adventure game history.

Actually, I think that's entirely BECAUSE of their dialogue. The Broken Sword series is a real good comparison. I mean, you take away George's fun & unique take on things, and aside from a few points, the game would get really tedious. Plus, in the first game, I could personally do without Nico entirely, as she's not all that interesting, and merely serves a a 'Hot' girl.

Brian's dialogue is not interesting, but is that because he just isn't or because little jokes & comments he makes aren't being translated correctly. I mean, there's translating just to the extent of understanding what's going on, and then there's translating to the extent of trying to convey the emotion of situation.

But then, I admit I'm giving Runaway the benefit of the doubt. It'd really help if we had the opinion of somebody who has played both the untranslated version & the translated version (I think it originally was in Spanish), and give an opinion.

Sky Warrior Bob

[Erwin_Br]

I had not that much of a problem with pixel hunting or the puzzles or even the dialog. The big problem with the game is that Brian and Gina are the two most uninteresting characters in the whole of adventure game history.

Indeed. These characters don't have any depth at all, and also lack motivation as why they're doing the things they're doing.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

Actually, I think that's entirely BECAUSE of their dialogue. The Broken Sword series is a real good comparison. I mean, you take away George's fun & unique take on things, and aside from a few points, the game would get really tedious. Plus, in the first game, I could personally do without Nico entirely, as she's not all that interesting, and merely serves a a 'Hot' girl.
There are a whole lot that is much better in BS1 than in Runaway. For example, you do research into historical fact. There is a story that you get involved in and Nico does get a rather much bigger role than Gina ever had (though Nico's part in BS1 isn't very big) and you get interesting information about her (ask the woman outside her door :)) and she feels like a person, something which Gina never does. Gina's only feature is a pair of boobs.[/quote]

Brian's dialogue is not interesting, but is that because he just isn't
Yes it is. Brian's only feature is that he can only see Gina's boobs.
or because little jokes & comments he makes aren't being translated correctly. I mean, there's translating just to the extent of understanding what's going on, and then there's translating to the extent of trying to convey the emotion of situation.
I didn't find the translating that horrible (I haven't played in the original language, but anyway). My guess is that there never were much to translate from the beginning.

[Maquisard]

Exactly! Piranhas live in South America, in Amazon river to be precise,how James Cameron managed to place them in sea water is beyond my comprehension :)

If you are refering to a movie he may or may not have done (I wouldn't know :shifty: ), that featured piranhas in salt water, I believe that might be because piranhas probably live in the Amazon river delta, which is a mix of sweet ( :confused: ) and salty water. I'm not sure about fish that live in such environments, but I think they can go either way. (Man, I'm smart! :D )

BTW the sideburn guy looks kinda like Bryan. :Z

[Zanthia]

Second Runaway? But it was announced long ago, wasn't it? Or were it just rumours?

[RLacey]

Maybe they'll actually release Runaway in the UK soon :S...

[Kolzig]

Maybe they'll actually release Runaway in the UK soon :S...

That will never happen ;)

[RLacey]

That will never happen ;)
*Apparently* it's being released on 28th May. Fat chance :(...

[Dale Baldwin]

*Apparently* it's being released on 28th May. Fat chance :(...Other sites say late July. ho hum.

[ragnar]

*Apparently* it's being released on 28th May. Fat chance :(...
Maybe they just haven't changed it since last year? :)

[jannar85]

Second Runaway? But it was announced long ago, wasn't it? Or were it just rumours?
Yes. No.
Well, it had been announced unofficially already, but now Pendulo Studios have released three screenshots.

http://www.gamershell.com/news_BRunaway2BUnveiled.shtml

:)


Btw, anyone remember this?
http://www.runaway-game.de/images/concept/r2_artwork.jpg

[VoodooFX]

Btw, anyone remember this?
http://www.runaway-game.de/images/concept/r2_artwork.jpg
By the looks of it there will be a new hero, probably some surfer dude, who will - while scooba diving(one of the first concept art, posted while ago)...
I do, obviously :)

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Because I can no longer make the distinction between sarcasm & actual opinions, I'm going to do my best at describing what I see in the pictures...

Picture 1: Surf Shop
Basically, that's what this is, a surf shop. Little hut with shark teeth adorning it, and a bunch of surf boards. Outside is a hairy chested individual posing on a surf board mounted on a wooden stand. Kinda like it were an ironing board.

