Dracula X and YS IV English Manuals

[Bernie]

I have actually been talking with this guy for a bit now, and although I have not seen receipts, I have to believe him when he says he is not making much if anything off of these.  The manuals aren't being done in house, but at a shop, so there is a lot of cost right there.  By the time you get say 5 or 10 done, and pick them up you have spent a bit in time, gasoline, and material.  Ink for a decent printer for inserts and the discs is freaking high as well, we all know that.  To top it off, the discs he are using are some high quality blanks, not the crappy ones you find in an everyday Wal-Fart.  I even spoke to him about just printing the labels on blank discs, and allowing the buyer to burn their own game.  We all know, that is NOT the best idea.  It will happen, someone will attempt to burn a game and create a coaster, and now we have a wasted beautiful piece of shit that won't do anything.  Anyone here that has burned one ( see what I done there ), knows it happens.  Basically, you are't paying for the game itself, but the art and inserts along with the physical media.  The burned game is actually a service to the buyer.  Not only are they burned, but are tested in an actual Duo before he prints the labels on them.  I for one think this is an excellent idea.  I myself am fairly good at burning the games, and playing them in my own hardware....but do I want to buy the package, along with a blank CD-R with a nice looking label, and take the chance on fudging it?    Not really.. 

I guess I am trying to say, I don't see an issue with paying guy A, for creating something that guy B cannot, even it is does mean Mr. A makes a few bucks off it.  This guy is pretty down to Earth, and I truly believe what he is saying.  Some people don't give two shits if their CD-R has sharpie on it, or a printed sticker label, and to be honest with you all I don't either, but these really do look good.  For those folks, they don't have to actually get the disc.  I am willing to bet, the price would reflect that.

[esteban]

But esteban, awhile ago in this thread you said that if he were to sell everything but the burned CD, that would be ok. Why exactly? I'm just curious.

Hypothetically, if $45 really is at cost (which i doubt) AND (hypothetically again) he got the consent from the translators for say, Ys IV, would that be ok? Does the issue lie with the fact that it's someone's translation-work being "manufactured", hence taking away their efforts to provide a free English patch? Or does the issue arise when you throw in the aspect of this price debacle (charging too much) which has not been sorted out?

Hope I'm not beating a dead horse, I just want to understand this. I guess if anything I'll get sparky's Ys IV manual when i get the MC box. 

Oh, it's simple.

If he removes the CD-R, then $45 is for the printed paper manual/insert materials only—folks can decide for themselves if $45 is worth it.

Now, upon doing this, I told Brasppppp I would still have issue with his price.

But I feel a lot better with folks paying $_____ for the work Braaap actually completed himself (manual+insert).

I always had two grievances against Brraapp:

(1) including the CD-R
(2) his price

He can make my first grievance disappear immediately.

He can see if folks are willing to pay $45 without the game.

I have suggested that he knows $45 for paper alone is a tough sell, which is why I suspect he includes the CD-R.

[esteban]

I guess I am trying to say, I don't see an issue with paying guy A, for creating something that guy B cannot, even it is does mean Mr. A makes a few bucks off it.  This guy is pretty down to Earth, and I truly believe what he is saying.  Some people don't give two shits if their CD-R has sharpie on it, or a printed sticker label, and to be honest with you all I don't either, but these really do look good.  For those folks, they don't have to actually get the disc.  I am willing to bet, the price would reflect that.

I love you Bernie

I agree about the design/quality. I have stated that everything looks nice.

Also, I agree about the impractical nature of selling blank media with design on it (except I wouldn't use a bad burn as a coaster, I'd put it in a frame).

However, Brraaaapp can avoid all of this by simply following what Sparky does: Sparky doesn't deal with the games themselves (HuCARD or CD). People pay Sparky for Sparky's design and workmanship and labor.

Read my response to NightWolve above.

HONESTLY, if Brrraaap is not motivated by the money, this should not be an issue AT ALL.

Let some folks cry about not having a fancy disc.

Morality and ethics—sometimes they require you to forgo indulgences like cute artwork on a CD-R.

[esteban]

I concur, null.

Also, I was trying to be subtle, but some folks need help with the obvious: these forums are not for selling ISO's/CDR's of Ys IV, Dracula X, and/or __________.

[ClodBusted]

As we all know, the PCE Drac X is still available on the Wii Virtual Console. I guess Konami frowns on seeing bootlegs being sold.

[slinkyturd]

I kind of take issue with the worry of the feelings of the folks working the translations. Either sell them yourself and don't post them up for free, or post them for free and expect someone to finish the complete package and sell it. One or the other.

