Zoids

[ChrisRPG]

Well I know its not alot for you who want the game done in english. But In my frustration with one major item for dq12 that wasnt working, I took some time to try to do some more research on Zoids GBA. I have found where the fonts are, thank god they are not compressed. Just weird how top half of the letter is a distance from the bottom half of the letter. But its still easy to deal with. It already has an english font in it that can be used, and it uses the same fonts for menus and dialogue. Which is all good news, until the day comes that I can really hack the GBA system, and do a Variable Width Font. Which the game does not have right now. I have also found quite a few menus already, and they are not compressed either, which is really good news. I hate compression if you cant tell already. Although when the English scripts are reinserted *( a ways off from now) I may have to implement some type of compression depending on how much space I can find in the rom. And If it can be expanded or not. Its already 8 MBs though, so expansion is not preferable. I started a basic table file, that only has the english part in it right now. The Japanese wont be so fun, because it has Kanji which is very hard to make out when 1 half is split up from the other and placed somewhere else in the rom. That will be the next step, completeing the Kanji and the rest of the Japanese in the table file. Then from there with that file, Ill be able to search out the dialogue, and do some tracing to see if it is compressed or what not. I know Its not a lot of progress, but some none the less. *http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Kanji? Hmm That sound familar. Which conji of Japanese is being used. I am not sure if the people in my school learn that or the one that starts with a "K" Kami or something like that. In anycase I have the Zoids rom all i need is some dumping FAQ's and a dumping Utility that is compatible with a GBA rom and I'll be set. Heh though I might fail many times I am determined to help with the progress in any way I can. I am a big Mechs Fan.



Last edited by SSJ2 Vegeta at June 10 2002,19:00

[brightman]

The three types of Japanese writing:

"Kana" types: Basic phonetic alphabets of the japanese language. Two types:

"Hiragana": Basically what the Japanese language uses as the foundation. The most common words and sounds, etc. uses these characters. They are characterized by simplistic curve and wavy lines, no straight lines.

"Katakana": What the Japanese use to represent foreign words and languages. Instead of using "Romanji" which is the Roman alphabet, they use their own system to convey these sounds. They are simplistic looking, but generally more upright and have straight lines, more angular.

"Kanji" type: These are the Japanese characters that Japan borrowed from China. They generally look extremely complicated, and may look more upright compared to hiragana. They are more or less the same or are simplified versions of Chinese words. Most of these can be replaced by multiple Hiragana characters, but the educated in Japan tend to know thousands of these characters.


That's my simple Japanese lesson. Note that I don't know jack about any particular Japanese words (I recognize one or two kana characters), but I actually learned that stuff on my own.



Last edited by brightman at June 10 2002,22:11

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Kana was the name. Heh thanks for the lesson Brightman. Its not suprising that the one the Japanese took kinda from the Chinesse was complicated. The Chinesse language has over 2000 characters or somethin like that. Each character conveys idea not letter

[brightman]

Yup, I forgot to mention that. Kanji is like Chinese in that each character conveys an idea instead of a sound. And I heard there were more than 20,000 Chinese characters. Sheesh, does anyone actually know all that?

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

People work all their lives to know all of it. A LIFETIME TO LEARN TO WRITE! heh good thing these roms arent in Chinesse



Last edited by SSJ2 Vegeta at June 10 2002,19:27

[ChrisRPG]

Well the game is just loaded with kanji. So you wont be able to dump the script until each and every one is identified and given a hexidecimal value that the game uses to call them in a table file. That is not an easy or fast process. Especially when they are split in 2. You have to make sure you are peicing together the right halves to identify, otherwise the scripts will be translated with errors because some kanji may not be right. I dont have the time right now to even start this process. But soon I will, I think it'll be better to just hold off on translating any script until I can get the time to properly make the table and dump the scripts. Luckily Arch Demon, my partner in DQ12 hacking now, is very good at identifying Kanji, So Im sure he'd be willing to help with it too. But weve got dq12 to release in English first. It may be another few months till it can be done right.. You never know with these games. A translation that isnt accurate or properly done is not something I want to do, just to get it done fast. Lets do it right and have something to be proud of in the end. *http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Reina]

That probably why most bootleg games in china have english script instead of chinese script...

And it is alot for me who want the game done in English... it may "look" like it's just a tiny step but to me it's a mile drive in developement succes...