Brian, or somebody who looks just like him, is also in this picture, wearing a orange shirt.

Picture 2: Pyramid/Archeological Dig
Basically, it looks like your stereotypically interior of an ancient temple of some order. Stone walls, with some indistinct markings, and a large stone slab on the ground, also with markings.

In the picture, there are two people. One, being a girl with short blond hair, wearing some sort of adventuring garb, and taking notes. The other person is a man, and I can't make too much details about him, but from my perspective, he looks as if he has dark hair, and a possible 5 O'clock shadow. He also has some wrist ornimatation that doesn't seem Brian's style.

Picture 3: Military Check Point.
Two HumVees & a tank guarding a dirt road, that's just off the main road. Also a stop sign & a sign that says check point, as well as a few traffic cones.

In the picture, there are two people. One being a military guard, complete in cameo uniform, and that guy who I've identified as Brian, again wearing his orange shirt.

Now that's what I see.

Sky Warrior Bob

[jjacob]

Sky Warrior Bob, you analythical ability is extraordinary, you should work at the cia or something :P

Anyhow it's looks like they're really turning it into an Indy clone, with its own identity ofcourse. I think it'll turn out pretty good for them, lots of people long for this type of adventuring adventure, or whatever you'd classify it to be. I enjoyed the first part even though it had some annoying bits, and characters lacking any depth whatsoever. I hope they try to improve on that. Don't really care if they're featuring brian again, but he'd better have a whole lot better dialogue alltogether.

If you are refering to a movie he may or may not have done (I wouldn't know :shifty: ), that featured piranhas in salt water, I believe that might be because piranhas probably live in the Amazon river delta, which is a mix of sweet ( :confused: ) and salty water. I'm not sure about fish that live in such environments, but I think they can go either way. (Man, I'm smart! :D )

BTW the sideburn guy looks kinda like Bryan. :Z

No I think they actually only live there. Their hunting relies on group assaults in (mostly) shallow waters, then they all die when the rivers dry up, and then they thrive again when the annual moesson hits the deltas.

[jannar85]

Picture 1: Surf Shop
Brian, or somebody who looks just like him, is also in this picture, wearing a orange shirt.
(...)
Picture 3: Military Check Point.
In the picture, there are two people. One being a military guard, complete in cameo uniform, and that guy who I've identified as Brian, again wearing his orange shirt.

That's not Brian! Study his face -- Does it look like Brian to you?
By the looks of it right now, it seems that you will be in control of 2 characters.

The 2nd playable-character will be located in South America. There will most likely be some Inca-artifacts (2nd picture) in this area.

Just look at this Inca-artifact and the 2nd picture on the stone-door.
http://www.ddbstock.com/jpeg3/gold_artifact_001.jpg
It looks the same, riiight?

By the look of the sketch, Brian is inside a ship wreck.
This made me think of 2 controlable characters. Because the person on the sketch looks like Brian AND this one doesn't have sideburns like the 2nd character.

Maybe the 2nd character is his brother or something related to Brian.


But if it is the same person ('to the falls' in the 3rd sketch), here's the wrecks located in South America:
http://www.abc.se/~m10354/uwa/wrecklat.htm



Hmmm.. Hope they reveal more information soon!
I can't wait to see if I'm correct :9

[Daniele]

Who's the blonde girl? is she Sushi? will be Sushi a playable character???????

[jannar85]

Who's the blonde girl? is she Sushi? will be Sushi a playable character???????
One word; No.

[Daniele]

Looks like Sushi to me!

[jannar85]

Looks like Sushi to me!
Again, no. Have you looked at Sushi? She has her hair upwards.. Like Marge in The Simpsons. Sushi is also a drag-up queen. Also, their skin color is different. You see? It's not Sushi...

[Jackal]

Sushi isn't one of the drag queens. I'd be amazed if that ISN'T her in the new screenshot. That's who I was referring to in my earlier post on page 1, but couldn't remember her name.

For comparison: original Sushi screenshot (http://www.adventurearchiv.de/r/runawayreview15.jpg)

I doubt she'd be a playable character, though.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

That's not Brian! Study his face -- Does it look like Brian to you?

