Retro Publisher Acknowledges Uncredited Fan Translations in 16-Bit Re-Releases
Retro-Bit, a company that publishes retro games, has admitted that some of its recently re-released 16-bit games contain parts taken directly from fan translations without giving proper credit to the original creators.
Over the weekend, Retro-Bit was accused of using fan translations for at least four of its re-released titles from the Super Nintendo System (SNES) and the Mega Drive/Genesis. These games were originally only available in Japan. People claimed that Retro-Bit’s localization team, particularly the programmer responsible for these releases, copied custom fonts and translations from unofficial fan-made versions of the games Shockman Zero, Assault Suits Valken, Gley Lancer, and Majyuo: King of Demons. Unfortunately, they applied these elements without acknowledging the original fan translators.
One specific example raised eyebrows: In a fan translation of one of the games, the translator’s name was included in the credits in Japanese, which the Retro-Bit programmer apparently overlooked. This mistake effectively confirmed that they used the fan translation without permission.
In response to these accusations, Retro-Bit acknowledged the claims were accurate. In a statement to a video game news outlet, they expressed their regret and took responsibility for what they called “dropping the ball.” They explained that while they have successfully collaborated with many skilled translators and programmers in the past, scheduling conflicts sometimes prevent them from working with their usual team on every title.
The company noted that their programmer, who was tasked with translating these games, had previously worked on other text-heavy games, leading them to believe he could handle the job even though the games in question had less text. After reviewing the situation, the company admitted that the final translations included uncredited work — to varying degrees. Retro-Bit emphasized that they usually value their partnerships and understand their responsibilities toward collaborators, but in this instance, they did not proceed with the necessary caution.
Retro-Bit recognized this as a serious oversight and stated that they are fully accountable for failing to verify the final translation. To address this issue, they promised to reach out to the affected original translators to propose a solution.
Additionally, the company announced that they will be putting future game releases on hold while they investigate the matter further. They want to ensure that similar issues do not arise in future projects. Often, they noted, these game re-releases are rewarding because of the collaboration with talented members of the retro gaming community and support for original developers. Retro-Bit stressed that it never intended to exploit its relationships within the community and sincerely apologized for disappointing its fans. They further reassured their supporters that they deeply appreciate the retro gaming community and are committed to refining their translation and programming processes to restore trust.
