Centering, Sounds, To-Do
I say this nearly every time, but since updates are every few days, it’s to be expected 😉 Only just a little more progress done, but it’s still worth mentioning anyway.
First, work on the enemy descriptions is still going, but it’s slow like I always mention. I’d like to try to finish them this week, just need lots of time and caffeine 😛
Next, I did a quick little hack to make the text-centering routine used by the sound player work correctly. It actually turns out this routine is used by other stuff, notably by the battle programming. Every time I hack the sound player, the more and more clear it is that the battle programmer(s) did the sound player programming too. Anyway, because of this shared routine business, I had to do a workaround to not make battles lock up. So now things look and act nicely.
Before 
After 
No! Don’t do what it says! 
After
It seems to work perfectly, but one time I got the “Now saving…” part to mess up its alignment. I’m not sure how I managed it, and it might’ve just been a result of the weird savestate I was using, so after lots of vain attempts to reproduce the bug, I’m gonna leave it as-is for now. It’s not a very important routine, and even if the “Now saving…” part does wind up to the left about 20 pixels on super rare occasions, it’ll still be readable. Maybe we’ll find out more during the final testing phase, too.
Anyway, this means we can mark another thing off the to-do list 😀
And speaking of the to-do list, I figured it was probably best to make an actual page for it that people can easily reference. So keep an eye on this page here. I’ll stick a link to it in the FAQ page too.
Most of the stuff left doesn’t involve stuff we don’t understand, which is a very good sign.
Also, while I’m at it, for your listening pleasure, I put up an MP3 of the two Japanese voice clips that we’ll be redoing in English eventually. One happens at a key event in the game, and the other is heard when using an ordinary item in battle.
Everyday things are looking better and better 🙂
My mother 3 senses were tingling.
AWESOME. YOU ARE AWESOME.
A WINNER IS YOU
Third…?
I wish I could understand that MP3 of the clips– but those KHz variance means a lot more to my ears and vocal pacing. 🙂
Very cool to have a ‘to do’ list that you can reference to everybody, as well as yourselves. A quick and easy way to show “this much is left” (Besides the ‘polishing’ step 8D).
And you understand everything that’s left– awesome 8)
Keep up the good work, and good luck with those translations.. There are a lot of enemies, eh? :/
Oh sweet. So how much is left of the game and when will it be released? I hope it gets out before Brawl!
I think I am more excited for this than Brawl.
hehe, so who’s voice is going to be in that translated sound?
thanks for the awesome, keep up the good job!
Personally, right now I’m thinking of having reid and Meeellla do the long clip that has two people talking at once, and then maybe have Plo do the last clip but modified to sound chipmunky like the original.
aww sweet, this looks sooo nice,
i’m in agreement, this is way more exciting than brawl.
don’t rush it tho, not that i would expect you to but i love the level of quality you guys are putting into it and i can’t wait to play it
I can’t hear anything from that MP3
Awesome – Guess I don’t need to keep updating my Mother 3 to-do list spreadsheet anymore!
Mato, did you guys (read “you and Jeffman”) already fix these two issues from the old to-do list?
“Make the game load enemy names from the abbreviated name list that I created, as that list is in 16-bit. Right now it loads from the 8-bit list and this makes certain names look like garbled gunk. Should be straightforward.”
and
“Fix some strange, rare bugs with the VWF that’s used for these name boxes.”
You guys are awesome for putting all this hard work into the fan translation.
Nintendo won’t allow it to come out here because they don’t think it will be profitable, yet you guys are working hard only because you’re dedicated fans.
Keep up the great work! I’m so thankful you’re putting all of this effort into this project!
Excellent. Just keep knocking off tasks from that big ol’ list. Soon you’ll have finished everything. Thanks for the daily updates. They’re fun to read.
Thanks so much for the work you all have put into this game.
It now seems realistic that I will be able to play Mother 3!
hold on, can you translate the clips? it sounds like the first one says “win this fight!” or something like that, but oh well, thats proof of my annoyingly bad hearing skills
Nice, can’t live without the little things. I love it, If it were me doing this I would’ve quit in like 3 hours. I bid you, A good day!!
I don’t think I like the idea of translating the clips, assuming that they aren’t really important to the story of the game. Sort of the difference between dubs/subs. I personally prefer subs 9/10 times. Would it be possible to add a subtitled translation? Or would that be even harder to do?
Yes! More beautiful progress! I don’t know how you manage to stick to the grindstone like this!
Question about the Gray Name box crap. Wouldn’t it be wiser to go ahead and use a different font than the main script? I personally think you can go ahead and plug Courier New or whatever into it. I think it’d look better.
Another gray name box. More on the hacking side. Try to help a noob understand. Is there anyway to “integrate” the boxes with the text? Is this what you’re already trying to do? Or am I way off? Just trying to throw stuff out, to help in anyway possible.
Keep it up! We love you all!
