Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood [PC Engine CD] Patch RELEASE!!!

[Muff1n]

hi im new here, found this translations wich seems incredible, only prob is. cant patch.. doesnt work.

i have a .img .bin and i have also ripped from a .img file successfully with turboripper, then tried to patch it.. didnt work.. says its damaged.

also checked .iso and .wav files from turboripp and it says there is nothing wrong with the files.

if someone can help me i would really appreciate it, been waiting for this, i hope i dont have to order the original rare cd from ebay if its there, just to get a clean copy.. wich i have according to tocfixer =\

what todo ?

[cubanraul]

@muff1n
  Have you tried a CDRWIN rip with the BIN/CUE patch?  As long as the ISO and WAV files are in the same folder as the batch file the patcher should find them.  If the file sizes are not perfect you will also see the damaged message.

@Burnt Lasagna
  Amazing to read about the new intro font!  Want me to insert the PSP text or has the work already started?  I can plop the ASCII text directly into the old patcher and it would work.  Using the charcode program I wrote should make it a really easy to drop it right in and keep the layout right.

[Keith Courage]

I had the same problem before. The best way to rip this is with turborip.exe and then use the ISO/WAV patch. Here is the newest version available. Use the program 7-Zip to extract. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MF02JEL0

[Bernie]

Or, just download this if you are having issues.  Its the game image, pre-patched.  Also included is all the artwork that you see here in this thread.  [link removed]  This is my personal Megaupload account.  Nice to have for stuff like this.

Sorry peeps.  I wasnt aware we could not have links to full games.  Oversight on my part.  If someone wants the game, pre-patched, just get with me via PM.

[Burnt Lasagna]

Amazing to read about the new intro font!  Want me to insert the PSP text or has the work already started?  I can plop the ASCII text directly into the old patcher and it would work.  Using the charcode program I wrote should make it a really easy to drop it right in and keep the layout right.

I was right about to send you an email about this.
I believe tomaitheous is all ready working on inserting the PSP text though.

[TurboXray]

Amazing to read about the new intro font!  Want me to insert the PSP text or has the work already started?  I can plop the ASCII text directly into the old patcher and it would work.  Using the charcode program I wrote should make it a really easy to drop it right in and keep the layout right.

I didn't insert any PSP text yet, but did convert all the existing translated SJIS chars into ascii to test everything out. If you have windows xp compatible setup, I can send you over the project files if you want (batch files, source, exe, etc). But I had a feeling that all that PSP text probably still won't fit (although you probably know about how much free space there is). If need be, I can add a redirect token control code system for longer text strings (points to other places in cdram, but the original parsing routine won't know it's happening - it's inside the hook handler). Email is tomaitheous_at_pcedev_dot_net.

 -Tom

[Muff1n]

Thnx bernielindell! , well as i said i have .img and .bin and also the Ripped .iso and .wav files wich i got from using turboripper (with no error messages) and i also checked the files with tocfixer 1.00 and also in that program it was flawless. still i get error using iso/wav patcher, saying the game rip is damaged. =\

[dairugger]

i also got a error when i patched mine, but it plays fine. the title intro sound is a bit scratchy but it doesnt bother me. Try ignoring the error message and mount and play the game.

[Chuplayer]

i also got a error when i patched mine, but it plays fine. the title intro sound is a bit scratchy but it doesnt bother me. Try ignoring the error message and mount and play the game.

Same thing happened to me. I was using the BIN/CUE version.

I've found that the sound gets scratchy in other parts as well. I'm not very familiar with the game, but it sounds like the newly-added PSP audio is the only thing that gets scratchy.

[Bernie]

If you are getting errors when patching, something is wrong somewhere.  I got no errors, and my patched game plays with no issues at all.

[Burnt Lasagna]

That's awesome! Can't wait for the next release of the patch! How's the manual translation coming? I'm not sure how you feel about this, but I'd be willing to pay for having some CD professionally pressed once the patch and all associated packaging are complete.

From what I can tell the manual should be coming along nicely.

As for selling pressed disks I'm against doing that for various reasons. The most obvious being that it would be illegal, also getting people on eBay claiming they have an official American release of the game and selling it for a stupidly inflated price for something originally intended to be free on the internet. Also making a quality burn of the disk on your own would be just as good as a pressed copy (using verbatim brand CDR's and burning at 1x speed with a quality burner).

[Burnt Lasagna]

i also got a error when i patched mine, but it plays fine. the title intro sound is a bit scratchy but it doesnt bother me. Try ignoring the error message and mount and play the game.

