Category: Video games

Localization Consultancy in Gaming Key Expertise for Global Success - Portada
11/11/2025

Localization Consultancy in Gaming: Key Expertise for Global Success

Posted on | by Litzaqueline Briceño | Leave a Comment on Localization Consultancy in Gaming: Key Expertise for Global Success

Successful video game development has always required creativity and technical precision, but today it also demands heightened global awareness. Audiences are switching on and logging in from every corner of the world, and they expect their entertainment to reflect their culture, language, and way of playing. As more developers look to broaden their launches, meeting these diverse audience expectations means approaching multi-edition game development with far more than straightforward translation expertise. It also requires foresight, planning, and specialized knowledge of an increasingly global player base. 

Localization consultancy provides precisely this expertise, and more. Advisory consultants are uniquely positioned to help developers make informed choices about everything from a game’s cultural references to its technical systems. Their input ensures that games are designed in ways that work across multiple regions, which saves production time down the line and makes each release feel polished and globally relevant. 

Key Areas of Expertise 

Consultants bring value at every stage of development, but they’re often an untapped resource until problems arise, and they’re brought in to resolve issues. By engaging their services early, however, studios can avoid costly rework and create a smoother path toward global launch. Here, we’ll outline the main areas where a localization consultant’s guidance makes a tangible difference. 

1. Cultural Consultancy 

The cultural elements of a video game have a powerful effect on how players experience a story. Consultants can offer excellent feedback on game elements including character names, visual symbols, and forms of humor, weighing in on whether these choices will resonate in different regions of the world, or result in player disengagement or confusion. A consultant’s goal is to maintain the original intent of the game while making sure it feels authentic and respectful to players everywhere. 

2. Internationalization (i18n) 

The internationalization process lays the groundwork for multilingual games. Consultants help prepare systems so that text displays correctly in different scripts, menus can handle longer lines, and fonts cover the right character sets. With this foundation in place, the task of adding languages becomes a smooth process, rather than a technical obstacle late in development. 

3. Pre-Production Guidance 

Production choices made early on often influence whether a game’s localization will be seamless, or full of challenges. Consultants who are called upon to step in during pre-production can therefore be invaluable for their ability to spot risks and offer alternatives. For example, a localization team may suggest building dialogue systems that can accommodate grammatical gender in certain languages, or ensure that menus avoid embedded text. Adjustments like these reduce delays and make later stages of development more efficient. 

4. Pseudotranslation 

Pseudotranslation is a simple but powerful tool in a localization consultant’s toolbox that uses mock translations to simulate how in-game text will behave once localized. It reveals potential issues such as text expansion, broken UI layouts, or missing and unsupported characters before full translation begins. Consultants can then help developers fix such problems before release. 

5. Market- and Genre-Based Consultancy 

Different markets and genres present developers with different audience expectations. Consultants, who are experts in regional player preferences, are there to advise on how to align content accordingly. Fans of role-playing games might expect detailed lore, for example, while mobile audiences often prefer shorter, more accessible text. By tailoring the localization approach to both market and genre, studios increase the chances that their game feels engaging and relevant across regions and platforms. 

Together, these areas show how consultancy reaches far beyond the task of translation. The localization process also touches on the cultural, technical, and creative sides of game development, and gives teams the perspective they need to launch games that connect with global audiences. 

Conclusion 

Localization consultancy is not an optional extra, but a practical way to strengthen development. By addressing cultural adaptation, internationalization, early planning, and market expectations, consultants help studios avoid common pitfalls and bring players a more coherent experience, right from publication. Their work makes games easier to adapt, more enjoyable to play, and ultimately better prepared for international success. 

Building Parental Trust Through the Culturalization of Digital Games for Kids
15/10/2025

Building Parental Trust Through the Culturalization of Digital Games for Kids

Posted on | by Kemel Cobresle | Leave a Comment on Building Parental Trust Through the Culturalization of Digital Games for Kids

Parents don’t just choose games for their children based on appearance. Appealing visuals are important, but primarily, parents are drawn to games that feel safe, familiar, and respectful of their values. For developers who want to communicate those elements of their product to parents, this is where culturalization takes center stage. Culturalization is more than a layer of language translation, it is a process that allows teams to tailor design, content, and player interactions so that these game elements reflect local customs and expectations.  

