itch.io Community » Game Development » Help Wanted or Offered

[LFP] [Volunteer] [Localization] [EN→RU] Russian Translator for Visual Novels and Indie Games

A topic by Ryumka created 22 days ago Views: 211

Viewing posts 1 to 1

Hi! I’m Ryumka, a volunteer English-to-Russian game translator.

I love reading, story-driven games, and visual novels, so game localization has become one of my main creative interests. I enjoy helping indie developers introduce their projects to Russian-speaking players and helping more people discover games that might otherwise remain unavailable to them.

I provide Russian localization free of charge. I do not ask developers for payment. I have optional support pages such as Ko-fi, Boosty, and DonationAlerts, where members of my audience may support the time I spend on translations, but donations are never required to access my work and are not a condition of cooperation.

What I can translate:

• Visual novels

• Horror games

• Romance and otome games

• Psychological and story-driven games

• Short indie games

• Demos and games currently in development

• Ren’Py projects

My main language pair is English to Russian.

My experience

I have already translated several projects published on itch.io, so I have practical experience with both literary translation and the technical side of localization.

For Ren’Py games, I can work with localization files, accessible scripts, or project files provided by the developer. A prepared spreadsheet is helpful but not required.

I can handle:

• Dialogue, narration, choices, menus, and interface text

• Ren’Py translation files and scripts

• Russian language selection

• Cyrillic font replacement

• Language-dependent font switching

• Text inside images and animations

• Interface adjustments required for Russian text

• Testing the translated version

• Corrections after player feedback

• Preparing a separate translation patch

• Preparing localization files for an official game update

Fonts sometimes support Latin characters but lack Cyrillic characters. In such cases, I can find a visually similar font and configure the game to use it only when Russian is selected. I will always discuss noticeable font, interface, image, or script changes with the developer.

Why I am posting here

I only translate games with the developer’s explicit permission.

I previously contacted developers individually in itch.io comment sections, but repeated permission requests can look like spam. I created this topic so developers who are genuinely interested in Russian localization can contact me directly.

Before I begin working, I would like us to agree on how the translation will be released.

Available distribution options:

1. Official localization

I send the completed Russian files to the developer, and the developer adds Russian to the official game. In this case, players are directed to the original itch.io page.

2. Separate translation patch

With the developer’s permission, I publish a patch that requires the player to download the original game. The patch does not contain the complete original game.

3. Authorized Russian build

I publish a complete translated build only when the developer gives me explicit permission to do so. The original creator, studio, and game page will always be clearly credited and linked.

I will not redistribute a complete game unless its developer has specifically authorized that form of distribution.

Promotion and gameplay videos

I have a Telegram channel where I share my localization projects with my Russian-speaking audience. Every publication includes the game’s title, developer’s name, original itch.io page, and clear information about the translation.

I may also record translated gameplay for TikTok and YouTube as a demonstration of my work and as promotion for the original game. If the developer has a social media account, I will credit or tag it whenever the platform allows me to do so.

I would like to receive permission for:

• Translating the game into Russian

• Editing localization scripts where required

• Replacing or configuring fonts for Cyrillic

• Localizing text contained in images

• Testing the translated build

• Publishing the agreed translation format

• Showing translated gameplay on TikTok and YouTube

• Sharing screenshots and information about the localization

The developer always chooses the distribution method. If you prefer to publish every file yourself, I can send you the completed localization instead of releasing a patch.

Quality and corrections

I carefully edit and test my Russian translations. However, long projects may still contain typos, context errors, or technical issues. I welcome corrections from developers and players and will update my work when genuine errors are found.

Projects I am interested in

I am especially interested in visual novels, horror, romance, mystery, psychological stories, and character-focused games.

Before accepting a project, I would like to know:

• The game’s itch.io page

• Its current development status

• Approximate word count or playtime

• Game engine

• Preferred deadline, if there is one

• Whether Russian is already being translated

• Your preferred distribution option

• Whether the game contains sensitive or adult material

Since this is volunteer work, I may decline a project based on its length, schedule, subject matter, or my current workload. I prefer to discuss the scope before beginning.

Games Featuring My Official Russian Localization

The following games officially include my Russian localization:

• CreepyDates by Hahadit

https://hahadit.itch.io/creepydates

• Room without a View by Veilwalker Studios

https://veilwalkerstudios.itch.io/rwav

Authorized Russian Fan Translations

The following translations were created with the developers’ permission:

• A Helping Hand DEMO by ccolonthree

https://feedtheark.itch.io/a-helping-hand

• Cherry Topper by InkedVision

https://inkedvision.itch.io/cherry-topper