Localization
What It's Like to Localize a Yoko Taro Video Game
John Ricciardi's company, 8-4, has been working with the 'Nier' designer for more than a decade. It's been an especially wild ride.
A 23-Year Perfectionist Journey to Localize the Obscure 'Bahamut Lagoon'
The programmer Near is best known for historic work on SNES emulation. That only happened because of an old JRPG they've tried to localize five times.
An Online Feud Killed a Gaming Oddity People Had Waited 21 Years For
The strange world of fan localizations—a land of eternal hope and broken promises—dashed the excitement of fans ready to play this obscure 'Twin Peaks'-inspired game.
This 'Twin Peaks'-Inspired Open World Game Came Out in 1998, and Now It's Playable in English
Thanks to dedicated fans, you can finally play the Lynchian 'Mizzurna Falls' in English.
The Near Impossible 20-Year Journey to Translate 'Fire Emblem: Thracia 776'
Nintendo's heralded strategy series is now completely playable in English, thanks to the tireless work of fans battling what the community dubbed the "translation patch killer."
How a Major JRPG Wound Up Getting Totally Re-Written Months After Release
Some games get patches. Other games, like 'Ys VIII,' have scripts thrown out after fans rip it to pieces—and the publisher agrees with them.
The Modder Who's Finally Translating 'Dragon Quest' into Arabic
The NES isn't even capable of scrolling text from right-to-left, but that hasn't stopped him.
The Modder Slowly Translating 'Stardew Valley' into a Language Most Games Ignore
Most games are released in English in Indonesia, leaving players to struggle through with their second language.
Localization Isn't Censorship, And The Difference Is Important
A localizer at XSEED had their name removed from an upcoming game over the deletion of KKK reference, raising fiery debates over intent and "censorship."
What Happens When You Ask Google to Translate 'Final Fantasy'
There's a reason humans are still involved in translating video games, but it doesn't mean there aren't lessons to be learned.
Why Germany Banned 'Criminal Girls 2', A Game It Deemed “Harmful To Minors”
The organizations that assign game ratings don't usually explain themselves, but one game publisher took us behind-the-scenes.
The Game Germany Deemed 'Harmful to Minors'
The organizations that assign game ratings don't usually explain themselves, but one game publisher took us behind-the-scenes.