My Starcraft:Brood War Live Translating Experience
Just like title, this blog will be my experience from watching BW, starting to translate it, then turning into the hybrid league ultimately ending on the final BW OSL.
Let's go back to what I can first remember. Back all the way to the days when Mystlord, Craton, and the KPopFlash team was restreaming BW. I didn't even have a TL account then, cause I was mainly a forum lurker hehe. (>joined 14th of October 2009)
One day the KPF stream was shutting down after all the matches and they played a SNSD song (I think it was a Taeyeon/Kangin duet song), I was curious and asked who this was and got promptly timed out in the chat. One of the nicer mods said, "hey the guy just asked for a song title"(Ah remembered who, MorningMusume11 thxnim) and I was untimed out. After that I think there was a small chat back and forth and I said I would be able to translate little bits of the game, even if it's not all of it I could give a general sense of the game situation from the Korean casters.
Slight tangent but K-Pop Flash as you can take from the name, they also restreamed live Korean Pop shows as well, which was very cool. I was mostly a Jo Sung Mo/Seo Taiji/BoA fan because that's what kind of CDs/Tapes we had and was sent to me from my uncle in Korea. I was born in Korea but moved to the US when I was in elementary school, and at one point forgot almost all of my Korean since we didn't talk Korean at home. Thinking that knowing my original language was important, I relearned it back attending a Korean School that our Church ran.
This was my first time doing anything like this, so I could maybe grab 1/4th of their meaning? But I could get the mains points down and still provide useful translations. As time went on I would get better, and have a better understand of their roles in a tri-cast. (One caster, two supports. Loved Park Sang Hyun's endless energy and Lee Seung Won's impeccable analysis) Then one day the stream shut down which I don't know the reason of, I think they were all burned out from K-Pop.
Then here we start with the main part of my live translating experience, finding Nanashin's stream. After KPF was shut down, I still wanted my BW fix and looked for other streams. A few streams liked K-Pop, some didn't and since I liked listening to K-Pop during the commercial breaks so I usually opened one with K-Pop. Nana was streaming at Ustream back then, and while I said a comment a caster said out of habit, someone asked "You speak Korean?", and I said "Yeah I do". A few lines lead to doing half games, full games, even ignoring the first 4-5 minutes of a TvT because there's absolutely nothing to translate except the builds or if it was a proxy cheese tactic or a 2 fact.
At one point I complained and mentioned it was tough typing Korean on the Ustream chat (although I didn't type it much), as it randomly auto-complete the character before I typed it all out. Then we started talking about how bad the Ustream chat interface was and decided to move to IRC. (I didn't know a thing about IRC back then hehe)
Starting with me slowly our chat slowly grew, and so did our number of translators. What we would usually do when we have a rotation of translators, (Me, Nalho, Quickstriker, SNM), very impromptu just anyone start translating the first game then we do rotations while we support each other if we missed a detail. If we had some favorite players we wanted to take. (Me=Fantasy, Nalho=Shine, QS=Hyuk, SNM=Effort, note these are just the most favs, we had favorite players spread across all the teams)
A few post match interviews:
+ Show Spoiler [111218 SPL : CJ Entus vs KT Rolster Fl…] +
Dec 18 01:25:52 <nalho[Hyomin]> Craton has changed the topic to “SPL : CJ Entus - 0 vs 1 - KTFlash | Set 1: xs vs y | Map: Sniper Ridge | Translators: fknoob and co. ”
Dec 18 01:26:14 <Kimoleon[Minah]> FLASH INTERVIEW
Dec 18 01:26:18 <nalho[Hyomin]> flash was looking at lay t
Dec 18 01:26:20 <nalho[Hyomin]> too busy to interview
Dec 18 01:26:25 <Kimoleon[Minah]> if protoss survived this, how did you think about this harass
Dec 18 01:26:26 <strykerr> when did flash comeback?