[elderbroom]

Also to clarify the mention of $45 was from me.  And that was the price that a local retail store (Toy Ratt) in Milton, Ontario, Canada is selling them for (so they get them from Brraap and have their markup to make some profit .. I won't comment on my opinion of seeing these in a retail store).  So that is $45 CDN, and not from Brraap.  I'm not sure I actually saw him post his prices (maybe I missed it). He can't help shipping costs (and yes, appears he's in Canada), so they are what they are.  I might be considering a Y's IV and Fantasy Star Soldier if he does them in the new year depending on the cost directly to me.

[HailingTheThings]

I feel this guy is exaggerating shipping costs. Also, everything else.

I shipped an extra copy of Street Fighter II CE in the original fat ass jewel case dual that it came in to a friendo in teh Canadadada not that long ago. was like $16-ish. And yes that was with tracking and blah blah blah.

Also, Taiyoyeryota discs < Mitusi/Mam-A. For serious. Bam. Done. Print. Sex.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

I have actually been talking with this guy for a bit now, and although I have not seen receipts, I have to believe him when he says he is not making much if anything off of these.  The manuals aren't being done in house, but at a shop, so there is a lot of cost right there.  By the time you get say 5 or 10 done.....

I repeat: if it's costing him anywhere near that much he's doing it wrong.  A professional CD place will do up 50 with full color manuals/insert/disc (quality thermal print not comparatively fragile and shitty inkjet print) and with a jewel case for $150.  While that may be more quantity than is desired or needed, at his prices you'd only have to sell six to break even; you could then toss the rest in the trash and you'd still have a better product for the six that were sold.

[Brraap]

Im going to try and clarify the pricing for you guys, i DO NOT charge 45$ for one of these. If someone wants 1 complete, its 45$ with tracked shipping to the USA. If they want 2, 65$, 3 85$, 4 100$. Shipping for 1 or up to 4 is not that much difference in price. I didn't think i was going to have to do this, but to try and make some of you feel better about this, picture 1 is 1 game sent to Utah. That does not include packaging. Picture 2 is 4 sent to Rhode Island. I cannot control the shipping prices, It is what it is. Shipping across Canada is pretty well the same prices too.

[Bernie]

Good GOD, why is it so damn high to ship in and out of Canada?  ugh...

[elderbroom]

Good GOD, why is it so damn high to ship in and out of Canada?  ugh...

I don't know .. and it sucks.  But at least if we get it via USPS it seems to be duty free.  When it comes Fedex, UPS, DHL or similar we also get hit for duty, taxes, customs/brokerage fees.  But please don't blame us friendly Canadians.  I keep offering all at turns (in raffles) to cover any delta in shipping costs so I can be included.  But it's rather ridiculous lately.

[Bernie]

Damn Canadians..... 

[elderbroom]

Damn Canadians.....   

Sorry!

[henrycsc]

Sled Dogs Gotta Eat.

Good GOD, why is it so damn high to ship in and out of Canada?  ugh...

[reno5]

Damn Canadians.....   

LOL.

I have to admit that my 6 months spent in Virginia proved me that shipping charges where preventing me to get nice game at fair price in Canada.

Look at shipping prices on ebay you will often see: Free for lower 48 states and 14.99$ to Canada ! So don't expect Canadian to be able to ship for 3$ when you can't do it under 10$ the other way around.

We used to have great price on shipping to USA but i guess they saw an opportunity to make profits.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

The last time I mailed a game up north it was ~$7, but I don't have a hard-on for tracking.

[Duo_R]

I'm mostly interested in the booklet and cd tray. It shouldn't be a lot to do that.

By the way, I got Tobias latest PC Engine Memories collection, and he did an outstanding job on the booklets, plus the CDs are pressed not burns.

[Sparky]

Ethics be damned. I'm opposed to anything that jeapordizes future translations. If the people that do the work give it away freely, and if profit is not a motive, then the pdf/tiff/whatevers should be freely available, too.

What about Sparky? SPARKY DOESN'T GIVE OUT HIS PRINT TEMPLATES!

That is different. He does repros of original stuffs that involved 0 blood, sweat, or tears from the community. He offers them for a fraction of the cost Braaaaaaap is asking.

If it really is costing $45 to print these suckers, maybe Braaaap should consider teaming up with Sparky to have them printed affordably. And stop with the burned discs. Sell em blank. If someone doesn't know how to burn a disc, there are plenty here who would do it out of the kindness of their heart for the cost of shipping or offer tutelage for free.

brought to you by DoxPhile

Way ahead of you Nully, i messaged this guy and offered advice on stock and told him with my many years of shipping stuff out from inserts to spine labels to the USA from Canada, every package has arrived and everyone has been happy with what they have received throw regular mail. Cost is anywhere form $3-$5 for paper, add a cd or 2 and it should be about $10. I Have not been screwed over once! <<knock on wood>>

He seems like I good guy but Its up to him now on what he wants to do on costs.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

I thought the manuals for Ys and Rondo looked great so I ordered some from the guy!  Can't wait to see them!!

