Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization

30 yrs in game localization, JP⇄EN (Silent Hill 1/2, Mass Effect, Halo 4, Alan Wake). Founder of @lochatch698, connecting player demand with localization.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

Ever wished a game you love was in your language?

Today we launched LocHatch, where players vote for the localizations they want and devs can see the demand. Free to vote.

English & Japanese for now.
More languages on the way!

https://t.co/QCElTmKK3R #gamedev #localization

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

Sad news. I was really looking forward to the next Mass Effect.

Localizing the series into Japanese is still a favorite memory. On ME1, splitting lines for male and female Shepard was a real challenge, and BioWare took our feedback on board.

Hope to see BioWare’s DNA live on.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@DanielCrow75474 I just launched a website "LocHatch" (https://t.co/HD6Yloyr45) which game players can vote for the localization into their languages.

I just voted for your game.

Hope other Japanese game players will find the game and vote for the "proper" translation of the game.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@artisimpact Super looking forward to it!

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@ArtofAdval So true! Love the motion you made!

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@SuddenKebab Love it!

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@RustedMoss Super cool!

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@ophaeron It's 25 years ago and I really don't remember if that's true or not. My ex-colleague told me I was the one who came up with the name Silent Hill but I don't know if it's true or not as well... I guess I have bad memory...

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

Funny how things connect—working on the English version of Shenmue as casting director ended up helping me cast the right actors for Silent Hill 2 in Tokyo.

I might start doing foreign voice recording again in Tokyo maybe not for AAA games but for indie games.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@ophaeron I appreciate the sentiment! I'm not involved in the SH1 remake at this time, but I share your hope that the remake team reaches out to Michael G to have him return as Harry Mason.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

I think I picked curry-bun and Yu Suzuki picked Anpan (red-bean vread).

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

While I’m not under NDA, I have no plans to tweet about what goes on behind the curtain of game development while I'm in the industry. That said, I’ll never forget the warmth I felt when Yu Suzuki offered me some bread he’d brought to a meeting. It was such a sweet moment.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

I was incredibly lucky to work as a casting coordinator for the English version of Shenmue 1. As a huge fan of Yu Suzuki, being in the same room with and chatting with him during the casting process was absolutely unreal.

[SEGA @SEGA]

We're excited to share that Shenmue has won the public poll for Most Influential Video Game of All Time ahead of the #BAFTAGamesAwards 2025! 🎉

Thank you so much to everyone who voted!

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@seirei526 とても素晴らしいレゴ・ガンダムを拝見して感動しました！次回作楽しみにしております！

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

And game localization is not all about game translation.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

I actually did more than broker/middleman when I was inside the LSP :) Most of the project I dealt in the past needed more than something which can be handled by bunch of translators.

[Bernard / バーナード @dearchosenone]

personally i have always viewed LSPs as the broker/middleman between those who want things translated and those who can translate those things, so can't say i disagree with this tweet

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@kaisap112 Wow EU sounds like heaven to freelancers compared to Japan! Thank you so much for all the feedback!

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@kaisap112 That’s nice. I think EU is abased of Japan providing livable minimum wage (as far as I know). But does EU still protect minimum price and the rights of the freelance translators?

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@aduceclean Thank you for your feedback. I guess I am thinking something more like SAG/AFTRA. I believe the voice actors who is with SAG/AFTRA are freelancers.

[Harry Inaba | LocHatch: vote for localization @178]

@kaisap112 I see. One problem with domestic union is, it has no or limited power against global corporations. Even if one country sets minimum wage, it won't have limited power to the clients outside the country.