That level of care can be the reason a parent installs a game, recommends it to others, or allows it to become part of their child’s daily routine. In a competitive global market, cultural alignment in a game serves as a powerful trust signal. And in children’s content, trust is the strongest driver of long-term success. 

Why Trust Makes the Difference 

In every region of the world, families harbor their own definitions of what feels appropriate. These standards vary across countries and cultures, which might mean, for example, that a game that aligns well with parenting norms in Argentina may not feel suitable to families in Japan. 

Parents often search for tools that reinforce their local values, support early learning goals, and align with their culture’s social expectations. Games that have been culturalized might meet these criteria by celebrating local holidays, featuring artwork that reflects regional clothing, or presenting with an interface that supports languages written right to left. 

When games speak the language of a culture both verbally and visually, they show families they care not only about access, but also connection. This added level of care helps position the game to parents as a reliable, respectful option for their child’s learning and engagement. 

What a Culture-First Approach Looks Like 

Culturalization works best when it’s implemented early in a game’s development. That’s because a culture-first mindset can shape the product at every level of creation: Decisions about character and storylines, voice tone, and even the use of gestures can be made more intentional and beneficial with cultural insight. 

The process of culturalization in children’s games also becomes more effective when there is close collaboration between developers, artists, UX designers, and localization experts. Linguists offer valuable context that helps teams avoid common missteps and create experiences that feel coherent and relevant. 

Some of the clearest rewards of culturalization include: 

  • Stronger trust in the product from parents and caregivers 
  • Higher retention across different markets 
  • Positive word of mouth in parenting communities 
  • Fewer adjustments required for market compliance 

When families feel seen and respected, they are more likely to return to a game, explore more features, and engage more often. 

Recognition Fuels Retention 

Parents want their children to feel safe and represented in digital spaces. When a game reflects local traditions or offers content in a language they use at home, the experience becomes more personal. 

This recognition encourages trust, and trust leads to loyalty. Games that invest in cultural nuance are more likely to stay installed and recommended, especially among families who carefully evaluate digital tools for children. 

By contrast, a product that misses important cultural cues may lead to disengagement. Families that feel disconnected may literally disconnect, even if a game’s design is polished and the educational value is high. 

Conclusion 

Culturalization strengthens every layer in the development of a kids’ game because it allows creators to connect with families in meaningful ways. When development and localization teams collaborate on a shared goal, they produce content that supports customer trust, that in turn fosters sustainable growth and continued engagement. 

Healing Through Gaming The Role of Video Games in Therapy - Portada
12/08/2025

Healing Through Gaming: The Role of Video Games in Therapy

Posted on | by Kemel Cobresle | Leave a Comment on Healing Through Gaming: The Role of Video Games in Therapy

The idea that video games could support physical and cognitive healing might have sounded farfetched a few years ago. But today, it’s a growing field backed by research, innovation, and real-world results. Interactive games are increasingly being used in clinical and therapeutic settings to aid rehabilitation, improve motor function, and boost cognitive resilience. And when these tools are created with linguistic and cultural accessibility in mind, they can foster greater inclusion, engagement, and recovery for diverse patient populations. 

Gaming for Cognitive and Physical Rehabilitation 

Video games are becoming powerful tools in rehabilitation for helping patients regain cognitive and physical function in ways that feel more engaging and less clinical. Part of that success is thanks to their interactive design, which encourages repetition, focus, and motivation, key ingredients in effective therapy. The therapy spaces benefiting from such games are manifold:  

