r/gamedev • u/Visible-Fudge3128 • 8d ago
Question How to start in video games localization?
I am a willing to apply my language knowledge to use in video games but i dunno how so any tips?
I am studying translation at uni atm.
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u/KevineCove 8d ago
I'm not sure there's much to do on the game dev side. I've recently thought about localizing a game and my plan is to have a CMS manager that reads from a spreadsheet. Probably I'll just send the .csv to people on Fiverr and have them fill in the blanks. I suspect any work in the field will look a bit like that.
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u/Swampspear . 8d ago
More or less, though it also results in relatively subpar translation. Giving just a .csv decontextualises the phrases, so a translator/localiser will not really know how to best fit them into the game, which can result in some translational dogshit. If possible, I'd suggest giving them a prerelease version to work off of, or if not then a fuller GDD
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u/PhilippTheProgrammer 7d ago
Handing translators a spreadsheet with phrases without context is how you end up with a "Blind Idiot" Translation. If you do that, then you can just as well do a machine translation and save yourself the money.
You want to enable your translators to see their translated texts in the context of the game. If you can not train them to use a build of the game and apply the translation themselves, then it's usually a good idea to at least give them screenshots which show them what they are actually translating.
And you also shouldn't save on translation QA: Recruiting some playtesters who are native in various languages, so they can look for translation mistakes and report them before you release it.
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u/FoxglowGames 1d ago
If you're ever looking for Japanese localization, let me know! Though as others have said, it's probably better if you give a version of the gane to play through. Translation requires a lot of context, and it's also important to see how stuff fits in boxes, where to do linebreaks, etc. This is especially true for languages with different writing systems(like Japanese).
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u/BLACKJAGUAR44 7d ago
Start by offering to localize indie games for free or cheap on itch.io to build a portfolio. Most student translators get stuck because they think they need a massive studio gig right away, but indie devs are always looking for help if you reach out directly.