A veteran TL suggests a Kickstarter to fund a fan translation

[Steve]

Also, my ballpark estimate for the typical localization costs of a decent VN are ~$25,000-$50,000 (based on some numbers Mangagamer has thrown out). $2500 only covers the slave labor salary of the translation team. Even if the project succeeds, it remains to be seen whether a Kickstarter campaign could raise the necessary funds for a licensed translation.

there would be no need for license if the company making the KS for the translation is the license holder (so the dev). And that would be most of the cost probably, fan translators wouldn't ask for that much money to do what they like.

Everything is in the communication and good relations.

[sanahtlig]

The "developer Kickstarter translation" with a small budget would only work if the developer required the original game to be purchased. As Japanese prices are generally more expensive, that wouldn't go over well with Western fans.

[RusAnon]

Project was C&Ded, http://www.kickstarter.com/dmca/romanesque-translation-project-submitted-by-monoch

Not really surprising, considering how many fantlers were butthurt in regards to Adoruc's "greed"©.

[Widi]

what daa fuuq they got terminated then about the money they're funded is gone too

[RusAnon]

what daa fuuq they got terminated then about the money they're funded is gone too :o/>

KS charges users only when fundraising is finished, so there was no money yet.

[Metaler]

I'm not surprised about the outcome. He contacted the developers AND was asking for money for the translation. From a capitalist standpoint, the result was very much expected.

However, I wonder when VN developers will drop their paranoia towards the other side of the globe. They're like a parody of the modern individual: always living like there's some absolute evil lurking in the shadows, ready to eat you alive should you let your guard down for a single moment.

[Steve]

Evil wins again

[Tief Blau]

Aaeru, you may want to update the banner now that the kickstarter has been suspended.

[Kendjin]

Wow, that was really quick O.o

Its a shame they don't see the money that people donated and realize that is lost revenue if they'd just release it overseas.

[Guest]

sorry ive been away. updating now

[sanahtlig]

Welp, this just got license grabbed by JAST USA.

Hurray for intellectual tyranny!