Cześć! on Michał Kaczyński

Overreacting, Part 2: Designing reactive dialogue for Polish grammar

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:10:06 +0200

More than a variable, actually

A typical game variable might simply return a number, a skill or item name, or another stored value. Kenshi’s variables are named word swaps, and can either be a simple number or one of several pieces of text depending on one or more in-game conditions.

This makes them considerably more interesting (and problematic) from a localization perspective.

From where I’m sitting, here’s the set of gotchas Kenshi has in store for us:

About me

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:10:06 +0200

How I work

My work history is here. My focus is on voice, whether it’s found in a book, a marketing campaign, or a game. The goal is:

You, in effortless Polish, not Polish equivalents of your English words.

And that’s what’s on offer here. Thoughtfully translated, believable character writing, naturally flowing descriptions, and compelling copy, all of which preserve your original intent. Creatively faithful rather than merely technically accurate.

When it matters, of course. I’m not turning your instruction manual into a Gollancz SF Masterwork contender unless there’s a very specific reason to do so, and if you do have one, please contact me immediately. But why go to a random guy on the internet instead of an established, convenient service?

Localization History

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:10:06 +0200

A freelancer’s work is a series of overlapping, often long-running collaborations, so periods below are not strict employment blocks. Rather, they emphasise points when a particular kind of work became important.

2004–2008 · Technical foundations

I started with manuals, web content, press releases, and promotional material for a PC hardware manufacturer.

From 2008, work through SDL expanded that into large software and support projects, including PayPal web and knowledge-base content, Autodesk, SolidWorks and Adobe software, and technical material for HP and Intel.

Localization Showcase

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:10:06 +0200

Translation samples from the first Kenshi, completed in a single day for a translation test. They are not representative of the stylistic, character-voice, or translation choices made for the sequel.

Download the XML package here.

Making fictional terminology sound believable

RationaleCatcrawlers is deliberately written as a game whose rules the player is not meant to understand. The terms are intentionally nonsensical. I've mirrored the approach, creating equally nonsensical terms, spoken with the confidence, cadence and rhyme typical of a Polish street hustler.

Overreacting, Part 1: Localization compromises in reactive dialogues

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:10:06 +0200

A game that hates you

Kenshi is jokingly described by its creators as a game that hates you. It places you in a brutal, unforgiving world, and mercilessly beats you down time and time again. If you manage to stay alive and uneaten — these are separate concerns, by the way — you can do anything you damn well please. And if it pleases you to explore, the game will reward you with deep, thoughtful lore. That freedom, and the hostility wrapped around it, have earned Kenshi a cult following.

English–Polish Localization

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

At a glance

Polish game localization is one of my specialties, but my work spans everything from software and technical content to marketing campaigns for multinational companies.

Services include:

translation and transcreation (English–Polish);
linguistic review and QA;
language ownership and localization leadership;
localization engineering, tooling, and workflow design.

Games I have worked on

+ many other titles that I can't yet disclose.

I offer

Localization

If you need someone to write believable Polish characters, or want to be sure you subtext and humor are going to be carrier over, we should talk. Read my writing samples. I am available for complete game localizations and content updates. Small projects are welcome too.

Go native.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

You might’ve seen my work on a screen, a page, a wall, or a store shelf. Maybe you heard it on the radio.

My services include:

transcreation across media;
copywriting and copyediting;
production supervision; and
brand voice stewardship.

For a bespoke voice for the Polish market: contact [at] kaczynski [dot] pro.

Brands I have worked with

Transcreation work was completed through Craft Worldwide, now part of the Omnicom network. Brand names and logos are not endorsements, and no direct client relationship is implied.

Privacy

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

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