Thanks!

[Bernie]

They look pretty cool.  I talked to him about trimming them down a little more, just a tad.  Other than that, he done a really good job at creating the manuals.

[jtucci31]

I thought the manuals for Ys and Rondo looked great so I ordered some from the guy!  Can't wait to see them!!

Thanks!

Did you just buy the manuals then? Do ya plan on making your own version of the package for yourself? Just curious. Still deciding what i would like to do.

[Duo_R]

refresh my memory, the YS IV manual was  already translated and available online. Same for Rondo too? Or did he do that?

[Sadler]

I don't think Rondo's manual was translated. I scanned it for someone (pemdawg maybe?) to translate a few years ago, but it fell through. I think fragmare did the rear insert and maybe the lightscribe artwork? It's been a few years, I've forgotten.

The Ys manual has been translated for some time and I think it's available from Sparky. The cover still retains the PC Engine artwork IIRC. I did make a new cover, I think if you dig around in the forums you can find a link to the TG-16-ified version. I also had the rear insert for Ys IV translated and the english text inserted over the original artwork. My buddy faustie and his wife did this and honestly I think it looks great. PM me and I can probably dig up hires versions of this (and the naughty verson!).

[Bernie]

Yes, he had the Dracula X manual translated, and it looks really nice.  Also, the Ys IV manual translation braap has, is different than the one that Sparky has, so it's not the exact one that m1savage had translated and shared a few years back. 

Sadler, I remember the naughty version of the rear insert!!  I think I may have it still....but just in case...link me again. 

[ClodBusted]

What kind of naughty "rear insert" are you talking about?

[Sadler]

Boobs exposed on one of the women on the rear insert.

EDIT: Here you go, NSFW

[HailingTheThings]

Boobs exposed on one of the women on the rear insert.

EDIT: Here you go, NSFW

lol that one is way cooler than mine, also the side tabs are in english.

[Sadler]

Boobs exposed on one of the women on the rear insert.

EDIT: Here you go, NSFW

lol that one is way cooler than mine, also the side tabs are in english.

Honestly I'm having a hard time finding the the kid-friendly version now. Anyway, here's small versions of the inner and outer manual cover I did. I have higher resolutions if anyone is curious.

/2mexssy.png
/2ibntd3.jpg

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Heh, nice.  They're not Babbette nips, but they'll do nicely. 

[HailingTheThings]

Boobs exposed on one of the women on the rear insert.

EDIT: Here you go, NSFW

lol that one is way cooler than mine, also the side tabs are in english.

Honestly I'm having a hard time finding the the kid-friendly version now. Anyway, here's small versions of the inner and outer manual cover I did. I have higher resolutions if anyone is curious.

/2mexssy.png
/2ibntd3.jpg

Awesome! If only I had what it took to print these. What is a printer? Would I get in trouble for bringing a flash containing these pics to a place of print? Hmm... lol

[esteban]

Boobs exposed on one of the women on the rear insert.

EDIT: Here you go, NSFW

lol that one is way cooler than mine, also the side tabs are in english.

Honestly I'm having a hard time finding the the kid-friendly version now. Anyway, here's small versions of the inner and outer manual cover I did. I have higher resolutions if anyone is curious.

/2mexssy.png
/2ibntd3.jpg

Sadler, I'd be happy to host the files if you find them all.

Actually, I think I should make a page for all of these DIY manuals/inserts.

[Sadler]

Thanks este! Should I just send them to the same email address as last time?

[esteban]

Thanks este! Should I just send them to the same email address as last time?

Yup

Aliso, I love that "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" is listed in the manual. L'awesome.

[Bernie]

Well, seeing as how that one is completely in English already, I guess it fit right in. 

[Sadler]

Thanks este! Should I just send them to the same email address as last time?

Yup

Aliso, I love that "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" is listed in the manual. L'awesome.

Cool, sent them your way! And yeah, that list of games is also sort of my wish list. I know Carmen Sandiego is mostly english, but man I'd love to see Manjimaru and Snatcher translated!

[Brraap]

Thanks este! Should I just send them to the same email address as last time?

Yup

Aliso, I love that "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" is listed in the manual. L'awesome.

Cool, sent them your way! And yeah, that list of games is also sort of my wish list. I know Carmen Sandiego is mostly english, but man I'd love to see Manjimaru and Snatcher translated!

Sadler, I'm not promising anything, but Snatcher translated is in the works. But thats all I can say about it right now.

[Sadler]

Awesome to hear! Please keep us posted!

[clackattack]

Sadler, I'm not promising anything, but Snatcher translated is in the works. But thats all I can say about it right now.

Whoa, now thats something thread-worthy there ^^^