Yes, yes he does. I mean sure, his hair is a bit darker & he's got a goatee & sideburns, but other than that the face appears exactly the same. The image I attached shows a picture of Runaway 1 Brian & a quick attempt to give him a goatee & sideburns.

Frankly, I don't have a problem identifying the orange shirt guy as Brian. Plus, since this isn't the final version, this isn't necessarily the final look and additional tweaking may produce different results.

As for the Sushi angle, I can see the similarity, and I suppose it could be her. I just can't fathom why'd she'd be out on an archeological dig, it just doesn't fit her character, IMO. Then again, I get the vague feeling that the Runaway games are taking their cues from the Broken Sword games, and thus wouldn't be suprised if we see a cameo or two.

Sky Warrior Bob

[guybrush122]

I have a horrible confession to make...


...I hate Runaway.

[jannar85]

I have a horrible confession to make...


...I hate Runaway.
Well, your loss! :P
I hate 1st person adventures, like Myst!

Still won't believe that it's Brian, though :shifty:

[DomStLeger]

I still haven't played Runaway 1. GMX STILL haven't released it in the UK, and I haven't got around to importing a copy yet (I'm a student and thus too poor :D). And now the sequel is on the horizon! I was joking when I said the sequel would arrive here before the original, but now I think it could actually happen!

[PolloDiablo]

I still haven't played Runaway 1. GMX STILL haven't released it in the UK, and I haven't got around to importing a copy yet (I'm a student and thus too poor :D). And now the sequel is on the horizon! I was joking when I said the sequel would arrive here before the original, but now I think it could actually happen!

Neither have I.

I refused to buy it when it came out in the Netherlands because it had been localised (Dutch menu, Dutch inventory-items, Dutch subtitles). I hate that. I admit that Dutch voices are even worse, but I would rather go without the game than have to play it partially in Dutch.

I've been to New Zealand on a business trip in November and picked it up there, but haven't had the time to play...

Now I hope the sequel will be totally in English (or at least offer the player the choice to switch between languages or sell both a 100% Dutch version AND a 100% English version) or I'll have to go on another business trip ;)

[ragnar]

Neither have I.

I refused to buy it when it came out in the Netherlands because it had been localised (Dutch menu, Dutch inventory-items, Dutch subtitles). I hate that. I admit that Dutch voices are even worse, but I would rather go without the game than have to play it partially in Dutch.

But that is the way to do localised versions. Original language for the voices and the translated language as subtitles. Even better if they offer all different languages as subtitles, so you can choose what language you want the subtitles in. What I don't understand, though, is why they had English voices when the original language is Spanish.

[Daniele]

Again, no. Have you looked at Sushi? She has her hair upwards.. Like Marge in The Simpsons. Sushi is also a drag-up queen. Also, their skin color is different. You see? It's not Sushi...

That one was called Lula, the basketball guy! I mean Sushi, the little techno girl.

[jannar85]

That one was called Lula, the basketball guy! I mean Sushi, the little techno girl.
Aaaah.. that technology freak? Wild west?
Reallly?? :o


:D

Sure that's her?



Aaah.. It's her!

[Tanukitsune]

:shifty:
Seriously, is Pendulo Studio even making this game?
The site only has the contest thing... Are they involved in this game at all?
I wouldn't be surprised if a German studio is developing this game with Pendulo Sutdio's permission...
And Spain is the last to know about this kind of stuff too! (The Spanish adventure forums don't even talk about it!) Suspicious... :frown:
If they just improve the lip movement, it will be enough for me...
I find it ironic (or moronic), that Spain with its decent group of adventure gamers, treats there home-made ones like this...
The Western is so buggy here its unplayable, and we don't get The 3 Skulls as an extra, while the rest of the world does!
The collector's edition of Runaway was not released here either! :(
What will they do to us this time? I don't even want to think about it....

[Marek]

Pendulo is making the game. They just haven't talked about it a lot.

[ragnar]

EDIT: This was in re a post of Sky Warrior Bob, that he has deleted.

What exactly in my post is it your opposing? I said precisely that the original language is Spanish. The correct way to do the Runaway localisations (i.e. non-Spanish versions) would be to have Spanish voices and subtitles in all other languages.

[Jackal]

Language and subtitles are a matter of preference, but I'd much rather play a game where the language suits the setting. Runaway takes place in the US, so it's natural that the characters speak English. I suspect that WAS the developer's intention, even if it isn't their native language.

