GBA Napoleon Translation
by Nebelwurfer
As my second project, I decided to translate the GBA Napoleon
real-time strategy game. This was originally released in Japan
and recently released in a French translation. My efforts will
be directed at translating the French version into English.
From what little I have played so far, this strikes me as a
very light "beer and pretzels" wargame that can be enjoyed by a
wide audience. In fact, the unit types seem to indicate that
history soon falls by the wayside, and you begin directing fantasy
type units against... well you'll just have to play to see.
Here's some screenshots. The graphics are really nice for a
GBA title.
May 22, 2003
I don't have enough translated yet to bother with a patch.
I'll probably release one when I have the tutorial and
the first couple of campaign scenarios done. With my
current heavy work schedule this could be 2 weeks or
2 months.
June 13, 2003
I have translated the text for the first four campaign
scenarios. It's enough to give you a feel for the game.
You should be able to tell by then whether you like it or
not.
The patch ZIP file also includes the utility I wrote to
help me to overwrite the French text in the game with
my English translation. Instructions on how to use it
are included in the patch Readme file.
July 25, 2003
The text for scenarios through Chapter 8 has been translated.
The latest translated scenarios introduce naval units to the
game. There are over 30 chapters in all, so I still have
a long way to go. The newest patch archive file only contains
the patch itself, not the text insertion utility. I estimate
that the translation effort is 15% complete.
August 6, 2003
Scenarios up to Chapter 12 have now been translated. More
powerful artillery units are introduced to the game. Napoleon
runs wild in Egypt, eventually storming the Great Pyramid and
finding more than he bargained for. I'm estimating that the
translation effort is 20% complete.
August 20, 2003
Scenarios up to Chapter 16 have now been translated. The 2nd
of 7 flashback scenarios has been translated as well. I'm
estimating that the translation effort is 25% complete
November 7, 2003
Scenarios up to Chapter 20 have now been translated. I'm
estimating that the translation effort is 30% complete.
Napoleon is forced to travel to Iraq to try to stem the tide of
paranormal activity. Many new unit types are introduced.
December 18, 2006
All 30 Campaign scenarios and 7 flashback scenarios have been translated. This effectively allows the campaign to be played all the way to completion. I'm estimating that the translation effort is 50% complete.
Quick Combat mode and Mini-game mode remain untranslated. Also
numerous in game dialog text such as commander's reactions to experience point distribution between scenarios remains untranslated.
However the campaign is certainly playable at this point, and that is
all that I set out to do. Other projects beckon. I will probably not
revist Napoleon again. If you really want to complete the translation, you can make use of the text insertion tool that I include with the patch file.
Its been a long haul. I hope somebody gets some enjoyment out of this patch.
