Video game localization is the process of adapting game content designed for one region and making it suitable for another. But did you know that there are certain skills video game localizers need?
The video game localization process includes translation and changes to game packaging, manuals, and art assets. Certain portions of the game may also be cut out completely due to cultural sensitivity and legal requirements.
As a video game localizer, one of your main goals is to ensure your gaming software is suitable for the intended audience. When an audience cannot distinguish between the game you localized and a local one, your job is complete.
It sounds simple, but it is a complex process that requires skills and expertise. Here are a few skills all video game localizers need to thrive.
Top Skills You Need to Work in the Video Game Localization Industry
#1 – Research Skills and Critical Thinking
To excel as a video game localizer, you need a high level of research and critical thinking skills. This helps you understand every product and pick each element to fit the new audience better when it comes to game translation. In-depth knowledge of the product is only possible if the localizer has done enough research. A wrong translation of the product information can send a wrong message that can confuse the customers.
#2 – Empathy
This is a crucial skill for video game localization. A localizer must be sensitive enough to put their target market’s needs first in all situations. They must understand cultural and religious differences and their implications. Emotional intelligence is a critical skill when it comes to video game localization.
A good video game localizer takes into account consumer preferences and molds the content to fit them. For high-quality outcomes, good localizers should be able to put themselves in the shoes of prospective customers throughout the localization process. This skill is highly beneficial as it helps localizers create content the audience can connect with.
#3 – Time Management
Time management is a lifelong skill. Not just within the video game localization industry. But across all career paths. It keeps you ahead in many careers in a fast-moving world, and video game localization is no different. Video game localization involves several processes, therefore, localizers must plan for each task so that they’re able to meet their deadlines.
Time management skills are essential to balance all the factors of game localization. If too much time is spent on a factor, it can delay the entire project and cost more resources.
#4 – Creativity
Creativity is an essential skill in any workplace, not just within game localization. Creative localizers can devise new ways to perform tasks and solve problems. For instance, as with other domains, video games are also designed to allow a certain amount of text. So, you need some creativity to reduce the length of your translation to fit the character limit. These character limitations should be complied with to avoid video game testers’ issues.
#5 – Tech Skills
Video game localizers need to be tech-savvy to use the game localization software skillfully. CAT (Computer-aided Translation) tools are commonly used in the game localization industry. Users should have some tech knowledge to effectively use these tools.
Localizers with technical skills are conversant with different software, which helps them work with precision and speed.
#6 – Attention to Detail
As mentioned earlier, many processes are involved in the game localization process. Hence a video game localizer needs to pay attention to the different components of the game localization process.
Video game localizers can be challenged by scripts, packaging, marketing, and many other aspects that need localization when translating video games. To achieve the desired results, localizers must pay attention to the small details within each task while keeping overall context in mind.
When it Comes to Game Translation and the Video Game Industry, the Gamer is Everything
The focus of every video game localization project should be the gamer. Above all, the user should have the best gaming experience and stay entertained enough to continue to play games.
It’s the job of the localizer to make every user feel the game was designed for that particular market. For instance, if some characters’ names, terminology, and phrases don’t translate into the target language, transcreation will be the best choice.
Every video game localizer should like and understand playing games. They don’t need to be active game players or game developers but must have a broad knowledge of the game world since they must be familiar with the end-user.
Do you have a video game that needs localization? Get in touch with us at Day Translations today. You can speak to a localization manager to get all your questions about this fascinating aspect of the translation industry answered.