Community Feedback on Blazblue Translation Project

[Axiomatic]

Hey all, 

 

I recently read through spesialo's Phase Shift translations on BT and emma's over the summer

and really enjoyed the additions to the lore of the story. I recognize how much time and effort such

generous souls put into translating things for the community since ASW/Mori  decided to not localize these 

materials for the Western audience. This led to "WHO!?!?" moments when Celica showed up in CP to 

the majority of fans. Likewise, when Naoto starts name dropping in the CF once we get a localization

we'll likely see similar things.

 

Hoping to get an official localization seems to be foregone conclusion with  5 Phase Shift novels, 2 Bloodedge Experience novels,

and 4 literary adaptations of CT and CS. I also feel such hardwork should be compensated for.

 

I wanted to get feedback and suggestions about paying a fan translator for regular translations of

Blazblue (and potentially Guilty Gear) side materials for the community. I will put forth the money to pay the translator. 

I do this publicly to clearly showcase my intentions to anyone interested and for community feedback. If the costs exceeds my means, then payment schedules will just have to be adjusted 

accordingly so the translator still gets paid just work will not be as regular. 

 

The basis of the project will be fair use similar to how Baka Tsuki does it for lite novels that don't get translated. Primarily, these translations will not be profit and merely to better inform fans of characters  

and developments in side materials. I'd support the official release, but I can't read Japanese. Likewise, I will pull the plug on the project if ASW or other invested parties send a C&D order or 

politely ask. I, however, would think we're in fair use of copy-right as this is mainly for educational purposes (I know, education referring to plot is eye-roll worthy). 

 

 

What I wanted feedback from the community was:

1.) Should a fan translator be paid on a per book, per page, or per chapter basis?

2.) What would you consider equitable compensation for translating X number of pages/chapters/books?

3.) Do you find a quota-based payment schedule to be fair over an hour-based payment schedule due to the lack of oversight?

4.) Would you like to be a translator for such a project? Do you know of any community members interested in working on such a project? If not in our community, how about outside of it?

5.) What would be a way of acquiring raws and getting them to a fan translator? 

6.) How regularly would you like to receive translations to read? (every chapter once finished? only when the book is finished so you can binge?)

7.) What lite novel would you like 

8.) Do you have any legal concerns about this arrangement? Do you think the project is a dumb idea?

 

I don't really know how much I should pay someone for such an undertaking. I personally favor the chapter basis since its not too bad of an obligation on the translator's part

while also providing a good metric to break up novels. Likewise, the quota-based model seems less likely to lead to hard feelings or disagreements. I'm clueless how you would go 

getting raws too. There is also a poll so I can get an idea for where the demand is. I appreciate any time you put into responding to this post. 

[Suzaku]

1. Most professional translators are paid per word or per page, or by the hour, with a rate in the range of $0.12 per word, $60 per page, or $36 an hour.

2. Depends on the translator and how willing/desperate they are, and whether or not its a "full time" project. If they're doing it for a living, they will want to be making some kind of living wage.

3. This is pretty standard in the translation business, for obvious reasons.

4. I'd certainly be interested in proofreading, localizing, and editing, but translating an entire novel is probably not something I'd have the time or skill to do.

5. The books are available on kindle through Amazon Japan, for about $5 each, and probably other ebook retailers.

6. Every chapter would be ideal.

7. Phase Shift 4 / Bloodedge Experience

8. Knowing Aksys Games and Arcsy, I would say there's no concern for any sort of legal ramifications, particularly since there's probably no intention of releasing them in English.

[kosmos badgirl]

Try asking this guy: http://shmuplations.com/commissions/

He is a proven good translator but I'm not sure if he will be OK with doing this kind of project, he already has enough on his plate.

Phase 4 should be first in my opinion.

[Axiomatic]

On 3/5/2016 at 7:44 AM, kosmos badgirl said:

Try asking this guy: http://shmuplations.com/commissions/

He is a proven good translator but I'm not sure if he will be OK with doing this kind of project, he already has enough on his plate.

Phase 4 should be first in my opinion.

Hey guys just wanted to update you all on whats going on,

 

• Secured funds for paying a translator.
• Created an email specifically for translation inquires and correspondence to current or future translators. (dlaxiomatic@gmail.com)
• Formalized all the details for interested translators
• Sent a formal inquiry to shmuplations, so thanks kosmos badgirl for the lead!

 

I don't like to send multiple offers out, so I'll try someone else once I hear back from shmuplations.

 

Thanks to everyone that responded to the poll! Looks like we're tied between Bloodedge Experience and Phase Shift 4. Also really appreciate the time you took to respond Suzaku.  I'll definitely take you up on your localization offer, since I doubt any translator I hire will be interested in localizing their translations for us. If you would like to be compensated for your effort, let me know and I can budget accordingly.

Feel free to post other translator leads for me if things don't work out with the current offer; like if there is anyone interested from a fan sub group or BakaTsuki for a commission I would appreciate hearing about it. If you're reading this and interested in translating, feel free to send me a PM as well and I can forward you additional details. I'll keep trying, so don't worry about this project dying as long as I have anything to say about it.

 

[Axiomatic]

Hey guys,

 

Project Update:

 

• Based on poll results, I bought a copy of Bloodedge Experience Part 1.
• I found an interested translator.
• Estimated time for completion: ~5.5 years.

Like I mentioned when I began the project, I fine with funding the project myself, but realize it will take awhile to get a novel translated. No matter how long it takes, there will be updates. They'll just be less frequent than you may have hoped. Let me know if you have concerns about the rate of completion. I do have one question for you all: 

 

 

 

Would you guys like to talk about crowdfunding translations?

(I'm not looking for backers, but rather ideas about crowdfunding options or experiences with it since that is one way to make more translation progress) 

Let me know if you have any ideas about, reservations toward, or interest in crowdfunding. 

[Axiomatic]

Project Notice of Hiatus:

Doing cashflow projections, the project will progress faster if I temporary put things on hold and focus on job advancement for a pay raise. To progress further though, I need to study more and work on more of my models. Thus, I'll post updates once I'm in a more adequate position to make the project self-sustaining. 

Message me with concerns or feel free to post here. 

Program may resume in 2-3 years, tentatively.