Photo: Larian Studios
‘Upcoming patch to resolve the issue, assures Altagram Group.’
A translation studio involved in the development of Baldur’s Gate III has issued an apology after failing to include outsourced workers in the game’s credits. Altagram Group, the studio responsible for the translations, expressed regret for the oversight and took full responsibility for the exclusion of freelancers’ names. CEO Marie Amigues acknowledged the impact of the error and thanked game developer Larian Studios for promptly addressing the issue. Altagram confirmed that the names of the Brazilian Portuguese translators would be added in an upcoming patch to rectify the mistake.
While the credits did acknowledge the company’s executives and department leads, the translators Altagram worked with were not credited. However, contractors who handled translations into languages other than Brazilian Portuguese were properly acknowledged, albeit by different companies.
Larian Studios held Altagram accountable for the error and demanded a resolution, which the translation studio promptly provided. The incident highlights a recurring issue in the gaming industry, where outsourced workers often do not receive proper credit for their contributions. This lack of recognition can hinder their career prospects by making it more challenging to showcase their involvement in specific projects.
Looking ahead, some localization studios may opt to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for game translation in an attempt to reduce costs. However, it is important to note that localization requires skilled individuals who can go beyond mechanical translation and consider nuances such as idiomatic expressions and cultural references that may not resonate with certain audiences. Therefore, crediting workers for their expertise remains a crucial aspect of game development.