Ukrainian version of Hollow Home: challenges and victories

“I was finally able to play the build with localization. That’s the thrill. That’s splendid. Thank you!”

We received this message from the PM of the indie studio Twigames, for which we create the Ukrainian version of Hollow Home. And this is the most valuable praise. If the client is satisfied with the result, it proves that we have done our job well.

Project Brief

The Ukrainian localization of a game about a teenager from Mariupol living through a war under siege is a difficult task. The topic is very sensitive and challenging for Ukrainians. Our goal was not just to translate the text, but to convey the atmosphere, mood, and meanings of the game in a way that would not distort the original idea and would delicately reach the hearts of local gamers.

During the project, our translators kept in touch with the studio representatives, which helped to find a balance between the source text and the necessary cultural adaptation. We faced several challenges, such as:

1. It was crucial to use words carefully and sensibly in this game, as it was based on real-life stories of Ukrainians and can evoke various emotions in players.
2. All in-game dialogues should be as realistic as possible, considering local dialect words and common topics of conversation from that days and that situation.
3. Ukrainians can recognize themselves in this story, so its adaptation should reflect the experience and feelings of residents not only of Mariupol, but of the whole country.

Every detail, every phrase in the localization process was carefully considered, enabling us to maintain the game’s authenticity while sounding natural to the Ukrainian audience. The client’s positive reaction to the completed project confirms that our efforts were not in vain.

Where to find the Ukrainian version of Hollow Home

The full release of the game is planned for 2025. However, at the time of Ukrainian Games Festival 2024, a demo version of Hollow Home in Ukrainian was available on STEAM. During two hours of gameplay, players could get familiar with the main character, Max, and live through the first days of a full-scale war with him.

And here is some feedback from players:

Ukrainian gamers appreciated the demo version, affirming the importance of high-quality localization. It not only makes the game understandable and eliminates language barriers but also helps to establish a deep emotional connection with the player.