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Would this site have any success if it didnt make good translations? Hey is there anything that needs to be translated from Korean? I know this guy who might be able to help with that.

[brightman]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (SSJ2 Vegeta @ June 10 2002,22:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Would this site have any success if it didnt make good translations? Hey is there anything that needs to be translated from Korean? I know this guy who might be able to help with that.[/b][/quote]
Don't know of any Korean made console games that need translating, but I think there are PC ones.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

PC? Wouldnt &nbsp;that be harder than Roms. I see PC games having more variables to isolate. Roms and Console games dont have as many I think

[Cero]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (brightman @ June 11 2002,04:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (SSJ2 Vegeta @ June 10 2002,22:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Would this site have any success if it didnt make good translations? Hey is there anything that needs to be translated from Korean? I know this guy who might be able to help with that.[/b][/quote]
Don't know of any Korean made console games that need translating, but I think there are PC ones.[/b][/quote]
Yeah, Like Ragnarok Online Beta 2 http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

When was part 2 released?Part one looked good but would crash before i even started playing.

[Cero]

It was released a while ago in Japan + Korea. Its been on beta test there for sometime. Updates include lvl3 jobs (IE, Swordsman can become a Knight), More Items, More monsters, More areas and a new scan that detects and kills bots.

[brightman]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (SSJ2 Vegeta @ June 11 2002,16:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">PC? Wouldnt *that be harder than Roms. I see PC games having more variables to isolate. Roms and Console games dont have as many I think[/b][/quote]
Well for PC games, some of them are easier to do because PC games have multiple files and even the assembly language for PC is the most widely known.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (brightman @ June 11 2002,14:36)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (SSJ2 Vegeta @ June 11 2002,16:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">PC? Wouldnt *that be harder than Roms. I see PC games having more variables to isolate. Roms and Console games dont have as many I think[/b][/quote]
Well for PC games, some of them are easier to do because PC games have multiple files and even the assembly language for PC is the most widely known.[/b][/quote]
Hey I just realized that. But what if the files are hidden? Then what. Some files just climb into folders unnoticed &nbsp;http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cwm40.gif

[brightman]

You can "view all hidden files".

But I know what you mean, sometimes files are compressed into a single archive. In that case you have to crack the compression algorithm.



Last edited by brightman at June 11 2002,21:43

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

HOw can u view hidden files? I have been trying to find that out for awhile.

[brightman]

Which OS?

On most of them it's View->Options on an opened folder. There should be an option to view hidden files on one of the tabs.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Dont u have to go into Registry?

[brightman]

uhh... No way.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

hmm that sounds funny because that is what everyone single person told me to do. though ur method worked i find it suprising

[ChrisRPG]

Hey I have some more great news! I found some dialogue finally, and it is not compressed. Now hopefully it is not as weirdly programmed as dq12 is, and have different text routines. So, that would mean if it uses the same text routines everywhere, that the dialogue is not compressed, which would allow me to dump it a lot quicker. I wouldnt have to crack a compression routine. Now I go back dq12. http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[brightman]

Cool... Another popular game is about to be done http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Heh One almost down 12 Million left to g

[ChrisRPG]

I guess the more experience I get the faster I will get. I have never hacked a GBA game before. But its not all that different. I still have to examine how GBA memory works, and what types of pointers are used in the game. Im even looking forward to this game. Something different than the usual RPG. I am trying to expand my hacking to several different game systems. Any suggestions for a sega genisis, or game gear game that needs translating?

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Hey is Snatcher on any other Console except Sega Cd?

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Ok Getting back to Zoids for a Minute. Lemme Just ask this. What is the Best Zoid?

[ChrisRPG]

Today while I was waiting to get archs files for dq1, I did some more work on Zoids. let me just say this font is so hard to see in any graphics viewers. I tried them all. Looks like Ill have to trace the code to see how the fonts are diplayed on screen, and find a way to code my own font dumper and font editor for the vwf. Which means that I will have to spend more time on my c/c++ skills, which are little to none as of now. The way they stand now, I can barely tell that is actually a font. The Kanji is the problem, so small squished into a width of 8. With so many strokes in them, Ill have to do this to be able to make a proper Kanji table. So This will be the first big step, which I will begin immediately after the releases of DQ12. Along with font work for Slayers RPG/(Which by the way has just as weird of a font... Its variable height I think which makes it look very funny in any graphics veiwers also because they dont support variable height.) I still have not found any compressed text yet in Zoids, so keep your fingers crossed on that, because if I did it would take much longer for me to be able to dump the scripts. *http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

I'll see if anyone has any compressed text for it but It might take awhile. If you need help with hacking GBA roms get in contact with the people who make the emulators. They might be able to tell you something.

