using a basic text replacement google chrome extension as a base to work off of, i wanted to see how feasible it was to create my own translation patch to share with other english-speaking fans of the now-defunct The iDOLM@STER: SideM mobage. (2014-2023, rip)
i attempted to build out the patch in phases. since coding isn’t exactly my strong suit, i was practically testing in prod. (but if it was unreleased to begin with, does that matter anyway?)
it was easier to start with shorter strings of text: item titles and descriptions, character profiles, text-based gameplay mechanic buttons. anything that was static. one of the issues that i foresaw to start was the fact that a live-service game meant new content to translate every week or so. though, i was getting ahead of myself at that point. i wanted to get the basics down first.
i started getting into image typesetting for some of the banners and buttons. rebuilding backgrounds and patterns had been a treat to work on, but being unable to figure out how to make image replacement work took the wind out of my sails somewhat. additionally, a lot of story content was dispersed between animated manga panels and visual novel-like cutscenes with built-in text. all of this eventually culminated in holding off on developing the project indefinitely until the game’s end-of-service discontinuation. alas.
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