The challenges of localization in video games

The linguistic complexity of video games

Translating video games requires in-depth knowledge of the source and target languages. It’s not just a question of translating the words, but also capturing the essence of the dialogue, the humor, the puns and the cultural references that may have no direct equivalent. A term or expression that works in one language may not make sense in another, or worse, may be offensive.

Let’s take as an example games like “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt“. Developed by Polish studio CD Projekt, the game is packed with Slavic folklore and mythology. The translators’ task was to make this rich universe accessible and comprehensible to players from different cultures, without diluting the original content. This required not only linguistic mastery, but also a deep understanding of the original cultural context.

Cultural adaptation

Cultural adaptation, or “transcreation“, is another major challenge. Video games are often imbued with cultural references specific to the original language. When localizing, these references must be adapted in such a way as to retain the intention and impact of the original version, while at the same time being comprehensible to the target audience.

A striking example is the series “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney“. This game, rooted in the Japanese legal system, had to be adapted for Western audiences. The translators not only translated the texts, but also transformed the specific cultural elements to make them more familiar to Western players. This included changing names, judicial customs and even some visual aspects of the game.

Technical constraints

The localization of video games also presents technical challenges. Translators have to work with specific file formats and technical limitations such as text length. For example, a translated text may be longer than the original text, posing problems of display and integration into the user interface.

Games with voice dialogues add an extra layer of complexity. Not only do dialogues have to be accurately translated, they also have to be synchronized with the lip movements of the characters and animations. This often requires adjustments and additional dubbing recordings, to ensure that the translated dialogue sounds natural.

Deadline management

Timing is another crucial challenge in video game localization. Developers and publishers generally want games to be released simultaneously in several regions. This requires the localization process to be synchronized with the game development, often to very tight deadlines. Translators work under immense pressure to meet deadlines, which can affect the quality of their work.

A good example is the game “Cyberpunk 2077“, also developed by CD Projekt. The game was to be released simultaneously in many countries, which meant that localization teams in several languages were working in parallel. However, there were several delays in the game’s development, which exacerbated the pressure on the localization teams, highlighting the challenges of time management in such a complex project.

Testing and quality assurance

Once the translation is complete, the game must be rigorously tested in each language. This process, called Linguistic Quality Assurance (LQA) , checks that the translated text is correct, coherent and appropriate to the context of the game. Testers play the game in the translated language to identify and correct translation errors, formatting problems and linguistic bugs.

The LQA process is crucial to ensuring a smooth, immersive gaming experience. Localization errors can break immersion, cause misunderstandings or even make the game unplayable. For example, a poor translation of a key instruction can prevent a player from progressing, while a mistranslated pun can ruin a joke.

Cultural differences

Cultural differences can also pose significant challenges. Something that is acceptable in one culture may be taboo in another. Translators need to be aware of cultural sensitivities and avoid content that could be offensive. This is particularly important in games that deal with sensitive subjects such as politics, religion or violence.

A notable case in point is the game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2“, which caused controversy in Russia because of a mission involving acts of terrorism on Russian soil. This part of the game had to be modified for the Russian market to respect local sensitivities and regulations.

Conclusion

Video game localization is a complex process that goes far beyond simple translation. It requires a deep understanding of languages and cultures, meticulous attention to detail, and close coordination with development teams.

Translators, localizers and the project managers who orchestrate every stage of the process play a crucial role in creating immersive, accessible gaming experiences for gamers worldwide.

Therefore, if you have a video game localization project in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us!