How to Pivot to Video Game Localization — A Guide for App, Marketing, Literary, Subtitle, and Technical Translators

The first two years of my career were spent in a generalist agency/sweatshop, translating whatever was on my plate—metalworking, O&G, pharmacy, you name it. No passion was involved, but, as a Languages graduate, at least I'd found a way to make ends meet within my skill set.

Realizing I could use those skills to localize video games was magical. I remember that day fondly (spoiler: it involved drinks and chatting with a friend I met in person after ten years of online gaming).

That memory comes to mind whenever an experienced translator seeks my advice on pivoting. It's like a new door is about to open, and they can't wait to see what's inside. It happened again a couple of weeks ago. I answered my colleague by writing a post, and the resulting engagement compelled me to expand the topic in this month's WonderLoc issue.

Without further ado, let's dive in.

Building the Skills

There used to be a time when translators could easily transition into video game localization and “learn on the job.” That is no longer true. Competition got fiercer, and even experienced game translators may struggle to secure new clients. Being familiar with game loc projects is the least you can do to get your foot in the door. Here's how.

Complete online game loc courses

To be perfectly honest, most game translators with 5+ years of professional experience didn't take any game loc courses before entering the market. So why do I recommend completing them regardless?

1. You'll increase your chances of performing well on translation tests.
2. You'll know what to look for when receiving the localization files of your first project.
3. You'll be prepared for common pitfalls in video game localization.

There are many relevant courses out there, so choosing the right one for you might seem like a difficult task. Which are the most relevant topics a game localization course should cover?

• String IDs: Learn how you can leverage them to overcome low-context challenges and understand where text is shown within the game.
• Variables: Identify content that shouldn't be translated. Adapt text around placeholders so it concatenates well. E.g., in ‘{0} unlocked,’ the placeholder could be either a singular, plural, masculine, or feminine noun, so the translation of unlocked should account for that.
• Character constraints. Game screens have limited space, and you'll constantly be asked to restrict your translation to a max number of characters. Learn how to identify essential meaning and localize it effectively.
• CAT Tools. Discover which tools are the standard in game loc and learn basic functionalities.
• Job market advice. This industry is primarily freelance-based. A good course should show you where to find clients and how to approach them.

The topics above are just a starting point. Consider searching for courses in your native language with exercises and assessments. Your translation test approval chances are largely dependent on your linguistic skills. By having your exercises assessed, you can identify areas for improvement.

Localize PC Game Mods

Modding has become a popular method for budding developers to build their skills and portfolios. This is also a valid path for aspiring game loc specialists. Identify games with active modding communities (Stardew Valley, Fallout series, Elder Scrolls series, to name a few) and search for ambitious projects that could use your services. Prioritize mods that offer new storylines, dialogue, or anything with a reasonable word count.

Modders are generally happy to add a new language to their project. By collaborating with them, you can gain experience in most of the challenges you'll face in paid projects. For example, file handling, variables, contextual research, query clarification, and translation of creative content.

Showcasing the Skills

Once build the skills, it's time to convince other people to invest in your potential. I know — that's the hardest part. I'll show you two ways to go about this.

Highlight transferable skills

If you already possess the linguistic ability to capture meaning and render it in an audience-appropriate form of your native language, I have some good news: you're more than halfway there.

Video game localization encompasses a variety of text types. We translate not only in-game content but also EULAs, trailers, store listings, press releases, and more. Identify which skills from your background you could immediately apply to video games and highlight them in your CV.

• App and software translators. You're in a good position to translate UI and system text messages. You know your way around variables and placeholders, you can operate within strict character constraints, and you can deal with low-context messages and buttons.
• Marketing translators. You know how to adapt source content to persuade in your target language. You're a good fit for product pages, media kits, social media posts, and announcements.
• Subtitlers. You're mindful of reading time and proficient in subtitling tools. High-budget video game titles have trailers and cinematics that can benefit from expert subtitlers.
• Technical translators. You've built a strong collection of specialized glossaries and have exceptional research skills to learn new topics. This makes you a prime candidate for games with true-to-life technical terminology in the simulation genre, such as racing, management, construction, and aviation.
• Literary translators. You mastered the art of giving a unique voice to each character in a story. Your translated dialogue lines are compelling and natural-sounding. Any game with a high-quality narrative and writing could use you, particularly RPGs.
• Legal translators. Although game studios and publishers generally outsource legal documents to specialized translation agencies, that's not always true. Game loc agencies occasionally receive EULAs, and they'll be glad to have someone like you on their team.

Whether in your CV or your cover letter, you must also show a passion for video games. Mention some of your favorite titles and how long you've been gaming. This should not be your #1 selling point but can't be neglected if you're missing professional experience in game loc.

Create an online portfolio

Some agencies and clients will request a portfolio of your previous projects. While you can show samples of your experience in other sectors, the recruiters will want to see your game loc skills in action. Here are some ideas to show your expertise.

• Translate one or two paragraphs of product copy from store pages. If an official translation is available, highlight your changes and why you made them.
• Take screenshots of games with localization bugs, categorize them by bug type and severity, and propose solutions. This could demonstrate your knowledge of localization testing.
• Retrieve text from old classics and translate relevant fragments. Recruiters are unlikely to check your entire localization, so make sure you give visibility to a concise summary of the main challenges you encountered and how you came to your optimal solutions.

Remember: you just want a publicly available sample of your work. Don't overthink steps like building a website or designing a page. Choose a simple WordPress template or — if that's too challenging — create a Google Drive folder (make sure your docs are read-only).

I've been asked time and again whether reproducing text fragments for translation samples is a copyright infringement, so let's get that out of the way.

To my mind, that's a case of ‘fair use’ — a legal doctrine that?allows limited use of copyrighted material without the copyright holder's permission. It's intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest. Fair use depends on the purpose of the use, the amount used, and the impact on the market of the original work.

With that in mind, here are some best practices as safeguards:

• Extract fragments, not complete works.
• Make it clearly visible that your translations are for showcasing skills and not for any commercial purpose.
• Include disclaimers stating that the translations are unofficial and not endorsed by the copyright holder.
• Be prepared to take your samples down in the unlikely event that the copyright owner demands it so.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, nor do I specialize in law translation. When in doubt, it's always best to consult with a professional.

BONUS Tip: Networking is Your Golden Ticket

Suppose you've just moved to a new neighborhood. Someone comes knocking at your door. You peek into the peephole, and you see… Beyoncé! Are you more likely to open your door to Beyoncé or to a complete stranger?

This is a ridiculous example, but you know where I'm getting: applications stand out when your name sounds familiar. Beyond that, you're able to carve out opportunities by talking to people and showing up at the right time.

That doesn't mean cold DMing and pitching services to recruiters and managers. Rather, just chat with fellow translators. Try to identify common interests and get their thoughts on the industry. Maybe they can invite you to translation groups with more networking opportunities.

There’s no secret recipe to land your first game loc assignment. Ask ten translators how they did, and you’ll come back with at least seven different stories.

Think outside the box and avoid obvious, overused agencies and job boards. Change your CV and cover letters to target game loc providers directly. Prospect hard and keep track of agencies you’ve already applied for.

I’d like to hear from fellow game loc experts on my network.

What’s your story?

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