HELLO, ROGUE TRADERS!

Today, we’re excited to share details about a localization project we’ve been working on in secret for quite some time. As the release of Turkish language support for the game draws near, we’d like to talk about this project and some specifics about its progress.

First of all, if you haven’t heard the news yet: Owlcat Games, renowned for their Pathfinder series, will soon bring Turkish language support to their latest game that they released last year, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, thanks to the localization project managed by 23 Studios!

We’re as thrilled as you are and have been counting down the days to share this news with you. The localization of Rogue Trader has been an extensive, exhilarating project for us, one that has taught us a lot. In fact, we can’t even say it’s over yet since the project is still going on with the localization of DLCs after the main game.

Now, let’s delve into the technical details of the project. The localization for Rogue Trader began over a year ago, in September 2023. The initial phase was particularly challenging for us. At 23 Studios, we’ve localized numerous AAA titles and role-playing games before, even projects set in the Warhammer universe. During this period, we also played an active role in localizing another 40K game into Turkish.

However, every new project brings a fresh wave of excitement and its own unique challenges. From the very first discussions with Owlcat about localizing Rogue Trader, we meticulously planned every detail, discussed how the project would progress, and assembled a team capable of tackling such a significant and demanding project.

Our colleagues at Owlcat were immensely supportive, answering all our questions and doing their best to ensure a smooth localization process. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Owlcat team for their assistance during the initial stages and throughout the project.

WHAT DID WE DO IN THE BEGINNING?

Initially, we formed a team consisting of two project managers and five translators. Over time, some team members left due to various circumstances, and new ones joined. At certain points, we also received support from our in-house translator team to balance the workload. Ultimately, a total of 13 individuals made significant contributions to the localization of Rogue Trader. Currently, two project managers and four translators continue working on translating the DLCs.

At the start of the project, our team had the opportunity to experience the game firsthand and understand what we were dealing with. We held group and one-on-one meetings with the team, provided information, and discussed various aspects of the project. These meetings continued regularly even after the translation process began. Detailed feedback was given to the translators, their opinions were gathered, and their assistance was sought when needed.

Drawing from the terminology we developed during our previous localization projects for Warhammer titles, we established a foundational glossary. In addition to this, we incorporated terms provided by Owlcat and those we gathered ourselves, creating a robust terminological framework before even translating the very first word.

We didn’t just compile terms in a document; we also defined approaches for translating different files and segments. In short, we did everything necessary to lay a solid foundation before starting. Once the translation process began, we revised some of our initial decisions and adopted new approaches as needed. We can say that we did whatever it takes to make the project work in the best way possible. In short, we tried to navigate our way through the warp storm and do whatever necessary to bring our voidship safely to the harbor.

CURRENT PROGRESS

Now, after approximately 15 months, we’re thrilled to announce that by December 2024, we have completed the localization of the main game, encompassing over 1.11 million words.

Owlcat Games has consistently raised the bar with each new RPG they release, earning their place among the giants of the gaming industry. The exceptional quality of the narrative and dialogue in Rogue Trader is evident from the very first moments of the game. From day one, our primary goal was to produce a localization that matches the original text's superior quality. After all this time, we wholeheartedly believe we’ve achieved that goal, delivering a translation that both Warhammer 40K fans and Turkish players will enjoy. Of course, there were challenging moments, dead ends, and difficulties, but in the end, knowing that every ounce of effort and every sleepless moment paid off is the greatest reward.

We are eagerly awaiting the integration of our localization into the game and can’t wait for our beloved Turkish players to experience it. We hope you’re just as excited to set sail with your voidship in the Koronus Expanse and embark on your adventures in Turkish.

See you in the next post. The Emperor protects!