Any interest in custom story with foreign language narration? + approach

[Slith]

I remember reading that some players of amnesia though it would be nice to have Swedish or some other scandinavian language during the narrations in Amnesia. I thought I'd just check if the interest is still there and your guys opinion on how it could work.

One of the definate pros of doing it in my native language (Norwegian) is the probability of greatly improved acting. But I'm also concerned about how it would be experienced by someone who doesn't speak the language. I'd just like to know your guys opinion

(If possible it could be cool to give the player the option pre-hand (english voice + english text, norwegian voice + english text or norwegian voice + norwegian text for norwegians If anyone knows how to do this, let me know )

Of course the story would be set in Norway

[graykin]

I remember playing a mod for Half-Life 2 called "Ravenholm," where the developers were from the Czech Republic. All of the narration was in Czech, but it included English subtitles (the translations contained many spelling and grammatical errors, but was very much understandable).

Of course, modding for Half-Life is entirely different from modding for Amnesia. In Half-Life, the main mechanic revolves around shooting things, and can be enjoyed universally, whereas Amnesia is mainly about the storytelling (and horror), and the communicating of ideas to the player. If the player can't understand you, then he can't have as much fun with it.

In my opinion, you should do whatever you see fit. If doing narration in Norwegian is easier for you to get your ideas across, then go for it. If you feel that doing narration in English will expand your target audience, at the cost of dulling the imagery and meaning of your words, then that should be entirely your decision.

I voted Norwegian voice with English subtitles, because I personally would like to be able to enjoy your mod, but you should do whatever is reasonable to you.

[Pandemoneus]

Nothing more to add.

[Hannibal]

Quote:Nothing more to add.

Ditto.

[sTiKy]

The best part about voice recording in a language foreign to English is that you can mask poor quality voice actors, since it's harder for us to understand the subtleties of the language. So I'd say unless you have top notch English voice actors stick with your native tongue.

[HakePT]

As long as the voices sound authentic sure. Its supposed to be a medieval castle/remote village type scenario so non-English voices are expected, and can even add to the immersion making the player really feel he is in that place.

Just make sure to have good voice actors English or not.
Bad voice acting in a horror game is like bad food at a restaurant.

[Scraper]

I voted for the english.

(09-30-2010 09:16 AM)HakePT Wrote:  Bad voice acting in a horror game is like bad food at a restaurant.

Bad voice acting in every game is bad thing. (My opinion)

[kuato]

bad voice acting in games is like stuff in a thing that is always full of stuff

[Slith]

Thank you so much for the response so far

I think I'll give Norwegian narrations a go. Making short movies, etc. at an amateur basis might give me an upper hand when instructing voice actors. But please keep opinions coming inn! Either to strenghten or change my opinion And in any case, if I get too many complaints I will definately do it the other way around. I'll already have a ready script anyways, having to write the translation in the notes

[HakePT]

(09-30-2010 11:14 AM)Scraper Wrote:  I voted for the english.

(09-30-2010 09:16 AM)HakePT Wrote:  Bad voice acting in a horror game is like bad food at a restaurant.

Bad voice acting in every game is bad thing. (My opinion)

Yeah but in a hack and slash game voice acting isn't that important. Horror games live or die by immersion making the player feel he/she is there.
If Daniel said: "ho look monster! good idea to hide before he claws my face!" the game wouldn't be scary.
Hence why i call the monster's Mr Shambles! now 30% less scary.