BTW, it bugged me that the same actress played Gina, Sushi, the fortune teller, etc. Different accents, same voice. There weren't THAT many speaking parts! :frusty:

[Daniele]

:shifty:
Seriously, is Pendulo Studio even making this game?
The site only has the contest thing... Are they involved in this game at all?
I wouldn't be surprised if a German studio is developing this game with Pendulo Sutdio's permission...
And Spain is the last to know about this kind of stuff too! (The Spanish adventure forums don't even talk about it!) Suspicious... :frown:
If they just improve the lip movement, it will be enough for me...
I find it ironic (or moronic), that Spain with its decent group of adventure gamers, treats there home-made ones like this...
The Western is so buggy here its unplayable, and we don't get The 3 Skulls as an extra, while the rest of the world does!
The collector's edition of Runaway was not released here either! :(
What will they do to us this time? I don't even want to think about it....

I think these editions have nothing to do with the developers but with the publishers, and as far as I know those two Spanish companies have different publishers in each country, so it's not a surprise that each country gets a different edition.

[DomStLeger]

EDIT: This was in re a post of Sky Warrior Bob, that he has deleted.

What exactly in my post is it your opposing? I said precisely that the original language is Spanish. The correct way to do the Runaway localisations (i.e. non-Spanish versions) would be to have Spanish voices and subtitles in all other languages.

I think though, more europeans speak english than spanish? So offering the english version of the voices makes more sense from that point of view. I don't think it's about going for the original voice over, just one that most people will be able to understand with localised text.

The correct way to do any localisation is surely to make it as accessible to the audience as possible, and not necessairly go for a version closest to how the game was originaly envisioned (as nice as that would be from a creative viewpoint).

[ragnar]

I disagree with you. Either I get the original language (which here happens to be Spanish) with localized subtitles or I get a fully localized (with localized voices). Having a version with English voice and Swedish subtitles would be totally ridiculous. And it makes sense to include all localised subtitles in all versions as to maximize the available choice for the users (including all localised voices would be difficult from a space-perspective).

On a side note I really hope that they translated all the localised version from the source (Spanish) and not first translate to English and the from English to all other localised versions. That would also be rather stupid.

[Wormsie]

I hope you're not refering to the surfer dude. :D

Exactly, he isn't that good looking.

[Erwin_Br]

I played the game with English voices and Dutch subtitles, dialogue options and menu's and that's one of the reasons I still haven't finished the game.

It just doesn't play right when a character asks you a question in English and you have to respond by selecting an answer in Dutch.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

I played the game with English voices and Dutch subtitles, dialogue options and menu's and that's one of the reasons I still haven't finished the game.

It just doesn't play right when a character asks you a question in English and you have to respond by selecting an answer in Dutch.

--Erwin
How come? I don't see why that should be bothersome? Is Holland one of those countries where every movie and tv show get dubbed into the native language? I really, really, dislike dubbed movies.

[Erwin_Br]

How come? I don't see why that should be bothersome? Is Holland one of those countries where every movie and tv show get dubbed into the native language? I really, really, dislike dubbed movies.

No, on the contrary. Everything's got subtitles. Thank heavens!

I believe our neighbour, Germany, is quite used to dubbing their movies and TV programmes.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

No, on the contrary. Everything's got subtitles. Thank heavens!

I believe our neighbour, Germany, is quite used to dubbing their movies and TV programmes.

--Erwin
Good for you then. But I still don't understand how the subtitles being in Dutch (including choosing what to reply) can be bothersome if you're used to subtitles and voices being different?

[Erwin_Br]

Good for you then. But I still don't understand how the subtitles being in Dutch (including choosing what to reply) can be bothersome if you're used to subtitles and voices being different?

I prefer everything to be English. I wouldn't mind if they'd take away the subtitles in movies and on TV either. Reading the lines is distracting, actually. There's quite a lot of information you're missing too. Not only because of lazy translation, also expression on people's faces and such.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

I prefer everything to be English. I wouldn't mind if they'd take away the subtitles in movies and on TV either. Reading the lines is distracting, actually. There's quite a lot of information you're missing too. Not only because of lazy translation, also expression on people's faces and such.

--Erwin
You prefer everything to be in English, even when the original language isn't English? Why?

