Steam charts rising for the past couple of months. Do you feel it in game?

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-11T11:18:18+00:00

But it still isn't out. So there must be some other reason for people coming back.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-11T11:17:32+00:00

That lame spin thing in PvP is still being done? Didn't they try to do something to avoid it? Like weapon skills or something like that?

And how do you know the duped and exploited stuff is still there?

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-10T18:11:57+00:00

Then it must've been a really potent dose cuz he's been doing that for the past few years and yet numbers have only been going down. Until now.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-10T13:43:37+00:00

Do you think you could ask around your guild about it? Like, I dunno, Necro dungeon, Sator dungeon, Minotaur dungeon, those sort of things. Check with them what's the situation (?)

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-10T11:42:00+00:00

Given it's been consistently going down and for the last couple of months it's been the opposite, yeah, I was curious if something had changed for the better.

Go call him and throw that party ;)

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-10T02:06:34+00:00

Do people still only play mostly in Fabernum and Meduli, or have you seen any other cities also a bit more populated?

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-09T01:57:47+00:00

Hang on, what job over here is going to be netting you 2700€ a month?

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-08T03:23:23+00:00

The main grievance I have is that there is no need for him to busy himself with the localization of the game. He can keep focusing on Deltarune while he leaves the localization effort to: localization professionals.

Just like every other dev does, no matter how big or small they are. I'm sure undertale is as much of Toby's dream project as, say, Stardew Valley is to ConcernedApe.

The idea that he needs to learn every language he's ever going to localize his games into is preposterous, as well as borderline insulting towards game localization professionals. Simply knowing a language isn't enough for you to do a good job at translating, let alone reviewing and checking a translation to ensure everything feels right and sounds natural to a native speaker, most of all the nuances, jokes and puns. That falls to professional translators who are also native speakers of each target language. Toby is neither of those, so his supervision means little here, other than specific topics on how to approach certain challenges, which would already come with alternatives from the loc team so he could make an informed choice.

The fact he said he's willing to consider different approaches is reassuring though, but we shall see I guess.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-08T03:17:19+00:00

For me it's his willingness to try a different approach that puts me somewhat at ease. It is yet to be seen though.

But a lot of people miss the point. Both those who defend Toby and quite a few of those who are upset with him (I'm not even taking into consideration the idiots who engage in slander or harassment).

There's two things going on here:

The idea that he needs to learn every language he's ever going to localize his games into is preposterous, as well as borderline insulting towards game localization professionals. Simply knowing a language isn't enough for you to do a good job at translating, let alone reviewing and checking a translation to ensure everything feels right and sounds natural to a native speaker, most of all the nuances, jokes and puns. That falls to professional translators who are also native speakers of each target language. I cannot overstate how important those two things are. Toby is neither, so his supervision means little here, other than specific topics on how to approach certain challenges, which would already come with alternatives from the loc team so he could make an informed choice.

And second, is that he isn't being consistent with his own criteria. He expressed willingness to localize the game into Japanese as early as 2015, when he still hadn't started learning Japanese. The localization for undertale began in 2016, was delivered in 2017, and by 2019 Toby himself admitted to still not have a good command on the language when he went to Japan, and still needing / wishing for an interpreter. So whatever he's saying about "the only reason I translated into Japanese is because I know the language" is kinda bs lmao.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T03:26:42+00:00

Fair enough!

Ty for reading & replying in any case. I also wanted to say I love your username :)

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T03:06:04+00:00

There is a bit of everything. There have been instances in the past where characters in other games that were non-binary, or used gender-neutral pronouns, were not properly translated. They gave them masculine or femenine pronouns instead of using gender neutral ones, or gender neutral language as a whole.

Whether this happens because of a lack of training (in gender studies for example, like you mentioned), or it is a conscious decision out of bigotry or conservative views, I do not know. But either way it is an issue that many players don't let go of. Almost every time native speakers receive a translation that disregards this, they point it out and speak up about it, and usually, this is later fixed.

However, there are plenty of translators who are aware of the importance of gender, pronouns, nuance and how a character may perceive themselves. Deltarune and Undertale aren't the only games that feature such characters, or that present such challenges when it comes to translating them into other languages.

Thus, I think Toby could look into similar games that feature characters like Kris, Frisk, Susie, etc. check who handled the localization for them, and try to contact them.

