Welsh-language version of Bus Bound hits PC with rave reviews

The first modern PC game fully localised into Welsh has launched to critical acclaim, marking a milestone for the language in the interactive entertainment sector.

Bus Bound, an AA title from Austrian developer Stillalive Studios and published by Saber Interactive, now offers a complete Welsh‑language interface and voice‑over, a first for a contemporary game of its scale.

Lead Sound Designer Cai Jones, a native of the Rhondda Valleys, spearheaded the translation effort while serving as the project’s Welsh Language Lead.

Jones, who received a Welsh‑medium education but drifted from daily use after leaving school, described his personal journey back to the language.

I grew up speaking Welsh at school but not at home. My parents didn’t get the chance to learn it themselves, so they made sure I did.

I started out as a musician and sound engineer, and in 2017 I began making audio for games as a hobby. This then slowly turned into a job, and I’ve been doing sound design for games full time since 2019, whether freelance or in‑house!

That means making sound effects and essentially coding them into the game, on everything from mobile to PlayStation and Xbox releases. This helps players feel more immersed in the storytelling and world of the videogames I work on.

As the translation progressed, Jones realised the scope far exceeded his initial expectations.

All of a sudden, it became a bigger project than I intended, but I had no plans to call it a day and hired a recording studio and professional actors including BAFTA Cymru winner Sharon Morgan.

Jones highlighted the scarcity of Welsh‑language games as a driving factor.

I did this because our language is under represented in games with a mere 24 games in Cymraeg, some of which are now out of date.

The localisation goes beyond a simple language toggle. A postcard in the game references Welsh culture and even nods to the historic Welsh settlement in Patagonia, linking the virtual city to real‑world heritage.

When asked about future projects, Jones said he is eager to repeat the effort but wants the timing to be right.

I do want to do it again, definitely, but it’s also about getting the timing right.

He added a broader vision for the industry.

I would like to see a lot more people doing it. There’s more than one language on this island, and I really really hope we can see a lot more characters who are Welsh with Welsh references.

Since its April release, Bus Bound has been praised for its visual fidelity and relaxed gameplay.

Bus Bound is such a relaxing and chill experience that is a fantastic way to unwind and rake in a few podcasts and continue to unlock new areas of the city, bus routes, and customization options for your bus. It may disappoint fans of Bus Simulator in its watered down simulator elements, but It’s a choice I strongly believe was the right call, allowing Bus Bound to be something more digestible and casual.

Bus Bound will continue to title I come back to week after week, building up Emberville’s transit system to that of absolute perfection.. ..at least until I accidentally hit a pedestrian.

The game’s success demonstrates a growing appetite for culturally resonant content and could pave the way for more Welsh‑language titles in the years ahead.