Bringing Night City to Life: Cyberpunk 2077 Arabic Localization
Loc & Play’s work on Cyberpunk 2077 gave Arab players a localization they could finally call their own, crafted with flair, cultural understanding, and technical polish.
🏢 Developer
CD Projekt RED
🎮 Genre
RPG, Action
🗓️ Release Date
Dec 10, 2020
Loc & Play took on the in-game text localization for Cyberpunk 2077—no small feat in a game packed with dystopian slang, tech-heavy terminology, and layered storytelling.
🏆 Awards
The Game Award for Best Ongoing Game BAFTA Games Award for Evolving Game
🕹️ Platforms
PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, GeForce Now, Windows, Stadia
Our job? Make sure Arab gamers didn’t miss a beat.
- We used culturally relevant Arabic that didn’t dilute the game’s edgy tone.
- Tech terms were treated with care to avoid mistranslations that could break immersion.
- We collaborated closely with context reviewers to lock down the intended tone of every questline and side mission.
- We referenced the original Polish source material where needed to preserve nuance.
Real Feedback from the Gaming World
Because every title deserves to be playable in Arabic. And every gamer deserves to feel like they’re part of the world—not just visiting it.
I just started playing Cyberpunk, and every time I see the Arabic translation, you immediately come to mind—as the team behind this amazing work. I say to myself, 'May God make you as happy as you made us with this incredible localization. ❤️
I’m really enjoying the game and understanding everything in it thanks to the Arabic translation. ❤️
The quality of your localization has become the standard for all games. We've seen many games localized in this generation and the one before, but none of them came close to even a quarter of your brilliance, legends. ❤️
للتو بدأت العاب سايبر بانك وكل ما اشوف الترجمة العربية على طول تجون في بالي وأنكم انتم القائمين خلف هذا العمل الرائع واقول في نفسي الله يسعدكم زي ما أسعدتونا بهذا
❤️ التعريب الرائع
مستمتع جدا باللعبة وفاهم كل شيء فيها بسبب
❤️ الترجمة العربية
جودة تعريبكم أصبحت معيار لكل الالعاب وشفنا كثير العاب تعربت في هذا الجيل والجيل الماضي لكن ولا لعبة منهن قدرت توصل لربع ابداعكم في
❤️ التعريب يا أساطير
Clips of Egyptian Arabic dialect from NPCs in the Indiana Jones game 😍 🤣 🤣 Bargaining over prices and a classic “yalahwy”—you’re definitely in Egypt 😂 ❤ 📸 Scene of the seller and merchant arguing: @gamer_snack 🤝 #Bethesda #بيثيسدا #IndianaJones #gameplay #gaming #جيمنج #العاب #قيمنق #إنديانا_جونز #مراجعات #أكس_بوكس #Xbox @bethesda_middleeast.
لقطات للهجة العامية المصرية من الشخصيات 🤣 😍Indiana Jones الثانوية في لعبة الفصال في السعر ويلهوي يبقى أنت أكيد في مصر 😂 ❤ : لقطة مناقشة البائعة والتاجر 📸 🤝@gamer_snack #Bethesda #بيثيسدا #IndianaJones #gameplay #gaming #جيمنج #العاب #قيمنق #إنديانا_جونز #مراجعات #أكس_بوكس #Xbox @bethesda_middleeast
I'm super happy that our work on Indiana Jones and The Great Circle has been appreciated in so many ways...
My contribution was mostly showing up with the material and saying, “Do whatever you need to do to make this accurate and appropriate for Egypt in 1937.” 😄 And you nailed it: making changes when you needed to, politely pointing out potential issues, and finding all sorts of ways to elevate the quality of the content for that level.
I’m thrilled that people are acknowledging and appreciating MachineGames' commitment to authenticity, and Loc & Play's ability to deliver it!
I'm super happy that our work on Indiana Jones and The Great Circle has been appreciated in so many ways...
My contribution was mostly showing up with the material and saying, “Do whatever you need to do to make this accurate and appropriate for Egypt in 1937.” 😄 And you nailed it: making changes when you needed to, politely pointing out potential issues, and finding all sorts of ways to elevate the quality of the content for that level.
I’m thrilled that people are acknowledging and appreciating MachineGames' commitment to authenticity, and Loc & Play's ability to deliver it!
والنتيجة؟
A smooth, engaging, and native-sounding Arabic experience in one of the most ambitious RPGs of the decade that got noticed and loved by the title’s fans and gamers in the Arab gaming world!
