What I mean by distinguishing art from product here is the desire to strip out human intention. Undertale and Deltarune were intentionally designed by Toby Fox, not merely built up as a collection of gameplay elements chosen for marketability. As such, the writing carries specific authorial intent. In the Japanese translation, which was done in cooperation with another person, the bilingual Toby Fox was able to ensure this intent remained. In other languages, this is just not possible, and so they will never get an 『Official』translation unless Toby Fox learns another language. However, art, especially in the digital era, once it has entered into the view of the public, carries with it the inevitability of transformative works. The only limit is the law, and Toby Fox clearly states his support for unofficial translation rather than being a litigious landlord of ideas. What the fans are demanding in an official stamp of approval on translations he can’t functionally oversee is the transformation of “Toby Fox” from a name of an author into a brand.

Books that are translated usually are published through a publisher. Autors are familiar working with an editor, they learn to trust other people with their work. And I’m sure it’s not easy all the time either.

Generally speaking it seems people consider being able to read a book in its own language a positive. Meanwhile much of the backlash to this seems to come from people who can read English just fine but want to specifically be catered to in their own language for what appears to me as mostly consumer concerns. Such as being a big market that has to pay relatively highly for these products but don’t get specific translations.