‘Wait for me, my Czech friend’: Japanese dev adds Czech localization just for the one Steam user who wishlisted his game in the Czech Republic
Japanese solo developer Eba Game has added Czech language localization to their Steam game after discovering a single player from the Czech Republic had wishlisted it. The gesture is rooted in an unexpected international friendship between Japan and the Czech Republic that blossomed through baseball.
The connection began during the 2023 World Baseball Cup, when the amateur Czech national baseball team faced Japan. Though the Czech team ultimately lost 2-10, they made a lasting impression on Japanese fans and players alike with their competitive spirit and impressive performance. Most notably, Czech pitcher Ondrej Satoria—an electrician by profession—struck out baseball legend Shohei Ohtani in a moment that captured the hearts of Japanese baseball enthusiasts.
This sporting encounter transformed Japanese perceptions of the Czech Republic, inspiring a wave of goodwill between the two nations. Japanese fans rallied behind the Czech team despite the loss, creating a unique international bond around their shared love of baseball.
Capitalizing on this cultural connection, developer Eba Game chose to honor the friendship by accommodating their lone Czech player. Rather than ignore a single wishlist entry from a Czech user, the developer invested time in providing Czech language support for their Steam release. The move exemplifies both the grassroots solidarity fostered by the baseball rivalry and the welcoming nature of indie game development communities.