[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/02f57af444db4f195a4e7996271c724a5f9a6abc.png"] Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse, [/p][p]As we close up for the holidays, we wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm, and the ongoing conversations surrounding the Suzerain Universe. Whether you’ve been sharing theories, offering feedback, or simply spending time exploring the world we’ve built, your passion has not gone unnoticed. [/p][p]The Suzerain community is at the heart of everything we do. Your curiosity, thoughtful discussions, and unwavering interest push us to keep refining, expanding, and imagining what comes next. We’re incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated and engaged community alongside us, and we’re excited to continue this journey together in the years ahead. [/p][p]Looking back over the past year, it’s been a busy and rewarding time for the team. We launched the 3.1 Sovereign update, delivering new improvements and refinements, and finally gave the Nintendo Switch version the attention it deserved by bringing its content fully up to date. We also took a major step forward by launching Suzerain and Rizia on PlayStation and Xbox, opening the door for even more players to experience the Suzerain Universe. Along the way, we continued rolling out updates, performance improvements, and bug fixes to ensure the best possible experience across all platforms. [/p][p]On the studio side, it was a milestone year for us. We relocated to a new office space, expanded the team with talented new faces, and were honored to see Rizia win the Games for Change award for ‘Best in Civics’, a recognition that means a great deal to us and to our mission of creating inspiring, immersive experiences. Another highlight was witnessing the live recording of the Sordland and Rizia themes by the renowned Filmorchester Babelsberg, as part of our collaboration with AudioCreatures and BIMM. It was a truly special moment for the studio, and one we’re excited to share more about in the year ahead. [/p][p]We also secured our minority seed investment round, giving us the resources and stability needed to continue building ambitious, meaningful experiences and to fund the projects we’re excited to share next. [/p][p]With that in mind, here’s Ata to talk more about what we’ve been working on and what lies ahead: [/p][p]“Years of building Suzerain through uncertainty have taught us how to build, publish, and sustain our games with greater clarity and discipline. Next year, we are focused on delivering Project Aperture and Fulcrum, while laying out how production on Project Vanguard and The Conformist will begin. This moment marks an evolution for Torpor Games as we grow into an IP studio, developing multiple games and DLCs in parallel, a difficult but welcome new challenge. We have been a good games company, now we aim to become a great one, and together as developers and community, united in purpose, we will make that leap. As these stories take shape, we look to you, the community, asthe source." [/p][p]Until next time, dear Citizens. Take care! [/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia! [/p][p]A’Morgna her Coren!
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/9d480af0247afbb7be026c51de37d54c5001d60e.png"][/p][p]Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse, We welcome you to join us for the final Torpor Town Hall and Q&A of 2025 over on the Suzerain Universe Discord at:
🗣️ Thursday 18th December at 6pm CET / 12pm ET / 9am PT
Join Ata from Torpor Games to talk about all-things about Suzerain and the Suzerain Universe! There will also be a mod face reveal or two.
To ensure that your questions are prioritised during the event, please submit your questions via this form: https://forms.gle/ai5tx4aq29aCpoj68
There will also be space during the event to ask questions via chat, as well as join the Stage. This will be the final Town Hall for the year and we look forward to seeing you there! 🫡
And don’t forget:[/p][p]🎉 The final Torpor Tuesday of 2025 lands on Tuesday, 16 December at 5pm CET / 11am ET / 8am PT
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/1d53aec06108ca32f4c7a0a02f13e6aa83066231.jpg"] Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse,
It’s been an incredible year for us. And fresh off the nominations of Steam’s Labor of Love category, we’re excited to share even more good news: Suzerain has been nominated for the 12th Pocket Gamer Awards in the Best Mobile Port of the Year category! [/p][p]Pocket Gamer describes this award as a celebration of standout porting achievements, recognizing games that first launched on PC or console and were later expertly adapted for mobile platforms. [/p][p]If you’ve enjoyed the mobile version of Suzerain, we would be truly grateful for your vote. We’re honored to be nominated alongside fantastic titles like Disco Elysium, Dredge, and I Am Your Beast, which makes every vote all the more meaningful. [/p][p]🗳️ Voting closes on 17 December. [/p][p]👉 You can vote for Suzerain here: https://www.pocketgamer.com/pocket-gamer-awards/2026/vote/best-mobile-port-of-the-year/
Thank you, as always, for your incredible support. ❤️[/p][p]Torpor Games
Until next time, dear Citizens, take care! [/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia!
