Loekalization Blog

Let’s get something straight: when you call out unethical business practices, you will make enemies. You will be accused of having a big mouth, of stirring the pot for attention, of burning bridges that “shouldn’t be burned.” You’ll hear people whisper about you in the industry, say you’re “difficult,” “unprofessional,” or even “vindictive.” And maybe they’re right—at least about the big mouth part. I don’t keep quiet when I see people getting screwed over. If that makes me unpopular in certain circles, so be it. But before you jump to conclusions about why people like me name and shame unethical companies, let’s take a look at what actually happens when someone dares to speak up.

Case 1: Mediocre Mavericks

Back in 2024, I was working on a game localization project for Tumblesoft. Another company, Mediocre Mavericks, was involved too. Now, I already knew from past experience that Mediocre Mavericks had a track record of financial mismanagement and late or missing payments. Instead of staying silent, I warned Tumblesoft about this. Not because I had some personal vendetta, but because I believe in transparency. Tumblesoft acknowledged my concerns but decided to keep working with them anyway. Fair enough. Their choice.

But here’s where it gets ugly. Later, Tumblesoft wanted to officially onboard me as a vendor to handle Asian languages. Mediocre Mavericks, meanwhile, would handle everything else. This arrangement would have allowed me to continue working on the project while keeping Mediocre Mavericks in their own lane.

Except Mediocre Mavericks refused to work with me. Not because of my skills, experience, or rates—but because I had publicly exposed their past financial misconduct. Instead of proving they had changed, they doubled down and made sure I was locked out of a major business opportunity. That’s retaliation, plain and simple. Not only did they reinforce my original warnings about their behavior, but they also made it clear that in this industry, calling out unethical actors comes at a cost.

Case 2: Obfuscate Unlimited

Now let’s fast-forward to 2025. Imagine working with a company for years, being one of their go-to providers, delivering high-quality work, and maintaining a great professional relationship. Then, out of nowhere, they stop sending you projects. You ask why, and all you get is vague corporate nonsense: “It’s just business decisions. Nothing to do with your work quality.”

But behind the scenes, it’s a different story. You’re outspoken about unfair industry practices. And instead of firing you outright (which would make them look bad), they just start sending you fewer and fewer jobs. They keep you on the books, but only for scraps. It’s a silent punishment for daring to challenge the status quo.

This is how the industry polices itself. Not with open debate, not with a fair exchange of ideas, but with quiet blacklisting, subtle retaliation, and backroom deals designed to make sure the “troublemakers” stay in their place.

The Bigger Picture: Why Naming and Shaming Matters

Some people argue that public exposure of unethical companies does more harm than good. That it ruins reputations, makes enemies, and ultimately doesn’t change anything.

I disagree.

Take Powerling, for example. They built a reputation on big promises and corporate buzzwords while leaving a trail of unpaid invoices and disillusioned freelancers in their wake. Buying WCS for a single euro may have been a smart legal move, but ethically? It was a masterclass in dodging responsibility. And for a while, they got away with it—because too many people were afraid to speak up.

But when freelancers started talking—when industry professionals began sharing their experiences, when associations like the VViN took action, when clients could no longer ignore the noise—things shifted. Slowly, but undeniably.

The VViN, an organization not known for rash decisions, eventually made the unprecedented move to expel Powerling from its ranks. They didn’t issue a dramatic takedown; they simply made it clear that Powerling’s behavior was incompatible with professional ethics. The message was subtle but unmistakable: we see you, and we won’t stand for this. That’s the power of speaking up. It makes silence impossible.

The Industry Wants You to Shut Up—And That’s Exactly Why You Shouldn’t

Companies thrive on secrecy. They rely on the fact that freelancers, scared of losing work, will stay quiet about non-payment, bad contracts, and exploitation. They know that the moment someone speaks up, others will hesitate to work with them. That’s why retaliation happens. It’s why Mediocre Mavericks blocked me from the Tumblesoft project. It’s why Obfuscate Unlimited quietly pushed me to the sidelines. It’s why Blu Digital Group executives tried to blackmail freelancers into deleting their complaints. They need silence to operate the way they do.

So when you call them out, you’re not just making noise. You’re disrupting their entire system of unchecked exploitation. And if that makes me “difficult” or “controversial,” then fine. I’ll wear that label proudly. Because if no one speaks up, nothing changes. And frankly, I’d rather burn a few bridges than be complicit in an industry that punishes honesty.

So, What’s Next?

For those who say naming and shaming doesn’t work, here’s my challenge:

• If you’ve been burned by a company, speak up. The more voices, the harder it is for them to ignore.
• If you see unethical behavior, don’t stay silent. Staying quiet only protects the guilty.
• If a company blacklists you for telling the truth, wear it like a badge of honor. If they retaliate, they’re proving you right.

The industry wants to keep its dirty secrets hidden. Let’s make sure they stay out in the open.