How to achieve video game localization in today’s world?

Video games have gone from impersonal dotted monsters to very realistic experiences with backstories for the characters. They also involve more human faculties than just the digits of the hands. Video game studios are now selling games that are based on concepts instead of those that mainly included beating the monster to a pulp!

With this trend comes the requirement for high-quality translation and localization, as each market has a new language and significant cultural differences that must be addressed if the game is to have a chance to succeed. Furthermore, the translation is taken seriously, as children and adults alike play video games and are quick to notice any distortions in language translations.

Video game localization itself involves many processes and you are free to get the right to port a game from one language to another. The process of translating a game into another language usually starts from the game development stage. The video game studio first decides if the concept of the game being developed has relevance in the country or region in which they want to release it in addition to the region of origin. If the concept is new or not relatable, a translation service can be brought in to modify the backstory or develop one along the same lines that will work in other markets.

Localization partners typically work early in game development to ensure that the game has the best chance of success. Once the concept is finalized, the game is developed. At this time, language translators test the game designed to ensure that the game does not contain any text, speech, or process that may offend any culture, and offer suggestions to make the game more acceptable to target markets. With all the input collected and assimilated to get the game accepted by a wider audience, the game is finalized and ready for release.

Here are some tips that help video game localization:

1. It is important to clarify the context of the game at the time of localization, in addition to translating the concept into the game.

2. Involving the language translation team early on will help reduce last-minute translation anomalies.

3. Cultural attitudes change over time, so it is important to take current events into account to ensure that a video game is well received by the destination country or region.

4. At some point, the developer should be told to freeze the text so that the language translator can fill the text boxes without confusion.

5. Encourage language translators to ask ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions to ensure they understand the concept of the game.

6. Understanding cultural differences early in the game creation process will help developers grasp the idea and speed up the development process.

7. Share bios of game characters as this will help language translators better showcase characters when translating content.

8. Use test-level customer reviews to help fans give feedback for the full translation experience

To ensure that you meet this criteria when developing a video game, you will need to rely heavily on a translation service that will do more than just translate the text. Try Mayflower’s translation services; offer translation services that will give you peace of mind when developing a video game to sell across geographies.