Stay on top of the game: location errors to avoid

It cannot be denied that video games have become an integral part of millenary life. This is probably because they allow the player to lead an alternative life, full of adventures and challenges. The game is a truly global industry today: one of $ 60 billion.

In 2010, a video game distributor in Brazil revealed that a game located in Portuguese multiplied its sales 15 times! This underlines the importance of video game localization: it also underlines the need for quality translation and localization.

Despite the importance of the location of games, companies make the mistake of opting for poor quality shortcuts that are expensive to repair, generate bad publicity and hurt sales.

What are the location errors that gaming companies make?

# 1 Cutting corners in translation

Many video game companies think they have saved money by searching for automatic translations or considering the cheapest translation option instead of the best one.

The machines are far from producing the necessary precision. Translation tools can also be a security threat by providing access to video game content to hackers over the Internet.

In addition, everything that is written for translation is delivered literally to the translation tool provider: it becomes your data; They can do whatever they want with him.

The translation does not only need to be precise, but to preserve the flavor and nuances of the original to bring the translated version to life.

Mistranslation can make the game a frustrating experience for the player or make the game developer a laughing stock of the game world; In the worst case, you can take the developer to a legal soup.

Translation cuts increase work and spending. The sensible thing would be to use professional translation services that are not only competent and creative, but also discreet. Having the translation agency sign a confidentiality agreement can help the game developer relax while the location is done safely in expert hands.

# 2 Encoding text in main files

This is something video game developers do with limited vision. It is a mistake to embed text elements such as the menu text, the game title and the screen printed dialog in the main files of the game. If the text is stored in a separate resource file, it will be easy to incorporate a translated version by adding a new variable and providing the translation in a separate dedicated file. Much easier than searching the source code during translation?

# 3 Paint all game text with the same brush

Some games involve specialized terminology. Take sports games; Soccer terminology is not the same as talking about basketball. Translators and localizers of these games should do some research. The need here is for "research oriented text."

Games like the popular and addictive Candy Crush present new game concepts. These games are classified according to the need for "creativity-oriented text".

Game developers should analyze the content of their game and decide which category of text is appropriate. The text must adapt to the content, and the translator's portfolio must match this need.

# 4. Locating games out of context

Surely, there is little to gain by delivering reams of text to translators and locators who know little about the game or its content. Worse, someone who has no idea of ​​the games is expected to take care of the work!

When the location of the game is so important, the more the translator knows about the game, the better the result. Translators should be encouraged to play the game that is being developed. Discretion and security are non-negotiable requirements, of course.

# 5. Ignoring cultural factors

Each market is immersed in its own culture. Cultural sensitivity is necessary while locating a game or the developer will risk alienating the target audience. It's not just about the actual content of the game, such as the story, the characters, the situations and the events.

Consider the following:

A game giant had to retrieve 75,000 copies of a video game that used the song of the Quran in its soundtrack after a user objected.

The representation of the Japanese armies that invade South Korea may be a portion of the story; however, Seoul was offended by a game that showed exactly that.

Misdemeanors can vary from showing alcohol to showing blood and blood on the screen. While they are located, video game developers will do themselves a favor by making a thorough recognition of the target market. Cultural mistakes should not be taken lightly, and the adverse publicity that surrounds them can kill the game, if not the developing company.

# 6. Do not try the game translations

The pudding test is in eating!

Translation tends to change the length of the sentence. Translated strings may not fit graphics or user interface elements. The coding can also leave some missing strings. All this can be avoided if developers test their games on a real device.

The location tests on the device may allow you to evaluate the overall quality of the game's location while identifying technical problems. If the game has a dialog printed on the screen, it is necessary to automatically adjust the text to fit the text space.

# 7. Bad management of translation content.

Game developers must organize all the different formats and files: marketing copy, manual, packaging, app store descriptions, in-game interface text and subtitles. Translation management must be centralized to avoid erroneous translations and duplications in the different types of content.

# 8. Treat location as a late occurrence

Thinking about location as the last step in the development cycle is an expensive mistake that many game developers make and land losing great opportunities abroad. When imitation versions reach the local market, such companies discover that they have been painted in a corner. Only then do they think of finding new markets abroad. Localization at this "final" stage means reworking the source code and building translation materials from scratch: all of which costs time and money.

The solution is to wrap chains in the early stages of video game development and adopt coding styles of international standards.

There are many players abroad. The video game market is growing. Professional and talented translation services can go a long way to perfect the location of video games.

Being prepared for location is the name of the game!

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