Recently, I had the privilege of performing an in-game verification playtest for "Athemore," a title developed by Aces Games, my very first translation partner.

In this article, I’d like to share a behind-the-scenes look at my actual workflow, including specific examples of how hands-on testing can drastically improve the quality of a game's localization.

Meet the Developer: Aces Games

itch.io:Aces Games
Aces Games was the first indie developer to believe in my project. Based in Denmark, he operates as a solo developer with a profound dedication to his craft. He values unique gameplay mechanics that evoke the spirit of classic retro games—favoring challenging experiences where a player’s actions have a direct impact on the world.

"Athemore" is a perfect reflection of this philosophy. Players must rely on scattered notes and items to navigate the world, and their choices lead to over a dozen different endings. It is a game where your playstyle truly matters.

Steam Link:Athemore

During my playtest, I felt that while the game demands careful thought, it is perfectly balanced with subtle hints that maintain the immersion without being unfairly difficult. A word of caution, though: the horror elements are top-notch, so be careful if you’re sensitive to jump scares!

Optimizing UI and Fonts

The moment I launched the game and selected "Japanese," seeing my own translation on the screen for the first time was a deeply moving experience. As a localizer, I can provide the text, but it takes the developer’s collaboration to bring it to life within the game. Seeing that partnership take physical form made me incredibly happy.

However, I quickly realized that certain nuances and expressions can only be caught when seeing them in context. For instance, in Japanese gaming culture, it is common to leave certain UI elements in English to preserve the world-building or aesthetic.

In the bottom right of the screen, there is a display for "Loot." I had initially translated this as "戦利品" (Senri-hin). However, once I saw it in the game, the Japanese font felt like a mismatch for the ancient, atmospheric ruins of the setting. As a result, I decided to revert it to the original English "Loot."

Additionally, I identified issues where the UI size caused text overlaps and noted that some kanji characters were using older or non-standard Japanese variants. Unlike a large corporation, our communication via Discord allowed for rapid, conversational feedback and quick fixes.

Tips: Sometimes kanji can appear in older forms or Chinese variants that, while technically correct in meaning, feel "off" to a modern Japanese player. These subtle linguistic issues are nearly impossible to detect without hands-on testing.

Left:before/Right:after

Bug Discovery and Reporting

Before I even began the translation work, I played Athemore to immerse myself in its world. While I was enjoying its atmospheric gameplay, I encountered a critical issue: after saving and closing the game, the reload process would hang at 100%.

After testing various scenarios, I identified the specific conditions causing the load failure and reported them. The developer immediately began investigating and is currently working hard on a fix.

During the actual localization playtest, I also discovered "backface culling" issues where certain object meshes were invisible from specific angles and reported those as well.

Initially, I hesitated to report these as I felt my role was "translator," not "debugger." However, Aces Games’ appreciative and professional response made me realize a new path for my business. I decided to expand my vision from simple translation to a comprehensive "Japanese Market Entry Support" service, and I am now developing my future business plans with this broader scope in mind.

Reflections: What I Learned by Playing

I used to be confident that my spreadsheet translations were high-quality. I was wrong.

Within minutes of playing the actual game, I found numerous areas that required adjustment to fit the atmosphere—some required minor tweaks, while others necessitated significant structural changes that I discussed directly with the developer.

I realized that words are just one part of the puzzle. Fonts, visibility, timing, and positioning—all these elements are directly tied to the user experience. I learned that my most important job isn't just to "write," but to "see."

This was a massive first step for me. I am more committed than ever to collaborating with Aces Games and my other current partners to provide the highest quality service possible.

I am not a native English speaker, so I have used AI to assist in translating this article. Please rest assured that I never use AI for my actual game translation services; all localization work is done manually to ensure the highest quality and cultural accuracy.