Translate a Ren'Py visual novel: every line of dialogue, code untouched
Upload your .rpy scripts, or the tl folder that Generate Translations created, and get the same files back with dialogue, narration, menu choices and interface text translated. Labels, python, show and jump statements, indentation, text tags like {i} and variables like [player] stay exactly as they were. One payment of $5 covers up to 40,000 lines, and the first lines are free with no sign-up.
- Translated: dialogue and narration, menu choices, _() strings, screen text, textbutton, label and tooltip
- Generated tl files: the new lines and dialogue lines are filled; old lines and comments stay
- Not touched: python blocks, $ lines (except _() strings), define, default, show, scene, play, jump, call, labels
- Text tags and [variables] checked in every line
- One payment $5: up to 40,000 lines and 2,000,000 characters
How to translate a Ren'Py game
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1
Pick the files
Either zip the game folder's .rpy files, or run Generate Translations in the Ren'Py launcher and zip game/tl/<language>. Images and audio in the ZIP are ignored.
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2
Upload and check the first lines
Choose the language and list character names that should stay as they are. The first lines appear translated next to the original.
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3
Unlock and copy the files back
Unlock for $5, download the ZIP with the same folder layout, and copy the files into your project after making a backup.
Scripts or the tl folder
Translating the game/ scripts directly gives you a copy of the game in the new language. Ren'Py's own way is the tl folder: Generate Translations writes one translate block per line, with the original as a comment and a copy to translate below it, plus old and new pairs for interface strings. The tool reads both. In tl files it fills the uncommented dialogue lines and the new lines, and leaves the comments and old lines as the reference, so players can switch languages in the preferences.
Tags and variables
Ren'Py text tags such as {i}, {b}, {color=#f00}, {w} and {p}, and variables in square brackets such as [player], are replaced with short markers before translation and checked afterwards. A line that loses a pause, a variable or another code is asked again and otherwise keeps its original text and is listed. If only an emphasis tag like {i} is lost on the second try, the translated line is kept without that emphasis.
Triple-quoted strings and text built inside python code are not translated. Some AI models refuse explicit scenes; any line that does not come back stays in the original language and is listed.
How the tool works, what it costs and how your files are handled is on the Translate Game Text page; prices for every tool are on the pricing page.
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Questions and answers
Can ChatGPT translate a Ren'Py game?
It can translate pasted dialogue in character. A whole script means copying it in and out piece by piece, and the model tends to change labels, indentation or tags. This tool replaces only the strings and checks every tag and variable.
Are character names translated?
Names in define statements are not translated unless they are marked with _(). Names you list under Never translate are kept in every line of dialogue too.
How long a visual novel fits in one payment?
Up to 40,000 lines and 2,000,000 characters across all files for $5. Unlimited covers up to 200,000 lines.
Will the game still run?
Only the text inside strings changes; every other byte of each file stays. A line whose codes did not survive keeps its original text, so no broken tag reaches the game.
Is it free?
Up to 300 lines are free in full. For bigger games the first lines are free on screen; the whole game is $5, paid once.