Japanese Localization Scope & QA for Indie Games.
For indie teams preparing a demo, update, or Japanese launch, I review the Steam page, demo flow, screenshots, or Japanese text you already have - then return a prioritized scope recommendation, concrete redlines, and an issue log your team can implement.
Start with a public Steam or game URL. The free fit confirmation identifies the likely paid path; redlines and private-file review begin only after the scope, access method, price, and timing are confirmed in writing.
Where to start
A Japanese Steam page can be a useful demand test when language support is disclosed clearly. For text-heavy games, demos, or existing Japanese, the next step should also reflect the player-facing context.
Best fit: a team with a demo or existing Japanese, a launch or major update approaching, and no dedicated in-house Japanese QA owner. I use the Steam page, text dependency, demo status, current Japanese, and available interest signals to recommend the paid starting scope.
Localized store copy can support a demand test while the language table and copy stay clear about the current gameplay language.
One accountable reviewer owns the scope recommendation and Japanese QA. Capacity is confirmed before paid work begins.
Pricing
Start with a bounded review. Every paid scope confirms the material limit, exact delivery date, and included written follow-up before work begins.
Recommended first scope
Use whenYou are not sure whether Japanese should start with the store page, demo, strings, or full game.
Use whenYou have a demo, Next Fest build, or Early Access slice and want a first-session Japanese QA pass.
Use whenYou already have Japanese text, translated strings, or machine-translated copy that needs native QA.
Larger release-gate reviews are scoped from $1,200.
Use whenYou are considering full Japanese localization and need a quote-ready scope before translation begins.
Optional add-ons
Use these for focused follow-up needs after the first Japanese localization scope is clear.
Shorter, clearer Japanese strings your UI can actually hold.
Clean up machine-translated Japanese before it reaches players.
Keep Japanese update copy clear, accurate, and easy to trust.
Create the rules before the translation grows.
Confirm whether implemented fixes match the Japanese QA notes.
from $750/month
Available after a completed review. Monthly limits, response targets, rollover, and overage are confirmed in writing.
Steam Page Japanese Check is handled inside Fit Check or Demo Readiness when it fits the scope. A Japanese store page can test demand while current in-game language support remains explicit.
Start with a public Steam or game URL. I will identify the likely paid path and any material questions before you send private files.
The free fit confirmation does not include redlines or private-file review. Paid work starts after the scope, price, access method, payment condition, and timing are confirmed in writing.
Deliverables
Depending on the confirmed scope, you receive a recommendation, QA issue log, redline examples, and implementation notes your team can use in writing.
Samples
These examples show how scope decisions and Japanese-language fixes are documented for implementation.
Fictional examples only. These show deliverable format, not client results.
Story-heavy RPG. English-only gameplay. The team wants to measure Japanese interest before full localization.
Localize the store page as a demand test, keep current gameplay language support explicit, and use regional interest signals to decide whether the demo or full game should follow.
Playable demo with tutorial prompts, menu labels, and item names.
Review tutorial clarity, UI length, and first-session terminology before deciding whether to expand into full localization.
You can't do that now.
あなたは今それをすることができません。
今は実行できません。
Process
Start with public information. Private builds, keys, and source files are accepted only after the paid scope and access method are confirmed.
A Steam or game URL is enough for the initial fit confirmation.
Material list, version, limits, price, payment condition, and delivery date are confirmed in writing.
Priority, expectation notes, redlines, issue rows, severity notes, or rewrite suggestions.
One written follow-up is included during the agreed acceptance window; new material is scoped separately.
Delivery Clarity
The scope, deliverable, price, and timing are confirmed in writing before paid work begins, so your team knows what happens next.
Sometimes, but it depends on the game. For text-heavy games, a Japanese Steam page without Japanese gameplay can create a mismatch between the store page and player experience. I help decide whether Japanese should start with the Steam page, demo, in-game strings, or full localization scope.
Start with a public Steam or game URL and your target date. If deeper QA is a fit, the exact screenshots, strings, file set, or demo access method will be confirmed before private material is shared.
The initial fit confirmation uses public information and identifies the likely paid path. It does not include redlines, private-file review, or a localization plan. Those begin only after a paid scope is confirmed in writing.
The public offer is a Full Game Localization Scope Review. Any translation production is confirmed separately after reviewing word count, file format, context, UI constraints, terminology, LQA needs, timeline, and available capacity. Larger projects may require phased delivery, collaborators, or referral.
That is a common starting point. I can review existing Japanese for tone, terminology, UI length, context mismatch, and player-facing clarity before it reaches more users.
You receive written redlines, issue logs, suggested Japanese, and implementation notes. Your team keeps implementation control while the language decisions stay clear enough to apply.
Follow-up happens in writing through email, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Notion, GitHub Issues, Slack, or Discord text. This keeps every Japanese-language decision visible and easy to review.
A scope request starts with a short written fit confirmation. Before paid work begins, I confirm the material set, deliverable, starting price or quote, and timing in writing. Larger or time-sensitive work may need a separate quote.
The delivery window begins after the written scope, complete in-scope materials, payment condition, and access method are all confirmed. A new build, changed source file, or added material may require a revised delivery date or separate scope.
Please start with public information only. Before private material is shared, the project-specific access method, confidentiality needs, file list, and deletion timing are confirmed in writing. Keys and credentials are never recorded in the public repository or project trackers.
The review focuses on Japanese-language clarity, localization scope, QA concerns, and implementation readiness. Business outcomes such as sales, reviews, wishlists, and rankings remain outside the scope.
Start with a public Steam or game URL. I will confirm whether the next paid step should be a Japan Fit Check, Demo Readiness QA, Localization QA Pass, or Full Game Localization Scope Review.
launchqajapan@gmail.com