Okay, we’ll admit it. The Nintendo Switch version of Suzerain hasn’t received the love it truly deserves. We’ve been focusing heavily on updating the PC and mobile builds to version 3.1 and launching the Kingdom of Rizia DLC across these platforms. But that’s about to change! [/p][p]The last time Suzerain was updated on Nintendo Switch was to V1.1.0, back in 2021. Over the past few months, however, we’ve been hard at work bringing the Switch version up to speed with its current state; and we’re thrilled to announce that the update is just around the corner. [/p][p]To get a closer look at its development, we caught up with Torpor Games’ programmer Julian Nowak, who’s been leading the charge on Switch. [/p][p]Hey Julian! Thanks for chatting with us. Can you give us a quick status update on the Switch build of Suzerain?[/p][p] “Let’s just say that big things are coming for Switch! We’ve been working hard to ensure the Switch build matches the latest Steam/PC version. We’ve also been gaining and iterating on feedback from Nintendo. At times, it’s felt like a bit of a waiting game, but it’s all shaping up to be something special!” [/p][p]What have been the biggest challenges so far? [/p][p]“For the most part, it was actually pretty straightforward (wipes brow). I could get it running almost immediately without major hurdles. That said, there were some issues with the Nintendo Unity package related to file operations. Certain nuances that work fine on PC didn’t translate to Switch, so I had to find new ways to handle those instances.” [/p][p]What’s been the most rewarding part of working on this update? [/p][p]“It’s incredibly cool to see the updated version of Suzerain running on Switch, especially since I’m a regular Switch player myself! Watching a game you’ve worked on come to life on a console you love is an amazing feeling.” [/p][p]How excited are you to see this update go live? [/p][p]“I’m definitely super excited! It’s been quite a ride. I honestly can’t wait to see it live on the Nintendo eShop and finally give the Switch community the experience they deserve.” [/p][p]Here’s a little glimpse of the visual changes in the upcoming Switch update: [/p][table equalcells="1" colwidth=","][tr][th][p]Current Switch Gameplay [/p][/th][th][p]Upcoming Switch Gameplay[/p][/th][/tr][tr][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/13f2536637d5a1c4330c10d302c4cc3c25fc87f3.jpg"][/p][/td][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/0aedf801bcdc06acc0f91ce2ce54eaa3418253a2.jpg"][/p][/td][/tr][tr][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/bc7edb0dc5d200d93fe7830d85120ea70658bb59.jpg"][/p][/td][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5bda2afeb02b811c89db5bcbcf6f5b10cc430303.jpg"][/p][/td][/tr][tr][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/ead6a44e920be32d981e0a19e67d3cf8fc4ec8de.jpg"][/p][/td][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/6dec4f1e56a527228147e0a1bbc9dad6d0ec4d9d.jpg"][/p][/td][/tr][tr][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/25c34ba124077c05ee5eba53124a7724b8152973.jpg"][/p][/td][td][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/8a8f38c853341605f0f90d93bee13e322508fc82.jpg"][TAG-105][/p][/td][/tr][TAG-109][p] Stay tuned for more Switch updates, coming soon!