  • In cognitive rehabilitation, games like Brain Age, Lumosity, and CogniFit support memory, focus, and mental agility in older adults and brain injury patients. Platforms like NeuroRacer and its FDA-cleared successor EndeavorRx are used to enhance attention control in children with ADHD while offering structured, adaptive tasks grounded in cognitive neuroscience. 
Lumosity is a brain training game designed by scientists. Image from Lumosity.
Lumosity is a brain training game designed by scientists. Image from Lumosity.
Jintronix is a virtual therapy system for rehabilitation and senior care. Image from Jintronix.
Jintronix is a virtual therapy system for rehabilitation and senior care. Image from Jintronix.
  • For physical recovery, motion-based platforms such as Wii Fit, Xbox Kinect, and Jintronix turn therapy into engaging routines. These systems help stroke survivors and orthopedic patients improve balance and coordination. Tools like Dance Dance Revolution and Rehabilitation Gaming System (RGS) add gamified movement and repetition to therapy, which promote motor function and patient motivation. 
  • For speech and language rehabilitation, games and apps and games including Tactus Therapy, Speech Blubs, and Constant Therapy offer interactive ways for patients to improve pronunciation, comprehension, and vocabulary. These tools are often used by individuals recovering from brain injuries, aphasia, or developmental language delays. 
Speech Blubs is a fun language therapy app designed for kids. Image from Source Kids.
Speech Blubs is a fun language therapy app designed for kids. Image from Source Kids.
SeeMe is a rehabilitation platform that helps patients increase strength, balance, and range of motion through games. Image from Virtual Reality Rehabilitation.
SeeMe is a platform that helps patients increase strength and balance. Image from VR Rehabilitation.
  • In occupational therapy, task-based games like SeeMe, RehabStudio, and apps designed for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) help patients practice real-world tasks including dressing, cooking, and organizing items. They’re often used by individuals recovering from traumatic injuries, neurological disorders, or age-related decline that affect their ability to manage everyday activities.

Many of these tools can also be used remotely through mobile apps, which offer adaptable programs that support ongoing recovery outside traditional clinical settings.  

By blending structure with play, these approaches are making rehabilitation more accessible and a bit more enjoyable for a wide range of patients. 

Challenges of Using Gaming for Therapy 

While the use of video games in therapy introduces exciting possibilities, it also comes with practical and technical challenges that must be addressed to ensure meaningful impact. These challenges span from access to usability, and they impact both patients and healthcare providers alike. 

Device Accessibility Not all patients have access to gaming devices like consoles or VR headsets, especially in low-income or rural areas. 
Adaptability to Patient Needs Games may not suit every patient’s abilities, thus requiring customization in terms of difficulty levels or mechanics to match therapeutic needs. 
Technical Barriers Many games require technical support, regular updates, or internet access, barriers for users with limited tech literacy or resources. 
Patient Engagement Some patients, particularly older adults or those unfamiliar with gaming, may feel uncomfortable or unmotivated to participate. 

Understanding these challenges helps developers and practitioners design more inclusive and adaptable therapeutic gaming experiences, ones that patients can actually access, engage with, and benefit from. 

The Impact of Language on Efficiency and Accessibility 

Language is more than a communication tool in therapeutic gaming, it’s a gateway to participation. When games lack proper localization, patients who don’t speak the default language may miss instructions, misunderstand feedback, or disengage entirely. 

To be effective, these tools must speak the patient’s language, literally and figuratively. This means localizing user interfaces, instructions, voiceovers, and progress tracking. But it also means adapting culturally specific content that may not resonate universally. 

A multilingual, well-localized game improves not only usability, but compliance, too. Patients are more likely to stick with therapy when the experience feels intuitive and respectful of their language and culture. Poor localization, on the other hand, can undermine patient trust and reduce the therapeutic value of even the most well-designed gaming tools. 

Conclusion 

Therapeutic video games are redefining rehabilitation by making it more engaging, personalized, and accessible to patients. From cognitive stimulation to physical recovery, the potential benefits are clear. But realizing their success depends on more than clever design or clinical validation. Language access and cultural adaptation are key to making these tools truly inclusive. 

As the use of therapeutic video games continues to grow, developers and healthcare professionals alike should recognize localization not as an add-on for these tools, but as a foundational component of effective therapeutic gaming. Because when the games become more universal, so does the healing they promote.  

Maximizing Engagement The Role of Interactive Media in Global Reach - Portada
15/07/2025

Maximizing Global Reach with Interactive Media

Posted on | by Kemel Cobresle | Leave a Comment on Maximizing Global Reach with Interactive Media

As audiences crave more immersive and personalized content experiences, interactive media has become a powerful tool for global engagement. From VR apps and gamified e-learning to interactive websites and mobile-first storytelling, the format is redefining how brands, educators, and creators connect with users worldwide. 

