Guild Wars 2

And I hope those players understand that they’ll be forfeiting their chances at winning if they do.
As a native Spanish speaker (from Guatemala), I would have liked to have seen some Spanish lyrics added to the music (I find Spanish to be much better lyrically than English), but they made it a rule to only have English lyrics. I would hate to see people be eliminated because of stubbornness.

The biggest reason I can see ArenaNet not want other languages being used is because they may not have the resources to translate the lyrics in time for the deadline. The “we need to understand what your saying” comment may have come across as a bit insensitive, but is still a justifiable reason to have for this contest.

I see their not allowing other languages as an issue of censorship, they cannot promote things that may include unsavory language and do not have the resources to translate the songs as they come out in video form before promoting them.

I can see exactly why arenanet would do this.

Nothing stops anyone from using the track and make a non-profit song with their language. It’s within fair use after they released the music publicly in a site.

They just don’t have the resources to understand the lyrics in all languages. And they can’t judge what they can’t understand. There could also be someone trying to slip silly juvenile lyrics with sexual or scatological themes, or lyrics insulting them or something like that.
So they can’t be entered in the contest.

You guys can use all the languages you want but the videos won’t be counted for the contest. It is their contest it is their rules.

Before the release of the game, many fan sites from all over the planet held contests to win the Collector’s edition. Their rules were: need to be a resident of the respective country. yes and many who could have won were excluded.

This game is in multiple languages, right? If it supports multiple languages already, why doesn’t this contest? They obviously have a translator somewhere, otherwise they couldn’t address disparate language support questions.

Kal Spiro.9745:

This game is in multiple languages, right? If it supports multiple languages already, why doesn’t this contest? They obviously have a translator somewhere, otherwise they couldn’t address disparate language support questions.

Their localization team may not be able to spend the time to review submissions.
Likewise, it could be that they outsourced that sort of thing, so they don’t actually have one at their disposal.

TriggerSad.2597:

Kal Spiro.9745:

This game is in multiple languages, right? If it supports multiple languages already, why doesn’t this contest? They obviously have a translator somewhere, otherwise they couldn’t address disparate language support questions.

Their localization team may not be able to spend the time to review submissions.
Likewise, it could be that they outsourced that sort of thing, so they don’t actually have one at their disposal.

Anet actually does have staff on hand speaking more than English (even natively, gell Martin Kerstein?), but they have other responsibilities. The amount of responses such a contest can potentially generate is huge – it takes a long time just to view and catalogue (since these things are usually archived somehow) everything. If they also had to translate many of their entries, they would definitely need more people to do it ‘in time’, people who would either have to be hired specifically or who would then not have the time to work on other important game issues.
Remember that all LV content has to be translated by the localization team, too, so they are probably busy with content actually impacting your gameplay.

Kal Spiro.9745:

This game is in multiple languages, right? If it supports multiple languages already, why doesn’t this contest? They obviously have a translator somewhere, otherwise they couldn’t address disparate language support questions.

Localization is usually outsourced these days for many games.

It would not be rare for ANet to do the same. At least the Spanish translation surely seem to have been outsourced, probably to a company from USA or Southamerica, considering the many Southamerican idioms and quirks of language they slipped in there. And quite some false friends too.

When you localize like that, you have to set schedules, send text to translate, and you get translated text on schedule. And changes can’t be made on the fly. You have to wait for the translations.

All in all, I have to say that only allowing contestants to use English lyrics for the contest is a moot point.
People aren’t required to use lyrics for their video. It could even be that videos that use lyrics may end up not being that favorable. Not everyone is a lyricist, and they might end up ruining their video by adding lyrics to the song.

This is a rather silly complaint. Lets imagine for a minute that they did have some translator for each and every language that is supported.

They would need to listen to, translate, transcribe, and subtitle every video that was submitted. That would be multiple full time jobs, and a complete waste of time and money.

Kal Spiro.9745:

Vaxx.3178:

This is a ridiculous complaint. Overly-sensitive people need a reality check.

Take something as simple as a statement and turn it into something much bigger. People who are offended are the same ones that think every kid deserves a medal for “participation”.

While reality checks are being handed out, go pick one up yourself. Wanting to enter a contest in your native tongue, for a game that exists in multiple languages is in no way the same as giving every kid a medal for “participation.” The very concept is insulting and obnoxious.

I’ll have to agree here. It’s acceptable for people from non-English speaking countries wanting to use their language in the videos when there’s a rule forbidding it.

There are obvious logistical (and possibly legal) reasons why they could not open the contest up in every language. I’m not denying that, and I don’t think any sensible person is either.

At the same time, dismissing the disappointment of non-native English speakers is also rather insensitive. If ANet had flipped the situation on its head and said that they’re only accepting submissions in Spanish, or Chinese, would you not feel slighted or left out?

