VIDEO GAMES LOCALIZATION
Video game localization resembles a standard translation only on the surface. It is not about an automatic literal translation of dialogues or other visual content. It is about creating a version of a given game that will give an impression of it being the original version. Video game localization is a multidimensional and challenging task which brings many benefits if carried out correctly.
Thanks to video game localization, game developers can reach a wider audience on the foreign market of video games. The probability of an increase in the income grows from making a localized game available to a new target audience. It is true even in the case of low-budget video games.
Our translation agency specializes in video game localization. For this reason, we have created a separate brand gamelocalizations.com. We have over 100 video games translated into over 20 languages in our portfolio.We know that video game localization is not easy and that it is connected with many challenges. Thus, we will happily let you on our secret and tell you why game localization resembles a flight through thick mist. We encourage you to contine reading to learn how the localization of a translation and the work process of a video grame translator look like.
What is video game localization?
Video game localization does not mean video game translation. It means translating elements of a video game which may be incomprehensible for the audience of the translation. The term “video game translation”, which is used interchangeably with the term “video game localization”, is sometimes deemed harmful as this definition omits other elements of video game translation other than the translation of the game’s verbal elements.
We localize video games so as the foreign audience can become familiar with new video games. Another aim of translating video game is enabling foreign fans of a certain game to play it. It especially concerns people whose knowledge of the language of the orginal version is too lacking to be able to play the game without translation.
Video game localization does not entail only the localization of video games but it also entails the localization of marketing.
Has any article regarding the best Polish versions of video games ever caught your attention? This was most certainly due to the effort of localization teams. These teams count translators among them.
Video game translator profile
Some of the best professional translators in this industry agree that, as a general rule, it is necessary to have some basic skills to work in this field. These skills include:
- a perfect mastery of English and it has to be the first working language. Yes, perhaps the original game is not in English. Commonly, it is first translated into American English and then into other languages. Although it is also possible to translate from Asian languages, working from English is simpler, cheaper and could expedite the localization;
- gaming experience. You don’t have to be a professional gamer, but it is recommended to have some sort of experience playing. Be that as it may, a middle ground is ideal. Some games may have references to others or, if they have the same theme, may contain similar features. It is always good to specialize in different fields, but we can learn to identify different languages and situations between games of the same genre by playing;
knowledge of localization because it is not sufficient to simply translate the video game. It is more about linking the content of the game to the target culture of the future users;
creativity, which is essential to make the game more prominent to the gamers.
The number of new video games and users is increasing day by day. Although there are more and more professionals in the industry, the demand continues to grow. A few years ago, a young translator may not have considered working in this industry, but the times have changed. If you are a young translator and enjoy seeing the adaptations that have been made of puns or jokes in iconic games such as Super Mario, why not give it a try yourself?
How does the process of video game localization really look like? What does it consist of?
Video game localization consists of many elements that should be considered in the view of cultural differences between the target audience of the original game and the target audience of the translation. These elements can be divided into three categories such as:
- plot elements,
- graphics
- and the elements of marketing.
Every technical element demands the work of a translator. This inluences the quality of the translation and the acceptance into the local market of video games.
How to localize the tranalstion of the game's plotline? Does the process of localization affect the entire plot?
Many video game translators ask themselves these questions. They are faced with the challenging task of translating word-plays, puns, elements of foreign culture and many more. The context plays a key role in case of localization. That is why it is especially important for translators to work closely with game developers.
In a high-quality localization of a video game, the setting of the game should be adapted to the expectations of the audience. Some elements of the plot such as Celtic druids will be more familiar to English speakers than to Polish speakers, to whom Vodyanoy (i.e. a water spirit form Slavic mythology) is more familiar. However, in certain instances where obvious plot elements are known in the target culture and they play a key role in creating the setting, the translator does not have a choice other than to leave them unchanged. It is difficult to imagine God of War without Nordic names or GTA V without names of American places.
To sum up, the whole plot cannot and in valid instances should not be localized. A lot depends on the context.
How does the localization of technical elements of a video game look like?
Certain technical elements, such as hours, dates and units of measurement, can also be translated. Unfortunately, although they play a key role in creating captivating and smooth gameplay, they are often omitted due to their complexity. Their translation requires technical knowledge in a given field. There may araise necessity to adjust text space in the user’s interface. It is especially important since this space is often limited. As a result of this, it can cause issues in the translation of the video game’s text into a language which uses a different alphabet than the one used in the language of the original version.
Should slang or a specific dialect be used beside the terminology typical for the game industry?
It is one of the issues that people handling the video game translation face. It should be solved by asking the game developers’ opinion.
What other information should we share with the manager of the translation agency before launching the translation project?
The game developer should discuss together with the translator what is to be translated and what is to be localized. It is also recommended to share with the translator the information regarding distribution channels of the game and whether the game will be available on mobile devices. The other important information that is useful in the translation process is related to the game’s history, i.e. if the game is the first installement in the series of if it is a sequel. Another important matter is the one concerning additional remarks about the most important parts of the dialogue or the tone of a given exclamation.
What should you know about the localization of mobile and computer games? Are there any differences?
