Introduction: The Key Role Localization Plays in Gaming
Video Game localization does more than just change text from one language to another. It adapts the whole gaming experience to connect with players from different cultures and regions. This blog will look at the main mistakes to steer clear of in game localization and offer tips on how to make sure your game succeeds worldwide, no matter the market.
1. Overlooking Cultural Nuances
One of the major mistakes in video game localization is not considering cultural differences. A word-for-word translation might give the exact meaning, but it can miss the cultural background, causing confusion or even upsetting players. For instance, a humorous remark that works well in Mexico might fall flat or be unsuitable in Japan.
Solution: Team up with local translators and culture experts who know the ins and outs of the target market. This method makes sure your game feels genuine in the target language and connects with players in every region.
2. Ignoring In-Game Text Expansion
Differences in languages go beyond words; they are often found in how languages are structured and how meaning is formed. When translated into languages like German and French, text strings can often expand to be longer than English. If you ignore this, you might run into problems where important info gets cut off or squeezed into small spaces, messing up how players experience the game.
Solution: When you’re designing, make sure to leave extra space for text expansion. Also, team up with folks who know how to adjust the UI elements so the different languages will display correctly.
3. Skipping Localization Testing
Even when meticulous planning and the work of skilled translators are involved, mistakes can creep in if the game’s localized version doesn’t undergo proper testing. This can lead to clunky translations, broken UI elements, or even gameplay problems that show up in specific language versions.
Solution: Put a comprehensive Localization Quality Assurance (LQA) process into action. This means testing the game in its localized forms to spot and fix any issues before the game hits the market. LQA helps make sure the game runs and looks polished in every language.
4. Underestimating the Importance of Context
Words can mean different things based on the situation, and even the best translators might make mistakes without the right background. Take the word “play” for example. It could mean playing a game, watching a theatre play, or making music. Translators might pick the wrong meaning if they don’t know the full context.
Solution: Give translators plenty of background info. This includes screenshots, videos of gameplay, and notes about characters’ personalities and story points. This helps make sure translations are correct and fit what the game is trying to say.
5. Putting Too Much Trust in Machine Translation
Machine translation (MT) serves a purpose, but depending on it to localize entire games can result in stiff, wrong, and out-of-place translations. MT systems often miss the subtle details and grasp needed to localize in imaginative areas like gaming.
Solution: Starting with machine translation is possible, but make sure human editors and translators perform quality estimation on the machine translated text, check and polish the output before testing and publication. Blending MT into a solid localization system where native translators teach the programs and fix the output afterwards can mix speed with high standards.
Conclusion: Nailing Localization to Win Worldwide
Steering clear of these common pitfalls can make your game localization efforts much more effective. When you pay attention to cultural details, leave room for text expansion, thoroughly test, give context, and find the right mix of machine and human translation, your game will strike a chord with players all over the world.
At GlobalStep, we bring together localization, quality assurance, engineering, and a solid knowledge of the video gaming industry. Our translators, who are native speakers and know the ins and outs of video game development, work in close collaboration with our LQA teams to make sure your game pulls players in, no matter what language they speak. The seamless integration between Localization and LQA teams allows us to catch and resolve potential issues early, ensuring therefore a flawless gaming experience.
Call to Action: Want to take your game to the next level with top-notch localization? Get in touch with GlobalStep now to check out our full range of options to make sure your resonates with players worldwide.
