8-4, Ltd.
Native name
有限会社ハチノヨン
Yūgen Gaisha Hachi no Yon
Typeare Limited company in now-obsolete yūgen gaisha form
IndustryVideo games
FoundedOctober 5, 2005 (2005-10-05)
HeadquartersShibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Hiroko Minamoto, CEO
John Ricciardi, COO
ServicesVideo game localization, Video game publisher
Website8-4.jp

8-4, Ltd. (Japanese: 有限会社ハチノヨン, Hepburn: Yūgen Gaisha Hachi no Yon) is a Japanese video game localization company based in Shibuya, Tokyo.[1] The company was founded in 2005 by Hiroko Minamoto and former Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) editor John Ricciardi. They were joined by Ricciardi's EGM colleague Mark MacDonald in 2008, who departed in 2016 to work as VP, Production of Business and Development at Enhance Games. It performs Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese translation and localization on a contract basis with credits including Monster Hunter, Nier, Dragon Quest, Fire Emblem, Tales, Undertale and more.[2] The company is named after the final level of Super Mario Bros.[3]

Translation

8-4 generally gets involved in the localization process midway through a game's development, gaining access to a build of the game and script.[4] Occasionally, they are invited to participate throughout the development cycle, as with the case of Shadows of the Damned.[4] As publishers increasingly push for simultaneous worldwide release, they have noted earlier and earlier involvement in projects.[5] In the first step of the process, they familiarize themselves with the game and others in its series by playing through them multiple times and taking notes.[3][4] To perform the actual translation, they use large Microsoft Excel spreadsheets containing the script in both Japanese and English.[3] In addition to word translation, they suggest changes to make the game more accessible to Western audiences. For example, in Glory of Heracles, they recommended that the battle speed be tripled in order to make fighting more exciting.[6]

The team cites Richard Honeywood, founder of Square's localization department, as an influence on their translation style.[7] Beyond merely translating the words, 8-4 attempts to convey the same experience as that of the original language version through attention to tone, user interface, and cultural references.[6][8] Because of their text-heavy nature, most of 8-4's contracts are for role-playing video games such as Eternal Sonata, Tales of Vesperia, and Star Ocean: The Last Hope, which are beyond the capabilities of in-house translation teams.[5] In translating Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation, they inherited Honeywood's Dragon Quest style guide to aid them in keeping consistency between games.[7] Speaking of their favorite projects, they look to games like Baten Kaitos Origins where the developers allowed them to take over every aspect of localization including script, debugging, quality assurance, and voice production.[9] In 2022, 8-4 provided the translation for Masahiro Sakurai's YouTube web series, "Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games".[10]