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/7425683cc8354e1fa1a7673b3246354448350ffa.png"]Dear Chinese Community Members and Players, [/p][p]Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm regarding the Chinese localization of Suzerain. We sincerely appreciate your love for the game and your high standards for quality. [/p][p]First of all, we hear you. We have seen your concerns expressed through Steam reviews and in the discussions taking place on the Suzerain Universe Discord. We want to clarify a few things to hopefully put you at ease. [/p]
Addressing the Current State of Localization
[p]Some Chinese text and localization files currently circulating on unofficial forums or platforms are unauthorized, prematurely leaked content. These materials are early, incomplete, and unpolished drafts from the development process, and do not fully represent the final versions. The official game has not yet incorporated any localization content, nor have we released any related updates. Therefore, anything seen via unofficial sources is neither a finished product nor an approved version. [/p][p]We also understand that there may be differing philosophical approaches regarding the naming of certain aspects in the official localized version, which is completely fair. We do not want to eventually release something that feels disconnected from the community-built localization. [/p]
Understanding the Larger Picture of the Localization Process
[p]Our official Chinese localization effort is a voluntary project initiated by players themselves, involving over thirty contributors from China and abroad. Among them are university professors, students, veteran fans, and passionate players from various fields. Driven by a deep affection for the game, they have worked together with great care and dedication, contributing thousands of hours of effort and labor. We sincerely ask for your understanding and respect for this love-fueled endeavor. [/p][p]At this time, the localization is still being refined and has not yet been officially integrated into the game. Premature evaluations made without the necessary preparation, feedback channels, or testing systems overlook the extraordinary efforts of these volunteers. [/p][p]Once the project reaches a more mature stage, we will invite the community to participate in testing. Your feedback will be integral. [/p][p]Testing will help identify technical issues, ensure translation accuracy, and preserve the original gameplay experience, making it truly resonate with the cultural context of Chinese players. We will also gather wider feedback through surveys and community sessions to continuously improve the final product. The success of this large-scale effort depends on the collective strength of the community. Your constructive support will be an essential part of this journey. [/p]
About Torpor Games
[p]Please understand that we are a small studio with a full-time team of seven doing our utmost to stay afloat as an independent developer. We currently do not have traditional or stable sources of funding, and our development progress relies entirely on passion, voluntary contributions, and the goodwill of the community. Negative reviews based on unofficial and incomplete content will only make it harder for our resource-strained team to continue development and will delay the arrival of the high-quality localization we all hope for.
Currently, we’re reflecting on this feedback, having internal discussions within the team, and reviewing how we communicate with the localization community. [/p]
How to Support Us
[p]If you truly want to support the original development team of Suzerain and help bring this game to a broader Chinese audience, please participate in a constructive way. With patience, goodwill, and collaboration, we can together create something lasting and heartfelt. [/p]
Next Steps for the Community
[p] We plan to create a better, future-proof direct pipeline for communication between you, the Chinese players, and us, the developers. We will be putting these pipelines in motion on Discord to open up constructive dialogues among all localization teams, including Chinese. [/p][p]A’Morgna her Coren!
Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse,[/p][p][/p][p]We’re thrilled to share some great news with you today. This year has already been amazing, with so many award nominations, and now we’re excited to announce that we’ve been nominated once again, this time at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025, organised by Steel Media.[/p][p][/p][p]First up, Kingdom of Rizia is a finalist in the Best Game Innovation category, which is new for this year’s awards. According to Pocket Gamer, this category celebrates games released (or majorly updated) between June 2024 and June 2025 that bring something truly fresh and transform the player experience in unexpected ways.[/p][p][/p][p]Kingdom of Rizia shares the nomination some big names like Balatro, Battle Cars: Nitro PvP Shooter, Dredge Mobile, Monopoly GO!, The Electric State: Kid Cosmo, Thronefall, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker.[/p][p][/p][p]On top of that, we at Torpor Games have been nominated for Best Indie Developer, which honestly means so much to us. This award recognises the achievements of small teams that have released or grown a game over the past year.[/p][p][/p][p]We’re honoured to be listed alongside AbhiTechGames, Bart Bonte, Black Salt Games, Coleplay, kamibox, LocalThunk, Patrones y Escondites, Rusty Lake, Shatterproof Games, Snapbreak Games, and Tapblaze.[/p][p][/p][p]The Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards highlight every part of the gaming world, from developers and publishers to advertising, monetisation, tools, and emerging tech that make games possible. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 19th August during Gamescom week in Cologne, Germany.[/p][p][/p][p]Thanks so much to everyone who’s been supporting us on this journey.[/p][p][/p][p]Glovurius axa Rizia![/p][p][/p][p]A’Morgna her Coren!
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/3cb563760a6efe2feb590be38cc04946ec84bc78.png"] Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse,
Welcome to our June 2025 Broadcast! It’s been non-stop action at Torpor recently, and though it’s been demanding, it’s also been deeply rewarding. We can’t wait to share these highlights with you right now. [/p][p]In this update, you’ll get the latest on our development progress, fresh localization news, and a teaser from The Conformist. We’ll also take you behind the scenes of our Torpor Day Out and share a glimpse of our unforgettable evening at the 2025 Games for Change Awards in New York City. [/p][p][/p]
[p]Back in May, we launched the 3.1 “Sovereign” Update for the Kingdom of Rizia, a major overhaul of the DLC and a huge achievement for us. We want to thank you again for all the support and love you’ve shown. [/p][p]Of course, we didn’t expect to get everything perfect right out of the gate. We listened closely to your feedback and iterated on the release, and we’re now at a point where we’re very pleased with the state of Update 3.1 and the Kingdom of Rizia DLC. [/p][p]Suzerain is an ever-evolving game, that’s at the heart of its identity. Since the launch of 3.1, we’ve rolled out six patch updates over six weeks, which included balancing tweaks, additional content, and minor bug fixes. This game continues to grow alongside you and the universe we’re building together.
