Jenn Odd
@jentranslations.bsky.social
Bookworm. Linguist. Japanese-English Translator. Video game Localization Director. Former manga/anime translator. DFTBA 💖💜💙 日本語OK!
https://j-entranslations.com
#AmReading: Rhythm of War, 東京バンドワゴン
https://j-entranslations.com
#AmReading: Rhythm of War, 東京バンドワゴン
Pinned
Jenn Odd
@jentranslations.bsky.social
· Jun 23
Game Localization for Devs
Are you a game developer interested in learning more about how localization works? Check out these articles on game localization for devs.
j-entranslations.com
Indie devs and curious nerds!
I've written a few articles for IGDA on localization for games, including scheduling, how to ensure good quality localization, and a guide on LQA.
j-entranslations.com/game-localiz...
I've written a few articles for IGDA on localization for games, including scheduling, how to ensure good quality localization, and a guide on LQA.
j-entranslations.com/game-localiz...
Reposted by Jenn Odd
If you're in the giving spirit and have some free time soon, go through the games you've played and give them a review, it means a lot to Devs 🥹💖
December 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
If you're in the giving spirit and have some free time soon, go through the games you've played and give them a review, it means a lot to Devs 🥹💖
I love Expedition 33, but this is absolutely the right thing to do. Good games shouldn't get a pass for using the plagiarism machine.
Indie Game Awards Disqualifies Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Due To Gen AI Usage
insider-gaming.com/indie-game-a...
insider-gaming.com/indie-game-a...
Indie Game Awards Disqualifies Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Due To Gen AI Usage
Sandfall Interactive and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been stripped of its wins at The Indie Game Awards due to use of generative AI.
insider-gaming.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:29 AM
I love Expedition 33, but this is absolutely the right thing to do. Good games shouldn't get a pass for using the plagiarism machine.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
genAI is STOLEN WORK. Using genAI in *any* capacity is trafficking in stolen work, supporting the plunder. Period. These facts aren't even denied by the AI companies, they just find ways to make that plunder seem benevolent. Using their product enables that lie. Stop enabling the theft of our work.
"we only use AI for coming up with ideas" no you don't. you use AI to come up with the a bland version of other people's ideas. there is currently NOBODY more replaceable than you
December 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
genAI is STOLEN WORK. Using genAI in *any* capacity is trafficking in stolen work, supporting the plunder. Period. These facts aren't even denied by the AI companies, they just find ways to make that plunder seem benevolent. Using their product enables that lie. Stop enabling the theft of our work.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
French publishing house Harlequin decided to use AI translation instead of human translations.
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
December 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
French publishing house Harlequin decided to use AI translation instead of human translations.
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
Reposted by Jenn Odd
It's probably not well-known, but in some (not so rare) cases a SINGLE PAGE of manga can take 3-4 hours to letter.
Get 2-3 pages like this and your day is fucked. Meanwhile, you might only have 7 days to finish the volume.
The amount of work going into some books is absolutely mind-boggling.
Get 2-3 pages like this and your day is fucked. Meanwhile, you might only have 7 days to finish the volume.
The amount of work going into some books is absolutely mind-boggling.
December 4, 2025 at 1:45 AM
It's probably not well-known, but in some (not so rare) cases a SINGLE PAGE of manga can take 3-4 hours to letter.
Get 2-3 pages like this and your day is fucked. Meanwhile, you might only have 7 days to finish the volume.
The amount of work going into some books is absolutely mind-boggling.
Get 2-3 pages like this and your day is fucked. Meanwhile, you might only have 7 days to finish the volume.
The amount of work going into some books is absolutely mind-boggling.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Remember how I said I have it written into my foreign-language contracts that my work has to be translated by an actual human? This shit is why.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
French publishing house Harlequin decided to use AI translation instead of human translations.
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
December 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Remember how I said I have it written into my foreign-language contracts that my work has to be translated by an actual human? This shit is why.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Seeing the backlash against the use of generative AI makes me feel hopeful about humanity again.