[nordic_guy]

I can see why the subtitles being in Dutch and the speech being in English can be annoying, especially when the available dialogue lines are in Dutch as well. That would be like two people having a conversation in two different languages.

[ragnar]

If you don't read the subtitles, then I can understand that it is annoying, yes, but not otherwise.

[Erwin_Br]

If you don't read the subtitles, then I can understand that it is annoying, yes, but not otherwise.

I don't read the subtitles. :)

You prefer everything to be in English, even when the original language isn't English? Why?

Noooo... I prefer English movies and programmes without Dutch subtitles because I don't need them and they're distracting. I don't like dubbing. So if a movie or programme is in, say Spanish, I would obviously prefer subtitles.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

Ok, then I see where you come from. :)

So, for Runaway, would you prefer English voices with English or no subtitles or Spanish voices with Dutch subtitles?

[PolloDiablo]

Ok, then I see where you come from. :)

So, for Runaway, would you prefer English voices with English or no subtitles or Spanish voices with Dutch subtitles?

English all the way please. :)

[ragnar]

English all the way please. :)
Be aware that Spanish is the original language, so ther would be as much translation to English as it is to Dutch.

[DomStLeger]

I disagree with the logic that games should be voiced in the original language and subtitled into local language. When I watch a foreign film, yes I like the original audio track with english subtitles.

However, a game is a very different experience - it's interactive for a start. So the first aim should be to make it as accessible as possible. If the companies can't afford to dub into local language (which seems to be the main reason usually due to small markets compared to the widest spoken languages) then the next best thing logically is to use the English audio as it is most likely to be accessible to the audience (depending on the country of course; I'm just assuming English is more widely spoken in mainland europe than Spanish, I don't know if thats entirely accurate). Accessible, even if it's not played by someone fluent in English because english phrases and language are so dominent generally in the media thanks to the powerhouse of USA entertainment.

I think though, that like DVDs they should endevour to make both the local language and the language of the audio available to the gamer. That way problems like Erwin's would be solved, as I can understand how you'd want the opition to just play entirely in the language if want to.

Anyway it's just my opinion. If I were playing Runaway for example, and they didn't dub it into english then I personally would want German audio and english subtitles rather than spanish and english.

[ragnar]

I want either the original language or my own language. I just don't see why I should play in a third language (being English). It really adds nothing in my opinion.

EDIT: Oh, the real way to do voices is of course the they did it in The Last Express where all characters speak in their native language or a language both the dialog participants understands. That way, Nico should have spoken in French when speaking with Lobineau and in English when speaking with George, for example. That adds much more to the realism and immersiveness.

[PolloDiablo]

Be aware that Spanish is the original language, so ther would be as much translation to English as it is to Dutch.

Yes, I understand. But I simply do not want ANY Dutch in my games. I even prefer the manual to be in English, but I can live with a Dutch one if I have no other choice. But I will never buy a game that is partially in Dutch.

A small example of the things that happen when games get translated. In URU - Ages Beyond Myst you have to touch Travel Cloths, a cloth being a squarish piece of fabric with the picture of a hand printed upon it. In the Dutch manual, they were talking about Travel Clothes (being apparel, stuff you wear to cover your nakedness).

The first game I played that turned out to have Dutch voices (I didn't know before buying) was Atlantis (not sure which episode). It was so awful, it used such utterly boring and emotion-less speech-actors from childrens' cartoons and "famous" persons that I decided then and there that I would never ever buy another dubbed game. This means I often end up not buying a game that's been on my wishlist for months. Or much later when I can buy it in the UK or New Zealand.

I know English is not the original language for Runaway, but I would not be able to play it in Spanish. I don't want Spanish speech with English subtitles either, I want the entire game in English.

I just don't understand why there is no choice. If you want to go to the cinema or buy a tape or DVD, you can choose whether you want the original soundtrack or the dubbed one. On a DVD, you can switch off the subtitles. Not so in games. Either buy the Dutch yucky version or don't buy at all. Why? Who in game-marketing-land decides my English isn't good enough to be able to understand what's going on in a game?

[ragnar]

Yes, I understand. But I simply do not want ANY Dutch in my games. I even prefer the manual to be in English, but I can live with a Dutch one if I have no other choice. But I will never buy a game that is partially in Dutch.
Why? Is Dutch an inferior language to English? What if the game is originally in Dutch, would you still prefer it to be translated to English?