[p] "June has been a month of completion and transition for the team. We wrapped up the last major updates for our 3.1 post-launch polish phase, which took a fair bit of energy and care. It’s been good to take a short breather, even just to pause and catch our breath. That bit of rest helped us reset and gather energy to face what’s next, because the second half of the year is looking full of exciting challenges and opportunities.[/p][p][/p][p]While the games industry continues to shift and times are tough for many independent creators, we remain committed to what we do best: making games. We’re focused on delivering the best experiences possible with the creativity, time, and tools we have, as we bring our next projects to life.[/p][p][/p][p]We’re excited about what’s coming and look forward to sharing more with you later this year. Until then, we just want to say thanks. Thanks to everyone who’s bought our games, talked about them, shared them, or just stuck around. Every kind word, review, or reshare genuinely helps us keep going and stay independent. It might seem small, but it matters. Nothing good comes easy, and we do this because it’s hard and because it matters. Having a community like this walking with us makes all the difference."
- Managing Director, Ata [/p]
Localization Update
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/128051ea9edf357f22d2356309ecdd2b7e00e08e.png"][/p][p] Localization remains a major topic, with the community eager for more language support. Due to limited resources and the need to prioritise effectively, we’re currently focusing on Chinese localization. We’ve partnered with Gordon Chengjun, a native of Shiyan, China, and a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide. This project is part of a unique research program exploring community-supported localization for deep-content games, potentially benefiting indie developers globally. [/p][p]Once Chinese localization is live and our team is better equipped, we plan to integrate more community-driven localization projects that are complete or nearly complete. However, each language requires dedicated integration work, testing, leadership, and admin support, making it a resource-intensive process. [/p][p]We recognise the strong demand for localizations and truly appreciate your continued patience as we expand language support for Suzerain.
[p] We’re incredibly lucky to have a community that creates such amazing Suzerain content all across the Internet, especially on YouTube. That’s why we want to shine a spotlight on some of these brilliant community creations and make sure they get the recognition they deserve. [/p][p]Here are a few that have caught our eye over the past couple of weeks: [/p][p]If you’d like to share your own work, head over to the Suzerain Universe Discord and post it in the #ministry-of-art channel, we’d love to see it all! [/p]
We Won! Games for Change Awards 2025
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/beccb410a6ca3668835f8933d7e9bb90ff250a73.jpg"]We are delighted to announce that Kingdom of Rizia has won the Best in Civics category at the Games for Change 2025Awards ceremony, and this honour fills our team with immense pride. [/p][p]The evening in New York City was truly unforgettable. The Games for Change Awards showcased an incredible range of indie games and immersive experiences, each recognised for their meaningful design and social impact. Being part of such an inspiring community of creators was already a privilege, and receiving this award made the night all the more special. [/p][p]Here are a few photos from the event:
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5edfc7fadc0e0776463f4322beed81e77b65c8e7.png"][TAG-120]June saw Torpor’s summer outing go off with a bang, or should we say, a colourful bang, at Go Paintball in Brandenburg. It was time to put everything we’ve learned from the Pales War into action! After multiple rounds, hundreds of paintballs fired, and plenty of bruises earned, we quickly realised we’re far better suited to developing video games than becoming soldiers. [/p][p]Still, we did our best for the Torpor army before heading back to Berlin for the next challenge of the day… [/p][p]Check out some of the photos from our paintball session:[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/00509b83ced76dadab79ec77c7c84e39874f551b.jpg"][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/6f1e9324c99d2febefae9e5266464df88bc90ca5.jpg"][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/8475af76bab6dd2fa80f653cdbd3d6ff0e5f30a6.jpg"][TAG-140][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/46ab8eaa873499e3032f5e3b474fce8687e3a70d.jpg"][/p][p]...In the latter half of the day, the Torpor team swapped physical exertion for some serious mental gymnastics at Final Escape’s immersive escape rooms. [/p][p]First up was Bloody Awakening , set in a creepy abandoned clinic where every corner held a fright and nothing was quite what it seemed. Then came Prison Break, where we stepped into the shoes of inmates plotting their daring escape to freedom. [/p][p]Both rooms were brilliantly themed, thrilling, and tested our teamwork to the max, making for an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping afternoon!