But to achieve true global reach, interaction must be more than functional, it must feel intuitive, culturally familiar, and emotionally relevant. That’s where interactive content localization plays a crucial role. 

Localization Challenges Unique to Interactive Content 

Unlike static or linear media, interactive experiences place users in the driver’s seat. Their choices, movements, and behaviors shape what happens next. The interactive element adds an extra layer of complexity to the process of localizing these media experiences, and it’s one that goes far beyond straight language translation.  

Key challenges include: 

  • User interface adaptation: Icons, menu structures, and button layouts must often be entirely redesigned, and not just translated, for different audiences. A layout that feels intuitive to one regional audience may feel confusing or overwhelming to another. Culturally adapted UI design, therefore, helps to ensure clarity, navigational ease, and user trust. 
  • Localized voice performances: Voice tone, dialects, and emotional delivery all influence how users connect with content. Poorly matched or overly generic voiceovers can disrupt immersion and reduce engagement. Delivering culturally authentic voice performances is essential for maintaining credibility and emotional impact with an audience. 

Platform Matters: Adapting Interactive Media by Channel 

Interactive media doesn’t live on just one device or platform; it can span mobile apps, VR headsets, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and much more. Localization teams understand that each of these platforms comes with its own set of considerations. 

Platform-Specific Localization 

Different platforms require tailored adjustments from localization teams. Mobile interfaces, for example, benefit from shorter text and simplified navigation, while VR demands immersive cues that align with movement and spatial awareness. Localization should match the way users naturally engage with each platform. 

Technological Constraints of Platforms 

Tech limitations can affect how localization is applied. Game engines or CMSs (Content Management System) may restrict text length, font choices, or layout flexibility. In VR, gesture-based controls may require cultural adaptation to remain intuitive across regions. 

Cross-Device Synchronization for Consistency 

When content spans multiple devices—like web, mobile, and VR—consistency becomes a paramount consideration. Text, visuals, and interactions must align with each device’s input methods (touchscreen, keyboard, controller) while delivering a unified experience. 

Cultural Sensitivity Based on Device Usage 

Device usage varies by region. In Asia, for example, mobile-first habits tend to shape faster-paced, vertical media experiences. In North America or Europe, console and VR formats are more common. Localization should reflect how different audiences prefer to interact with content. 

Shaping the Future of Global Interactivity 

As platforms evolve and user behaviors shift, interactive media localization is also entering a new phase. AI and automation are beginning to assist with personalizing user flows and adapting visual or audio elements in real time. These tools are helping teams scale faster, but the complexity of interactivity still demands a human touch for culturally sensitive decision-making. 

At the same time, audiences worldwide are growing more accustomed to localized content that doesn’t feel localized—it feels native. As the digital landscape continues to globalize, the bar for authenticity rises. This means content creators must increasingly balance scalability with the emotional and cultural specificity that drives true and meaningful engagement. 

The Takeaway 

Interactive media has the incredible potential to build meaningful connections with a global audience, but only when it’s localized with care. That means the treatment of every detail counts, whether a localization team is adapting a mobile app’s interface, refining voice performances for a regional market, or reimagining VR gestures for cultural alignment. 

When paired with the right platform-aware strategy and cultural insight, localization becomes a tool not only for access, but for inclusion. For businesses and creators looking to deepen audience engagement, interactive content that feels personal, intuitive, and respectful across cultures is no longer optional, it’s expected. 

No Player Left Behind A Look at Accessibility in Video Games - Portada
29/04/2025

No Player Left Behind: A Look at Accessibility in Video Games

Posted on | by Kemel Cobresle | Leave a Comment on No Player Left Behind: A Look at Accessibility in Video Games

As video games become an increasingly mainstream form of entertainment, the importance of accessibility has never been more crucial. Accessibility in gaming isn’t just about convenience—it’s about inclusion. By designing games with a wide range of player needs in mind, developers can deliver richer, more immersive experiences for everyone.  

Today’s accessibility efforts extend beyond physical accommodations to include digital and linguistic accessibility, helping ensure that no player is left behind. 