Same thing happened to me. I was using the BIN/CUE version.

I've found that the sound gets scratchy in other parts as well. I'm not very familiar with the game, but it sounds like the newly-added PSP audio is the only thing that gets scratchy.

This happens when you make bad rip of the game into BIN/CUE.
I recommend using the ISO-WAV patcher and ripping using Turbo Rip since you can grantee a perfect rip that way.

I have instructions in the readme for making a perfect rip for the BIN/CUE but as I said it's somewhat problematic.

[Muff1n]

.

[Sadler]

That's awesome! Can't wait for the next release of the patch! How's the manual translation coming? I'm not sure how you feel about this, but I'd be willing to pay for having some CD professionally pressed once the patch and all associated packaging are complete.

From what I can tell the manual should be coming along nicely.

As for selling pressed disks I'm against doing that for various reasons. The most obvious being that it would be illegal, also getting people on eBay claiming they have an official American release of the game and selling it for a stupidly inflated price for something originally intended to be free on the internet. Also making a quality burn of the disk on your own would be just as good as a pressed copy (using verbatim brand CDR's and burning at 1x speed with a quality burner).

Understood. I share several of you concerns which is why I asked first. I won't pursue it. Thanks again for all your hard work!

[cubanraul]

If need be, I can add a redirect token control code system for longer text strings (points to other places in cdram, but the original parsing routine won't know it's happening - it's inside the hook handler). Email is tomaitheous_at_pcedev_dot_net.

Sent you an e-mail.  Great to see all the unfinished elements coming together.

[MotherGunner]

You could always try ripping with Turbo Engine's rip functionality.

On a side note, while I agree that maybe pressing them is mostly likely out.  How about selling professionally produced manuals and back inserts using high quality paper?  Btw what quality are Lightscribes?

[Burnt Lasagna]

An additional reason not to sell any version of Dracula X is that between the versions available on the VC and the PSP, it's clear this title is still a money-maker for Konami. It wouldn't be good to cut in on that.

Good point, but when I said it was illegal I was leaning more towards the fact that it's highly illegal to sell modified versions of games, even more so than just selling bootleg copies.

[Mishran]

If not selling for profit, but at cost to produce a pressed cd with book and insert, it isn't really cutting considerably into Konami's profits. Most of the people on here that would purchase a localized copy probably already has the actual PCE game.

[Bernie]

If not selling for profit, but at cost to produce a pressed cd with book and insert, it isn't really cutting considerably into Konami's profits. Most of the people on here that would purchase a localized copy probably already has the actual PCE game.

You know....this is actually worth some thought.  I mean, I for one would LOVE to have a pressed version.  We aren't talking about a recent console here, but rather a 20 year old one.  However, I have NO clue what it would cost, and how many we would have to get done to even have a company consider the order.  I would however be willing to take control of a project if there is interest.  I could get with Rover or Arkhan about what company to use.

[TurboXray]

My opinion (for whatever it's worth):

The fact that there's a VC release and a PSP release of this game, I'm sure Konami wouldn't take too kindly of this game been pressed and sold. While they *might* look the other way (lets hope and assume they already are if they already know about this project), it would be a really bad idea to produce unauthorized copies even if the target console *is* 20+ years old. As it is, the translation community sits in a rather strange place in regards to both legality of copyright material and companies not really taking action against them (the translation community). At any point, Konami could send any one of us a C&D order even without producing or intent to produce pressed CDs.

 I have no idea if they'd really care about a translated "PC-Engine" manual, since it only serves the purpose for people that have a PCECD game. And I don't particularly have an opinion on it since none of my work in this project relates to that.

 And not that there's anything I could do about it or anyone even caring about it (if you don't care about Konami's interests, I doubt you care about the littler people like myself in this project), but I definitely wouldn't authorize any of my work in this project to be used in any unauthorized pressing of this game.

[Burnt Lasagna]

I would however be willing to take control of a project if there is interest.  I could get with Rover or Arkhan about what company to use.

Again, If I find someone selling pressed disks of this patch I will track that person down and shove a bat so fare up there butt that they will become a human popsicle. 

I hope this has solidified my feelings on the matter of selling pressed disks of this project.

[FraGMarE]

Why in the HELL would anybody PAY for this anyway?  Just download the finished patch, burn/lightscribe it to disc the right way and print out the manual/traycard with the options cranked way up.  If you don't have lightscribe, go out and get some printable CD labels.  Even my old ass Lexmark Z23 inkjet can print at 1200 dpi and make things look great on the right kind of paper.