Yes, maybe ANet’s hands are tied in this matter, but there’s no reason we can’t be sympathetic to those left out rather than just saying “Boohoo, suck it up, babies!”

Zaxares.5419:

At the same time, dismissing the disappointment of non-native English speakers is also rather insensitive. If ANet had flipped the situation on its head and said that they’re only accepting submissions in Spanish, or Chinese, would you not feel slighted or left out?

Nope. Not in the least. I would see the rules, and move on.

Like I said, its a contest for a freekin video game. Not life or death.

i read the FAQ’s and was immediately deterred from entering.

“Can you add your own lyrics”, Yes: Well its a speed metal song and i can’t scream

“Can you edit the song”, Yes: Well I don’t have any editing software, so I guess I’ll just use the original

“Can you use footage that isn’t gw2 gameplay?”, Yes: And again i don’t have a $300 camera, so any footage outside of gw2 gameplay would look crappy

All in all its a pay to win scenerio. If you have the software and hardware to make a sweet looking video, you get a sweet looking guitar. If you have fraps and a dream, you’re S.O.O.L.

Hey I posted on another thread too (https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/livingworld/lwd/Quick-Qs-about-the-Rock-the-Nightmare-Contest/first#post3178213) but noticed the red post here, so reckoned there was more chance of actually getting a question answered here.

Just noticed that you changed the contest video length requirement from ‘around one minute’ to ‘less than a minute’ within the last couple of days, and was wondering what the reasoning behind this ninja nerf was, and whether there is any way you would reconsider returning it to it’s original state? It makes it harder for those of us who have already made videos that go a few seconds over the minute mark.

Thx in advance.

I’m curious as to why an electric guitar is the top prize. Well, we’ve already established that the music does not fit this trailer, nor does it fit Guild Wars 2, so is the guitar just a tie-in with the music or is the music a tie-in with the guitar?

If the guitar is a tie-in with the music, then I would recommend (again) that ArenaNet question their music direction. If the music is a tie-in with the guitar, that just seems a bit random/exluding and I would recommend ArenaNet question their prize selection next time. But regardless, it’s an out-of-game gift, so it’s not that big of a deal, in my opinion.

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

[snip]

As Frotee accurately stated, we do have a couple people on the community team here at the ArenaNet studio who can speak German and French, respectively: Martin Kerstein, the Head of Global Community Team and Stephane Lo Presti, one of our our French Community Managers. However, again as Frotree commented: all members of the Community Team are tasked with other myriad responsibilities in addition to helping with this contest. We also do not have a Spanish-speaking community manager at the studio (don’t let my surname fool you. :-P).

[snip]

/fangirl mode on/
I was (positively) cited/named by a dev (Also, I totally forgot about Stephane. Shame on me.)
/fangirl mode off/

Also, I think giving away a GW2 guitar isn’t that weird – it is a rockmusik contest (with guitar-heavy music), and it’s not like we haven’t had other interesting GW giveaways/goodies in the past. Remember the toaster?

English is an universal world language, deal with it
Easy to learn and easy to use.

I think Arenanet is a rather small company, and i dont think they can afford all the kitten the playerbase is asking of them.

Gumby.1708:

I think Arenanet is a rather small company, and i dont think they can afford all the kitten the playerbase is asking of them.

Also, no one keeps you from making an awesome video with vocals in your native language – it just won’t be eligible for the contest. Big deal.

I can understand them limiting the vocals to English. This is not uncommon with competitions. It’s not just limited to Anet. This is no different than large, ethnically diverse companies having a policy where (when in a group of coworkers) you need to speak in a language where all present can understand you. This is not rude. It is not intended to be a slight by any means. It is however intended to keep everyone on equal footing, while still giving Anet the ability to judge the contestants accurately.

I understand Anet’s position, in that they don’t want to spend recourses on extra translations. Thus, I feel Anet should have just prohibited the use of lyrics. That way, the talent of directing a music video with GW2 material would be the most important thing. Now the lyrics and quality of singing voice will also be a factor, which will probably discourage a lot of talented people. And allowing the music to be modified should be enough to encourage people to show off their added musical genius.

I just don’t like any ‘English or gtfo’ attitudes, which is the vibe I get from some of the responses here (not necessarily Anet’s comment).

Gumby.1708:

English is an universal world language, deal with it
Easy to learn and easy to use.

I think Arenanet is a rather small company, and i dont think they can afford all the kitten the playerbase is asking of them.

Actually it’s one of the more challenging languages, so challenging even native speakers often struggle with it.

In any case, the OP wasn’t taking exception to the rule, so much as how it was stated. It could have been expressed more respectfully. I was actually a little surprised since I’ve always noted ANet’s tact and diplomacy.

Regina, I’m worried this part of the OP’s post was overlooked.