Thanks for this much needed update and thanks for helping out with this translation.Artemio wrote:I have refrained to reply since Marc has not been around, so any views contained in this message are mine alone and not the official ones from the full project staff.
There have been no updates to the page or announcements because there has been no progress to report. That is what we have said in the past and I maintain that. The project FAQ details this and it is the real status, we are hiding nothing. You know that I am not the actual developer right now, and hence I prefer not to go into detail of something I don't have my hands fully in.
I'd love to retake this personally, and I'd love to take a vacation in order to do so, but my company and the work I do at it have kept me from doing it. if I were 10 years younger and in college, I bet you I would be fully into hacking the text into the thing. I must say that I really love that kind of work, but it is the kind of thing that demands full attention and long periods of time dedicated to it.
I must assure you, for what it is worth, that the images on that magazine are real. They are not photoshopped at all. We indeed released those since we don't want to give any details about the plot. If you have a grasp of what the translation of a game implies, you'll certainly know that it is not a linear process. You don't "start from the beginning" and begin inserting in a progressive order. If that was possible it would imply that we have access to way more information about the original game structure and source code, which we don't. It is just a huge pile of data that makes sense in Playstation assembly and to the tools used to create the data packs for the game. So, the work is done "in bulk" you simply place the text in the appropriate places the whole thing works or it doesn't.
From that point on, the work that needs to be done is either altering the text printing routine or hacking the assembly code in such a way that it produces the actual thing you want it to: an English version of the game.
I must accentuate that I am not talking about the actual translation of this project, I am speaking in general terms for any translation of this kind.
I must say again that I am not the man with his hands on the number crunching, and I'd live to be that guy, but I've not had the time to do that personally. Hence I cannot give you the exact status because I am not the guy doing it. If it were me, I'd post my findings and current problem.
But the things needed are the same as always, a developer with the time, tools and knowledge to finish it. We already have someone qualified working on that, but his time is limited. Just as mine. I know that I could do it with the time, but I simply have not had it. if you know someone that is willing to give the time, knows Psx assembly, has a real PSX, a computer to code in that is capable of running the emu and interested in the project, I am sure we could work with him inside the team to speed things up.
Years ago when I set up Junker HQ that was its real goal: to assemble the team. A cry out to the internet to find the people who could help me. I was starting my company back then, and had more time than I do now. And it certainly worked. Marc jumped in and he has been the best man to do the job that I could have ever hoped to find. Not only did he know Japanese very well, he also cared deeply about the work and the subtleties. You can't imagine how many times we spoke on MSN while he was translating, and he spent hours searching for specific words for sentences trying to accomplish the original meaning, of course I helped as much as I could in that way and I loved working. But I am going a bit off topic here, and Marc's contributions are far from being questioned here. He was not the only one to help and I don't want to diminish James', James_The_Stampede or any other contributors' work.
My point with the above is that in all those years there had not been a single soul that can offer the help that was needed. Only one did, and he demonstrated he could do it. And hence, we depend on his work now and on his time.
We have said so in the past and we have come as clear as possible with all this. Or at least we have tried. We have not replied here because we believe there is not much more to say so far, but if you guys feel we must place a post here saying "we are still alive, there is no new progress sorry" I'll do that myself.
I must again say that I will keep the site and forums running for as long as it is needed. And I know that I speak for Marc as well when I say that the project will not die and that we will deliver.
I believe I have not much more to say, but if you have specific things that want answered, please feel free to state them.
Once again, these are just my thoughts and opinions, and not the official position of the Policenauts Translation Project.
Best regards
Artemio
Patch is up (v1.01 incoming)
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
We develop, deploy and install software for TV broadcast automation. So basically I code software and am an active part in administration as well.
From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.
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[Junker HQ]
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
I think Artemio said it all and said it well. We put out a notice for assistance in the past, but we didn't get any responses. So just bear with us until it's done, or Konami release it themselves. I know you're eager to play it, but asking for progress reports every few weeks, when there's nothing to report, doesn't make the work any easier. We all have full-time jobs, followed by regular lives, then finally what's left over. Work on the project has to fit into that last category.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
I have a decent ability to program (I also know a couple other guys), and I enjoy it very much. I'm not familiar with PSX assembly though. Can you maybe point me to a website or something where I could get to understand it better?Marc wrote:I think Artemio said it all and said it well. We put out a notice for assistance in the past, but we didn't get any responses. So just bear with us until it's done, or Konami release it themselves. I know you're eager to play it, but asking for progress reports every few weeks, when there's nothing to report, doesn't make the work any easier. We all have full-time jobs, followed by regular lives, then finally what's left over. Work on the project has to fit into that last category.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
JimboKudo wrote:I have a decent ability to program (I also know a couple other guys), and I enjoy it very much. I'm not familiar with PSX assembly though. Can you maybe point me to a website or something where I could get to understand it better?Marc wrote:I think Artemio said it all and said it well. We put out a notice for assistance in the past, but we didn't get any responses. So just bear with us until it's done, or Konami release it themselves. I know you're eager to play it, but asking for progress reports every few weeks, when there's nothing to report, doesn't make the work any easier. We all have full-time jobs, followed by regular lives, then finally what's left over. Work on the project has to fit into that last category.
http://psx.rules.org/psxrul2.shtml
http://www.hitmen-console.org/
http://hitmen.c02.at/files/docs/psx/psx.pdf
http://hitmen.c02.at/html/psx_faq.html
These seem like good sites to check, but I couldn't find a really awesome tutorial. Learning the assembly isn't quite enough though. You'll need to learn how the system control co-processor (COP0) works, as well as graphics chip (COP2), amongst other things. You can probably ignore stuff related to the MDEC and sound.
This stuff can have a steep initial learning curve, but its not too bad once you get the concepts down. If you've studied computer architecture then you'll have a bit of a leg up. Remember the playstation's CPU is RISC, so this shouldn't be as hard to learn as x86

