(D4R) DISTRAINT For Research [software files]

Abstract

DISTRAINT For Research (abbr. D4R) is a resource for research purposes (a browser video game) for user-centred game translation studies and beyond. The resource is openly available and customisable, and can be run in the browser by linking a direct URL to it. The game is a demo based on the commercial game DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition (Jesse Makkonen 2017), whose official distribution utilises fan-made localisations into many languages. To make D4R, that commercially-available indie game was ported into HTML5 by the creator of the original game as part of a collaboration with scholars. Researchers can easily modify in-game dialogue and UI texts to use D4R in their projects. All files and instructions necessary to make a working build are available under this repository. Open the ReadMe PDF file to learn what D4R is, who made it, what it consists of, and how to setup D4R to make it work. You can email mikolaj.deckert@uni.lodz.pl to contact our team.

When using D4R, cite this paper in any publications and talks: Hejduk, K.W., Makkonen, J., Sawa, K., Deckert, M. (2026). “DISTRAINT for Research” (D4R) – a resource in game translation studies and beyond. Translation Spaces. John Benjamins. https://doi.org/rk5j When using a specific D4R localisation file, the authors and post-editors of each of the localisation used should also be acknowledged, credited, or cited. We sincerely thank the authors and post-editors for assisting in this project. DISTRAINT ©Jesse Makkonen – all rights reserved. https://jessemakkonen.com