[p]“The Old Town is where Holsord first began, tucked just east of the Eskel River on slightly higher ground. Centuries ago, it was simply called Hol, meaning “high” or “tall” in Sordish. Though the city grew around it, this quiet district remained much as it was. Archaeologist Jule Ulzin traced its roots back to 1413, when settlers raised their first stone homes here. Time has not been kind, but it has been consistent. Some walls still bear hairline cracks from the civil war, blackened patches never fully scrubbed away. Others have been mended with whatever was available: plaster, tin, or old bricks reused from better days. The streets slope unevenly, and many of the buildings lean with age, but the Old Town endures with a kind of worn grace.[/p][p][/p][p]I passed a woman peeling apples outside a stone archway, seated on a stool polished smooth from years of use. Her fingers were stained, her eyes focused. Behind her, a man repaired a stool with frayed twine and a bent nail, while a child drew winding paths in the dirt with a stick. Coal smoke drifted from a window above, mixing with the smell of soap and damp laundry stretched between rusted balconies. The alley narrowed past a sagging drainpipe, where water dripped into a cracked bucket. A tailor sat in his doorway, threading buttons onto a faded coat beside a steaming kettle. Two boys kicked a rag-stuffed ball through the street, their laughter echoing against shuttered shops and worn facades. A shutter creaked in the breeze overhead, its flaking paint revealing bare wood beneath.[/p][p][/p][p]Life in the Old Town follows the paths it always has. Meals are made from memory, and trades are done without ceremony. Every object has a purpose or is kept until it finds one. The old families, once part of Sordland’s officer or merchant class, now tend to crumbling estates with fewer rooms heated each winter. For the working poor, hardship is familiar. These are the years of wished recovery, and everyone here knows that healing does not come quickly. Still, despite the quiet descent in fortunes, the place holds firm. The past is not polished here, but it is preserved. Nothing feels quite ready to be forgotten.”
Check out our Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Reddit, Discord and our newsletter to get the latest breaking news for Suzerain and The Conformist. [img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/5a160518e848f5b5f34d78019934320116cf5c18.png"][/p]
We won! Rizia Wins 'Best in Civics' at Games for Change 2025 Awards
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/31ee8b549b14c79264afd474de4abc4375c82a0b.png"][/p][p]Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse,
It gives us great pleasure to announce that Kingdom of Rizia has won the award for 'Best in Civics' at Games for Change 2025, and we couldn't be more elated.[/p][p]Wow, what a wonderful evening in New York City! The Games for Change Awards was an incredibly inspiring event, showcasing some of the most innovative indie games and immersive media, all nominated for their forward-thinking design and social impact. And what makes a brilliant evening even better? Winning an award!
We'd like to thank the event organizers and judges for awarding the Suzerain DLC Kingdom of Rizia as the winner of the 'Best in Civics' category.[/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/0c371a53d004c527781e2bc92f743f4cf7f7946c.jpg"][/p][p]According to Games for Change, the 'Best in Civics' showcases "games and immersive experiences that inspire responsible citizenship by uniting communities and shedding light on the most pressing issues of our time." Here are some of the criteria the judges considered:[/p]
[p]To what extent are complex social systems represented in the game / immersive experience, and how analogous are those representations to the real world? Does the project require the player to grapple with or recognize their role(s) as an individual within these systems?[/p]
[p]Does the game inspire civic action in real-world spaces outside of the game? Are players taking lessons from the game to engage with their local community or society?[/p]
[p]Does the project foster new understanding and connection between different/disparate communities?[/p]
[p]We also want to congratulate the other two nominees in the 'Best in Civics' category. Here’s a quick shout-out to those we were honoured to be nominated alongside:
Nuclear Negotiator by Jollywise
[img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/11615ccabf7e00fd4114ffd5c6a15951a4a3e96d.jpg"] This educational browser-based game brings the complexities of nuclear arms control negotiations to life. The game engages policymakers, academics, and students in interactive decision-making, helping them gain a deeper understanding of how intelligence, disinformation, and public perception shape diplomacy. [/p][p]Check out Nuclear Negotiator 👉 https://nuclear-negotiator.co.uk/[/p][p][/p][p]Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) by Unreliable Narrators[/p][p][/p][p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/42ca05e01944b82ebf752992b5c76c3e4cddb7bb.jpg"] Explore 17th century Canadian wilderness through the eyes of Jeanne, a French woman who crossed the Atlantic to start anew and Maikan, an Innu hunter trying to discover what’s disturbing the forest. Your choices will shape the traits of the protagonists in this narrative single-player experience.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who has supported us and continues to do so. We also want to give a big thanks to the Suzerain community for their interest and encouragement; you’re what makes it possible for us to keep doing what we do.