Also, you might want to get an emulator that can debug, like pSX.
Btw, I haven't done programming for the PSX yet since I'm working on something else.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
In case you haven't coded assembly ever, the type of coding needed is more related to C than to most newer languages. PHP, Java and others do most things for you and only knowing that kind of high level will be another step to take, but not a huge one.
The next thing would be to use a debugger, just as Densetsu pointed out. You'll need to learn to debug a running program in assembly and follow the flow of the program.
The next thing would be to use a debugger, just as Densetsu pointed out. You'll need to learn to debug a running program in assembly and follow the flow of the program.
From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Thanks for the links Densetsu. Hopefully I'll be able to use a lot of time in the summer working on this. I've only used C a little bit, Artemio, (I usually use C+), so I guess I'll go over things in that language as well. I thrive on this type of stuff. When I was applying for colleges in my Senior year of highschool, I applied to Digipen, which is a Digital Arts school, but it ended up being too expensive. So, I'm stuck educating myself for now, but that's how I've always done it. I've done a couple of homebrew games for the psp, but once I get about half-way through, I usually stop. Hopefully, I'll be able to learn this stuff pretty well.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
i understand what you mean JimboKudo. I was the same way, self teaching myself and also doing homebrew here and then for some consoles (Saturn, NGPC, SNES, GBA, DS, PSP and GP2X). I believe you are at the perfect age for this kind of project, and with the right mindset and background.
From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Wow, but it sounds like you've done homebrew for more consoles than I've even touched. Right now, it's easiest to do homebrew for the psp, but I'm hoping to move onto the DS soon (after I actually finish a few games for the psp). Luckily, if I ever run into serious problems I know some people nearby who are VERY good at programming. I've told them about the Policenauts translation project and they have no clue what game I'm talking about. Then I tell them it's the spiritual sequel to Snatcher, and once again, "?" Not only that, but when I showed them the case to the game, most of them just blew it off as a crappy anime game. I think you guys would have a ton more programmers if the game was better known. But, that's part of the beauty of this project, it's about alternative gaming.Artemio wrote:i understand what you mean JimboKudo. I was the same way, self teaching myself and also doing homebrew here and then for some consoles (Saturn, NGPC, SNES, GBA, DS, PSP and GP2X). I believe you are at the perfect age for this kind of project, and with the right mindset and background.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Its sad but true I know lots of gamers that for what ever reason don't want to even try to play or even understand games that are only JP,these people usually miss out on alot of great games for this way of thinking.JimboKudo wrote:Wow, but it sounds like you've done homebrew for more consoles than I've even touched. Right now, it's easiest to do homebrew for the psp, but I'm hoping to move onto the DS soon (after I actually finish a few games for the psp). Luckily, if I ever run into serious problems I know some people nearby who are VERY good at programming. I've told them about the Policenauts translation project and they have no clue what game I'm talking about. Then I tell them it's the spiritual sequel to Snatcher, and once again, "?" Not only that, but when I showed them the case to the game, most of them just blew it off as a crappy anime game. I think you guys would have a ton more programmers if the game was better known. But, that's part of the beauty of this project, it's about alternative gaming.Artemio wrote:i understand what you mean JimboKudo. I was the same way, self teaching myself and also doing homebrew here and then for some consoles (Saturn, NGPC, SNES, GBA, DS, PSP and GP2X). I believe you are at the perfect age for this kind of project, and with the right mindset and background.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
That's why it's always best to stay open minded about movies and videogames. Otherwise you might miss out on something great. Snatcher was even translated and everything, but they still won't play it. I think it's a good experience for everyone, and nobody seems to care.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
All this makes me wish the assembly code hackers from the Mother3 Or Persona 2 project would offer a quick consultation to see if they can see anything someone else has missed 
Oh well.

