xian Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Obviously it's not a game breaker - but my personal opinion is that spelling mistakes reflect badly on a product . It could suggest a lack of care and possibly undermine a player's confidence in a scenario designer. Just out of curiosity - did someone at BF check all the briefings before full release? Comments welcome... am I alone in my thinking? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDash Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 What kind of spelling errors? Armour Armor? Missions were created by a bunch of different nationalities. Should they have streamlined it to US "English"? Probably, but I don't think it's a huge issue. If this is the main negative you've noticed about the game, then I think you should have confidence in the product, right? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xian Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm not having a gripe - merely opening a topic for discussion. I'm just interested to know if it bothers other players. I've worked in print for a few years, so please understand my eye is easily drawn to this kind of thing. I've only played a couple of missions, and have noticed mistakes in both. An example: From 'A Strange Awakening' - "Adept the current situation an occupy the Railway Station." Admittedly, I suspect that English isn't this designer's first language (apologies if I'm wrong), but - and my query is this - shouldn't someone at BF proofread the briefings before release? On a more helpful note, if any scenario designer (especially any non-native English speaker), wants me to check their copy, I'd be very happy to do so. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantom67 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Yeah, same goes for me. I'm a real Nazi when it comes to spelling and grammar. If BFC wants to hire a full-time proof reader in return for cookies (I'll settle for chocolate brownies though) then I'd be more than happy to help. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDash Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm not having a gripe - merely opening a topic for discussion. I'm just interested to know if it bothers other players. I've worked in print for a few years, so please understand my eye is easily drawn to this kind of thing. I've only played a couple of missions, and have noticed mistakes in both. An example: From 'A Strange Awakening' - "Adept the current situation an occupy the Railway Station." Admittedly, I suspect that English isn't this designer's first language (apologies if I'm wrong), but - and my query is this - shouldn't someone at BF proofread the briefings before release? On a more helpful note, if any scenario designer (especially any non-native English speaker), wants me to check their copy, I'd be very happy to do so. I get what you mean. I write documentation (Solutions Architect) for a living, and it's extremely unprofessional to send work to customers filled with typos. However I don't think it matters too much here, given the fact that most people download and play scenarios released online, by the community, filled with typos anyway. It would allow for a more polished release? yes. Priority? no. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xian Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 Good point - I guess it is a matter of priorities. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshoot Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I've worked in publishing for a couple of decades now too and my eyes are also drawn to typos, but they don't really bother me here so long as the meaning is clear. As far as typos in briefings reflecting badly on the game, I don't think they do given its total scope. The manual is a far more important part of the overall impression and I think it is an excellent example of non-technical technical writing. I did notice an error (not strictly a typo) in the briefing for The School of Hard Knocks mission. In the designers notes it says there is a light wind "from the south-west" when it should be "to the south-west" - thank the war gods for my saved game when my smoke barrage started to blow the wrong way. But looking at the writers name I imagine English is not his native language so it's just one of those things. Besides, I have other reasons to hate him for because of that mission besides something as comparatively trivial as an error in the briefing 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pvt. Ryan Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I've always heard wind described as the direction it is coming from, not going to. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 From is the UK english common usage. I do think typos are a turn-off as it does sow the seeds of doubt. I did some rule-book checking for Les Grognards and if given scenarios I would have done those also for the love of the game. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie_Oz Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Are you meaning to say that the wind in the scenario was stated as being from the South West when it was actually from the North West? I have never heard winds being indicated by any other means that by the direction they come from, it come from the old seafarers in that it is the direction you face when you feel the wind in your face. Typo's in any production you pay for are inexcusable in my book, seems to have been getting worse in recent years, grammar as well. " I wish to offer you some advise " is my pet hate! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 If you click Conditions, you'll notice that the game names the source of wind. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 WIND: 2000 5000 7000 10000 14000 18500 A: 090/15 090/15 090/15 090/10 MS02 090/10 MS10 VRB/10 MS19 B: 360/15 350/15 340/15 340/20 MS01 340/15 MS09 350/15 MS17 As others have said it is standard practice to describe wind direction as where it is coming from not to. The quote is an excerpt from an aviation forecast, first line of figures is altitude, the A and B lines are forecast winds on either side of a front it reads as direction wind is coming from in degrees / wind speed in knots. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshoot Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Ah yes, I know the windy conventions, but I see that my comment was unclear. To clarify, the scenario says "Wind: light from SW" when it should say "Wind: light from NE". So I meant that the wrong wind direction is given, rather than that the phraseology is wrong (which isn't a typo as such). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I picked a scenario at random to read one sides brief and there where three typos and some English usage that was just a tad off. And research shows a non-native speaker. So I have offered my assistance for the future. : ) It only takes moments to read a section. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Ah yes, I know the windy conventions, but I see that my comment was unclear. To clarify, the scenario says "Wind: light from SW" when it should say "Wind: light from NE". So I meant that the wrong wind direction is given, rather than that the phraseology is wrong (which isn't a typo as such). Ouch. that can really mess up the smoke orders. Definitely needs flagging up for a V. 1.01 scenario. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemuelG Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Typo's in any production you pay for are inexcusable in my book, seems to have been getting worse in recent years, grammar as well. Forgive me, but it's just too ironic to let pass by. Glad I wasn't paying to read that post 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Maggie is not writing for posterity here so perhaps should be given a little leeway ... but is obviously overly possessive about typo. : ). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaws Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 To spell or not to spell. I am not a native English speaker so forgive me. Spelling is nothing more than a set of rules to help people to improve communication. Bad spelling could lead to misunderstanding and frustration. In the worst case even to terrible incidents or accidents. But..it can never be a main goal on itself unless you are teacher in English for example. Back to the case. BF has international volunteers to make scenarios and beta test the game and they have a limited staff for programming, modelling etc etc. They don’t have/ want to spend money on a full time grammar checker. If they would do it by themselves then BF could release less scenarios cause checking all grammar takes a lot of time. Question do we want less scenarios? Do we basically understand the mission brief? If yes case is closed. If not the briefings should be improved. What’s really pissing me off (AND THIS IS NOT PERSONAL), there are 193 county’s doing their best to communicate in English to understand each other. Then US English is different than UK English… For native English speakers this is not a problem but for the rest of the World (in common) it is. It’s pretty frustrating if people of the only country in the world who have the luxury of using their native language on the internet start picking on none native posters about their none native grammar. Basically I would like to see that people would putt their energy in the will to understand each other instead of pointing out the mistakes who people make. Of cause we are never too old to learn and if people really want to improve their English they would have bought language course instead of Combat Mission Battle for Normandy imho. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c3k Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I agree with Jaws' sentiments as he expressed them, above. Some of the more egregious mistakes do detract from the polish of the final product. My suggestion is to use this thread as a single point source for all suggestions to improve the briefings. Might I suggest that if you've found some sort of mistake that you post it here, clearly denoting the scenario title, the specific part of the briefing which you think is wrong, and your correction? For example, "Big Busty Battle, briefing, first page, second paragraph, "you're" should be "your". Instead of a general condemnation of all things BF.C, specific recommendations like I've just described will do far more to improve the game. Ken 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wego McPbem Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Only one I noticed so far is that A Strange Awakening is titled as A Stange Awakening. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpabrams Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Who reads briefings? I look at the tactical map and go. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 To clarify, the scenario says "Wind: light from SW" when it should say "Wind: light from NE". So I meant that the wrong wind direction is given, rather than that the phraseology is wrong (which isn't a typo as such). Why? The wind source in that scenario is SW, not NE. :confused: And it's not just the briefing. If you click the Conditions button, it says the same. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I think that Jaws is perhaps not seeing this in the same way I do. I cannot design scenarios, I cannot reliably speak one other language so have a huge affection for those who do make scenarios and do work in a language not their own. In CM it is fortunate that it is a military context and most of us know what we talk about. However do we want people from Sri Lanka, Australia or Chad unfamiliar with military matters reading a scenario with incorrect English and thinking that is a correct spelling.? As to how long a spell/grammar check would delay a scenario? Well I read at several hundred words a minute so I would think five minutes tops. If BF were banning scenario designers from having their text checked then I can understand Jaws being peeved. As I have said I have checked rules for Les Grogs - I am not interested in being paid I just like things error free and am pleased to help. On a general note English is a primary language in more than one country, and funnily enough India probably is one of the countries with the most correct usage. Overall it is around the third most commonly used language. It does raise the question as to whether you wish that everyone should spell English in their own way - or that we should tend towards a correct spelling. With around one million English words misspellings of common words can actually also be proper words. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie_Oz Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 However do we want people from Sri Lanka, Australia or Chad unfamiliar with military matters reading a scenario with incorrect English and thinking that is a correct spelling.? Don't make me burn your house down. :mad: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 It was a toss-up between Australia and the US : ) BTW I am curious why you specify the loooo...ong jacket. I am obviously missing something here. DO tell. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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