December 18, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Seeing the backlash against the use of generative AI makes me feel hopeful about humanity again.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Every person talking about AI is like "poor TomSteve. Having to do all that tedious work of slaving away making all those game assets. AI can liberate them from that!"
Dude, that is literally their job.
Dude, that is literally their job.
December 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Every person talking about AI is like "poor TomSteve. Having to do all that tedious work of slaving away making all those game assets. AI can liberate them from that!"
Dude, that is literally their job.
Dude, that is literally their job.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
We can do even more.
December 17, 2025 at 8:05 AM
We can do even more.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Been thinking on the use of GenAi for mood boards. Ethics and legal risks aside, I truly believe using GenAi as references deprives one of many pivotal things.
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
December 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Been thinking on the use of GenAi for mood boards. Ethics and legal risks aside, I truly believe using GenAi as references deprives one of many pivotal things.
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Have a project you're working on made with the blood, sweat, and tears of real people?
Shout it out with this suite of AI-Free logos. Free to use!
lonearchivist.itch.io/made-by-humans
Shout it out with this suite of AI-Free logos. Free to use!
lonearchivist.itch.io/made-by-humans
Made By Humans Asset Pack by Lone Archivist
A logo asset pack for work made without AI-generated content.
lonearchivist.itch.io
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Have a project you're working on made with the blood, sweat, and tears of real people?
Shout it out with this suite of AI-Free logos. Free to use!
lonearchivist.itch.io/made-by-humans
Shout it out with this suite of AI-Free logos. Free to use!
lonearchivist.itch.io/made-by-humans
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Hello everyone! Just want to remind you that the deadline for BitSummit submissions is December 31st (submission fee: ¥2750). Late entries are open until January 16, 2026 (¥5500). Looking forward to seeing your games! For more information visit bitsummit.org.
December 17, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Hello everyone! Just want to remind you that the deadline for BitSummit submissions is December 31st (submission fee: ¥2750). Late entries are open until January 16, 2026 (¥5500). Looking forward to seeing your games! For more information visit bitsummit.org.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Calling all translators! Here's a great opportunity to have your work published by @cmupress.bsky.social.
Our winter open reading period for literary translations and new plays runs through Jan 12. We welcome volumes of poetry, collections of short fiction, and completed novels in translation and submissions of finished full-length plays (60-120 min. running time).
www.cmu.edu/universitypr...
www.cmu.edu/universitypr...
Submission Guidelines - Carnegie Mellon University Press - Carnegie Mellon University
Submission Guidelines
www.cmu.edu
December 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Calling all translators! Here's a great opportunity to have your work published by @cmupress.bsky.social.
Guess I won't get Larian's new game after all. Is Baldur's Gate 3 still worth getting? Don't know if I should bother if the whole studio is turning to slop.
December 16, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Guess I won't get Larian's new game after all. Is Baldur's Gate 3 still worth getting? Don't know if I should bother if the whole studio is turning to slop.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Mentions here they're replacing the *reference* part with AI and I just want to re-iterate that receiving an AI ref sheet as an artist is literally worse than handing over a blank sheet of paper. It tells us *nothing*. Literally just tell us the prompt you put into AI, we can find something better.
Cmon man maybe you should double check your posts before towing the company line.
December 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Mentions here they're replacing the *reference* part with AI and I just want to re-iterate that receiving an AI ref sheet as an artist is literally worse than handing over a blank sheet of paper. It tells us *nothing*. Literally just tell us the prompt you put into AI, we can find something better.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Looking for some reading material over the holidays? Introducing LocRewind 2025, a recap of all the news, YouTube essays, Reddit threads, banger tweets and assorted localization drama that made headlines this year!
Loc Rewind 2025
The end of the year draws near, and it was a tumultuous one for the gaming industry - seemingly never-ending waves of layoffs and studios collapsing like houses of cards had severe repercussions on em...
locdandloaded.net
December 16, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Looking for some reading material over the holidays? Introducing LocRewind 2025, a recap of all the news, YouTube essays, Reddit threads, banger tweets and assorted localization drama that made headlines this year!
