Loekalization Blog
Japanese/Chinese/Korean/English/Dutch game localization
Month: December 2024
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China Demands Respect: How Localization Missteps Can Sink Your Game
The localization controversy surrounding BZZZT: Buzzbot! didn’t begin as a drama—it started as a triumph. Created almost entirely by industry veteran Karel Matejka, the retro-styled platformer debuted in November 2023 to glowing reviews. Players praised its beautiful pixel art and challenging gameplay, catapulting it to the coveted “Overwhelmingly Positive” status on Steam. For a brief,…
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Overwatch 2 Returns to China After a Spicy Breakup
Overwatch 2, the prodigal child, is to return to the Chinese gaming scene, like a heavily armored, slightly disheveled Reinhardt charging back into battle after a lengthy AFK. The drama behind this homecoming has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster soap opera—backstabbing, high-stakes negotiations, and some truly petty cafeteria mockery (looking at you, NetEase’s “Blizzard-flavored…
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X 本 – X hon – Measure word for long, thin objects
本 (hon) is a delightful Japanese counter that comes with more baggage than a tourist in Kyoto during cherry blossom season. Today, we delve into the twisted tale of this humble kanji, a simple root from which an entire forest of meaning has grown. And like any good forest, there are vines to trip over…
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Luo XiangYu: The Cat-Loving Maverick of Game Development
Imagine strolling into a game development studio and being greeted not by the clacking of keyboards, but by a chorus of meows. Why? Because the team affectionately refers to their fearless leader as “The Cat Overlord.” No, this isn’t some bizarre side quest from a feline-themed RPG; it’s just another day at NEKCOM GAMES (铃空游戏),…
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Nikke x Stellar Blade: Post-Apocalyptic Waifus, Plot Twists, and Anime Chaos
Nikke and Stellar Blade are a symphony of post-apocalyptic glamour and combat mechanics that scream, “Take my wallet now!” I mean, who needs subtlety when you have android soldiers and a world-ending conflict rendered in chef’s kiss anime visuals? Let’s unpack this epic crossover that feels like someone blended sci-fi melodrama with a neon-lit fever…
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Waifus vs. Woke: What China and the West Teach Us About Fun
Today, ali213.net, one of the earliest gaming media in China, published an article in their gossip section that boldly declared Chinese gacha games are single-handedly reshaping the global gaming landscape, leaving Western developers face down in a pile of their own politically correct misery. According to this little masterpiece of editorial sass, titles like Genshin…
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Breaking News: Japan’s Gaming Industry Crowns 2024’s Best
The glorious 超流行りゲー大賞2024 (The Grand Award for Gaming Trends) is the year-end gaming equivalent of Japan’s Michelin star guide—except instead of dining, it’s all about how many hours you sunk into imaginary worlds while avoiding your real-life responsibilities. Hosted by Weekly Famitsu, this annual extravaganza has been around for a decade now, and it’s basically…
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Translation? Nailed It. QA? They Blendered It.
Here’s the deal: Thorsten Hendriks, a highly skilled human translator, just finished a mammoth 100,000-word translation from English to Dutch for Huawei via GienTech, an LSP. A month of hard work, expertise, and, let’s face it, probably an unhealthy amount of caffeine went into this project. And how does GienTech respond? Oh, you’re going to love…
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Skeletons in the Market: How Graveyard Keeper Cashed In on a Taboo
The Chinese gaming market is largely dominated by Tencent and NetEase, two giants whose combined influence creates towering barriers for small indie developers. Tencent alone rakes in billions through its expansive portfolio, including Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile, while both companies flex their deep understanding of cultural nuances, regulatory labyrinths, and player preferences like…
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Lessons for Game Devs from Japan’s Gamer Parents
For Western game developers, Japan’s gaming market might seem like a fantastical land where Nintendo Switches grow on trees, gacha mechanics are the stuff of parental nightmares, and families operate like finely tuned eSports teams. Lucky for you, 4Gamer recently published a roundtable interview with gamer parents that’s equal parts adorable chaos and insightful goldmine.…
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