Every Gesture Matters in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
Owlcat Games has released a new developer diary for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn during IGN Fan Fest, offering a closer look at how the studio is recreating the unique language and culture of the Belters in its upcoming sci-fi RPG.
Known as Lang Belta or Belter Creole, the language evolved over generations among people living in the asteroid belt and outer planets. Created by linguist Nick Farmer for The Expanse TV series, it blends influences from multiple languages, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of Belter communities.
However, bringing Lang Belta into a video game involves more than translating dialogue. Belters also use expressive hand gestures to communicate, particularly when wearing bulky spacesuits. These movements have become an essential part of their culture, even when speaking English.
To capture these details, Owlcat worked with Farmer and gesture and motion-capture specialist Roberto Campanella. The team refined the movements to ensure they looked natural on in-game characters, accounting for differences in body proportions, lighting, emotional context, and individual backgrounds.
These cultural details will also affect gameplay. Players who choose a Belter background can speak Lang Belta, unlock unique dialogue options, understand conversations that Earthers and Martians might miss, and gain advantages when negotiating with other Belters. Players from the inner planets, meanwhile, will need to earn their trust.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is scheduled to launch in spring 2027 for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
With language and gestures influencing both conversations and player choices, Owlcat is taking meaningful steps to make its version of The Expanse feel authentic to longtime fans while offering newcomers a more immersive experience.