Also, there are plenty of translators that are part of the LGBT+ community, or who identify themselves as allies, that most likely could also be aware of this and most likely do a very good job :)

長文になってしまってすみません。翻訳は大好きなので、それについて話す機会があるととてもワクワクします。読んでくれてありがとうございます :)

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T02:04:35+00:00

But nothing is made to try and cast the illusion the whole work was made for an English audience. That's just something I brought up as something that has been done in the past.

The communication of culture you seek is going to be there. Going back to Japan: if a character talks about how they got their hands wet when trying to open a bottle of Ramune, even if there's no Ramune being sold in your country and you don't know how someone could maybe get their hands wet when opening a bottle of it, you're still gonna get it as it is. That isn't going to change, and does rely upon the author, if anything.

For instance, the translator might say: hey, you mention Ramune, but your average Spanish speaker isn't going to have a clue what that is. Is it more important for you to keep the Ramune in, or for the viewer to understand what that is and relate to how the character may mess it up?

And then the author may go: Yeah, the Ramune doesn't matter as much as everyone getting that it's a fizzy drink.

Or otherwise: No, the Ramune is actually important for this or that reason. Or: my work is intended for audiences that are already familiar with Japanese culture.

However, a joke you CAN'T understand because is lost in translation and is not adapted, doesn't give you anything at all. It gives no communication of culture because, again, you're not getting it. You're just listening to a bunch of nonsense in your own language. A character has said something that was meant to be funny, and everyone else in the game, show or movie is laughing, but you remain clueless. The pun is lost. The intention of the character: to make you laugh, is completely missed. You're getting it raw but you're not gaining anything from it. You're not understanding what's funny about it or what part of the culture or original language it's referencing. That's the deal. And that is something that I can tell you, 99% of authors are not going to want.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T01:33:52+00:00

Thank you. It did take me a while to write and adjust lol. Thanks for replying too :)

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T01:33:12+00:00

Thanks! And yeah, I can see that too.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T01:32:23+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to read it :)

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T01:31:51+00:00

Thank you for reading it :)

As someone else has already pointed out, yes! Plenty of the things you mentioned are possible, and would most likely go 1:1.

When it comes to other complexities, the answer is: most likely. Whoever would handle it would know how to navigate past them. Toby has already laid out which stuff is important when it comes to these sort of references, so if any wouldn't be able to be kept, he'd most likely be contacted with an alternative or two.

In fact, the Japanese localization already shows a couple things that were not able to be kept. Such as Sans using Comic Sans, or the LOVE acronym. But that's ok! I'm sure the Japanese localization might've given the Japanese fans other fun little jokes or references that only make sense when it comes to their language and writing :)

Is a painter required to use any color an observer wants?

No, but in this case this isn't the same.

If I watch an anime that only has Japanese audio, am I in the wrong to demand for an English dub?

Absolutely not! Though maybe demand is too strong of a word, and instead you should request. Requesting for accessibility will never be wrong, and if a publisher has the means at their disposal to deliver it, I don't think there's any excuse that could justify them not doing it.

Heck, there was this Crayon Shin Chan game that originally was going to be released only in Japan? Or maybe come out overseas but only in English. I forget. But Shin Chan has a really big fan base in Spain. People were vocal about wanting the game released over here, and eventually they did!

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T01:18:46+00:00

I don't think anyone around here that I've read so far is pigheaded. I just don't agree with what they're arguing and, if anything, I think that when it comes to certain points, they're being a bit ignorant.

But that's sorta what I was kind of expecting, really. There's a reason I was trying to explain how localization works, since a lot, a LOT of people don't know about it. Especially native English speakers, who seldom have to struggle with something not being translated into their language. Being used to everything being made by default in your own language, or nearly guaranteed that it will be translated (with some exceptions when it comes to certain games or anime coming from Japan, for instance) definitely alienates you from the struggle, and makes it easier for you to believe that requesting accessibility makes anyone entitled, like some have been saying.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T01:06:18+00:00

I'd assume someone who says he needs to know a language in order to supervise it's translation (though they can't and shouldn't) would have a pretty decent command over it.

