this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2026
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Context: Toby Fox says there wont be translations for Undertale or Deltarune after Latam fans asked for them

https://bsky.app/profile/tobyfox.undertale.com/post/3mia4smxehk2a

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[–] Redcuban1959@hexbear.net 17 points 21 hours ago (2 children)

It's because, if I release something official, I want it to match my vision. I was only able to do this for the Japanese version because I know Japanese myself, and I worked very closely with our brilliant translator to thoroughly check the text.

lol

[–] iridaniotter@hexbear.net 18 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

I think this is a very understandable and realistic approach to art in the digital era, and this backlash is honestly pretty fitting for a culture that doesn't want to treat video games as art, instead only wanting to consume them as a product.

[–] Salamence@mander.xyz 15 points 20 hours ago (3 children)

are book not art because they are translated?, are movies not art because they get dubs and subtitles? video games are not special

[–] LupineTroubles@hexbear.net 1 points 2 hours ago

Generally speaking it seems people consider being able to read a book in its own language a positive. Meanwhile much of the backlash to this seems to come from people who can read English just fine but want to specifically be catered to in their own language for what appears to me as mostly consumer concerns. Such as being a big market that has to pay relatively highly for these products but don't get specific translations.

[–] iridaniotter@hexbear.net 14 points 20 hours ago

What I mean by distinguishing art from product here is the desire to strip out human intention. Undertale and Deltarune were intentionally designed by Toby Fox, not merely built up as a collection of gameplay elements chosen for marketability. As such, the writing carries specific authorial intent. In the Japanese translation, which was done in cooperation with another person, the bilingual Toby Fox was able to ensure this intent remained. In other languages, this is just not possible, and so they will never get an 『Official』translation unless Toby Fox learns another language. However, art, especially in the digital era, once it has entered into the view of the public, carries with it the inevitability of transformative works. The only limit is the law, and Toby Fox clearly states his support for unofficial translation rather than being a litigious landlord of ideas. What the fans are demanding in an official stamp of approval on translations he can't functionally oversee is the transformation of "Toby Fox" from a name of an author into a brand.

[–] chgxvjh@hexbear.net 9 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Books that are translated usually are published through a publisher. Autors are familiar working with an editor, they learn to trust other people with their work. And I'm sure it's not easy all the time either.

[–] purpleworm@hexbear.net 8 points 18 hours ago

How is this a counterpoint?

[–] la_tasalana_intissari_mata@hexbear.net 4 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Minecraft translations for example has a history of slurs hidden in languages

[–] chgxvjh@hexbear.net 8 points 20 hours ago

But that was because they were entirely community sourced iirc

[–] AssortedBiscuits@hexbear.net 1 points 14 hours ago

I know Japanese myself

"Ohio! Boku wa Toburu Fakusu desu. Nippon ga daisuki desu. Nani Nippon ga daisuki desu ka?"