Localization
Ongoing coverage on Localization.
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Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 translator claims they have been "replaced with AI"; Warhorse says they "deeply value the people who shape our work"
A former employee of Warhorse Studios, the developer behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, claims their localization role has been made obsolete by AI. Warhorse Studios stated they deeply value the human contributions to their work.
Zero Parades, the spy game from Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM, is coming in May
ZA/UM's new espionage game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, is set to launch on PC on May 21, with Steam Deck verification at launch and a PlayStation 5 version to follow. The studio is prioritizing day-one voice acting and text localization in five languages, with more planned through 2027, aiming to improve upon the rollout of Disco Elysium's localizations.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is the first Disco Elysium successor to get a release date, will finally be playable this summer
ZA/UM has announced that Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, an espionage RPG from former Disco Elysium developers, will be released on PC on May 21st. The game will be Steam Deck Verified at launch, with PlayStation 5 and other platform versions to follow. ZA/UM also committed to launching with five languages and a faster localization cadence than their previous title.
Overwatch Players Discover Why Domina Gets a Different Name in Germany
Overwatch players have discovered that the character Domina is referred to as 'Dominia' in German localizations. This change was made by Blizzard Entertainment because the name 'Domina' has adult connotations in German. The article discusses the broader implications of game localization and cultural context in international releases.
Toby Fox explains why Undertale and Deltarune are only in English and Japanese without more translations
Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale and Deltarune, has explained that his games are currently only available in English and Japanese due to the complexities of translation. He worked with translators Keiko Fuchicho and 8-4 for the Japanese versions of both titles.
Ex Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Dev Says They Were Fired and Replaced with AI
Max Hejtmánek, a former Czech-to-English translator at Warhorse Studios for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, claims he was fired and replaced by AI. He stated that the studio plans to use AI for all translations to increase efficiency and save costs. Hejtmánek expressed feelings of betrayal after nearly four years with the company.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Replaces Human Translator With AI
Warhorse Studios has replaced the human translator for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 with AI technology to reduce costs, sparking backlash from players concerned about localization quality. The decision is criticized for potentially compromising the game's historical authenticity and cultural nuances, which are hallmarks of the series.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 translator claims Warhorse have laid him off in preference of using AI going forward
Max Hejtmánek, a Czech to English translator for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, claims he was laid off by Warhorse Studios and replaced with AI for all future translations. Hejtmánek expressed betrayal, stating the company cited efficiency and cost savings for the decision. Co-founder Daniel Vávra has previously spoken in favor of AI for immediate game localization.
Kingdom Come Deliverance translator allegedly fired amid AI push to ‘save finances’: ‘My position at the company would become obsolete in favour of using AI for all translations’
A former translator for Warhorse Studios, developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, alleges they were fired and replaced by AI as part of a company initiative to save finances. The employee, who worked on Czech to English translations, expressed concern that AI cannot adequately handle the contextual and cultural nuances required for high-quality localization, potentially compromising future game quality.
A New Endgame Challenge news - The Pale Piper
The Pale Piper has received its largest update since launch, version 1.1, introducing a new endgame Gauntlet challenge designed to test player mastery of mechanics and movement. The update also adds a new NPC with a unique mechanic, initial language support for Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, and German, and announces an upcoming sale for the game.
Whale Captain Patch 1.2.0 with added Localization and More!
Whale Captain has released Patch 1.2.0, introducing UI localization for multiple languages including Spanish, Japanese, and French, accessible via the settings menu. The update also adds a new help screen, quality of life improvements like map progression display and wind trails, and game balance adjustments including decreased Act I difficulty and earlier ghost ship appearances.
Super Mario Wonder Version 1.2.0 now available
Nintendo has released version 1.2.0 for Super Mario Wonder on the Nintendo Switch. This update includes adjustments to park decorations for easier collection and adds support for the Thai language. Additional general gameplay experience improvements have also been implemented.
Village in the Shade announced for western release on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
NIS America announced that the farming simulation game Village in the Shade, known as Honogurashi no Niwa in Japan, will be localized for a western release this fall on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The game features hand-painted visuals, crop planting, homestead customization, and building relationships with villagers in a Japanese mountain setting, with a warning to avoid strangers, leaving the village, and going out at night.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Has Been Updated To Version 1.2.0, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Nintendo has released version 1.2.0 for Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Nintendo Switch, introducing Thai language support and general gameplay adjustments. A specific update for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition makes decorative flowers in Bellabel Park easier to collect.
Crimson Desert's in-game artwork shows telltale signs of AI courtesy of missing fingers and human bodies melting into horses
Players have raised concerns that Pearl Abyss' Crimson Desert may be using AI-generated art and translations, citing examples of anatomical errors and repetitive assets. The game has also faced technical issues and delays, with Intel confirming that Crimson Desert does not currently support its graphics cards.
Steam’s Adult Gaming Revolution Gets a New Champion with NTR Idol: Déjà Vu
NTR Idol: Déjà Vu has launched on Steam, marking a significant step in the platform's expansion into adult gaming. Developed by Just Keep Playing, the game features extensive localization, full voice acting, and a high level of production value, setting a new standard for the genre. This release fuels ongoing debates about content curation and platform responsibility on Steam.
Ahead of Hollow Knight: Silksong's Sea of Sorrow expansion, Team Cherry have gotten their Traditional Chinese and German translation ducks in a row
Team Cherry has released Patch 5 for Hollow Knight: Silksong, which includes Traditional Chinese and updated German translations. This patch is described as the last significant update before the upcoming 'Sea of Sorrow' expansion, which is slated for release sometime this year. The update also contains various bug fixes and gameplay tweaks.
Silksong's "Last Significant Update" Before DLC Launch Has Been Revealed, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Team Cherry has released 'Patch 5' for Hollow Knight: Silksong on PC, with a console version coming soon. This update adds Traditional Chinese and German language options, alongside numerous bug fixes and gameplay tweaks. This is described as the last significant update before the upcoming 'Sea of Sorrow' DLC.
Hollow Knight: Silksong patch – here’s what’s in the final ‘significant’ patch before the DLC drops
Hollow Knight: Silksong has received Patch 5 on PC, serving as the final major update before the upcoming 'Sea of Sorrow' expansion. This patch focuses on bug fixes, polish, and significant language updates, including full Traditional Chinese localization and an overhaul of the German script. The update also refines abilities and balances encounters, aiming for a smoother player experience.
Cross-Dressing Visual Novel 'Gyaru Fiction' Reveals English Localization; Coming to Steam
Publisher Shiravune announced that the cross-dressing visual novel Gyaru Fiction, developed by Jitaku Studio, will receive an English localization for PC via Steam. The game features a short playtime of around 20 minutes and includes full Japanese voice acting. An adult patch will be available separately on Shiravune's website.