Dec 18 01:26:29 <LasTLiE[Ham]> "flash, why are you so good?" "i'm a robot beep boop"
Dec 18 01:26:33 <nalho[Hyomin]> beep beep
Dec 18 01:26:36 <nalho[Hyomin]> brain function 100
Dec 18 01:26:37 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - didn't want to overextend, but it turned out better than expected
Dec 18 01:26:38 <nalho[Hyomin]> %
Dec 18 01:26:47 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - even when I practiced I didn't get this type of situations
Dec 18 01:26:54 <nalho[Hyomin]> man
Dec 18 01:26:56 <nalho[Hyomin]> this right here
Dec 18 01:26:58 <fold> yeh because flash made it easy :p
Dec 18 01:27:01 <fold> horang*
Dec 18 01:27:11 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - I try to think I have the advantage during most gamez,
Dec 18 01:27:16 <nalho[Hyomin]> flash got 22 probes
Dec 18 01:27:17 <Kimoleon[Minah]> you happy with 22 probe deaths?
Dec 18 01:27:18 <nalho[Hyomin]> lol
Dec 18 01:27:22 <nalho[Hyomin]> real probe death
Dec 18 01:27:25 <aupStar> dat micro
Dec 18 01:27:26 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - I will get 2 groups next time (24)
Dec 18 01:27:28 <fold> total 22 deaths?
Dec 18 01:27:48 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - I was so excited with vulture harass, didn't see ribo on the mini map, I got less dmg than expected
Dec 18 01:27:58 <Kimoleon[Minah]> how is team atmosphereu?
Dec 18 01:28:11 <ZergZoul> what team lol
Dec 18 01:28:13 <strykerr> busy? reaver?
Dec 18 01:28:14 <Femari[Hyeri]> lol
Dec 18 01:28:23 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - as you can see, our team is fine, we'll start good from today, our losing streaku not that gewd, but we'll do better
Dec 18 01:28:28 <Kimoleon[Minah]> did you expect horang2?
Dec 18 01:28:29 <nalho[Hyomin]> lol
Dec 18 01:28:39 <nalho[Hyomin]> flash
Dec 18 01:28:41 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - no the coaching staff sent me w/o predictions
Dec 18 01:28:49 <aupStar> LOL
Dec 18 01:28:50 <Kipsate[Yenny]> lol
Dec 18 01:28:53 <Femari[Hyeri]> lol
Dec 18 01:28:53 <Kimoleon[Minah]> for kt to win, flash wins but others lose, what do you think honestly
Dec 18 01:28:56 <Kipsate[Yenny]> their coaching was
Dec 18 01:28:58 <Johoz> just go own whatever scrub they send flash
Dec 18 01:28:59 <Kipsate[Yenny]> flash
Dec 18 01:29:02 <Kipsate[Yenny]> your up
Dec 18 01:29:05 <Kipsate[Yenny]> go own someone
Dec 18 01:29:07 <nalho[Hyomin]> lol
Dec 18 01:29:08 <Femari[Hyeri]> pro coaching
Dec 18 01:29:08 <Kipsate[Yenny]> do i have a game plan?
Dec 18 01:29:09 <Kipsate[Yenny]> NOP
Dec 18 01:29:10 <Kipsate[Yenny]> JUST GO
Dec 18 01:29:11 <Kipsate[Yenny]> OWN HIM
Dec 18 01:29:12 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - honestly I think my teammates are just unlucky, I know how skilled my teammates are, I know they'll come through and we will win matches
Dec 18 01:29:13 <Kipsate[Yenny]> ....
Dec 18 01:29:14 <Kipsate[Yenny]> k
Dec 18 01:29:16 <Kimoleon[Minah]> last word to pans
Dec 18 01:29:18 <Femari[Hyeri]> flash needs no game plans
Dec 18 01:29:23 <nozique> famous last words flash
Dec 18 01:29:24 <Craton> ...eventually
Dec 18 01:29:25 <nalho[Hyomin]> 1 win away from 200 wins
Dec 18 01:29:26 <Craton> right guys?
Dec 18 01:29:27 <Craton> right?
Dec 18 01:29:28 <nalho[Hyomin]> for flash
Dec 18 01:29:28 <Craton>
Dec 18 01:29:30 <nalho[Hyomin]> no
Dec 18 01:29:34 <nalho[Hyomin]> action still derping pre-defiler
Dec 18 01:29:35 <Craton> im pretending to be flash
Dec 18 01:29:35 <Kimoleon[Minah]> flash - our team needs 1 more win, to have 200 wins total history, we'll give show good games for pans
+ Show Spoiler [120118 KT Rolster vs STX Soul Bogus «G…] +
[13:28] <@Kimoleon> Bogus Interbiew
[13:28] <@Kimoleon> when you look at this agme
[13:28] <@Kimoleon> we see how much he saved his vults
[13:28] <@Kimoleon> Bogus, did you practice your interbiew skills?