A small example of the things that happen when games get translated. In URU - Ages Beyond Myst you have to touch Travel Cloths, a cloth being a squarish piece of fabric with the picture of a hand printed upon it. In the Dutch manual, they were talking about Travel Clothes (being apparel, stuff you wear to cover your nakedness).Yes, those things happens with translations. It happens when it is translated from Spanish to English too.

The first game I played that turned out to have Dutch voices (I didn't know before buying) was Atlantis (not sure which episode). It was so awful, it used such utterly boring and emotion-less speech-actors from childrens' cartoons and "famous" persons that I decided then and there that I would never ever buy another dubbed game. This means I often end up not buying a game that's been on my wishlist for months. Or much later when I can buy it in the UK or New Zealand.This is true for games translated to English too (just buy the English version of The Watchmaker) and even games that is originally in English and have nothing to do with what language the voice actors speak or the translation.

I know English is not the original language for Runaway, but I would not be able to play it in Spanish. I don't want Spanish speech with English subtitles either, I want the entire game in English. Why would you want it to be translated to English? If you want it translated, wouldn't it be much better if they translated it from Spanish to Dutch?

I just don't understand why there is no choice. If you want to go to the cinema or buy a tape or DVD, you can choose whether you want the original soundtrack or the dubbed one. On a DVD, you can switch off the subtitles. Not so in games. Either buy the Dutch yucky version or don't buy at all. Why? Who in game-marketing-land decides my English isn't good enough to be able to understand what's going on in a game?
This I agree with, choice is the thing I've been advocating all along. The subtitles should always be available in all languages when you buy the game. The voices is probably requring different versions though, since they take up much more space. Unfortunately, adventure games don't sell that many copies and I think that's why they don't sell different versions of the voices.

[Marek]

The point is that Dutch translations are often done by crappy actors because the Dutch market is small and doesn't warrant triple-A voice actor (or highly skilled translators for that matter). Dutch translations are often very very awful. For instance (and I use this example a lot), take this line by Zack in TLJ1: "I don't give a shit" (or something to that event) came accross in Dutch as "I don't give a poo-poo." Horrible. Horrible.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Hey, Marek. I noticed that in Beyond Good & Evil there is actually an option for several languages both in voice acting and subtitles. You played it briefly. Did you play in Dutch, and how was the quality?

[ragnar]

The point is that Dutch translations are often done by crappy actors because the Dutch market is small and doesn't warrant triple-A voice actor (or highly skilled translators for that matter). Dutch translations are often very very awful. For instance (and I use this example a lot), take this line by Zack in TLJ1: "I don't give a shit" (or something to that event) came accross in Dutch as "I don't give a poo-poo." Horrible. Horrible.
I played TLJ in Swedish and I thought it to be an acceptable translation and even had good actors, not top quality, but not bad either. I don't know if the Swedish market is bigger or smaller (very few games ever gets translated to Swedish and only some animated movies gets dubbed) so that it would warrant better actors. It's just that I don't understand the preference for English for translated works. I have a little theory that many prefer English because they know their native tongue much better and therefore are prone to notice all errors in the details in the translation and the voice acting, but if it is in English they won't notice that as much and thus prefer the English version since it sounds better to them (due to that they don't know better).

My own preference for voice acting is this:

1. Voices should always be character-local, i.e they should speak in languages that the characters know. A character that only knows Russian should speak Russian and not English.If the game is taking place in Spain, they should speak Spanish etc.

2. I want the voices in the original language with subtitles both in that language and my own (being Swedish) and if it's not translated to Swedish I would need English subtitles.

3. Voices and subtitles should be in my own language.

4. Some other language I know (mainly English).
2.

[PolloDiablo]

I played TLJ in Swedish and I thought it to be an acceptable translation and even had good actors, not top quality, but not bad either. I don't know if the Swedish market is bigger or smaller (very few games ever gets translated to Swedish and only some animated movies gets dubbed) so that it would warrant better actors. It's just that I don't understand the preference for English for translated works. I have a little theory that many prefer English because they know their native tongue much better and therefore are prone to notice all errors in the details in the translation and the voice acting, but if it is in English they won't notice that as much and thus prefer the English version since it sounds better to them (due to that they don't know better).