Update on the Suzerain Chinese Localization Project
[p][img src="https://clan.akamai.steamstatic.com/images/36373165/8234377f8130fb3daf1df16d83488bd439d43c53.png"][/p][p]Dear Citizens of the Suzerainverse,
It’s been a while, so we wanted to share a quick update on the status of the official Chinese translation of the Suzerain base game, as well as our broader localization efforts.
Currently, we’re focusing on one language at a time for localization, due to limited resources and the need to prioritize effectively. That said, we’re excited to report that the Chinese localization project is steadily progressing. (Read in Chinese below).
Given that the Chinese gaming market accounts for over 30% of global video game revenue, and considering the strong support from the Chinese Suzerain community, it made perfect sense to prioritize this language for our first official localization of the game.
To give us more insight into the project, we spoke with Gordon Chengjun, a native of Shiyan, China. He’s been living in Adelaide, Australia for the past 12 years and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide. The localization project is also the subject of a scientific research program at the university focused on developing community-supported localization processes for deep-content games; a first of its kind and a potential valuable resource for indie game developers. Gordon is the lead researcher of the Chinese localization effort and shared some exciting developments with us.
Hey Gordon, can you give us a bit of backstory on how this Chinese localization project came together?
"While the Chinese market shoulders more than 30% of global video game revenue, the amount of research on English-Chinese game localization is disproportionately low, especially when it comes to volunteer localization or crowdsourcing. Existing studies often lack the depth needed for meaningful findings.
As a dedicated fan of Suzerain and having seen strong demand for a Chinese version within the community, it felt natural to combine my passion and academic focus into something that benefits the game, its players, and the research field. I contacted Torpor and expressed my interest in organizing and leading a volunteer localization program. Ata responded promptly with great interest, and that’s how it all began!"
Around how many people have been working on it?
"We had 26 volunteers in total, with a maximum of 17 working at the same time across four different teams. Among them, five core members have been with the project from start to finish."
What have been the biggest challenges?
"Volunteer availability. While we had dozens of contributors, personal commitments always got in the way. On top of that, there were inconsistencies in punctuality and submission quality. A lot of extra effort went into proofreading, or even discarding, unsatisfactory submissions.
In reality, the volunteer teams translated most of the news articles, half of the Codex, two-thirds of the policies and government reports, Turns 6–9, and completed the first round of proofreading, totaling around 350,000 words. I handled the rest of the translation and the final proofreading of all texts myself, as this project is closely tied to my academic research.
Moreover, this project marks Torpor's first attempt at localizing Suzerain into Chinese; everything from database formatting, dialogue management tools to UI implementation, which inevitably led to some trial and error. And let’s not forget they’ve also been juggling updates and other development projects simultaneously! But once we built a process and got it running, it stopped being a major issue. Ultimately, translation quality mattered most."
What’s the status of localization from your side?
"The translation phase is wrapping up, and the final proofreading stage is underway. I know the Torpor team is already working on implementing the translation. Once that’s done, we’ll move into testing. I can’t wait to see all the work come together."
Currently, we can't provide a timeframe for when the testing phase will be ready or when localization will be implemented, as there are several production priorities across multiple projects, and a variety of technical challenges to assess first. But, stay tuned! [/p][p]Once the Chinese localization is live and our team is better equipped to handle the process, we’ll gradually begin integrating more community-driven localization projects that are complete or nearly complete into the game. However, each language requires custom integration work, localization testing, dedicated project leadership, and admin support, making it a highly intensive process. We understand there’s strong demand, and we truly appreciate your patience!
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