Roleplayers set the standards we strive for
Finally! The wretched dwarf slain, his Fiery Axe of Demolition stashed safely in the sack of plunder. Rhuman, the good-hearted warlock, returned to the quest giver to claim his prize.
“O mighty prince, here is the axe you desired,” he said, his hands still trembling from the battle.
“Thanks man, that’s great, here is you’re reward, cu soon.”
Immersion has been a buzzword of the gaming industry for a long time. Yet, long before developers, designers and translators discussed the importance of making the gamer forget that he or she is sitting in front of a screen, roleplayers wanted exactly that – to be the character and close the forth wall tightly around themselves.
The active roleplayer accounts for only a small fraction of the MMO player base. Market leader World of Warcraft designates only 10% of its US servers ‘RP’ and not every player on these realms actually roleplays. Why should we translators cater to such a small group of players which is so difficult to satisfy?
Even though roleplayers appear as a tight-knit group, their effect on the rest of the community should not be underestimated. Roleplayers create content beyond the backstories of their characters and beyond the borders and control of the game. Fanfic, comics, machinima, fanart: roleplayers are creative and know how to express themselves. They constitute an authority in the community. They are disseminators. They are the highest common denominator and with that, exactly who we should aim for when localizing a video game. If we, as localizers, pass the test of the roleplayers, we have successfully transported a game from one language into another.
Hi Patrick,
Can you recommend a good starter game for someone trying out roleplays for the first time?
Thanks! Your help is much appreciated (as always).
There are two games I usually recommend, depending on what rocks your roleplaying boat. Both games are somewhat old now, but still very enjoyable.
1.The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is set in a typical fantasy setting and played from a first person perspective. Huge game, non-linear, weeks and weeks of fun.
2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is great if you like light sabers and a more traditional D&D approach to roleplaying.
Patrick