Games

Year Game Client Notes
2005 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2006 Warship Gunner 2 Koei Japanese-to-English
2006 Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2006 Baten Kaitos Origins Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2006 Tales of the Abyss Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2006 Gunpey Q Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2006 Gunpey DS Q Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2006 Every Extend Extra Q Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2007 Rogue Galaxy Sony Computer Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2007 Lunar Knights Kojima Productions Japanese-to-English
2007 Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2007 Brave Story: New Traveler XSEED Games Japanese-to-English
2007 Jeanne d'Arc Sony Computer Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2007 Wild ARMs 5 XSEED Games Japanese-to-English
2007 Eternal Sonata (Xbox 360) Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Ape Quest Sony Computer Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2008 Culdcept Saga Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Wild ARMs XF XSEED Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Soulcalibur IV Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Tales of Vesperia Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Eternal Sonata (PS3) Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2008 Castlevania Judgment Konami Japanese-to-English
2008 Imagine: Ballet Star Ubisoft Japanese-to-English
2009 Tenchu: Shadow Assassins (Wii) Ubisoft Japanese-to-English
2009 Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2009 Star Ocean: The Last Hope Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2009 Tenchu: Shadow Assassins (PSP) Ubisoft Japanese-to-English
2009 Imagine: Makeup Artist Ubisoft Japanese-to-English
2009 Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2009 Katamari Forever Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2009 Undead Knights Tecmo Japanese-to-English
2009 Petz Hamsterz Bunch Ubisoft Japanese-to-English
2009 Tekken 6 Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2010 Glory of Heracles Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2010 White Knight Chronicles International Sony Computer Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2010 Star Ocean: The Last Hope International Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2010 Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll Sega Japanese-to-English
2010 The Eye of Judgment: Legends Sony Computer Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2010 Nier Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2010 Monster Hunter Tri Capcom Japanese-to-English
2010 Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Konami Japanese-to-English
2010 Adrenalin Misfits Konami Japanese-to-English
2010 Echochrome II Sony Computer Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2011 Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2011 Dead or Alive: Dimensions Tecmo Koei Japanese-to-English
2011 Shadows of the Damned Grasshopper Manufacture Japanese-to-English, English-to-Japanese
2011 Disney Epic Mickey Disney Interactive Studios English-to-Japanese
2011 Wind-up Knight Robot Invader English-to-Japanese
2011 Zoo Resort 3D Ubisoft Japanese-to-English
2011 Aquaria Semi Secret Software English-to-Japanese
2011 The Black Eyed Peas Experience Ubisoft English Writing
2011 Otomedius Excellent Konami Japanese-to-English
2011 Fossil Fighters: Champions Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2012 Tales of Graces f Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2012 Soulcalibur V Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English DLC translation
2012 Tales of the Abyss Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2012 Touch My Katamari Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2012 Skullgirls Reverge Labs Inter-Office Communication
2012 Dragon's Dogma Capcom Japanese-to-English
2012 Gravity Rush Sony Computer Entertainment English Editing
2012 Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Capcom Japanese-to-English
2012 Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP Capybara Games English-to-Japanese, promotion, marketing
2013 Rise of the Blobs Robot Invader English-to-Japanese
2013 Skulls of the Shogun 17-BIT English Writing, English-to-FIGSPCJKR
2013 Fire Emblem Awakening Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2013 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Konami Japanese-to-English
2013 Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Capcom Japanese-to-English
2013 Tales of Xillia Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2013 Hay Day Supercell English-to-Japanese, Consulting
2013 République Camouflaj LLC English-to-FGS
2014 Boom Beach Supercell English-to-Japanese
2014 Drakengard 3 Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2014 Threes! Sirvo English-to-FGJ
2014 Wind-up Knight 2 Robot Invader English-to-Japanese
2014 Azure Striker Gunvolt Inti Creates Japanese-to-English
2014 Tales of Hearts R Namco Bandai Games Japanese-to-English
2015 Rogue Legacy Cellar Door Games Japanese publisher
2015 Neko Atsume[11] Hit-Point Japanese-to-English
2015 Xenoblade Chronicles X[12] Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2016 Super Time Force Ultra Capybara Games English-to-Japanese
2016 Mighty No. 9 Comcept Japanese-to-English, Consulting, community management, public relations
2016 Shovel Knight[13] Yacht Club Games English-to-Japanese
2016 Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Sega[2] Japanese-to-English
2016 Gotta Protectors[14] Ancient Japanese-to-English
2016 Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 Inti Creates Japanese-to-English
2017 Nier: Automata[15] Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2017 Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia[16] Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2017 Undertale Toby Fox English-to-Japanese, console ports, console publishing[17]
2017 Egglia: Legend of the Redcap DMM.com Japanese-to-English
2017 Style Savvy: Styling Star Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2018 Monster Hunter: World Capcom English translation support
2018 Firewatch Campo Santo English-to-Japanese
2018 Slime Rancher Monomi Park English-to-Japanese
2018 Dragalia Lost Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2018 Return of the Obra Dinn 3909 LLC English-to-Japanese
2018 Deltarune: Chapter 1 Toby Fox English-to-Japanese, console ports, console publishing[18]
2019 Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night ArtPlay Japanese-to-English
2019 Celeste Extremely OK Games English-to-Japanese
2019 SaGa: Scarlet Grace - Ambitions Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2020 Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! Grounding Japanese-to-English
2020 Tales of Crestoria Bandai Namco Entertainment Japanese-to-English
2021 Little Nightmares II Bandai Namco Entertainment English-to-Japanese
2021 Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2021 Hades Supergiant Games English-to-Japanese
2021 Nier Reincarnation Square Enix Japanese-to-English
2021 Spelunky Mossmouth English-to-Japanese
2021 Spelunky 2 Mossmouth English-to-Japanese
2021 Deltarune: Chapter 2 Toby Fox English-to-Japanese, console ports, console publishing
2021 Ikenfell[19] Happy Star Games English-to-Japanese
2021 Jett: The Far Shore Superbrothers English-to-Japanese, English-to-German
2022 Disney Twisted-Wonderland Aniplex of America Japanese-to-English
2022 Gotta Protectors: Cart of Darkness Ancient Japanese-to-English, North American and European publishing
2022 Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Nintendo Japanese-to-English
2023 Out Zone Bitwave Games English-to-Japanese
2023 Truxton Bitwave Games English-to-Japanese
2023 Twin Cobra Bitwave Games English-to-Japanese
2023 Zero Wing Bitwave Games English-to-Japanese