🖥️ Engine
REDengine 4
👤 Mode
Single-player
🧑💼 Publisher
CD Projekt
Is Cyberpunk 2077 available in Arabic?
Yes. Cyberpunk 2077 offers in-game text translation. Loc & More handled the Arabic localization, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience for Arabic-speaking gamers.
Does Cyberpunk 2077 have Arabic voice-over?
No, the Arabic version currently includes only localized in-game text. Voice-over is available in select other languages, but the Arabic translation ensures full comprehension of the game’s complex narrative and UI.
What platforms support Arabic localization for Cyberpunk 2077?
Arabic localization is supported across all major platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, PC (Windows), and GeForce Now.
What type of Arabic is used in the game?
The game uses Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) to ensure clarity and broad accessibility across the 22 Arabic-speaking countries.
Why is localization important for Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a deep, story-driven RPG with dense dialogue, complex UI, and layered world-building. Localization allows Arab gamers to fully enjoy the narrative without language barriers, especially in a futuristic setting where tone, terminology, and flow matter deeply.
Who handled the Arabic localization?
The in-game Arabic localization was handled by Loc & Play, a trusted language partner for many AAA titles in the MENA region.
What was the original language of Cyberpunk 2077?
The game’s original script was written in Polish, reflecting its roots at CD Projekt RED, a Polish studio. After writing, it was translated to English, which then served as the basis for all other localizations .
Why does Arabic video game localization matter?
Because Arabic-speaking gamers aren’t a niche audience anymore.
We’re talking about 22 Arabic-speaking countries, a population of over 400 million, and one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming regions. But there’s a catch: Arabic isn’t one language in practice. It’s a whole ecosystem of dialects and cultural expectations.
When a game like Cyberpunk 2077 is localized properly, it’s no longer just translated—it becomes playable and emotionally relatable to millions of new players.
We used Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)—the formal version taught in schools, used in news, and understood across most of the Arab world. It strikes the right balance between neutrality and clarity.
Other options for game publishers might include:
- Egyptian Arabic: Familiar and widely understood, especially in media.
- Gulf Arabic: Preferred in the GCC markets.
- Levantine Arabic: Native to Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine.
- Maghrebi Arabic: Spoken in North Africa but harder to understand in the Gulf.
- White Arabic: A simplified version of MSA, designed for wide accessibility.
What’s the difference between White Arabic and MSA?
Think of MSA as textbook Arabic—formal, correct, but sometimes a bit stiff.
White Arabic, on the other hand, drops the fuss. It’s lighter, friendlier, and more flexible. It avoids rare words and complex sentence structures, making it perfect for casual gameplay or voice-overs that need to sound natural.
For Cyberpunk 2077, we stuck to MSA because it was the safest choice to reach as many players as possible—without alienating any region.
What are the challenges of Arabic game localization?
A lot, and they’re not just technical—they’re linguistic and cultural, too:
- Tech-heavy jargon. Cyberpunk is dense with futuristic slang, hacker-speak, and made-up tech terms. Translating things like “NetRunner,” “Braindance,” or “Cyberware” into Arabic while keeping them cool, clear, and immersive is no small feat.
- Urban grit and street dialects. The dialogue is full of swearing, slang, and street talk. Finding Arabic equivalents that feel authentic—without being too vulgar or too watered-down—is a constant balancing act.
- Tone and attitude. V’s personality (and all the NPCs) comes through in tone and delivery. Maintaining their tone in Arabic—especially when switching between sarcasm, anger, and sincerity—requires surgical-level adaptation.
- Cyberpunk themes and taboos. The game explores edgy, adult themes. Localizers had to adapt this content sensitively without stripping it of meaning or alienating players in the region.
- User Interface (UI) flipping. Arabic’s right-to-left direction impacts how HUDs, subtitles, and overlays look and feel. Without proper RTL engineering, things can break—visually and functionally.
So, if I’m a publisher, what should I consider before localizing into Arabic?
Ask yourself:
- Do I want maximum reach across all Arabic-speaking markets, or a deep connection with one?
- Should I use MSA, or go lighter with Egyptian Arabic?
- Will my UI and fonts support RTL?
- Are there cultural flags in the storyline that might need adaptation?
Arabic localization can feel like a riddle—text direction, dialogue flow, UI adaptation… how much dev work will it take?
Don’t guess. Conjure clarity in 30 minutes with our in-house game localization experts.
Hala Zidan
Manager of Strategic Partnerships – Gaming Localization Services
Helping game studios enchant Arabic & MENA gamers 🪄
Community Voice
Hear what gamers say about Arabic localization of Cyberpunk 2077