Arabic Gamers POV: How Loc & Play Shared in Getting Indiana Jones’ Moments Feel So Authentic
A recently published article caught the attention of Arab gamers, celebrating how Indiana Jones brought Giza’s streets to life in authentic Egyptian Arabic.
While MS Arabic in Games Audio has been setting the stage for decades, Egyptian Arabic came to simply steal the show and build an unforgettable experience to gamers in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
It inspired us at Loc & Play to open the doors to our recording booths and share some behind-the-scenes moments from the voice-over process — and why this project meant a lot to Arab gamers, and to us.
Gamers Are Talking
The article titled “The Indiana Jones Game Sets a New Standard for Egyptian Arabic in Film and Gaming“ by Mohamed Khairat, published on May 13, 2025, in Egyptian Streets, commends the game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for its exceptional portrayal of Egyptian Arabic.
Set in 1930s Egypt, specifically in a locale stylized as “Gizeh,” the game immerses players in a richly detailed environment that goes beyond mere visual representation. The authenticity is evident in the bustling markets, narrow village pathways, and archaeological dig sites. However, what truly distinguishes the game is its linguistic fidelity.
Non-playable characters (NPCs) converse in fluent, colloquial Egyptian Arabic, capturing the natural accents, phrasing, and expressions familiar to native speakers. This stands in contrast to the often generic or robotic Modern Standard Arabic commonly found in Western productions.
In-game documents, such as handwritten recipes for traditional dishes, like فول مدمس (fuul medames) and حمام محشي (hamam mahshi), further showcase authentic language use, reflecting a deep understanding of the dialect.
Even the protagonist, Indiana Jones, engages with locals using accurate phrases like “naharak saeed” (good day), demonstrating a respectful integration into the cultural setting. A particularly memorable scene features villagers gathered to listen to an elder’s animated storytelling, rich with idioms and metaphors that echo genuine Egyptian oral traditions.
The article emphasizes that such meticulous attention to linguistic and cultural detail is rare in video games and even in modern cinema and television. By prioritizing authentic representation, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle sets a new benchmark for how Egyptian Arabic—and by extension, non-Western languages—should be depicted in media. For Egyptian players, this authenticity offers a refreshing and affirming experience.
Loc & Play’s Role in the Adventure
Our team handled the full Arabic voice-over production of Indiana Jones — and let us tell you, it was one heck of an adventure.
Some insider stories from the booth:
- Casting was the easy part. Thanks to our rich pool of talented Arabic voice actors, we already had the right voices lined up. Matching the charm of Indiana and the local Egyptian flavor came naturally — when the first takes rolled in, we knew we had nailed it.
- Most NPC voices in Indiana Jones didn’t even have a script. In many situations, the client trusted us to bring the world of Giza to life with spontaneous, natural conversations. They gave us the context and left the rest to our actors — their words, their energy, their authentic Egyptian voices.
- This wasn’t just about accurate performance; it was genuine Egyptian dialogue crafted on the spot by our talented voice actors, drawing from their own cultural memory and expressions.
Arab Gamers Made It Viral
Beyond the reviews and articles, the Arabic gaming community took to social media and YouTube to celebrate the game’s localization.
One of the standout voices is Awwad Gamer, who shared a YouTube video titled: “Indiana Jones – The Dates Conversation البلح المسموم | Random NPC Moments in Giza | اما قصة”
In his words:
“In this humorous and unexpected episode of Indiana Jones series, we dive into the notorious dates conversation scene
(البلح المسموم) capturing the random NPC moments that make Giza come alive.”
Awwad praised the game for:
- How Indiana Jones encounters quirky characters and unexpected dialogue.
- The unforgettable “poisoned dates” scene, which became a fan-favorite moment.
The perfect blend of adventure and humor as he explored the vibrant NPC interactions that made Giza feel mystical, alive, and genuinely Egyptian.
Meanwhile, Arab Hardware, a leading Arabic gaming community, shared an Instagram reel spotlighting the small talk, bargaining scenes, and the charm of the Arabic voices filling the Giza streets.
In their reel, they highlight how:
- The authentic voice acting and street conversations bring the world of Giza to life.
- Players can feel the joy of hearing everyday Egyptian interactions that made them smile and feel at home while playing.
- They especially praised how the game captured the essence of local markets and the humor that comes with it.
The Bigger Picture: Arab Gamers Are Hungry for More
And the buzz isn’t a one-off thing.
Here’s why publishers should pay attention:
🎮 Gaming in Egypt: A Rapidly Growing Market
- Market Size: In 2024, Egypt’s gaming market generated approximately USD 819.7 million in revenue.
- Growth Projections: The market is expected to reach USD 1.54 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2025 to 2030.
- Device Preference: Mobile gaming is the largest and fastest-growing segment, accounting for over 54% of the market share in 2024.
🌍 Middle East Gaming Market Overview
- Market Size: The Middle East gaming market was valued at USD 7.45 billion in 2023.
- Growth Projections: It’s projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 14.62 billion by 2030.
- Key Drivers:
- Increasing smartphone penetration and high-speed internet availability.
- Rising popularity of mobile gaming and esports.
- Government investments in gaming infrastructure and events.
📈 Esports and Youth Engagement
- Youth Demographics: In the MENA-3 region (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE), 92% of individuals under 30 are gamers, totaling approximately 70.7 million consumers in 2024.
- Esports Growth: The esports sector is experiencing significant growth, with increased investments and viewership across the region.
Wrapping Up
Indiana Jones didn’t just bring adventure to Arab gamers — it brought them home.
From authentic voices in Giza’s alleys to improvised street conversations, the game proved that great localization isn’t just noticed — it’s celebrated.
At Loc & Play, we’re proud to have been part of this journey, and of so many others!