Podcast

8-4 hosts a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to "Japan, video games, and Japanese video games", known as 8-4 Play. It is hosted by the "8-4some" consisting of Mark MacDonald, John Ricciardi, Sarah Podzorski, and Justin Epperson. Being located in Tokyo, 8-4 has the opportunity to attend and share news about many Japanese video game industry events such as Tokyo Game Show, Capcom's Captivate, and Grasshopper Manufacture's Hoppers. As 1UP.com and EGM alumni, they maintain many of their video game journalism connections including James Mielke (now of Q Entertainment), Shane Bettenhausen (Ignition Entertainment), and David Abrams (Cheap Ass Gamer), who make regular appearances as guests on the show. They also occasionally have prominent designers as guests such as Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Akira Yamaoka.[20][21] Since 2012, episodes of the podcast have been hosted on Giant Bomb.[22] Following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, 8-4 was involved in both Grasshopper Manufacture's Grasstream 2 charity event and Play For Japan: The Album, headed by Akira Yamaoka.

References

  1. ↑ "About « 8-4". 8-4. 2005-10-05. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  2. 1 2 "8-4 | Gameography". 8-4. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  3. 1 2 3 Akibatteru (2010-11-09). "Akibatteru アキバってる - Taipei Comic Fair, Game localization and Tokyo Anime Fair". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  4. 1 2 3 Robson, Daniel (2011-06-29). "Local heroes take Japanese video games to the world | The Japan Times Online". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  5. 1 2 Nutt, Christian (2008-12-11). "News - Interview: 8-4 & The New Potential For Game Localization". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  6. 1 2 Ashcraft, Brian (2010-11-02). "Found In Translation". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  7. 1 2 "8-4 Play 4/22/2011: PROJECT CAFÉ OLÉ « 8-4". 8-4. 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  8. ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (2010-11-03). "The Surprising Ways Japanese Games Are Changed For Americans". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  9. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (2008-10-17). "Giant Bomb Visits 8-4". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  10. ↑ Sakurai, Masahiro. "YouTube Community Post". YouTube. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  11. ↑ Byford, Sam (30 October 2015). "Cute cult cat-collecting app Neko Atsume is finally in English". The Verge. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Nintendo of America. Twitter. 2015-08-28. Retrieved on 2015-08-29.
  13. ↑ . Twitter. 2016-03-03. Retrieved on 2016-03-03.
  14. ↑ @sprsk (July 29, 2016). "If you're lookin for a fun new game to play, Gotta Protectors just hit the eShop today. An 8-4 joint, too!" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 July 2016 – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ Jenkins, David (4 July 2016). "NieR: Automata hands-on preview – 'I wanted to create a game where players would feel something'". Metro. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "John Ricciardi on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  17. ↑ Ricciardi, John (8 August 2017). "Breaking Down Borders: Undertale's Journey to Japan and Back". PlayStation.Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment America. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  18. ↑ @everydayfoxlife (February 14, 2019). "aw yes! now that it's been announced I can finally share that I'm handling both the Switch and PS4 ports of Deltarune (*´∇｀*) (enlisted by 8-4, naturally)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ↑ "魔法学園RPG『Ikenfell』の日本語版が配信決定。問題児の生徒6人が闇の真実を解き明かすため、校内を探索し怪物や教師たちと戦う". Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). September 23, 2021. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  20. ↑ "8-4 Play 6/17/2011: CHILD OF MIZUGUCHI « 8-4". 8-4. 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  21. ↑ "8-4 Play 7/15/2011: ¡QUE MAGNIFICO! « 8-4". 8-4. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  22. ↑ "8-4 Play 4/20/2012: S2E01". 8-4. 2012-04-20. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2012-10-26.


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