The Human Side of Accessibility 

For many gamers with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments, the challenge isn’t skill—it’s design. Games that overlook accessibility features inadvertently exclude players who are eager to participate. Communities across social media and forums often share stories of frustration, where poor design choices prevent players from enjoying a game to its fullest. Making accessibility a priority implies not only making games easier, but also truly playable for all. Let’s explore what that looks like across different types of accessibility. 

Visual Accessibility 

Visual accessibility ensures that players with vision impairments can engage with games without barriers. This includes features like adjustable UI elements, customizable color settings, and high-contrast modes. For color-blind players, specific palettes can be problematic—particularly when gameplay relies on color-based mechanics. Localization teams must ensure that contrast and visual cues remain distinguishable across languages and regions. 

Players with obstructed vision benefit greatly from scalable UI, screen readers, and text-to-speech functions. These tools help users navigate menus, understand in-game prompts, and follow narratives without relying solely on sight. When localizing games, it’s essential to align visual tools with regional standards and expectations to support players with varying degrees of vision loss. 

Auditory Accessibility 

Auditory accessibility refers to designing games for players who are deaf or hard of hearing. Subtitles and closed captions are foundational features, but quality matters—captions should convey not just dialogue, but also relevant sound effects and emotional tones. Translations must retain these nuances, so players across all languages can experience the same immersion. 

In addition, visual indicators such as flashing lights, icons, or controller vibrations can help convey critical audio cues. Localization should adapt these elements to ensure clarity and cultural relevance across regions. Auditory accessibility plays a vital role in making multimedia—and by extension, games—enjoyable for all. 

Cognitive Accessibility 

Cognitive accessibility supports players who process information differently due to cognitive or learning disabilities. Features like simplified interfaces, structured tutorials, and logical game progression help reduce cognitive overload. 

For players with learning disabilities, tools such as text-to-speech, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and simplified language can make a significant difference. Localization here is key—clear, concise translations ensure instructions and narratives remain easy to understand, regardless of language or cognitive ability. 

The Takeaway 

Accessibility in gaming is more than a feature—it’s a philosophy that celebrates diversity in the player community. By incorporating thoughtful design and localization practices, developers can create games that are not just accessible, but truly inclusive. As the industry evolves, we must challenge ourselves to think beyond traditional barriers and embrace accessibility as a standard. Game developers and localization teams alike—it’s time to level up the way we think about inclusive play. 

The Role of LQA in Ensuring Successful Video Game Localization
23/04/2024

The Role of LQA in Ensuring Successful Video Game Localization

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on The Role of LQA in Ensuring Successful Video Game Localization

Behind every exciting gaming experience, there is a team of developers working tirelessly to create a masterpiece that not only entertains but also immerses you into a different world altogether. One of the most critical factors in ensuring the success of a video game is its quality.

Quality encompasses all components of a game, from its graphics and sound to its localization. This is where comes into play as a crucial aspect of the development process that ensures that the localization is accurate, appropriate, and flawless in the intended target market.

Keep reading for a closer look at what LQA is, why it matters, and what the different types of LQA are.

What is LQA?

In a highly competitive gaming industry, LQA has become an essential component in ensuring the success of a game’s localization. By working with experienced LQA experts, video game developers can deliver high-quality localized versions of their games, which not only resonates with players but also increases the likeliness of success in the global marketplace.

LQA testing is designed to catch any localization errors that can detract from the overall gaming experience. These errors can range from mistranslations due to lack of context to cultural inaccuracies, and even improper font usage. With thorough LQA testing, these issues can be detected and fixed before release.

To guarantee quality, during the LQA process, experienced linguists who are fluent in the target language and culture, and most probably are avid gamers themselves, play the game and thoroughly review every aspect of it. This step allows them to pick up on any linguistic nuances that could potentially take away from the gaming experience. If any errors are found, they are flagged and fixed to make sure that players can enjoy the game without any language or culture-related issues.

What are the different types of LQA?

LQA encompasses three different types of quality assurance (QA): linguistic, visual, and functional.

  • Linguistic QA focuses on any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues in the content. It also ensures that culturalization problems, inconsistent translations, and untranslated names or terms are flagged for correction.
  • Visual QA deals with font issues, user interface problems, and any graphics or images that are incorrectly placed or formatted. They also check for content that has been left untranslated or any issues with missing characters or line-breaks.
  • Functional QA is the most complex type and involves testing on different hardware and gaming devices such as Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC. During functional QA, specialists test for compatibility, performance, AI behavior, and accuracy of audio text and subtitles.