My own preference for voice acting is this:

1. Voices should always be character-local, i.e they should speak in languages that the characters know. A character that only knows Russian should speak Russian and not English.If the game is taking place in Spain, they should speak Spanish etc.

2. I want the voices in the original language with subtitles both in that language and my own (being Swedish) and if it's not translated to Swedish I would need English subtitles.

3. Voices and subtitles should be in my own language.

4. Some other language I know (mainly English).
2.

Oh, I notice errors in English games too. I have lived in New Zealand for a year and a half and still work for the company that hired me there. I have beta-tested text-adventures and came back with more typo's and grammatical errors than most native speakers. I tend to like a game a little bit less if they use "their" for "they're" or switch their "its" and "it's".

No, that's not it.

It just doesn't feel right, playing a game in Dutch. It's like the Terminator saying "Ich wuerde zurueckkommen" in stead of "I'll be back". Add to that the fact/very strong suspicion that there's only about three voice-actors in the Netherlands, so that each and every game has exactly the same people in them and that if a game has more than three characters most will sound the same.

And although there's very little chance of there ever being a game released in Dutch, as there are no developers that make adventures or RPGs, I don't think I'd buy it anyway.

[Erwin_Br]

I agree! English words posess a certain ring I like. Most English lines sound very 'flat' when you translate them to Dutch.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

And I bet Spanish lines sounds rather flat when translated to English.

Perhaps I should give up. It seems the Dutch doesn't like their language very much. Ah well, I have met lots of people here in Sweden that dislike Swedish too for some unknown reason. I guess it's because people are so used to English being the language used in all movies and games they see and play that they get totally confused when they encounter one that isn't in English.

Btw, I rather like the sound of Dutch, even if i don't understand much of it.

[ragnar]

I just want to add that some countries seems to be obsessed with their language (Germany, France and USA) and that every other language are foul and almost criminal to utter while other countries (like Sweden and Holland seems to be a case of this) seem equally obsessed that their own language is bad and sounds ugly and should not be used other than an absolute minimum.

[fov]

For any game that's been translated, I would like the option to hear it in the original and use English subtitles. I prefer subtitled movies to dubbed, but never having played a subtitled game I don't know how the experience compares.

It's funny to me that people complain about the lip syncing in Runaway, because I actually thought it was very good. I spent a long time looking at the lips and listening to the dialogue and thinking "Wasn't this game originally in Spanish? How did they DO that?!" It wasn't just that I didn't notice a problem, I actually noticed that it seemed to be synched up well. *shrug*

I am very much looking forward to the sequel... it's my most anticipated game now that Jane Jensen's is "on hold."

-emily

[Erwin_Br]

And I bet Spanish lines sounds rather flat when translated to English.

For some Spaniards, maybe. It's a personal preference. Not to me, obviously, because I can't speak Spanish.

Perhaps I should give up. It seems the Dutch doesn't like their language very much.

I count for our entire population? Not all Dutchmen prefer English you know :rolleyes:

Ah well, I have met lots of people here in Sweden that dislike Swedish too for some unknown reason. I guess it's because people are so used to English being the language used in all movies and games they see and play that they get totally confused when they encounter one that isn't in English.

Dutch and German are two languages I can speak and write next to English and let me tell you something, they're both MUCH harder to learn. English is a very easy and effective language.

And I certainly don't get confused when playing a Dutch game. I just don't like how it sounds, which is a preference just like I prefer a certain musical genre.

There's only one language I truly hate to listen to, though, and that's German. Probably because it sounds so... harsh and 'fat'. Hard to explain. Dutch and German sound almost the same.

--Erwin

[ragnar]

For some Spaniards, maybe. It's a personal preference. Not to me, obviously, because I can't speak Spanish.
Of course it's a personal preferences, but I don't see why a translation from Spanish to Dutch would sound more flat than a translation from Spanish to English.
I count for our entire population? Not all Dutchmen prefer English you know :rolleyes:
No, you and PolloDiablo. :) It wasn't that serious a remark, it's just that I don't understand why so many people prefer English before their own language.
Dutch and German are two languages I can speak and write next to English and let me tell you something, they're both MUCH harder to learn. English is a very easy and effective language.
English might be relatively easy to learn the basics of, but to fully learn the language is much more difficult, because of all the meanings and subtleties of the language.
And I certainly don't get confused when playing a Dutch game. I just don't like how it sounds, which is a preference just like I prefer a certain musical genre.
I have understood that you prefer English, but I just try to understand *why* you prefer how English sounds more than how Dutch sounds.
There's only one language I truly hate to listen to, though, and that's German. Probably because it sounds so... harsh and 'fat'. Hard to explain. Dutch and German sound almost the same.