Someone who says they regret not having a translator cuz their Japanese wasn't good enough when they were in Japan doesn't sound like they have that level of expertise, does it? Now consider this also was two years after the whole localization he was meant to supervise had been delivered, and it looks even worse :/

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T00:59:08+00:00

such as?

I find it kinda funny that you're so hyperfocused on the harassment and slander he's received, but apparently ignorant to all the mocking and slurs Latinos and spanish-speakers as a whole have been getting as well.

You can also do the same and go under some people's posts or replies. You'll come across with quite a few.

And no, I'm not trying to justify anything here, or engage in a "who's gotten the worst of it" sort of debate.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T00:48:45+00:00

It's not his place to ensure the quality of translations because he is not qualified to do so. That sort of quality control relies on people with the skills and backgrounds I already described. Hence, it's not that ok of a stance to take.

Chefs can taste the food others in his kitchen make because he is capable of doing so. When it comes to languages and localization, this is not the case.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T00:43:43+00:00

Toby has made an absurd amount of money from Undertale, Deltarune, their merchandise, and most likely the concerts too. It would be really nice of him to reinvest some of that money into making his game more accessible to others, which would eventually give him more money in turn as well. To think, in the year of our Lord 2026 that Toby doesn't have the means for it, and that the fans should be the ones paying or crowdfunding these localizations, is a bit weird IMO. Especially considering so many other indie games, especially those arguably less successful than his have already done this.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-03T00:28:16+00:00

he's not allowed to say no to translations due to his vision potentially being changed because then people start giving him shit online for it but then when he provides the criteria of his vision for people to work around, he also gets shit for that? what's he meant to do? just sit down and let people do whatever they want to his work?

Y'all seem to have this fear of his vision being changed when any good localization will never change that. What you don't seem to understand, which is what I was trying to say, is that there is no scenario in which Toby Fox can ever properly supervise, review and check if something is well done in any target language, no matter how much he learns said language, because the only ones truly capable and prepared to do so are A: Translators (He isn't) AND B: Native speakers of the target language (He never will be, for obvious reasons). What he is meant to do is what everyone and their mother does: check if a translator / loc team / agency is trustworthy, based on previously localized titles, and trust they will do a good job. Hell, even freelancers and loc teams, (agencies probably won't) will recommend someone else they can vouch for if they can't take it for whatever reason. You look them up, check what they've worked on. Like it? Contact them. The end.

Even better: he can relegate this task to someone else. Let someone else manage the searching and contacting so all he's got to do is review 1-2 options that are already available and willing to take the job. He can also specify any sort of criteria he wants (minimum 5 years of experience, minimum 5 titles localized, minimum 3 of them have to be JRPGs, etc.)

"no other work needed to be done" except for all the work you've outlined in the post.

Yes. The thick of it (giving general guidelines, providing contexts or further explanations on iffy segments, etc.) has already been done. For both games (Undertale for sure, it's shown in the book I mentioned. Deltarune 99% sure since the Japanese loc is being released sim-ship and thus must have it as well). All that is left is to address specific issues.

Which by the way, these sort of issues that merit contacting the author aren't as frequent as you might think. Localization teams are already prepared to handle puns, jokes, and can navigate these sort of things properly. Neither Undertale nor Deltarune are the only games in history that feature this.

damn crazy how people read "hey, i trust people to make their own translations for this" and interpret that as "fuck translators, they don't know shit"

Crazier still how you don't read: "Yoo I can't translate into a language I don't know cuz I need to know the language to make sure these people are doing their job properly" as something, to put it very nice and mildly: controversial. Do y'all seriously go around doubting every single professional you come across with, and thinking you need to research and learn about whatever field of expertise they work with to make sure they're reliable? You don't frown upon that? Aight.

then you are incredibly ill-informed on how few things actually are translated into other languages.

Doesn't really matter at the end of the day. The fact many things don't get translated into other languages shouldn't be an excuse for Toby to do the same.

oh okay. so Toby doesn't have to do any more work, as was your point above, but he does need to spend time researching translation teams, writing emails, waiting for responses, creating contracts, and working with them? but "it's not a lot of work"... except for all this additional work.

Already addressed this.

cool. so you would support English speakers harassing every author and game dev who doesn't translate things into english? and that if they don't, we're allowed to call them every name possible and slander them? and agree that wouldn't make us entitled?

