When developing a game, you want to make it challenging and engaging. But gaming translation does not have to be challenging. Here are four tips to help meet gaming localization challenges.
We live in a connected world, and the gaming market is global. Therefore, localization should be in your plan as you develop your game. Consider gaming translation from the beginning. The global demand for games creates demand for simultaneous release of the game around the world. Write consistent dialogue – this will lead to easier (and more consistent) translation.
Free translation tools are fine – if you want your game to end up on the all-time list of gaming translation fails! We recommend reading this recent article – “Someone Google Translated ‘Final Fantasy’.” We think you will get a kick out of reading about (and watching video on) the “Funky Fantasy IV” project. All jokes aside, free translation tools put the security and confidentiality of your content as risk. Take a look at Google’s Terms of Service (as of April 14, 2014): When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. Your content is your content, and it is important to protect your confidentiality. A language translation company will have a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed with all of their linguists, and they can sign one with you to protect your content.
What kind of qualities should you look for? Find a linguist who is an in-country native speaker, and preferably one who lives in your target market. Also, find a linguist who is familiar with gaming translation. Hand your content to someone who knows what they are doing. Give them the opportunity to play your game, if possible, and if not, it is helpful to provide glossaries and reference material. Translation memory tools are essential for keeping consistency across larger gaming localization projects where updates are constant and deadlines are looming.
Localization is not just about translation – it’s about considering cultural factors, too! Cultural sensitivity is very important with gaming translation. You do not want to offend a particular culture. Take a look at the title of your game, and also the content. Will your storyline or any events in the came be considered culturally insensitive to a particular culture? Think about any references to drugs, sex, or violence. What about symbols? An acceptable symbol in one culture may be offensive in another.