7ucky: The 8-bit hack I mentioned for the gray name boxes should encompass that enemy list thing from the old to-do list.
The rare name box VWF bug I haven’t gotten to happen anymore, but if it does turn up, it can be addressed in the testing phase.
shadowdeku: The first one is from an event in the game, and although it’s hardly a fun-killing spoiler of any kind, I’ll just stay quiet about it so you can hear it in English when playing the game and be like, “Ah, there it is!”
The second voice in there just says, “What’s that?!” when you use an item that tricks enemies into turning around.
NT: Argh, that’s the exact reason I put the clips up for download. These aren’t expertly acted out or anything. They’re basically sound effects with meaning. Subtitling “What’s that?!” when using an item is pretty ridiculous 😛
kalbtrombone: Getting the game to use a different 8×8 font for those gray boxes only would be way too much work for no benefit. Also, there’s no way to “plug in” fonts used by computers. Game fonts don’t work like that.
I’m not sure what you mean by your second question, though. We’re just trying to make those gray boxes look right and act right.
Damn you guys are good. You guys seriously deserve a break.
I can’t wait to play it, I’ve become obsessed with checking this site every few hours. I don’t even care if Brawl comes out before this anymore.
btw, did you ever name that snake? It’s really starting to get to me
Thx a lot, and I hope you can find enough caffeine lol
LOL, “Now Saving… Turn the power off”
lol, “No! Don’t do what it says!” hahahahh… i actually laughed out loud for like…. 3 seconds
Man, its really nice to hear you say that you’re happy with the way things are going… it makes us happy 🙂
and also, I can already think of a good javascript for practicing the sound thing…. but the thing is.. i have no clue how it even works… i mean.. i have an idea of course, but im not sure…..
i’ve never really played the Japanese version farther that point where you ended in that video of the first 10 mins playthrough
I’ve played the japanese version of ssbb and i can tell you I am way more pumped about mother 3 than any other game on the horizon. I called NOA today and passed along the word… the guy on the phone said he had gotten a lot of good calls… KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT! this is appreciated more than you know… 6 of my friends are looking forward to this even though none of us have ever posted. there are a lot more mother fans than the ones who post here.
What I’m getting at is trying to make the gray name boxes “extended font”. Trying to get the boxes to be one with the font. This way, the VWF is of the text is included in the boxes. Since it is assuming 8 pixels per character, maybe the method I’m trying to propose would work. Just an attempt to help.
I’m still not sure what you mean 🙁 But one of the goals is to make the gray box fit the text in the box snugly. Is that what you’re getting at?
Anyway, I did some preliminary tracing and found where the game determines how many 16-pixel gray box “sections” to use. This means we’re finally a step closer to getting the boxes to fit the text better 🙂
And where you found that section, you can get it to react to the VWF?
You are freaking amazing. FREAKIN AMAZING. I’m also loving the frequent updates.
Great job. I definitely like the idea of an updated to do list.
You guys deserve a medal! You are the things that gets me out of bed in the morning. 0_0 That’s unhealthy, but who cares?!
hey, just thinking out loud here, but do you guys have some sort of timeline that shows what you have accomplished within the past [insert amount of time here] when you began working on mother 3? you don’t have to do it, and it would probably look like a big mess, but i’d love to see what you’ve accomplished so far and (according to my neighbor who is a therapist) it also reduces the stress you guys are pouring into this project! he’s also a mother 3 fan, by the way, and he says hi and good job, as do I
Congratulations you’ve done a lot of work..but..I hope the rest of the stuff in the to do list is easy and short, start crossing out 8) lol! Have a good day
Thanks so much for putting such an incredible amount of work into this project. I love the frequent updates, and playing Mother 3 will fulfill a goal of mine that has been 13 years in the making…ever since I was drawn in by that oversized EB box on the store shelf.
Thanks again…
Just you guys know only for this hack I’m going to go all out and buy a rom cart just for this so i can play it on the go. even more so I’m going to try and find the mother3 gba micro just for this. Geez guys stop doing such a good job. geez.
jk
to anyone fretting over the sound clip:
When you get to the part where they voice sound clip, you’ll know exactly what they’re saying due to the context of the characters’ actions. The sound clip is just an “extra”, really. Not necessary to the story whatsoever.
Though if left untranslated, it’ll also mostly cause 90% of everyone to go “WTF was that…?” 😛
Hey, great job!
I was wondering though, do you mind answering questions in the comments section? I mean obviously the ones that get reasked all the time can be annoying. I was just curious cause I’m always reading what people ask, and think its neat you take the time to answer them.
Either way I appreciate it, you’re doing a great job!
So what is being said in those sound clips? Or is that spoiler territory?
HA HA, it was already answered. WHOOPS.
shadowdeku: Not really, this blog itself is a timeline. The project pretty much started from complete scratch around June (or was it July?) of last year, right around the time this blog began.