[13:29] <@Kimoleon> the 6 o clock protoss 4th, what did you feel about that
[13:29] <@Kimoleon> bogus - I didn't know it was up, but since it was close I felt like I could damage it
[13:29] <@Kimoleon> did you feel its?
[13:29] <@Kimoleon> bogus - because he took so long to take 1 o clock, I scanned and 6 was there
[13:30] <@Kimoleon> back then, when you didn't have that good play ppl called you have simple play, anyone or anything that changed your playstyle to be more dynamic
[13:30] <@Kimoleon> bogus - usually I just go with the flow, with many pattersn, how did you feel here
[13:30] <@Kimoleon> how did you feel here - q(stats almost broke siegeline with a runaround the mines)
[13:30] <@Kimoleon> bogus - I felt like I was slightly in danger but it turned out wellz
[13:30] <@Kimoleon> today, you came out from a 0-2 score, any pressure?
[13:31] <@Kimoleon> bogus - not really, I just played like I normally do
[13:31] <@Kimoleon> what about manner ccs
[13:31] <@Kimoleon> bogus - the team spirit atm seemed a bit down, so I buildz
[13:31] <@Kimoleon> if you picked a best game of yourself, which one would you pick
[13:31] <@Kimoleon> bogus - I would pick today's game
+ Show Spoiler [120225 STX Soul vs SK Telecom, (T)Bogu…] +
[07:20] <@Kip[KMK]> he so nervous
[07:20] <@Kimoleon> Q - ahh this late game, players watching it is tired too, Sacsri seonsu, your season's 1st game and win congratulations
[07:20] <@nalho_> A - thank you~~~
[07:20] <@Kimoleon> Q - are you tired?
[07:20] <@nalho_> A - Yes I am fine
[07:20] <@Kimoleon> Q - when is your last pl game?
[07:20] <@nalho_> A - i dont really remember the last time i played, but i think it's been a year
[07:21] <@Kimoleon> Q - you haven't played in so long, your play is still kicking
[07:21] <@nalho_> A - i usually like zvt so i felt that it just went like i planned it
[07:21] <@nalho_> just like
[07:21] <@nalho_> in practice
[07:21] <@nalho_> &
[07:21] <@nalho_> *
[07:21] <@Kimoleon> Q - ohh regularly like ZvT, you had one in past and won over hiya, did you get msg from teammates fightingu?
[07:21] <@nalho_> A - Before I was warming up I saw them waving
[07:21] <@nalho_> A - But
[07:21] <@Kimoleon> (roro/shine hehe)
[07:21] <@nalho_> A - But I was nervous so i didnt wave them
[07:21] <@Kimoleon> Q - seens it's been around a year, how did you feel going in
[07:22] <@nalho_> A - before i went in my hands were shaking and my heart was beating so i was very nervous but once the game started i was better
[07:22] * Obelisco (webchat@190.232.69.55) has joined #nanashin
[07:22] <@Kimoleon> Q - now as a member of skt you have contributed :> hope you play more games and win, last words pls
[07:22] <@Kip[KMK]> woohoho
[07:22] <@Kip[KMK]> im a pan
[07:22] <@nalho_> A - i came out for the first time at round 3. when i first came into team i felt my play was lacking so i didnt get played but now that i proved myself i hope to get played more
+ Show Spoiler [120229 KT Rolster vs STX Soul, Dear vs…] +
[12:49] <@Kimoleon> Dear (godslayer) Interview
[12:49] <@Kimoleon> q - 2nd set highlights, lets meet Dear, you beat Flashu (lotsa clappin plz)
[12:49] <@Kimoleon> q - congrast, your strat today was excellent
[12:49] <@Kimoleon> dear - yes my speed shuttle was rlly fast, it's supposed to passby turrets
[12:49] <@Kimoleon> q - ur support bay was hidden
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> dear - I saw flash's scan patterns, so I expected those
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> q - bw forums are not opening (flooding)
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> q - how did you feel when shuttle leave
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> dear - the shuttle leave with intent of dmg
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> q - did you see turret cancel?
