Game localisation

Session outline.

Proposed session format: forum, group discussion.

Proposed aspects to discuss (I plan to provide an overview & some samples for each):

1) Game types

a. Game genres (7 – 15 min)

i. Fairy tales

ii. Sci-fi

iii. Gambling

iv. Erotic

v. Other: discussion

b. Game platforms (7 – 15 min)

i. Table games

ii. Real world games

iii. PC games

iv. Mobile games

v. Internet, Web games

vi. Other: discussion

2) Game localization issues (15 – 30 min)

a. Choosing a genre for the target game wording

i. Common points with software localization

ii. Common points with fiction translation

b. Localizing mobile (& PC) phone games

i. Source format

1. Possible source formats

2. Converting unusual formats for a typical translation environment: RC files, XML files etc. Understanding Unicode conversions.

ii. Limitations

1. Length limitations – abbreviation versus editing the target text to make it significantly shorter

2. Cultural and ethical limitations

a. Accepting or declining certain game translation offers for ethical reasons

b. Using appropriate lexicon for a game and a target audience – keeping source style versus smoothing or adapting it.

c. Localizing table games – discussion. (I can share our experience with Magic: The Gathering game)

d. Localizing real world games – discussion. (I hope that someone had ever translated scenarios for games like paint-ball, quazar etc and this person would share some experience with others)

3) Things to be localized for games:

a. Game texts

b. Game names

c. Marketing materials

d. Legal agreements: end user, game and game symbols (devices) related rights transfer etc.

e. Game keywords for search engines: leaving in source language versus translating

4) Market of game translation

a. Becoming a game translator

b. Choosing the way to charge for certain types of projects

c. Necessity to regularly translate extremely small assignments

d. Most growing & promising sectors of game translation: discussion

Arterm Sedov (Russian Federation), full-time translator + small translation bureau

Bio: I worked as a translator for about 11 years and I run a small translation bureau now. My work experience also includes dozens of other professions varying from graphics designer to metal turner, teacher and LAN administrator etc. By education I am an engineer specialized in electronics, GPS and navigation. Translation is my family business and I was born in translator's family thus I learn the profession since I was very young and I still enjoy it. During my planned session I want to share my experience in games translation that I earned during last few years working with a certain European agency translating primarily mobile phone games. Web site: http://www.englishintorussian.com ProZ.com member: ARTEM SEDOV