--Erwin
You probably won't like Swedish either then. :)

[Erwin_Br]

Of course it's a personal preferences, but I don't see why a translation from Spanish to Dutch would sound more flat than a translation from Spanish to English.

Because you notice it more in your own language.

No, you and PolloDiablo. :) It wasn't that serious a remark, it's just that I don't understand why so many people prefer English before their own language.

I don't know either, but French is widely considered a very beautiful language. You could ask the same question. Why? (And I agree, French sounds good)

English might be relatively easy to learn the basics of, but to fully learn the language is much more difficult, because of all the meanings and subtleties of the language.

True, although that's something you'll learn too eventually. I'm mostly pretty quick with this sort of thing. I'm quite good at languages (as opposed to Maths)

I have understood that you prefer English, but I just try to understand *why* you prefer how English sounds more than how Dutch sounds.

That's hard to explain, actually. I mean, it's like asking why I prefer to listen to Jazz instead of Blues. Or something like that. Again, many people like the sound of the French language too. Why?

You probably won't like Swedish either then. :)

I don't know :P

--Erwin

[ragnar]

Because you notice it more in your own language.Which brings us back to my theory I had some posts ago. :)
I don't know either, but French is widely considered a very beautiful language. You could ask the same question. Why? (And I agree, French sounds good)
But this is something we *should* think. French is beautiful and German is ugly. That's common knowledge and people who don't agree are looked upon as being strange.
True, although that's something you'll learn too eventually. I'm mostly pretty quick with this sort of thing. I'm quite good at languages (as opposed to Maths)
I do think it takes very long time to learn English that well. I think I'm fairly good at English and I tried to do some crosswords in English some time ago and it was darned difficult. Yet I am pretty confidenet that it wouldn't be that difficult for a someone speaking English natively.
That's hard to explain, actually. I mean, it's like asking why I prefer to listen to Jazz instead of Blues. Or something like that. Again, many people like the sound of the French language too. Why?
Sure, it might not be very easy to explain, but it certainly is possible to explain, but people have a tendency to brush such underlying things aside with just saying "But it's my opinion!" and don't want anyone to dig deeper.
I don't know :P

--Erwin

[WontonGoodsoup]

Being the hard headed American that I am...I only want english. I'm too lazy to read subtitles all the time also. :D
I think that it's harder to relate to a game that is not in your own language.

[jjacob]

Well it appears I learned my English through watching the bbc when I was young. My parents had no explanation as to why I'd rather watch something I was beginning to understand, instead of Dutch kids programmes. Anyhow I *really* can't stand Dutch localized games let alone dubbed movies (me wants lips to sync real good :) ). I suppose we should be lucky that only Disney/kid's movies get dubbed here (compared to say France or Germany where EVERY FRICKING MOVIE GETS DUBBED AHhh). If it were up to me I'd even ban subtitling alltogether (It does take 20% off the screen you know!). The past few years more and more games get localized though, and 6 months ago I bought the Dutch version of Black Mirror by mistake, totally unaware that games were getting localized :frusty: Luckily only the menu (and subtitles?) were Dutch but it did gave me a good scare since I had ripped the box open by accident and could not return it.

Someone in this topic argued that hearing dialogue in your native language makes sure you catch every bit (or something along those lines). I'm not so sure, see it this way - If the original script/whatever is written in for example English, then what makes you so sure the translators would translate it so well, that you'd have the exact same experience watching it as a brit would? In my experience, translators lack overall versatility these days. Subtitling here's always been very bad (oh boy do I like to criticise subtitles) since all Dutch translators seem to be grumpy and demented 70-year old men translating strictly by their dictionaries (which must be at least twice their age). Luckily though, as a result of that, no one bothers to read the stupid white text and look proudly past it, I think/hope.

[ragnar]

If you've read this thread, jjacob, you would see that the argument is (mostly) about games where the original language is not English, but something else (i.e. Spanish, since it's Runaway we're discussing). The English version is also translated so the argument that you lose something in the translation is null and void since both the English and the Dutch version is translated.