Game Localization Tips
Games localization is a widespread industry. Nowadays, the gamer’s number is rapidly growing;
people are playing games on their PC, Mobile, and social media. For the game developers, the need
arose to localize their games in order to reach the maximum number of gamers around the world to
be the all-time best selling games. Thus, you have to be ready, as a translator, to make your mark
on this field and develop your skills along with the rapidly increasing of the industry.
Localization involves many steps. Given that we talk about the translation, we will focus here on
the path the translator should follow in order to develop his/her skills in this industry.
Game types
First of all, a gamer should differentiate between the types of games and get to know all of them.
Having such knowledge will assist him/her while translating a game. Game types include:
- Action: a video game genre involves physical challenges. For example Spider-Man
- Survival horror: focuses on character surviving while the game tries to frighten the player. E.g. “Resident Evil”
- Shooting: tests the reactions and speed of the player. Subgenres include FPS (e.g. “Overwatch”) and Third Person Shooter (e.g. “Tom Clancy’s The Division”)
- Strategy: player choices determine the outcome. E.g. “Shadow of Tactics”
- Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA): team competition. E.g. “League of Legends”
- Role Playing Games (RPG): player controls the actions of a character. E.g. “Final Fantasy”
- Simulation: simulates real-world activities. E.g. “The Sims”
- Sports: simulates sports practices. E.g. “FIFA”
- Party Games: easy control and competition among players. E.g. “That’s You!”
You can read more about the genres here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_genres
Passion
In the first place, a game translator should be a gamer, has a passion for games, and be familiar
with the game environment. Also, s/he should play the game before translating it with the passion
to understand the mindset of gamers, which assists you when starting translation.
Getting involved
A game translator has to be up to date with all trends in the game localization industry. So s/he
has to read a lot about it, participate in the forums related to the industry, and get to know all
the news and updates of the game developers. Also, s/he can play the games that already localized.
Be Creative
Game localization requires creativity. Given that there are lots of game types with different
universes, characters, and in-game items, the translator has to translate them in a creative way;
considering the cultural gap and the preferences of the target audience.
The Tools
Nowadays, game localization industry uses a lot of tools in translation, so you have to consider
developing your skills in this area and get to know all updates about tools used in game
translation and master them. In addition, having good search techniques will take your translation
to the next level.
Challenges
Every step of the translation process has its challenges. Thus, you have to prepare yourself to handle and overcome them perfectly. The challenges you may face include:
- Culture issues: depending on the country the game will be launched in, you will have to edit the translation when needed.
- Lack of context: if your game isn’t launched yet, it will be a challenge when you start translation. Thus, you should ask your client for more details to have a clear vision of your characters and items.
- Length restriction: English text is usually shorter, so you must keep your translation within the required length.
Meeting localization recruiters’ requirements
Recruiters are looking for good talent in game localization field. So, you have to develop your
talent, passion and be creative and qualified enough to fill the position needed. The most important
is your efficiency in the language of the source and how to convey it to your native language in a
creative way conceding the cultural gaps and so on. You can express your talent and passion of game
in general, and game localization in particular in the relevant websites such as
Translatorscafe,
Proz, and
LinkedIn.
Finally, being a gamer, creative, and passionate about games will assist you through your journey
to make your own mark in the game localization industry. As well as the cultural knowledge of both
source and target languages.
If you have any query about game localization, contact us and our game localization team will be happy to help.