Why LQA?

LQA is a crucial step in game development that ensures all localized versions of your game are just as good as the original version. By investing time and resources into LQA, you’re showing your gamers that you care about their experience and value their feedback. Not only does this lead to happy players who are more likely to recommend your game, but it also prevents potential bad publicity that can arise from poorly localized games. With the rise of online communities and social media, it’s more important than ever to make sure your game is of the highest quality in all versions. So, we strongly advise against skipping LQA—it not only saves time and headaches, but it also helps to ensure the success of your game.

The Takeaway

LQA is a critical aspect of video game development and localization. By upholding the highest quality standards, video game developers can ensure that their games provide an immersive experience to players, thereby increasing their chances of success in the global market.

Why You Shouldn’t Overlook Brazilian Portuguese in Video Game Localization
26/03/2024

Why You Shouldn’t Overlook Brazilian Portuguese in Game Localization 

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on Why You Shouldn’t Overlook Brazilian Portuguese in Game Localization 

The gaming industry’s global expansion paved the way for unique opportunities in emerging markets. Brazil, in particular, emerged as a powerhouse in the gaming world. It became the world’s fifth-largest market in terms of player numbers and one of Latin America’s fastest-growing gaming markets. With a staggering $2.7 billion USD generated in gaming revenue in 2022, Brazil’s ranks 10th in worldwide gaming revenue. 


Let’s delve into why video game developers and publishers should carefully consider localization into Brazilian Portuguese. 

1. Unique Brazilian Player Base 

The potential of the Brazilian market becomes even more clear when you understand how strong their player base is. Brazil is home to a vibrant gaming culture where over 70% of the population actively engages in gaming activities. The majority of these gamers fall within the age range of 25 to 34, with a significant portion also being parents, making family-oriented gaming experiences highly valuable. Many Brazilian gamers are willing to spend money on games to unlock exclusive content. This creates a substantial market for localized games tailored to their preferences. 

2. Lack of English Proficiency 

English proficiency in Brazil is relatively low, with only 5% of the population being proficient in the language. Consequently, gamers in Brazil often struggle to get the full experience while playing games in a second language. Games localized into Brazilian Portuguese have proven to be immensely popular, evident from top-selling titles like The Last of Us: Part 2, Pro Evolution Soccer 2020, and FIFA 2020. These games were specifically tailored to the Brazilian audience, resulting in significant market success. 

3. Broken Immersion in Video Games 

In line with the previous point, the absence of games in Brazilian Portuguese creates a language barrier, breaking the immersion for Brazilian gamers. Engaging with complex narratives and making quick decisions in a foreign language can be frustrating as it diverts their attention from the intricate gameplay and captivating graphics. This disconnect compromises the gaming experience, making localized versions essential for maintaining player engagement. 

4. A Vocal Community 

Brazilian gaming communities actively voice their desire for localized versions of video games. Online platforms and social media channels serve as hubs where gamers rally together, urging developers to provide games in Brazilian Portuguese. The Legend of Zelda incident in 2022, where fans demanded a localized version after the franchise actively promoted the launch of the game in the country, underscores the passion and need for games catered to the Brazilian audience. 

The Takeaway 

Now that you are aware of the eagerness of the Brazilian gaming community to play and invest in video games, it is likely crystal clear why it’s important to bridge the language gap. While localization strategies may entail associated costs, the potential benefits far outweigh the investment. By translating games into Brazilian Portuguese, developers can tap into an expansive market, captivating not just the 5% of the population that are proficient English speakers but the entirety of the Brazilian gaming community.  

Opening the doors to this passionate and dedicated player base can lead to unprecedented profits and unparalleled success, making the localization effort a strategic imperative for any gaming enterprise. 

Video Game Localization 101: The Player Comes First
12/12/2023

Video Game Localization 101: The Player Comes First

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on Video Game Localization 101: The Player Comes First

Over the past decade, video games have skyrocketed in popularity, leading to increased awareness among game developers and marketers about the importance of prioritizing player experience and satisfaction. Localization, the process of adapting video game content for specific regions, has emerged as a vital aspect in ensuring players feel fully immersed in the world created for them.