[Mishran]

I can purchase CDs with a special kind of label surface that my inkjet printer can print directly onto. Just snap the disc into a special made tray and slide it into the printer. Never tried it as the discs are nearly impossible to find anymore it would seem. Im sure it would look not too much different from a pro made cd label.

[Bernie]

I would however be willing to take control of a project if there is interest.  I could get with Rover or Arkhan about what company to use.

Again, If I find someone selling pressed disks of this patch I will track that person down and shove a bat so fare up there butt that they will become a human popsicle. 

I hope this has solidified my feelings on the matter of selling pressed disks of this project.

Totally not needed dude.  And for the record, I was NOT talking about selling them, but rather going in with others that actually wanted a pressed disc.  Hell, I would have most likely given them away for that matter.  This has gotten blown WAY out of proportion.

[BlueBMW]

I think the desire for pressed discs comes from the fact that a lot of our systems dont play nice with CDRs, even the highest quality CDRs.  Some systems play them just fine, but many dont.   I dont it's anyone's intent to get them pressed for sale.

So before we start turning people into popsicles hehe, maybe discuss the possibilities and logistics of pressed discs.  It is inevitable that some asshat will try and sell one... hell there will probably be someone who tries to sell a CDR copy of it...  that's just the time we are in.  But I'd ask that we at least entertain the idea.

Awesome project BTW

[Bernie]

Yes, it is an awesome project. 

[Burnt Lasagna]

Okay enough drama over pressed disks and popsicles, it's time for progress!

*Update*
First off, tomaitheous (AKA malducci/Bonknuts/TurboXray) has really been cranking out a lot of progress as some of you may know already. Aside from finishing the title screen he's also finished a replacement print routine for the intro scene (hopefully no more summarized text now!) which cubanraul is now in possession of and is inserting the PSP intro translation. Tomaitheous has also finished hacking the first signpost into English! 

malducci / tomaitheous / TurboXray's work


(In the actual game now!)

Pemdawg has also been hard at work translating the packaging and the manual, which we now have a high quality scan of thanks to Sadler. He wants' me to keep everything he's shown me under wraps, so no screens but I can assure you that they are very nice looking

Also, aside from managing everything I've been up to some stuff as well. I've managed to record the actual dialogue for Death and some minor voices Dracula makes in the final boss by doing the Redbook silencing trick I talked about earlier, I also found Death's laugh in the PC-Engine version so that will also be changed as well. I plan on also recording shafts battle dialogue as well.

So there will be more dubbed voices in the next release. Here's hoping the full remaining %5 will be in the next release as well!

[Bernie]

Damn, that sounds awesome!    Great work guys!

[ParanoiaDragon]

Back on topic, I'd kill for a pressed copy with Manuel, as long as some buttmunch isn't making a profit off of it, just breaking even so we have the real thing, & no one profits.

[MotherGunner]

Back on topic, I'd kill for a pressed copy with Manuel, as long as some buttmunch isn't making a profit off of it, just breaking even so we have the real thing, & no one profits.

Topic tangent:

I saw a bunch of mexicans in a truck once by my place.  They were gardeners and the business logo on the door said "Manuel Labore Gardening" along with the phone number.  I lost my shit.  Seriously???   Manual Labor Gardening???  ha ha ha!

[incrediblehark]

BurntLasagna, Bonknuts, and cubanraul, looks really fantastic! Really great work, and looking forward to playing the final version, even if I've already played through the original. Sorry to get back on about pressed discs, but I would love to have one myself, with full inserts and manual as well, yes because I'd rather not play cdrs in my system but also just for my personal collection. As long as we only paid for actual cost then no profits would be made off of it. I understand that there may be people out there looking to make some cash off of Konami's and all of your hard work, maybe you could insert a little disclaimer message at the beginning saying "This is a fan-made package not to be sold, if you paid any money for this you were ripped off," etc? Either way I totally appreciate all of the hard work you are putting into this and look forward to playing it!

[Bernie]

Back on topic, I'd kill for a pressed copy with Manuel, as long as some buttmunch isn't making a profit off of it, just breaking even so we have the real thing, & no one profits.

This is exactly what I was talking about. 

[Burnt Lasagna]

Okay guys I'll try and make this response less of joke.

The biggest reason I'm not a fan of the idea of pressed disks being sold (whether there's profits being made or not) is because I seriously doubt Konami is going to take kindly to pressed modified versions of their game floating around and we would likely be hit with a C&D order to remove the patch if Konami ever got wind of these disks and I doubt anyone here would like that.

