🎮 Fast-Track Your Entry into Game Localization: A 7-Step Guide for Translators 🕹️
In the dynamic world of #translation, carving out a niche for yourself is vital. Specializing in a particular area not only ensures a high degree of precision in your projects but also leads to a consistent flow of work and better remuneration. One such promising niche is the game industry, an arena experiencing phenomenal growth and boundless opportunities for its #translators and #localization specialists.
Whether you're a novice or an experienced translator, our 7-step guide to a successful #gamelocalization career will hopefully provide the insight you need.
You might have noticed that many Language Service Providers (LSPs) require prior experience, with some asking for voluntary involvement in gaming projects. At el turco 🤖, before onboarding game localization specialists, we ask them to take specific tests to assess their interest and experience in gaming, specifically.
If you do not have any prior experience, fret not; this isn't the only pathway into this exciting field. Our guide aims to answer these pivotal questions:
We've collated priceless insights from our seasoned game localization team to guide you on how to break into this thrilling sector.
Read on for practical tips and useful information that can jump-start your adventure in game localization.
1- Start with QA/Game Testing:
One entry point to consider is starting as a Quality Assurance (QA) tester for games. QA testers are in high demand as games continue to grow in complexity. By joining a QA team, you can gain firsthand experience in the gaming industry and add reputable studios to your resume. This experience often serves as a valuable advantage when applying for translator roles because employers appreciate candidates with gaming industry experience.
When you work as a Game Tester, your responsibilities will broadly be the following:
These tasks will develop your skills specifically needed in game localization and will provide you with a background after which you can choose how you want to continue your career as a translator.
2- Develop Language Skills:
While in QA testing, focus on enhancing your language skills by observing and analyzing the game's localization. Pay attention to how the translations are implemented, cultural adaptations, and linguistic nuances. This will help you understand the specific challenges and requirements of game localization while refining your translation skills.
3- Gain Translation Experience:
As you gain experience in QA testing, leverage your knowledge of the gaming industry to transition into translation roles. Work on smaller translation tasks within the QA team or collaborate with fellow translators to gain hands-on experience in game localization. Showcase your translation work within the gaming industry, highlighting your ability to adapt game content while maintaining the original intent and capturing the essence of the game.
4- Acquire Technical Skills:
Familiarize yourself with the tools and software commonly used in game localization, such as CAT tools like memoQ, Trados, and Memsource. You have probably already used them before, but pay attention to how they are utilized for gaming projects. Especially explore tools for QA, such as Xbench and Verifika, as well as CAT tools' built-in QA parameters. Additionally, dedicate time to using spreadsheet software, like Sheets, for effective QA. Expand your technical skills to include regex and formulas to handle large online full-string sheets. Stay adaptable and open to trying new tools that can enhance your productivity and efficiency.
5- Network within the Game Localization Community:
Engage with the game localization community through industry events, forums, and online groups. Connect with professionals in the field, participate in discussions, and seek mentorship opportunities. Sharing your experiences and insights about tools and techniques can help build connections and expand your network within the game localization industry. Also, you never know how you will receive your first game translation project; it can even come from a game developer on Reddit!
6- Showcase Your Skills and Specialize:
Create a portfolio highlighting your translation work in the gaming industry. Include samples of game translations, demonstrating your ability to handle varying workloads and showcasing the tools you have utilized, such as memoQ, Trados, Memsource, and spreadsheet software for QA. Consider specializing in specific game genres or platforms to establish yourself as an expert in those areas.
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7- Stay Updated on Industry Trends:
Keep abreast of the latest trends, emerging technologies, and industry news in game localization. Follow influential game localization blogs, subscribe to industry newsletters, and engage with the gaming community on social media platforms. Staying informed about advancements in tools, software, and industry practices will set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to delivering high-quality game translations.
Beyond Translation: What You Need To Know About Game Localization:
When it comes to game localization, there are a lot of myths out there. The truth is, you need to know a lot more than just the language a certain line of text is in. Treating game localization as solely a matter of translation can lead to mistakes and poor quality titles. It's essential to understand that game localization involves unique aspects beyond translation.
Let’s say you are still working as a QA or proofreader, but have grabbed the chance of translating small parts in the game. Here is what you need to keep in mind:
Establish an effective localization management process before starting a project to address all components and ensure you have the right tools and resources in place. Always ask for help from PMs if needed.
Before localizing your game, go through the internationalization (i18n) process to make the code independent of elements that need to be translated and localized, such as currency, numbers, date, and time formats.
Translating a game is more than just converting words from one language to another. It's about adapting the game content, including the text, to fit different languages and cultures. One of the challenges that a game translator might face is dealing with languages that have different scripts and orientations, such as right-to-left (RTL) languages like Arabic and Hebrew, or languages with complex characters like Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
When translating into RTL languages, you need to ensure that the translated text fits correctly within the game's interface. This might involve working closely with the game developers or user interface designers to adjust the design of the game to accommodate RTL text.
It's not just about flipping the text direction, but also considering other elements such as text alignment, the positioning of UI elements, and even the flow of the game. As a translator, your role is to make sure that the translated text can be seamlessly integrated into the game without affecting the gameplay or user experience.
As the translator of the project, you know the context and cultural references better than anyone. Offer as much background information as possible to help the QA and PM to preserve the original intent of the storyline and connect with the target audience through contextual references, phrases, and concepts.
Include detailed descriptions in string files to accurately communicate the meaning of the original text, avoiding ambiguity. Clarify the intended interpretation of words with multiple meanings or potential confusion.
To sum up, breaking into the game localization field as a translator requires practical experience, language proficiency, technical skills, networking, and a passion for gaming. By following the insights shared by experienced professionals, and understanding the nuances of game localization beyond translation, you can pave your way to a successful career in this exciting industry. At el turco 🤖, we're always on the lookout for talented game localization specialists and translators to join our growing team. So keep your eyes peeled for our job postings and let’s not miss out on the chance to work together!
We trust that this comprehensive 7-step guide will prove beneficial as you navigate your career path in the game localization industry. Here's to your success and fulfilling career endeavours! 🥂 🚀
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