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Two indie games. Two complete Italian localizations. For real. For free. With care. No publishers. No hidden fees. No “exposure” nonsense. Just games, words, and people who actually give a damn.
Adopt an Indie is a localization contest with a twist. Indie studios and solo developers from anywhere in the world can submit their games by filling out a short form. Our jury will review all eligible submissions and select two projects. Each selected game receives a complete localization from English into Italian, completely free of charge. One project will be localized by the Spring edition of GameLoc Academy and one by the Fall edition. The localization will be carried out by GLAC students, professionally supervised by a dedicated team coordinated by the Director of GameLoc Academy, a translator and localization professional with over 25 years of experience in the field. This is not a mock exercise. This is not a demo. This is a real localization pipeline. Your game gets localized. Our students get real-world experience and professional credits. Everybody win
You should apply if: 1. You are an indie studio or solo developer 2. You are working on a narrative, gameplay-driven, or experimental game 3. Your game is originally written in English 4. Your game is not yet localized into Italian (or only partially) 5. Your total word count does not exceed 10,000 words 6. You believe localization is part of game design, not an afterthought Genre does not matter. Platform does not matter. Budget definitely does not matter. Attitude does.
You submit your game by filling out a simple online form. That’s it.
We will ask you for:
1. Total word count to be localized into Italian, maximum: 10,000 words.
2. Short synopsis of the game, describing story and/or gameplay.
3. Localization notes. Anything special we should know: tone, constraints, cultural elements, weird stuff, hard stuff, beautiful stuff.
4. URL of the game’s website or social media page. This can be a website, Steam page, itch.io page, or an official social profile.
Our jury will evaluate all eligible submissions and assign scores according to the criteria published below. Two projects will be selected. One will be assigned to the Spring GLAC class and one to the Fall GLAC class, taking production readiness and educational suitability into account.:
• Project description (1–5 points)
Based on the synopsis and overall concept: how interesting, stimulating, and meaningful the game is from a narrative or gameplay perspective.
• Localization challenges (1–5 points)
Based on the notes provided: presence of linguistic, stylistic, cultural, or technical challenges that make the localization process engaging and valuable.
• Game presentation (1–5 points)
Based on the quality of the website or social page: clarity, care, and communication. The better the presentation, the more visibility it gives to the GLAC students whose names will appear in the localized game.
Results will be published in early February 2027
Each selected project will receive
• Full localization into Italian (from English)
• Done by GLAC students
• Professionally supervised and revised
• Coordinated by the Director of GLAC
• Delivered as a ready-to-use localization package
No costs. No revenue share. No exclusivity. No contract traps. No rights stolen.
Just one thing. And it’s non-negotiable.Each selected developer commits to::
• Including in the game credits the names of all GLAC students and collaborators who worked on the Italian localization
• Displaying the GameLoc Academy logo in the credits section related to localization
That’s it. No revenue share. No exclusivity. No marketing obligations. Just proper credit for real work
Because indie games deserve proper localization. Because localization is not just translation. Because students deserve real projects, not fake exercises. Because the industry needs fewer buzzwords and more craft.
Adopt an Indie is about:
• Respect for indie development
• Respect for language
• Respect for learning by doing
• Creating real connections between indie •developers and the next generation of localization professionals.
And yes, also about having fun while doing serious things
Submissions open: 15 October 2026
Submissions close: 15 January 2027
Selected games announced: early February 2027
Spring project: GameLoc Academy Spring 2027
Fall project: GameLoc Academy Fall 2027
All updates will be published on this page.
We score games the way we play them: by caring, not by pretending to be objective.
Each eligible project can receive up to 15 points total, divided into three areas.
How interesting is your game, really?
We look at: the core idea; the narrative or gameplay hook; originality, tone, ambition. A short description can still be powerful. A long one can still be boring.
We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for something worth localizing.
Does your game need smart localization?
We look for: strong narrative voice; humour, slang, dialects, wordplay; cultural references; stylistic constraints; anything that makes localization a creative challenge.
Easy text is fine. Interesting text is better. The more your game pushes language, the more points it gets.
How well do you present your game to the world?
We evaluate: clarity and care of your website or social page; how easy it is to understand what the game is; visual identity and communication.
This matters because the selected games become real professional projects for our students. A project that communicates itself clearly gives greater visibility to everyone whose work will appear in its credits.
No paperwork hell. Just the essentials.Submit your game to Adopt an Indie 2027. Please fill in the form below. It won’t take long. We promise.
Yes. Completely. No hidden costs.
There is no catch. Only credits.
No. You keep everything. Always.
GameLoc Academy students, supervised by professional localizers and coordinated by the Director of GLAC, Francesca Noto.
No. This is a real localization project with professional supervision.
No. Hard limit.
No. Localization is from English into Italian only.
Any. PC, console, mobile, weird stuff.
Not necessarily. But the text to be localized must be final or close to final.
Proper credits: the names of all GLAC students and collaborators involved, plus the GameLoc Academy logo in the localization credits.
Yes. But each submission needs its own form.
When will the selected games be announced? Early February 2027.
How many games will be selected? Two. One project will be localized by the Spring GLAC class and one by the Fall GLAC class.
No. Both are selected projects and receive the same prize: a complete Italian localization under professional supervision.
2026 – IT WORKED. SO WE’RE DOING IT AGAIN.
PolyPine was selected as the winner of the 2026 Summer Edition for its distinctive creative identity, evocative visual style, environmental themes and the meaningful localization challenges offered by its content.
After taking part in the 2026 edition, Knockout 2: Wrath of the Karen became an additional real-world localization project for GameLoc Academy, creating another opportunity for GLAC students to work on a real indie title and receive professional credits for their contribution.
In 2027, we’re making it official:
two games, two classes, two full Italian localizations.
Terms & Conditions (Minimal, Clear, Fair)
1. ORGANISERS
Adopt an Indie is an online contest owned by Idra Editing Srl.
The project has been conceived, developed, and is managed by Structura on behalf of Idra Editing.
GameLoc Academy (GLAC) is a professional training programme fully owned by Idra Editing.
2. PURPOSE OF THE CONTEST
The purpose of Adopt an Indie 2027 is to select two independent video game projects to receive a free localization from English into Italian, carried out by GLAC students under professional supervision. One selected project will be assigned to the Spring GLAC class and one to the Fall GLAC class. The contest has educational, cultural, and professional aims and does not constitute a commercial promotion.
3. ELIGIBILITY
Participation is open to independent developers and studios worldwide, provided that:
• the game is originally written in English
• the game is not fully localized into Italian at the time of submission
• the total word count to be localized does not exceed 10,000 words
• the information submitted through the form is accurate and truthful
Games exceeding the word limit or written in languages other than English are not eligible.
4. SUBMISSION
Participation is free of charge.
Each project must be submitted via the official online form within the indicated deadline.
Incomplete or inaccurate submissions may be excluded at the sole discretion of the organisers.
Each game requires a separate submission.
5. SELECTION AND JURY
All eligible submissions will be evaluated by a jury appointed by Idra Editing and Structura. Projects will be scored according to criteria published on the contest website.
The jury will select two projects.
Both selected projects have equal status and receive the same localization prize. The jury’s evaluation is final and not subject to appeal. The organisers reserve the right to select fewer than two projects if no suitable projects are available.
6. PROJECT ASSIGNMENT
One selected project will be assigned to the Spring GLAC class and one to the Fall GLAC class. Assignment will take into account project readiness, production requirements and educational suitability. The final assignment will be determined by the organisers in consultation with the selected developers.
7. PRIZE
Each selected project will receive::
• a full Italian localization from English
• performed by GLAC students
• professionally supervised and revised
• delivered as a ready-to-use localization package
• PROJECT ASSIGNMENT
No monetary prize is awarded.
8. DEVELOPER OBLIGATIONS
By accepting the prize, each selected developer agrees to:
• include in the game credits the names of all GLAC students and collaborators involved in the Italian localization
• display the GameLoc Academy logo within the localization credits section
No additional obligations are required.
9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All intellectual property rights related to the game and its content remain the sole property of the developer.
The localization produced within Adopt an Indie is licensed to the developer for use within the game without exclusivity.
Idra Editing, Structura, and GLAC do not acquire ownership rights over the game or its IP.
10. LIABILITY
The organisers are not responsible for:
• incomplete or inaccurate information provided by participants
• technical issues affecting submission
• delays or changes beyond reasonable control
The organisers reserve the right to modify dates or procedures if necessary, without altering the nature of the contest.
11. PRIVACY
Personal data collected through the submission form will be used exclusively for purposes related to the management of the contest and will not be shared with third parties, in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
12. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By submitting a project, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions in full.
Adopt an Indie
This Privacy Notice explains how personal data is collected and processed in relation to the Adopt an Indie contest.
Data Controller
The Data Controller is Idra Editing Srl, owner of GameLoc Academy (GLAC).
The contest is conceived and operationally managed by Structura on behalf of Idra Editing.
Personal Data Collected
By submitting a project, we may collect the following data:
• name of the developer or studio
• contact email address
• game title and description
• word count and localization notes
• website or social media URL related to the game
No sensitive personal data is requested or processed.
Purpose of Processing
Personal data is collected and processed exclusively for the following purposes:
• managing participation in the Adopt an Indie contest
• evaluating submitted projects
• communicating with participants regarding the contest
• publishing the names of the selected projects and credited contributors
Data will not be used for marketing purposes unless explicitly agreed by the participant.
Legal Basis
Processing is based on the participant’s explicit consent, given at the time of submission.
Data Retention
Personal data will be retained only for the duration necessary to manage the contest and its outcomes, and in any case no longer than required by applicable law.
Data Sharing
Personal data will not be sold or transferred to third parties.
Access to submitted data is limited to:
• Idra Editing
• Structura
• members of the jury involved in the evaluation process
Rights of the Data Subject
Participants have the right to:
• access their personal data
• request correction or deletion
• withdraw consent at any time
Requests can be sent to the contact address indicated on the website.
Changes
This Privacy Notice may be updated if required by law or organisational needs.
The latest version will always be published on this page.