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Interactive Fiction Localization
Native translators. Genre expertise. LocQA included. Get a free quote →
Interactive fiction — choice-based games, narrative games, and story apps — places special demands on localization: player choices must feel meaningful in the target language, branching structures must be tracked, and the prose must read as native-quality writing, not translated text. Interactive fiction audiences have high literary expectations. SandVox has extensive experience localizing interactive fiction content for global audiences across multiple platforms.
Unique Localization Challenges
- Player choice text must feel natural and carry equal weight in target language — ‘Run’ vs ‘Hide’ as a choice must land differently in German or French, not just translate literally
- Branching dialog requires careful tracking to ensure character consistency across all paths a player might take
- Interactive fiction often features distinctive authorial voice (literary prose, unreliable narrators, genre-specific registers) that requires literary translators, not generalist translators
- Mobile interactive fiction apps have additional UI constraints — character limit enforcement on choice buttons, scrolling dialog display — that require localization engineering
What We Localize
- Full Story Script Translation
- Player Choice Text Localization
- Branching Path Management
- Character Voice Profiling
- UI & Navigation Strings
- App Store Metadata
- LocQA
Our Process
- Narrative analysis: branching structure map, choice weight analysis, character count per route
- Authorial voice brief: tone, register, narrative conventions
- Translation with choice branch tracking
- Literary editorial pass: naturalness, player agency preservation, tone consistency
- LocQA: choice text display, character limit enforcement, encoding
Languages Available
German · Spanish · French · Portuguese (BR) · Japanese · Korean · Chinese (Simplified + Traditional)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you handle player choice text so it feels natural in the target language?
Choice text is treated as copywriting in the target language, not translation. We brief translators on the intended emotional weight and player implication of each choice, and the editorial review specifically checks that choices feel balanced and meaningful.
Can you manage interactive fiction localization with hundreds of branching paths?
Yes. We use project-specific branch tracking to map dialog to paths and ensure character consistency across all routes. For very complex branching structures, we provide per-route delivery to facilitate build integration.
Do you work with specific interactive fiction platforms or engines?
We work with content from all major platforms and engines — including Twine, Ink, Ren’Py, Unity-based story systems, and proprietary engines. File format support is discussed at project scoping.
What is the turnaround for an interactive fiction localization?
A standard story app episode (3,000–8,000 words): 3–7 business days per language. Full game with multiple routes (50,000–150,000 words): 4–8 weeks with milestone delivery.
Start Your Interactive Fiction Localization Project
Tell us your word count, target languages, and timeline. We’ll send a quote within one business day.