Some of you may be thinking "It's like a 17-year-old game on a 20-year-old system, they're not going to bad an eye at this" which might be the case but I really don't want that risk to exist and the fact that tomaitheous doesn't want his work in this patch on unauthorized pressed disks is enough of a reason not to do this.

There will probably be a guide when the final release of the patch gets completed explaining how to make a high quality burn of the game and the best way to print the packaging for anyone who wants a nice case of this patch for there collection.   
 
So to mirror my other post, if anyone does start making pressed disks...

[Bernie]

Tell ya what..  Come try making a popsicle outta me.   Anyway, out of respect to the both of you, I am dropping the subject entirely.  Wasn't meant to cause any issues, but really just feel it out as an idea. Keep up the good work guys, we all really do appreciate it.

[Mishran]

So to mirror my other post, if anyone does start making pressed disks...

Is he threatening us with a good time? Just kidding. Press or not, this is gonna be a part of my collection. Awesome job fellas!

[Burnt Lasagna]

I'm surprised no one has figured this joke out yet.

The popsicle joke is from The Warriors (1979)

[Mishran]

I'm surprised no one has figured this joke out yet.

The popsicle joke is from The Warriors (1979)

One of the all time great movies!

[MotherGunner]

Someone, maybe not from here WILL get these pressed, and attempt to sell them whether people agree or not.  At that point, you can just buy it from that person so agreed that we can drop the subject.

[Bernie]

I wouldn't be surprised to see someone trying to sell duplicated CDr's of it.  Sad really, but it is what it is.  Hopefully, enough people will know better than to actually get screwed by someone selling it.

[FraGMarE]

Okay guys I'll try and make this response less of joke.

The biggest reason I'm not a fan of the idea of pressed disks being sold (whether there's profits being made or not) is because I seriously doubt Konami is going to take kindly to pressed modified versions of their game floating around and we would likely be hit with a C&D order to remove the patch if Konami ever got wind of these disks and I doubt anyone here would like that.

Some of you may be thinking “It’s like a 17 year old game on a 20 year old system they’re not going to bad an eye at this” which might be the case but I really don’t want that risk to exist and the fact that tomaitheous doesn’t want his work in this patch on unauthorized pressed disks is enough of a reason not to do this. 

Yea, and I don't want my title screen art in a pressed version either, for that matter.  WHile this version will indeed be "press-worthy", it doesn't mean it should be done.  I agree with Burnt Lasagna here...

NO

[ParanoiaDragon]

Wasn't meant to cause any issues, but really just feel it out as an idea. Keep up the good work guys, we all really do appreciate it.

Ditto

[NightWolve]

Thanks, Burnt Lasagna! What the hell, I'm downloading this right now, while I still can, and maybe I'll try it out when I get home.

EDIT: Interesting, I see an alias I recognize in the ReadMe: AstroBlue - I used to call him AussieBoyBlue or something back in the day on the TNL forums where I met him. He's a pretty smart guy, he stuck in my mind after one of those CUBE fanatics came onto the forums and started defending their bizarre ideology - it was the greatest thing I ever saw, AstroBlue arguing at a Ph.D. level with the guy... I would've dug out the link if I had the time. Anyway, I will try this patch out for sure.

[Burnt Lasagna]

...Wow.
I really didn't know anything about the guy. I just did a search for castlevania ASCII art and his guide on gamefaq came up.

[cubanraul]

imageshack/introaa.png

All this extra space is luxurious

[Keith Courage]

Any update on the new title screen?

[Sadler]

Any update on the new title screen?

Pretty sure that's done and the final patch is almost complete. I think they only need to finish the ferry man's text in stage 2' and the optional credits. Check out the thread at romhacking.

[Spooniest]

Any word on the project? It's been a while.

[MotherGunner]

Welcome Spooniest, introduce yourself!

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=10356.0

[TurboXray]

Any update on the new title screen?

Pretty sure that's done and the final patch is almost complete. I think they only need to finish the ferry man's text in stage 2' and the optional credits. Check out the thread at romhacking.

Everything is done, except for the credits. There seems to be some disagreement or such on it (I haven't got any direct word on it), so I took a break until it's been decided (I have something special I'm working on for the next number of months, so I'm doing that meantime). When I've got the final word as to what it needs to be, then it'll probably 2-3 days to finish that up and it should be completely finished. All ferryman's hack stuff is finished (though I need to send B_L the updated text hack) and the new intro translation is done (afaik). (I'm tomaitheous on that forum)

[Burnt Lasagna]

Don't know why I was waiting so long to make an official word on the credits (posted it on romhacking.net).