Spam Man Deluxe: Nah, comments are allowed here for a reason, after all 😉 It did get really tiring having to always answer about estimated release dates and percentage and all that, but most everything else is fine. I was hoping for this level of openness from the start, but doing so would’ve caused ever-so-fun e-drama, so this is one reason I’m glad the merge happened.
Hey Mato I went to buy a copy of M3 through the link in the faq, but it appears that they are out of stock. Do you know if they will get more?
Yeah, they’ve been out for a little while. I dunno if they’ll get more or not, you could always ask them, I think they have forms/e-mail addresses where you can ask questions like that.
I’ve seen it elsewhere, like at ncsx.com but for way too much.
Glad to hear people here are still buying (or wanting to buy) the Japanese release though 🙂
Wow. You’re actually going to add english audio to the game? WOW. Thanks
;_; that to-do list makes me cry. Im never going to get to play this game am I? I know youre working hard, but its just not fast enough. How about recruiting some more people so it doesnt take a century?
When the translation will be complete will the title say
“Mother 3” or “Earthbound 2”?
Just curios
Good job pal! All of use Mother 3 fans are right behind you cheering you on! Keep up the great work!
Another step towards your goal.
Wow, I seriously laughed at that “Now saving… turn off the power.” screen, nice caption!
A to-do list? This is incredible. You might not be able to give us a release date, or a completion percentage, but this is the closest thing to it! In fact, if an accurate difficulty rating for each task could be given, a percentage of completion actually could be given.
I’m hoping that by completing one task on the list, the solution for that will lead to the solution for other tasks. I’m gonna keep my eye on this list…
Anon: “;_; that to-do list makes me cry. Im never going to get to play this game am I? I know youre working hard, but its just not fast enough. How about recruiting some more people so it doesnt take a century?”
Err… From the looks of things, Tomato and Jeffman might have it done around this year or the next… You don’t have to cry except if you’re going to die soon…
I think it might be done before next year…
(a reply for Mikey)
I hope too it will be called Earthbound 2(Like I posted a comment before)
Take a look:
JAPAN:Mother(1),Mother 2, Mother 3(this one)
US:Earthbound Zero, Earthbound and Earthbound 2(Name it like this plz)
EU:NONE!!! O_O(yes, I live here…only emulator use unless it gets to Wii Virtual Console.)
The point is I want it in number order like in the japanese versions and to match it on starmen.net.
anon, I’m sorry you can’t wait any longer. But if you compare the current to-do list with this one from just a few weeks ago, you’ll see a LOT has been done. To me, the to-do list is looking slimmer every day.
Anyway, I made the menu patch for people like you, so give that a try if you can’t wait.
Your stamina is inspiring, you have the discipline and determination of 3 men! I love you.
HA! I don’t have to worry about the sound clip, I’m learning Japanese! Obviously, I don’t know enough yet, though, or I’d be playing it already… :/
Anyway, keep goin! I’m sure you can do it before next year!
Another font thing, lemme know what you guys think.
http://tomato.fobby.net/junk/fpics3/g1.png
http://tomato.fobby.net/junk/fpics3/g2.png
Which lowercase 8×8 “g” do you prefer? g1 is what we have now, g2 is more like the original font but also looks like an 8.
😀 From what I noticed in the prior update with the load of pictures in response to someone’s complaint, Tomato cures nausea! SMAAAAAASH!! The apostrophe has been tamed!
I like g1
I definetely laughed at the image where it said to “turn off the power”
I believe the second voice clip is from an item is it not?
that arrow thing that may make monsters turn back, right?
I like the g1 image more. Easier to read.
g1. the other one looks weird
actually, the earthbound 2 thing would be a (VERY INDIRECT) insult to nintendo, like naming mother 1 earthbound zero. what will be VERY interesting is what happens if (and that’s a pretty BIG if) nintendo releases mother 1 on the virtual console.
g1, ftw. Thanks for asking for our input tomato!
ME WANTZ MOTHER 3!!! Yeah. Looks like you’ve still got a buttload of stuff to do on the list. Oh well, we’ll wait.
Hey Mato,
I’ve been following the project for a while, before the merge even. Great to see things are progressing well!
I own a professional recording studio and I’d be more than willing to record the voice clips posted and anything else you might need.
Feel free to get in contact with me at any point. I know things are busy, but I’ve been trying to figure out a way to contribute, and this opportunity presented itself. Let me know.
nishmaster AT gmail DOT com
Such a hard worker! I hope you can manage to get enough sleep in between.
THANKS SO MUCH!
I beat mother 3 tonight, it was phenomenal. Cant wait to beat it in ENGLISH BABY! Keep on keeping on guys. Thanks for everything!
As for the 1 pixel in the lowercase g, I prefer the first font to the second.
Funny, huh? I bet if NOA had translated it, they wouldn’t care about the game so much that they worry over 1 pixel changes to fonts, so really, we’re all much better off that you guys are doing it and they’re not, simply because you’ll do a much better job 🙂
I like g1, it’s a bit easier to read and identify compared to g2.