Reposted by Jenn Odd
While Amazon is investing billions of dollars to expand AI, independent bookstores are hosting community events, personally recommending books to readers, and providing a space that is safe and welcoming during a time when we need them most.
Never underestimate the power of a local bookstore.
Never underestimate the power of a local bookstore.
December 15, 2025 at 4:11 PM
While Amazon is investing billions of dollars to expand AI, independent bookstores are hosting community events, personally recommending books to readers, and providing a space that is safe and welcoming during a time when we need them most.
Never underestimate the power of a local bookstore.
Never underestimate the power of a local bookstore.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
Fantastic video by Pam Walls on the increasing use of AI in board games, and the need (more than ever) to support artists, illustrators and graphic designers in the industry.
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
We need to talk about AI slop in board games
YouTube video by Pam Walls Game Design
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Fantastic video by Pam Walls on the increasing use of AI in board games, and the need (more than ever) to support artists, illustrators and graphic designers in the industry.
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
youtu.be/Ci5pOjyJknI?...
This is still my favourite article against slop machines. It's informative AND hilarious.
ludic.mataroa.blog/blog/i-will-...
ludic.mataroa.blog/blog/i-will-...
I Will Fucking Piledrive You If You Mention AI Again — Ludicity
ludic.mataroa.blog
December 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
This is still my favourite article against slop machines. It's informative AND hilarious.
ludic.mataroa.blog/blog/i-will-...
ludic.mataroa.blog/blog/i-will-...
Dropped italki (because they've ruined their platform) and tried out a local Korean school today. It was really good! Going to have lessons with them every Saturday.
December 13, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Dropped italki (because they've ruined their platform) and tried out a local Korean school today. It was really good! Going to have lessons with them every Saturday.
This is messed up on so many levels. As a writer and reader the thought that bots will scrape your book and make up stuff about it, influencing a reader's enjoyment and understanding of a story is just insulting. More people need to quit Amazon.
December 12, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This is messed up on so many levels. As a writer and reader the thought that bots will scrape your book and make up stuff about it, influencing a reader's enjoyment and understanding of a story is just insulting. More people need to quit Amazon.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
When the AI boom began, copywriters were singled out as one of the jobs most vulnerable to AI. Now, three years later, I wanted to hear from workers on the frontlines of the industry, to hear what had actually taken place on the ground.
For many, it was even worse than they'd feared.
For many, it was even worse than they'd feared.
"I was forced to use AI until the day I was laid off." Copywriters reveal how AI has decimated their industry
Copywriters were one of the first to have their jobs targeted by AI firms. These are their stories, three years into the AI era.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
When the AI boom began, copywriters were singled out as one of the jobs most vulnerable to AI. Now, three years later, I wanted to hear from workers on the frontlines of the industry, to hear what had actually taken place on the ground.
For many, it was even worse than they'd feared.
For many, it was even worse than they'd feared.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
So thankful for the shout-out to the localization teams by the E33 Director at the game awards.
Localization teams bring your art to a bigger audience—and for many studios, bring in the lion’s share of profit for your game.
Invest in quality human loc, and give them credit.
Localization teams bring your art to a bigger audience—and for many studios, bring in the lion’s share of profit for your game.
Invest in quality human loc, and give them credit.
December 12, 2025 at 4:35 AM
So thankful for the shout-out to the localization teams by the E33 Director at the game awards.
Localization teams bring your art to a bigger audience—and for many studios, bring in the lion’s share of profit for your game.
Invest in quality human loc, and give them credit.
Localization teams bring your art to a bigger audience—and for many studios, bring in the lion’s share of profit for your game.
Invest in quality human loc, and give them credit.
Reposted by Jenn Odd
OH GOD WHO GAVE HIM THAT
December 12, 2025 at 3:27 AM
OH GOD WHO GAVE HIM THAT
Reposted by Jenn Odd
🚨 The UK Video Games Industry Census closes 19 Dec.
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
December 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
🚨 The UK Video Games Industry Census closes 19 Dec.
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu