As the video game industry continues its shift toward richer narratives and long-form storytelling, the rapid rise of the gacha genre has reshaped how games are developed—and how they are localized. These continuously evolving, story-driven titles require far more than direct translation. They demand localization that preserves character, emotional nuance, and narrative continuity across frequent updates. Los Angeles–based One Line Studios is quickly establishing itself as a California leader in meeting that challenge.
Pictured: One Line Studios
Founded by Aaron Leikin and Kiril Mitev, One Line Studios operates as a full-service audio and localization studio supporting globally distributed game development teams. Built by creatives with deep roots in the video game industry, the studio blends professional infrastructure with a hands-on, story-first approach—positioning itself as a creative partner rather than a transactional vendor.
A core pillar of the studio’s success is its casting and performance leadership, spearheaded by Aiden Dawn, an award-nominated voice actor, casting director, and performance director specializing in video games. As Head of Casting, Dawn leads One Line Studios’ casting department, overseeing a dedicated team of casting associates and guiding casting strategy across the studio’s game projects.
Pictured: Aiden Dawn
In this role, Dawn is responsible for talent selection, performance alignment, and long-term character continuity across ongoing, live-service titles. Working closely with directors, producers, and localization teams, she ensures that casting decisions support narrative cohesion across frequent updates—an essential requirement in gacha and other story-driven games where characters evolve over months and years of content releases.
Earlier this month, Dawn’s work received industry recognition at the 2026 SOVAS Awards, when voice actor Alaina Wis earned a nomination for Outstanding Video Game Trailer – Best Voiceover for her performance as Hipper in Tower of Fantasy. The nomination reflects both the strength of the performance and the casting vision and leadership behind it.
Credits
Become the Ash That Ignites the Stars – Tower of Fantasy
Voice Actor: Alaina Wis
Casting Director: Aiden Dawn
Director: Kiril Mitev
Producer: Danny Scott SOVAS Nominees: https://sovas.org/nominees/?ny=2026
At One Line Studios, casting is treated as a core creative discipline rather than a logistical step. Under Dawn’s leadership, the casting team emphasizes bespoke talent selection, thoughtful performance direction, and careful role alignment—ensuring that each voice contributes meaningfully to the story being told and remains consistent across the lifespan of a game.
What Is a Gacha Game?
The term gacha originates from Japanese toy vending machines known as gachapon. In gaming, it refers to a system where players spend in-game or real currency to receive randomized virtual items such as characters or equipment. The appeal lies in repeated “pulls” for rare rewards through a virtual lottery mechanic.
Unlike traditional standalone games, gacha titles are designed as ongoing experiences. New characters, quests, and story chapters are released on a regular cadence—often every 30 to 45 days—continuing and expanding existing narratives. For localization studios, this format requires long-term creative oversight—particularly in casting and performance—to maintain narrative continuity and emotional authenticity across years of updates.
Studios like One Line Studios are staying ahead of the curve by adapting to both the pace and scale of this evolving format. By maintaining high-quality localization across frequent releases—and by placing experienced creative leadership and team-based casting oversight at the center of production—the studio ensures that each new chapter feels cohesive, immersive, and emotionally authentic—moving the video game localization industry forward, one line at a time.
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