Square Enix Crack Down on Fan Made TYPE-0 Patch

[Ayen]

That is all nice but it doesn't void being protected by copyright.

Nor did I make that claim, so I don't know what you're arguing. The whole reason this came about is because Square's fans wanted to play the game. They weren't making money off of it, they weren't doing it for profit, they were doing this because of a love for Final Fantasy and from their perspective they pretty much just got dumped on. This is why I'd endorsed a gentler approach unless the person proves to be flat out unreasonable. If they were doing this to rip them off it'd be another story, but like most similar cases, they weren't. And like most similar cases, the holders of the copyright weren't hurting that badly.

[Sephiroth]

Nor did I make that claim, so I don't know what you're arguing.

I don't argue, I said that to make the point, that there is no arguing.

[Aulayna]

Square Enix are a Japanese company. Japanese business ethics aren't exactly renowned for being tactful or softhanded, and PR is often not given as much precedent as Western consumers are used too from Western companies (just look how long it's taken Nintendo to adjust to a more westernized style of marketing etc.). Such cultural differences are often overlooked. Japan is very different to most western countries.

[Christmas]

Aulayna makes a really valid point. Up till now, I can't really figure out the Japanese culture and their beliefs. It is really complicated and goes way back into the past.

[Loony BoB]

Ah. I have my definitions of "threats" mixed up, then. I still don't agree with a C&D being the first response in this case.

It's pretty standard as the first "go-to" thing for every company in the world, fans or otherwise. I mean, a certain site/forum that we all happen to post in may have received a C&D from Square-Enix a long time ago for hosting ROMs. We took it on the chin and removed them at the time, and I for one never felt EoFF was threatened when it happened. Hell, they give us stash to give away these days!

[Shauna]

Eh, makes sense for them to C&D. They're releasing an English version, why not try and crack down on the possibility that they will lose out on sales in future because of this.

[Skyblade]

They're a little late. I mean, the patch was available and widely distributed even before their announcement of the English release. And, to be fair, it was just a patch, and you need the game files for it to do you any good.

It wasn't even as though the guys doing the translation were being subtle about it. There was some pretty heft coverage for the year and a half that they were working on the translation.

Anyway, if anyone wants the patch, I've got it downloaded already. Send me a text. If you need a copy of the game to patch, you'll have to import one though.

[Ayen]

They're a little late. I mean, the patch was available and widely distributed even before their announcement of the English release. And, to be fair, it was just a patch, and you need the game files for it to do you any good.

Just for clarification, do you know if people were acquiring the game files by purchasing a legal copy of the game from Japan and just using the patch so they could understand it?

[Aulayna]

They're a little late. I mean, the patch was available and widely distributed even before their announcement of the English release. And, to be fair, it was just a patch, and you need the game files for it to do you any good.

Just for clarification, do you know if people were acquiring the game files by purchasing a legal copy of the game from Japan and just using the patch so they could understand it?

Most people were downloading the game to emulate using a PSP emulator and then patching it with the patch to change the JP text to EN.

[Psychotic]

I get why they'd protect their property. I don't know what they've done to this guy, but I hope they haven't been unreasonably harsh to him given that he's not trying to make money off this.

[Mirage]

I imagine the translation process is a lot more work than the actual hack needed to put the new translation in. Is it against the law to translate a work of fiction for personal use?

They're a little late. I mean, the patch was available and widely distributed even before their announcement of the English release. And, to be fair, it was just a patch, and you need the game files for it to do you any good.

Just for clarification, do you know if people were acquiring the game files by purchasing a legal copy of the game from Japan and just using the patch so they could understand it?

You could do that, but you can't just apply the patch to an UMD like that. You would first have to extract the UMD to your computer, then run a patch program that would alter the contents, then move the filessback to the PSP. Now that it has been altered, the PSP will no longer run it, as its digital cryptological signature is detected as false because the files have been altered. This means you can only run the game with a PSP that accepts unsigned code, also known as a hacked PSP with a custom firmware.

It would be at least 50 times faster to just download an ISO of the game and run the patch directly on that, then move it over to a CFW PSP, because CFW PSPs run pirated games anyway, that's why probably no one would actually pay for the game to play it in english.

Or as aulayna said, just use an emulator.

[Sephiroth]

I imagine the translation process is a lot more work than the actual hack needed to put the new translation in. Is it against the law to translate a work of fiction for personal use?

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD has it written it may not be edited, translated or anything. I see no reason why I would not be the same with another Final Fantasy.

[Mahad]

While I don't agree with the approach SE has taken because that's just no way to treat your loyal fans (if it wasn't for profit), if SE had announced that they would be releasing the game overseas at some later point, I don't see why the rush to play the game and take on a project like this. Now I don't know when SE announced they would make a western release, I don't really have this game on my radar, but if the announcement came after the fans announced this project, SE could have been more respectful in its approach.

edit: didn't see the second page of this conversation. so if the patch was done before announcing a western version, they are pretty late on the matter. If no money was being made, and if translating wasn't illegal, then I don't see why they have to be harsh on the guys.

[Aulayna]

While I don't agree with the approach SE has taken because that's just no way to treat your loyal fans (if it wasn't for profit), if SE had announced that they would be releasing the game overseas at some later point, I don't see why the rush to play the game and take on a project like this. Now I don't know when SE announced they would make a western release, I don't really have this game on my radar, but if the announcement came after the fans announced this project, SE could have been more respectful in its approach.

edit: didn't see the second page of this conversation. so if the patch was done before announcing a western version, they are pretty late on the matter. If no money was being made, and if translating wasn't illegal, then I don't see why they have to be harsh on the guys.

http://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-fan-...sco-1608340061

This is an interest read about it.

[Freya]

That was interesting. Sounds like this sky guy knew that they were going to announce it and so he released the patch early so they'd get some notoriety. Otherwise they'd get ignored with the big official release. Sounds like SE tried to intervene and work with them but hmm.

Not surprised, specially since they announced it's HD re-release on PS4/XBONE.