Let’s explore the concept of video game localization and its significance in creating a captivating and culturally sensitive gaming experience.

Defining Video Game Localization

Video game localization involves reproducing game content that seamlessly blends with the target region, giving the impression that it was originally created for that specific audience. While translation is a crucial component of localization, it goes beyond mere language adaptation. Localization encompasses altering elements such as the game’s name, art assets, packaging, and manuals, as well as accounting for cultural and legal differences to resonate with the target market. The primary goal in video game localization is not strict fidelity to the original but rather entertaining and engaging the players, sometimes requiring modification of elements that could hinder their experience.

The Ultimate Goal: Immersion

An immersive experience is the ultimate objective in video game development, and localization plays a vital role in achieving this in the localized versions of the games as well. By taking the various audiovisual elements video games rely on (such as narration, dialogues, songs, cinematics, on-screen art, etc.) and adapting them in context, localizers strive to maintain the seamless integration of linguistic and non-linguistic aspects. This immersive experience enhances player satisfaction and contributes significantly to the success of a game.

The Role of the Video Game Localizers and Their Choices

Localizing a video game is a multifaceted job that involves making numerous decisions based on linguistic and non-linguistic considerations. Localizers employ different techniques, such as transcreation and culturalization, to ensure the best possible outcome. Transcreation involves creatively conveying meaning when a direct translation won’t do, whereas culturalization focuses on adjusting the game’s content to suit the cultural sensibilities of the target audience. These approaches are vital for maintaining immersion and avoiding misunderstandings or offensive content that could disrupt the player’s experience.

The Importance of Quality and Testing

Given the intricate nature of video game localization, quality assurance through thorough localization testing is crucial. Once the localization process is complete, rigorous testing is conducted to identify and rectify any bugs, issues, or inconsistencies that may hinder the player’s experience. Localization Quality Assurance (LQA) evaluates the visual, functional, and linguistic aspects of the game to ensure its seamless integration and optimum performance. By prioritizing quality and testing, developers can deliver a polished game that captivates players and maintains their immersion throughout the gaming journey.

The Takeaway

Video game localization is a vital process that ensures players across different regions can fully immerse themselves in the gaming experience. By combining linguistic adaptation, cultural sensitivity, and quality assurance, localizers play a pivotal role in creating a seamless and engaging journey for gamers. By putting the player first, video game localization helps to maximize player satisfaction and contribute to the overall success of the game. With the ever-growing global gaming community, prioritizing localization will continue to be essential in delivering unforgettable gaming experiences.

The Road to Global Success_ The 5-Step Journey of Video Game Localization
17/10/2023

The Road to Global Success: The 5-Step Journey of Game Localization

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on The Road to Global Success: The 5-Step Journey of Game Localization

In the ever-expanding world of gaming, video game localization has become a crucial component for achieving global success. With a strong localization strategy, game developers can bridge the gap between different languages, cultures, and markets, providing players with an immersive and engaging experience no matter where they are in the world. However, taking a game from one language to another is no easy feat. It requires a strategic approach that involves careful planning and execution across every aspect of the game’s development.

Let’s walk through the 5-step journey for video game localization that can provide developers with a roadmap towards achieving global success.

Globalization

This first stage typically falls under the jurisdiction of the developers, publishers, or experts/consultants they hire to analyze market viability, who must carefully study the possible markets in which the game will be sold, advertising tactics, legal issues, and various other factors. In this way, they can gear the gaming content and marketing approach towards the specific cultural and linguistic preferences and needs of these different markets. The goal of globalization is to make the game appealing to as wide a range of international consumers as possible and to gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Internationalization

The next step is internationalization. Here the game is analyzed carefully to determine the best approach for translating it into different languages. During this phase, the files are prepared and any potential issues are taken into account. For example, the team will look out for character limits that could affect certain languages and check if all fonts support special characters. This level of attention to detail is essential to ensure that the localization stage goes as smoothly as possible.

