Temple of The Roguelike Forums

Development => Programming => Topic started by: King Ink on September 18, 2013, 08:39:24 PM

Title: dialect in the textbox
Post by: King Ink on September 18, 2013, 08:39:24 PM

in most rogue-likes the text crawl is in proper English(or something attempting to be that.

would it be annoying to have it in in-game dialect?

example my game goblintown.

"the troll hits you in the head for  20 hp" <-rpg english
vs
"Da troll conks yer noggin fer a pony" <-goblin dialect

thoughts, feelings, requests to shut up?
-Jake

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: Quendus on September 18, 2013, 09:21:52 PM

Give it a try, see how it turns out. I think the most important thing is to keep the style consistent within each game.

Dungeons of Dredmor uses some unusual language in its messages and descriptions, but it doesn't go as far as what you're proposing. You can see some examples on youtube.

Looking forward to more Anchorites music :)

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: Samildanach on September 18, 2013, 10:43:08 PM

I think it was Swift Swurd that did something like this. All the game text was in a dialect that reads to me like some form of Scots English. In practice it's really just a novelty, but I think it's important to make sure that this sort of 'flavour' doesn't get in the way of understanding what's going on.

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: Quendus on September 18, 2013, 11:44:19 PM

Oh yeah, that was a 7 day roguelike from this year. Game Hunter played it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLeKyVcXXtU
He got really confused by the Scottish dialect words and spellings, which are easier to read if you have previous experience with them.

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: Azathotep on September 19, 2013, 12:09:05 AM

cockney goblins? (although I just looked up pony, is 25)

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: guest509 on September 19, 2013, 02:12:22 AM

The trick is to have just enough for flavor, but not enough to confuse. Check out Swift Swurd, it had this and it confused most people. I think if he scaled it back just a touch it would have been wonderful.

It's a tough balance really.

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: King Ink on September 19, 2013, 01:57:47 PM

Quote from: Quendus on September 18, 2013, 09:21:52 PM

Looking forward to more Anchorites music :)

you are prolly the only one I am trying to get richard there  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBvrFTVV97k)to do the sound track to Goblin Men. If he does not you may hear some more Anchorites.

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: Quendus on September 19, 2013, 02:40:18 PM

Either one would make a great soundtrack. Or both.

Title: Re: dialect in the textbox
Post by: King Ink on September 19, 2013, 03:02:52 PM

Quote from: Azathotep on September 19, 2013, 12:09:05 AM

cockney goblins? (although I just looked up pony, is 25)

right right I see this could be trouble.