[ChrisRPG]

No need to try to find any scripts from the game that are compressed. I really dont think they are. That is a good thing trust me. Because it would take me a while to code a decompressor, and recompressor and insertor. And I have been studying up on tech info of the arm processor that the GBA uses and its asm(arm and thumb) along with the x86 asm for wsc. Its pretty easy to understand once you know one assembly language because you know the basic concepts of assembly programming. You just have to learn the different instruction set for each processor and how that processor works its memory, addressing, *and other things. I wish I had the amount of registers to work with in the snes as I do in GBA! Ive found some pointers too already for menus, and they are 32 bit an address and a bank right after, very nice(This will make moving things around much easier.)!I also got an assembler for the system, so I can really hack the game. I am learning how to use it right now. The hard thing is the fonts are so small and squished, *I sought help to identify the Kanji. I found someone, and work will begin soon on that.
And most emu people or really good hackers wont really help you out with info unless you at first try yourself. So I will try on my own first before I contact any emu authors. hopefully soon Ill have a screenshot or 2. *http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Ah Yes Things are looking up. Man I really wish i could help on that game but those FAQ's make little sense to me. Maybe I should take C++ Classes or something. Anyway when this is finished I would like to post your website on one of my new ones as a great Translation Page with ur OK of course. &nbsp;http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cwm12.gif

[brightman]

Hmm... I can assure you that C++ is not needed in most rom hacking.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Then what form of data computing or computer skills are?

[ChrisRPG]

basic rom hacking doesnt require any programming skills. Just know how to use binary, and hexidecimal numbering systems. Which are really pretty easy. And if you want to do more advanced hacking, then you should know Assembly programming. Once you know one asssembly language, you can learn other assembly languages for different processors rather easily. This is needed to move entire blocks of text, make words longer in some cases(because the japanese can say a lot more in a lot less number of characters), and other advanced things.

I forgot... The only reason you would want to know c/c++ or other pc programming languages is so that you can make your own programs to take the text out of a game, insert text back into the game, edit the fonts, etc when the tools that are available already to the public dont accomplish exactly what you need done. Like dumping a whole games text with the begining address of each string before the string. None of the public programs that i know of can accomplish this very well. Or decompressing a games font that is compressed. Those are just examples of why I am learning it myself. There are more reasons too. http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Hey I will would really like to contribute on this Zoids project but as u know I cant make heads or tails of those FAQs. I have some Hex programs already and I have the game. If someone can send me a Very easy FAQ or give me some pointers I would be very helpful Heh And who here knows any Binary code? &nbsp; http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cwm40.gif

[brightman]

Here's a binary/hexidecimal/base-10 converter

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Heh thanks Brightman

[brightman]

No problem. I don't know why ikonboard called the file an OCTET stream tho * http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cwm13.gif



Last edited by brightman at June 21 2002,20:08

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

what is an OCET Stream?

[brightman]

My guess is its some kinda multimedia stream (based on the picture of Quicktime)

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Why would it confuse that file with a Media of somekind. strange.... Anyway I have an Idea that may get this messageboard hot heh. Why doesnt everyone say what their favorite Zoid is. I have been playing the game and have uncoevred that all my favorite zoids are there. Iron Kongs. I think i even saw a Leiger Zero or some Ultimate X. I think Chris knows what I am talking about heh. Anyway Tell us whats UR Favorite Zoid! http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cwm12.gif

[ChrisRPG]

This is what I mean by what the font looks like in a graphics editor. Its a huge mess
http://rpgone.emuxhaven.net/zoidssaga/zoid.jpg
Needless to say I have to come up with a better way to view the font so I can have an accurate table.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Hey why does that look like a Square farm. Why would it look like that



Last edited by SSJ2 Vegeta at June 22 2002,22:11

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Hey when Zoids is Ready for Testing I wanna be the first to test it. Heh

[brightman]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (SSJ2 Vegeta @ June 24 2002,16:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hey when Zoids is Ready for Testing I wanna be the first to test it. Heh[/b][/quote]
It'll be a while. Don't hold your breath.

