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Development of “PCOT,” a Translation Support Tool for Games, to End as Developer Sees a Future of Players Localizing Games into Japanese Using AI

They say they will wrap up development after completing the current updates.

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Development of the game translation tool
Development of the game translation tool "PCOT" is set to end, as the future has emerged where players can localize games into Japanese themselves using AI.
  • Development of the game translation tool
  • Development of the game translation tool

Mr. Nuruppo announced that development of the game translation support tool “PCOT” will end after the update currently in the works.

Development of the Game Translation Tool “PCOT” to End

“PCOT” is a tool that reads text displayed on the screen and automatically translates it. It has gained popularity among gamers as a useful tool for playing games that do not support Japanese.

However, development of this tool will end with the update currently in preparation. The reason given is that “with the evolution of AI, a future is in sight where players themselves can directly localize games into Japanese, so the tool’s role has come to an end.” Shortly before this announcement, he had also posted the observation that “some people are already able to have AI create translation patches for them so they can play the games.”

However, there are no plans to take the tool offline, and maintenance to address any bugs will continue. The developer also commented that they are not saddened by the end of development but are delighted that an era has arrived where players themselves can play games in Japanese with the help of AI.


Including “Might and Magic” and “D&D” Classics! Japanese Localization Mods Are Appearing One After Another for Classic Foreign RPGs Available on GOG and Steam | Game*Spark - Domestic and International Game Information Site
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Japanese localization mods for classic Western RPGs, such as the *Might and Magic* series, are being released one after another.
https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/11/09/174668.htmlRead more »

“PCOT” is available on its official website. Additionally, Game*Spark published an interview with Nuruppo in 2021.


“It can read English text on the screen and translate it directly”—Interview with Nuruppo, creator of PCOT, a general-purpose translation support tool for games [From the Front Lines of Volunteer Japanese Localization] | Game*Spark - Domestic and International Game Information Site
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Many people rely on volunteer-led Japanese localization when playing overseas PC games. This time, we’re shifting our perspective to explore an approach that enhances the convenience of machine translation rather than human translation.
https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2021/07/02/110097.htmlRead more »
By kamenoko

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