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> dear - yes, it worked out well
[12:50] <@Kimoleon> q - is that 2 shuttle play also prepared?
[12:51] <@Kimoleon> dear - yes when terran takes 3rd, it was planned as well
[12:51] <@Kimoleon> q - you are beri close to rookie king, very close you are approaching it
[12:51] <@Kimoleon> dear - yes you can only win this once a year, :>
[12:51] <@Kimoleon> q - congrats on ur win
[12:51] <@Kip[KMK]> GODSLAYER GODSLAYER
A few matches:
+ Show Spoiler [111218 SPL: Team 8 vs Woongjin | Set…] +
Dec 17 22:11:30 * nalho has changed the topic to: SPL: Team 8 - 0 vs 0 - Woongjin | Set 1: Sea vs Shy | Map: Jade | Translators: SNM/Kimoleon/Nalho
Logs:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?34ka66z1rlpm63c
+ Show Spoiler [111218 SPL: Team 8 vs Woongjin | Se…] +
Dec 17 22:43:38 * nalho has changed the topic to: SPL: Team 8 - 0 vs 1 - Woongjin | Set 2: Baby vs Light | Map: Sniper Ridge | Translators: Nalho
A Nalbro TvT
Logs:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0gfwp866nsl5shh
With so much history we watched from BW, there was always someone, some match to cheer for as you can see from the logs below a lot of us made [bracket tags] to cheer for the player or team and sometimes mixed them up with some of our K-Pop biases hehe. Entering the 11-12 PL season, it turned into a duo of me and Nalho.
+ Show Spoiler [120408 SK Planet PL Finals SK Telecom…] +
Entire post season Small VOD thread link: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=50875¤tpage=443#8857
After the eventual 2-0 of KT over Khan in the semis, the eternal rivalry of SKT/KT battled it out again in the Proleague Finals, held in Jamsil Gymnasium. (Same place Sonic Starleague Finals are going to be held, HYPE!!!)
This year we had the Special Force finals first which was CJ Entus sweeping SKT 3-0. There was a 50 minute delay before the PL finals started, which just made the hype even bigger. (we still have like a 45 minute interview for boths teams so longer hehe)
Finals logs (Longest one I had to dig out, as expected of a PL Finals):
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0536cp6qacumoej
With the introduction of a hybrid PL season, both mine and nalho's desire to live translate started to fade away. Then me just doing the post match interviews and the star studded matchups here and there (take someone's request in the chat for a game). Although I would say the end total result amount of translating done in the channel by Kimho/Nalholeon did was around 85% ^^.
As a different game SC2 didn't make me excited as BW did, there were indeed great games like the sC vs Nestea series which gave me reminiscent feelings of what BW was but I didn't want it to take the place of BW. (Nana also got a warning to stop restreaming Proleague/WCG, even though WCG didn't have a stream. With the introduction of the hybrid season and the official youtube stream, which didn't help his dislike for SC2 and he stopped streaming Proleague/SC2 altogether after the final BW OSL)
This was the my last live translate.
+ Show Spoiler [120804 TVing OSL Finals - Jangbi vs Fa…] +
Jangbi after not performing like the defending champion in the regular season, he plays in top form in the group stages onward (especially in the Ro4 series vs Zero - a must watch)
OSL Ro4 VODs: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=50875¤tpage=451#9006
OSL Finals VODs: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=50875¤tpage=451#9017
Finals Logs (expect some BW elitist attitudes a long time ago):
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?5fx45xcoi5dw0lw
On that note, let's all watch Sonic Starleague imo
Thank you notes:
To Nanashin, the best BW/K-Pop restreamer ever ^^;
To Jung, my duo partner in live translating <3
(P.S. thx a lot also to QuickStriker/SNM even though you did a little :D)
To IRC Buds who saved their logs and Kipsate who posted a few of my live interviews in LR Threads.
To all the mods in Nanashin who handled all that traffic and the few SC2 trolls that rolled in.
CardinalAllin who suggested this idea ^^.