[ChrisRPG]

Thats funny... http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *You never know though. I have been working on it, just not as much as dq12. Of course now that almost all major bugs and programming issues are taken care of, I have more time to do other things. So Zoids is high on that list, and Slayers. You should soon see slow but steady progress on it. And Ill be sure to post updates, and screenshots as I go. As will brightman Im sure. http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Oh oh oh! I forgot to tell you all I found a way to identify the fonts, its much too long and detailed to describe here. But it will work anyway, I should be able to get a complete and accurate table now, thanks to a few of my magic tricks. And I wont have to code my own graphics viewer/font editor either. hehe http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Magic tricks eh What are you guys the Merlins of Rom hacking heh. Good Luck on those Projects guys heh

[Brawler51]

Hello. Hey I definitely agree with SSJ2 Vegeta with that the tutorials are too confusing. Well I was wondering If I could assist you with Zoids Saga. I dont speak Japanese but I think I can help with gathering resources to translate the storyline and menus. I was wondering what programs are you using with the gba translation and If I could download, or you can e-mail them to me.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

ah it appears we have another zoids fan heh. I also would like to know the tools that you use &nbsp; I also would like to know how I can help with the project.

[brightman]

Well, just reading faqs is not the way to go, you need to experiment as well. Just download a simple NES rom and start messing around with it to see what you can do (based on some of the simpler instructions in the faqs that you happen to understand).

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

NES roms huh. Hmm Sounds fun.

[ChrisRPG]

Let me just add too for others... I wont be needing any help hacking, its just that I have to make sure it is done accurately. And that involves time. This isnt anything you can just do over night. It takes a while to build your skills especially if you have to do programming for the system your'e hacking, something I try to do as often as I can, and I still have a long way to go. But other non hacking things, like artwork, storylines, faqs, screen shots, links to other zoids sites etc will be needed for the zoids project page. As soon as I can I will have the scripts dumped and be looking for a translator, but its generally not good to look for a translator unless you have the text in a file to send to them first. This will take some time, as the fonts are a mess, and I have to do tricks to be able to make an accurate table file to get an accurate script dump.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

oh I understand Chris. Heh Sorry if putting and pressure on ya about this project.

[ChrisRPG]

Oh no wasnt directed at you SSJ2... Just for all the people that keep wanting to hack the game. That keep popping up. its not easy to just pick up hacking if you are going to do a quality project. I was just telling the people that want to start hacking. You have to start off slow, and start off easy, or youll get very frustrated. Nes is a good starter or gb. I have about 10 % of the Kanji identified now. only 90 to go hehe. &nbsp;http://www.emuxhaven.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Brawler51]

I wondering if you had a specific faq in mind becasue most are hard to understand because their rom references and site references no longer exist. Sorry If I was interrupting your forum but i'm very interested in helping with Zoids Saga.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Ah it appears that you have started a project that is showing that is bringing out the Zeal of people eh Chris. Heh

[Brawler51]

What's that supposed to mean

Nevermind



Last edited by Brawler51 at June 25 2002,21:52

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

Zeal? Zeal is something that a person get a strong passion or desire an objective. A Great Passion actually. In this case you Brawler are showing your Zeal for the Zoids Saga project Heh

[ChrisRPG]

I will try to have a couple screenshots this weekend.

[SSJ2 Vegeta]

<font color='#000000'>Take your Time Chris No need to rush</font>

[Zeke_D]

<font color='#000000'>actually if you want to start, i believe the precursor for learning to hack rome, is PAR/GG creation. it gives the very basics on how hex and replacement works. Tony Hedstrom did some great SNES and Nintendo faqs. i believe his site has the word 'codehut' in it.


"application/octet-stream" is a generic type that just means that the program couldn't set a better content-type.</font>

[ChrisRPG]

<font color='#000000'>That is very good advice, because knowing how the memory works for the system you are hacking is very important too, and something I forget to mention. Thanks Zeke_D for that advice. Another very important thing is to learn about the hardware and how it works with software. But really only needed for your more advanced things.</font>