CD Projekt Red's much-discussed game, Cyberpunk 2077, emerged from a staggering team of 5,381 people—making it one of the largest productions in gaming history. To our surprise, nearly half of this massive workforce contributed to the game's localization, ensuring that players around the globe could immerse themselves in the dystopian world of Night City.

As part of an insightful exploration into the nuances of game localization, we reached out to CD Projekt Red for a detailed account of the monumental effort that went into adapting Cyberpunk 2077 for a diverse audience. The localization process involved translating approximately 1.1 million words into 19 languages, alongside nearly 82,000 lines recorded by voice actors across 11 of those languages. Here's a peek behind the curtain at an expansive project that required thousands of dedicated professionals.

The Massive Localization Team

According to CD Projekt Red, a staggering 2,456 individuals were involved specifically in localization efforts, accounting for over 45% of the total workforce. This included every step—from the internal localization team to translators, quality assurance testers, project managers, and, most notably, an army of voice-over actors. In fact, the localization effort brought together nearly 2,000 voice actors alone, showcasing the project's scale and ambition.

CD Projekt Red's impressive track record, particularly with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, provided the necessary resources and confidence to take on this colossal undertaking. But even with such vast resources, the localization team faced significant challenges typical of projects of this magnitude, especially concerning voice acting and non-linear storytelling.

Localization Complexity: A Numbers Game

The sheer number of people involved in localization raises questions about efficiency and management. CD Projekt Red made a strategic decision to collaborate with multiple agencies for different languages, enhancing quality control but also increasing the complexity of project management. According to Alexander Radkevich, an expert localization project manager, this structural choice was crucial for ensuring that cultural nuances were respected and effectively integrated.

Moreover, with the average translator handling around 2,000 words per day, the workload was vast. Initially drafted in Polish, script translation began as the primary writing process commenced, thus creating a foundation for later translations. Interestingly, Szwed emphasized that English, despite being an adaptation, was treated as a vital stepping stone in this complex web of translations, streamlining the process of reaching a larger audience.

The Challenges of Change

Creating a mega-game with such an expansive script meant that even minor changes late in the development phase had widespread implications. Improving or adjusting internal narratives necessitated coordination across multiple languages and involved bringing voice actors back for extra recording sessions. A notable example of this complexity was illustrated in September 2023, when the release of Cyberpunk 2077's 2.0 update included unexpected controversies surrounding the inclusion of politically charged statements in the Ukrainian language option.

While CD Projekt Red is committed to ensuring that each localization is respectful and true to the source material, challenges around external agency work occasionally led to mismatches with the studio’s values. Szwed was candid about these challenges, stating that "with such a huge project, there are always some rogue things happening," underlining the difficulties of upholding complete oversight while working with numerous outside collaborators.

A Successful Launch and Continued Growth

Despite the rocky start experienced at launch—marred by technical issues and criticisms—Cyberpunk 2077 has risen to become a commercial success with over 30 million copies sold, along with its expansion, Phantom Liberty, which added approximately 450,000 new words and 25,000 voice lines. The continuous improvements and expansions have not only showcase the constant evolution of the game but also represent growing demand and interest in immersive storytelling.

With the team now expanded to encompass over 20 internal members managing more than 2,000 external contributors, the localization process is now a core part of every project at CD Projekt Red. Looking ahead, the studio's ambitious plans include the highly anticipated Witcher 4 alongside numerous other projects that will push the boundaries of localization even further.

In an industry where creating expansive narratives requires a fine-tuned global touch, CD Projekt Red's localization efforts for Cyberpunk 2077 shine as a testament to both the challenges and the triumphs of bringing a singular vision to a worldwide audience. They demonstrate that, with careful planning and collaboration, it's possible to craft a game that resonates across cultural boundaries, making gaming a truly global experience. The journey continues, and we can't wait to see what’s next!