Localization

Once the globalization and internationalization steps are finished, it’s time to move on to localization. This is where the actual translation happens. The video game’s texts are extracted, translated into the necessary languages, and then imported back into the game. However, not all elements of a video game can be directly translated—sometimes, transcreation and culturalization are needed. This is especially important when it comes to story, characters, and tone, and involves adapting the content to fit the cultural nuances and expectations of the target audience. It can be a challenging process, but one that’s absolutely essential for successful video game localization.

Localization Quality Assurance

After completing the translation process of a video game, the localized game enters into the last step which is known as LQA (localization quality assurance). The objective of LQA is to test the overall quality of the translation and how well it fits with the game in context. This stage is crucial as it can be the determining factor in providing a seamless gameplay experience for the players. LQA comprises three essential elements: linguistic, visual, and functional QA. Who performs this step may vary, as sometimes game translators are responsible for this stage, while other times the concerned company can have an in-house team in charge of this or outsource it to a third party.

Testing

At this stage, a tester, who is not the translator, tries out the game, which usually takes the shape of playing the game and searching for various issues and bugs, which could be anything from cut-off text to poorly functioning design features. This thorough testing ensures the final product is not only free from linguistic errors but also runs smoothly for a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. Testing is typically done by a testing company or an individual hired for the task.

The Takeaway

The road to global success for video game companies is a challenging but rewarding journey. By following these five essential steps, video game developers can effectively adapt their games to different cultures and languages, creating a more inclusive environment for gamers worldwide. As the industry continues to grow and diversify, proper localization will remain a critical element of success, helping video game companies to reach new heights of achievement and global recognition.

11/10/2022

How the Game Localization Testing Process Works and Why it Matters

Posted on | by Jacqueline De Marco | Leave a Comment on How the Game Localization Testing Process Works and Why it Matters

It takes a lot of work to create a video game with an intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and a unique universe. The work doesn’t stop there if you want to localize your video game in order to break into new markets. A key step to ensuring that your localized video game is just as dynamic as the original is to undergo localization testing. Let’s take a closer look at what the video game localization testing process looks like and why it’s so important. 

What the Video Game Localization Testing Process Involves

So, what exactly does video game testing involve? Generally, the testing isn’t done by the translator. Instead, the testing is completed by a testing company or a hired tester who plays the game and identifies bugs.

The main goal of the testing phase is to make the product look and feel natural for the gamer as well as making sure the gameplay works fine. Testers not only check for linguistic or cultural issues, but also other visual or gameplay issues. 

Some of the things testers will check are the proper date, time, and currency formats corresponding to the regions and locales used. Color schemes are an important element to review too, as color can have different meanings in various cultures. 

Most importantly, the testers check the UI and appearance. They check that all the images containing text are localized, line breaks on the screens are in proper places, dialogs, pop-ups, and notifications or updates appear correctly, and that the text fits into all the fields without overflowing. 

Why the Video Game Localization Testing Process Matters

The reason localization testing is such an important step is because it helps video game creators confirm that the localized and translated version of their video game is consistent, clear, and as high quality as the original version. A high quality localization process ensures that a game maintains the original tone and feel of the game in whatever language it is translated into. The video game localization testing process is a key step because it helps check for this level of quality. You want your players to be able to play and understand your video game exactly as you intended it upon your original creation, even if it’s in a different language. 

The video game localization testing process isn’t necessary because translators and localization experts aren’t good at their jobs. It’s necessary as a second line of defense in a very complex process. Video game localization requires that a lot of different strings be translated and it’s commonplace to translate these strings out of order or context, which can lead to things literally getting lost in translation. Localization testing is a necessary step to review a translation as a whole and to make sure that all text is correct, coherent, and consistent. 

Don’t Forget to Laugh At Mistakes

As frustrating as finding a mistake is during the testing process, mistakes can happen and they aren’t always a bad thing. 

In the video game “Hitman: Blood Money”, there’s a mistake that’s become a fan favorite. In the mission titled “A Dance with the Devil”, there’s a lobster crate located in the kitchen area. If you pick it up and inspect it, you will see a development note addressed to Allan that read “Allan please add details here”. This mistake led to future appearances of the same note across a variety of Hitman games in the form of Easter eggs. For a good laugh, you can check out that famous mistake in this Hitman 2 video of The Bank heist in New York, featuring the “Allan please add details here” Easter egg.