The localization of mobile and computer games is a truly complex issue due to many undertones related to the differences between these two communication channels. Among these differences we can name the difference in the quantity of the in-game text or the proper localization of key words required for the game positioning when the game is uploaded onto Steam or Google Play Store. Moreover, the game’s translation does not limit itself to the text. It is also worth mentioning that video games are based on emotions and impressions that a player receives for their effort undertaken to complete next levels. It is also important to remember that the video game localization typically consists of three spheres: the plot, the technical elements and the marketing communication. The whole content of each of these three spheres has to be adjusted to the target language and the target culture.
What terminology related to the localization of translation should you know if you plan to expand your company abroad?
These terms will help you better not only your understanding of this phrase but also the meaning of this process. They will be useful in creating materials in a foreign language no matter whether they are created by employees from your company or some outsource translation agency. Among these terms we can name:
machine translation – a translation created automatically by a machine translator. It still causes much controversy. However, nowaydays, there are more and more offerts of post-editing proposed by translation agencies. Post-editing consists in the verification and correction of machine translation by a human.
continuous translation – a process, in which the employer receives the translation done by a translator in a twenty-four-hour system. This allows the employer to have the ever dynamically changing content, for example the one available online, constantly updated.
Minimum Viable Localization (MVL) – a localized translation which is created on the basic level to be introduced into the market. This is mostly the case for the translations of apps.
How much does video game localization cost?
Each game is different. The translation of a strategic game is different than that of a RPG or a typical FPS game. The cost of a video game localization can amount to even several dozen thousand zlotys depending on the complexity of the game, its length and the language combination.
If you want to translate your game and you don’t want to overpay but you still want to be guaranteed a high-quality translation, we encourage you to contact us via our website.
Can a game developer who doesn't know the target language influence the translation quality? Can he or she verify the correctness of the localization process?
From the very beginning of the localization process, the game developer has a great influence over the course of this process. The game developer is responsible for preparing files for the translation. The quality of the original content has a significant impact on the quality of the localization. Quick and efficient communication between the game developer and the translator facilitates this process.
What to do in order to make a game a global success?
A good game localization allows the game developer to gain more customers. Firstly one gamer is playing this game. Then, he or she recommends it to another gamer who can recommend it to other people. In this way the game gains popularity in the global scale.
What is required for a successful game localization?
- source material properly elaborted by game developers. It should contain every important element of the localization
- efficient communication between translators and game developers
- beta testing, which can verify whether the translations fit their respective fragments and whether everything creates together a coherent and logical whole
The process of video game localization is remarkably difficult and it isn't limited to the elements of the game but it also concerns marketing
A simple translation does not suffice to compete with the best game developers from all over the world. If you want to successfully introduce your game into the new market, you will have to actively participate in the process of translation. The full translation of a game is not limited only to the translation of the game’s content. It also concerns the process of localization of marketing translation for a given shop. The localization may sometimes concern even music or graphic visuals. It is important to remember that a new market in case of computer games means a new country and sometimes even a completly new part of the world, where players use a specific language and have precise expectations for the game’s language, music, menu and graphic visuals.
Video game localization is a complex process
The process of video game localization requires cooperation between the translator, the translation agency and the game developers. The translation of video games is a complicated and time-consuming process. Our translation agency specializes in video game localization. By this term, we mean the translation of the game’s content and of marketing materials. The complete process of localization concerns more areas than just the translation.
The translation of video games consists in a proper localization in many different areas. A good localization of a translation will increase not only your income from your current game but also the number of potential players of your future games.
Of course, the localization of the translation and its quality deprends greatly on the chosen translation agency and its cooperation with the translators and the game developers.
Time to translate your game? Invest in your future!
The cost of translating your game into other languages is extremely low compared to how much you will gain.
Some few thousands spent on the localization will change in a blink of an eye into few millions of players, which will result in few millions of income.
Translation vs. localization of software
The localization of software consists mainly in changing ascribed function keys and switching between PAL and NTSC systems. However, the specificity of translating video games concerns adapting the game on the visual level according to the expectations and the needs of the audience.
Some claim that we can only dream about the perfect localization. And yet, you can make this dream reality with us.
In order to achieve a perfect video game localization, it is necessary to take into consideration many different varieties of localization.
What is linguistic and cultural localization?
This is mainly the translation and localization of idioms as well as cultural references. A significant part of the game’s authenticity is preserved this way. At the same time, the game becomes more accessible to the audiencve from another country or region.
What does the localization of graphics and music consist in?
This part of the localization may consist in small changes in characters’ designs for instance. This helps the players indentify with the avatars or the games’ characters. The appropriate choice of music is equally important. It depends on local music trends and fans’ preferences.
What is the localization in the view of the law?
Age ratings may differ from one country to another. They are controlled by national or international organizations such as: PEGI (in Europe), ESRB (in the USA and in Canada), ACB (in Australia) or ZERO (in Japan).
Professionalization of video game localization. Our successes in video game localization
Anyone can brag about creating the best professional video game translation but who can brag about such an exquisite portfolio as us? Among the viedo games localized by our translators there are such best-sellers as Animal Shelter Simulator, Car Mechanic Simulator, Contraband Police and Prison Simulator. These are only a few titles that we could name. We wholeheartedly encourage you to see our entire portfolio and our vast offert of video games localizations.
Translated and written by:
Ana Fariñas Ramos and Julia Kaczmarczyk
Post-edition:
Timothee Gros
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