Oh well.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Speaking of which, have they finished the Mother3 patch yet?Andrigaar wrote:All this makes me wish the assembly code hackers from the Mother3 Or Persona 2 project would offer a quick consultation to see if they can see anything someone else has missed
Oh well.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
The Mother3 patch isn't done yet, but it's moving at a very fast rate. It seems plausible to expect the patch before the end of Summer. The Persona 2: Innocent Patch is also moving along at a very fast rate.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Glad to see Jimbo taking up the cause.
I would start learning too, but I've not enough background in the C family of languages to be very useful at all.
I would start learning too, but I've not enough background in the C family of languages to be very useful at all.

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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
C is not required. It was just mentioned as a starting point if not familiar with ASM itself. It helps though, very practical for developing the tools needed for the project as well.X_Lupin wrote:Glad to see Jimbo taking up the cause.
I would start learning too, but I've not enough background in the C family of languages to be very useful at all.
From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
I'll do my best. As Artemio said, it's a good time for me to be learning this type of thing, since I actually have free time.X_Lupin wrote:Glad to see Jimbo taking up the cause.
I would start learning too, but I've not enough background in the C family of languages to be very useful at all.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Hey, if you guys are willing, I know a lot of programming guys that are off for their summer break. If you can give me a few keywords as to what's needed, I'll drop them a line for you.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Looking back, my last post wasn't particularly helpful. Admittedly, I wrote it after a long shift at work, but my intended message was "let us help." I failed quite miserably; I was far too brash. This certainly wasn't the response I intended. I do want to apologize to everyone for the uproar my post caused.
Artemio, your post in particular was heartfelt, and maintained the professionalism that embodies the entire team. Again, I apologize greatly for what I caused. As always, I support the team 100% and will continue to show that in any way I can.
Although, I must say, to those that think this is an elaborate hoax, look at the evidence to the contrary, particularly Policenauts.net.
Artemio, your post in particular was heartfelt, and maintained the professionalism that embodies the entire team. Again, I apologize greatly for what I caused. As always, I support the team 100% and will continue to show that in any way I can.
Although, I must say, to those that think this is an elaborate hoax, look at the evidence to the contrary, particularly Policenauts.net.

Sure, mainstream games are fun, but you haven't tried Snatcher yet.
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
I have to say, although it was spurred on by an argument, this is the most friendly I have ever seen the board. That gives me the most hope of all for a completed patch. The group of you all seem extremely dedicated to the project.
I'd also like to apologize for the trouble I've caused, but it's nice to see that it worked out well in the end.
I'd also like to apologize for the trouble I've caused, but it's nice to see that it worked out well in the end.
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Don't worry about it, fellas; Marc and Art are really swell guys, I doubt they're really upset, or anything. 
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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
I apologize for being an annoying biznatch too.
all this positivity and people wanting to pitch in and the "updates" on the policenaut's site gives me hope that this patch will be done soon and that everyone will thoroughly enjoy it.
a new cult following and world order in store for all!
yay!
please, keep to it and don't give up. honestly. jsfdjkfsjklsfajklfsjlsjklsafdjkls
all this positivity and people wanting to pitch in and the "updates" on the policenaut's site gives me hope that this patch will be done soon and that everyone will thoroughly enjoy it.
a new cult following and world order in store for all!

please, keep to it and don't give up. honestly. jsfdjkfsjklsfajklfsjlsjklsafdjkls

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Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
No hard feeling there.
seraphssavior, All what is needed is described on the posts form the last two days. You can point them to my reply and Densetsu's links.
seraphssavior, All what is needed is described on the posts form the last two days. You can point them to my reply and Densetsu's links.
From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
-- Terrel Miedaner
[Junker HQ]
Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
I am willing to help too, as I have a ton of free time now with the coming summer.
I've worked on game development before, and pick up the tools and language very quickly. If you guys need any more help, I'd like to join jimbo in taking this up.
Also, on an unrelated note, I found the trailer for that new Lupin III movie, it's called 2008 Lupin III: Green Vs. Red, and torrents of the raw video have started to appear.
Here is the trailer:
http://www.crunchyroll.com/media-314188 ... ailer.html
Unfortunately, this is the only one I could find and its just a recording of a LCD screen showing it, but you get the idea.
I've worked on game development before, and pick up the tools and language very quickly. If you guys need any more help, I'd like to join jimbo in taking this up.
Also, on an unrelated note, I found the trailer for that new Lupin III movie, it's called 2008 Lupin III: Green Vs. Red, and torrents of the raw video have started to appear.
Here is the trailer:
http://www.crunchyroll.com/media-314188 ... ailer.html
Unfortunately, this is the only one I could find and its just a recording of a LCD screen showing it, but you get the idea.

Re: Current Project Status (English Screenshots & Trailers)
Man, I haven't really seen any of the newest Lupin movies. The animation is astounding! I'm a bit confused though, is it about Lupin clones, Lupin cyborgs, or something else?