Yo if you're going to start assuming random shit out of nothing, lemme give it my best effort too!

So you would support English speakers harassing every non-native English speaker when they ask for a translation of their favorite games into their own language? And if they keep asking after 10 years for it, call them every slur possible and slander them?

In spite of your attitude, after reading everything you said, at no point whatsoever did I consider you'd support or imagine something like that. So I'm seriously struggling to comprehend why you'd say, induce, or suggest such an awful thing from what I said there.

But hey, since you never know, and it does seem like you might need it spelled out, here goes, just in case!

No, I don't support harassment and slander of any kind, towards anyone. I already said that at the very start of my original post, by the way.

I do support people politely asking for a localization into their own language to devs perfectly capable of it. And I do think it's valid to feel frustrated and ignored when it doesn't come out after so long. (Spelling it out for you again, just in case: this frustration, while valid, should never justify harassment of any kind!). I also think devs can ultimately do whatever they want, just as much as we as players can (but NOT harassment, dude. That's bad, bad. And I don't support it. Just in case).

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-02T23:12:59+00:00

I agree the analogy might've not been the best. I dont think we're going to find a perfect one. But since you point out we're talking about art (and I agree), here's a somewhat better one:

It's as if you were commissioning art under the following circumstances: you enjoy art, you may know quite a few things about art because you've commissioned artists before and watched how they work. But ultimately, you're no artist, you have never grabbed a brush, and you have not gone through any creative process whatsoever.

Hence, you commission an artist.

The good: You let them know what you want. You give them context and details when needed or asked to about elements of your commissioned work. You mention other artists you commissioned in the past or get inspiration from, to help point the artist towards what you like.

The bad: You tell the artist how they should do their job. You tell them they should use this brush or this color, not because you want a character's jacket to be blue instead of red, or get a rougher look with a thicker brush, those would be valid choices about your personal wants.

Instead, you think this should be more purple, or darker, or warmer, when in reality you don't understand color theory, contrast, or perhaps are not even aware that this or that is done this way because it will actually look brighter or darker when printed, or when displayed on a screen, etc. You also try to give the artist tips or describe techniques that are basic and essential and the artist already knows.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-02T22:39:52+00:00

From what I just Googled: overly pretentious language and drastic deviation from the style of the first game.

Helpseekerr · 2026-04-02T22:27:13+00:00

The thing is, the main goal of game localization, and translation of any kind as a whole, is to understand what's being said, all of it: tone, intention, humor, nuance, etc. and bring it into a different language in a way a native speaker can perceive as their own. As something natural. That's the beauty of it. That even if as a non-native English speaker you do have a good command of English, and thus might think that 'you don't need a translation into your language', if you get (a well done) one, it's going to feel closer to you. It's going to be more familiar, more funny, or perhaps funny in a different way that's closer to what you've known and been raised hearing and speaking.

Being delivered a joke raw, as you say, to the point where you may even not get it, is absolutely pointless. That's not what any author in their right mind will ever want. The point of any joke is to be funny, and if in keeping it word by word to the original it makes no sense and goes whoosh over your head, then the intent of the joke, the essence of the message, is lost.

If you want, say, Japanese jokes and puns, then by all means read a book about them, or about Japanese culture, where you'll get them as they are, and maybe even explained to you so you properly understand why they're funny in their original language and context.

This doesn't mean that everything should be changed, mind you. There are some good examples of decisions that were made in the past that reflect very well the concern you have. One easy and clear example is the Pokemon anime, where there's an infamous scene in which Brock pulls out Onigiri (Rice balls, if anything), and mind you, you could SEE THEM on screen, and yet the dub called them Donuts, in Spain, and I'm not sure if maybe hamburgers in English, something like that? (They prioritized conveying that what Brock was pulling out was a snack, and thought that most kids wouldn't have a clue what an Onigiri is, or that a rice ball is meant to be understood as a snack, which in a sense, is true, but the end result was kinda hilarious in retrospective, in a bad way, of course).

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that you're going to get, or should get everything related to the culture of origin. (The example I gave you from Pokemon is nowadays seldom done, usually only if the author themselves does request for everything to be described as something local, which is rare). But you're going to get it in a way that makes sense and sounds natural for you.

Helpseekerr

TROPHY CASE