LocalizeDirect provides professional game localization, translation, and quality assurance services for the gaming industry, self-described as having over 20 years of experience and employing native speaking translators and localization experts.

LocalizeDirect - Game Localization & LQA

LocalizeDirect

LocalizeDirect - Game Localization &amp; LQA | 12,799 followers on LinkedIn. Game translation, localization QA, and CMS services for game developers.
1000+ titles localized globally. | LocalizeDirect is an international game localization company based in Sweden. We offer professional one-stop localization services including Localization, Proofreading, LQA, and Desktop Publishing and Design (DTP).

Founded by ex-game developers Christoffer Nilsson and Mattias Wennerholm in 2009, now LocalizeDirect incorporates a network of more than 500 native-speaking translators and game testers working with 65+ language pairs.

Business Development Director @ Gridly - THE spreadsheet for multilanguage content

Michael Souto

People and Processes

Malina Prusińska-Kurpiewska

Operator / Tech Investor / Chairman / Advisor

Mats Johansson

Translation | Localisation | QA/Testing | Project Management | Lecturer | Language Consultancy | Sworn Translation | DTP

Curri Barceló 🎮

🎮 Localizing your #games for French, Italian, German, and (European) Spanish (FIGS) audiences requires careful attention to language nuances. Here are 7 key considerations to keep in mind for successful localization: 🪄 Dialects and varieties: Understand the regional differences within each language to ensure authenticity and relevance. 🪄 Special characters: Be aware of unique characters and accents that may affect text display and gameplay. 🪄Gendered forms of words: Adjust translations to accommodate gendered grammar, considering how it impacts player engagement. 🪄 Formal pronouns: Recognize the importance of using formal or informal pronouns based on the context and audience. 🪄 Length of words and phrases: Keep in mind that translations may vary in length, impacting text placement and design. 🪄 Punctuation issues: Different languages may have unique punctuation rules -ensure compliance for clarity and accuracy. 🪄 Formatting: Adapt formatting styles to fit cultural norms and enhance readability. 👉 Read this article to dive deeper into these tips for effective game #translation & #localization 👉 https://lnkd.in/d6FYSfmQ

🌏 When localizing your game for the #chinese market, it's crucial to consider various factors to ensure success: ✨ Distinguish Simplified and Traditional Chinese ✨ Make Separate Localizations for China and Taiwan ✨ Partner with a Local Publishing Company ✨ Remove Violence (and Replace Skulls with Bread) 😎 ✨ Culturalize Your Game’s Title ✨ Don’t Be Afraid of Cluttered UIs ✨ Provide Context for Translators ✨Choose Easily Readable Fonts ✨ Consider Adding Competition Incentives ✨ Promote Your Game on Local Platforms Want to explore more details about each tip? Read the full article for the insights 👉 https://lnkd.in/dGHMCKP

🎮 When it comes to game regulations, 🇰🇷South Korea stands out for its relatively liberal stance, especially when compared to its Asian counterparts. Here’s what you need to know: 📌 Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC): All games must receive a rating from GRAC before they can be promoted and sold. This system evaluates sensitive content like violence, explicit language, and political themes, similar to the ESRB in North America. 📌 Bans are rare: Very few games are banned in Korea, but it can happen. Notable examples include Mortal Kombat for its depiction of cruelty and Homefront for its portrayal of an alternative Korea. 📌 Liberal environment: Unlike China, where extensive regulations may require significant adjustments to your game, South Korea has lifted restrictions on children's gaming hours and maintains a more open regulatory environment. 📌 Strict gambling rules: While the gaming landscape is generally liberal, South Korea is stringent about gambling-related content. Gambling #games face significant restrictions, and play-to-earn NFT games have been banned since 2021. Understanding these regulations is crucial for anyone looking to enter the South Korean gaming market. Want to learn more? Check out this article 👉 https://lnkd.in/dciXVUHH

🔍 Why Choose Localization Quality Assurance (LQA) Over #proofreading ? 🤔 While proofreading is a valuable step in the #translation and #localization process, it often has limitations that can impact your game's quality: ❎ Limited scope: Proofreading focuses primarily on correcting text errors but may overlook how the localized content is displayed within the game. It doesn’t evaluate whether the translation fits contextually or culturally. ❎ Context matters: Without context, proofreading can miss nuances that are crucial for player engagement, leaving the translation feeling flat or impersonal. This is where LQA comes into play. Consider using LQA if: 🪄 You need expert feedback: If your game has been translated by an external team or community, LQA provides a thorough review that identifies areas for improvement beyond basic proofreading. 🪄 Navigating complex languages: Languages with completely different semantics and alphabets—such as English-Chinese, English-Russian, English-Korean, or English-Arabic—often lead to unique challenges. LQA helps identify and correct errors specific to these languages. 🪄 Ensuring Seamless Integration: LQA checks how translations are implemented within the game, verifying that all elements fit cohesively for a better player experience. 💡 Investing in LQA not only elevates your #games ' quality but also enhances the overall player experience. Don’t settle for just proofreading - choose LQA for a comprehensive localization solution 🚀

🪄 There are many reasons to ensure your #translators understand the game scenes/context they’re translating, and this is one of them: Gendered forms of words in FIGS When translating #games into French, Italian, German, and Spanish (FIGS), the complexities of gendered grammar can create significant challenges. Unlike English, these languages change the form of nouns, adjectives, and verbs based on gender and number. Here’s why context is crucial: 🪄 A simple phrase like “Ready to go?” can be tricky to translate without knowing whether it’s directed at a male, female, or group. 🪄 If addressing players, using gender-neutral language is essential, but sometimes that can sound bland or impersonal (e.g., the Spanish “¿Todo listo?”). 🪄 Context helps determine the relationship between speakers and whether formal or informal phrasing is required. Key Takeaway: Don’t let translators work without context! Provide screenshots, character details, or even allow them to play the game. This will lead to more accurate and engaging translations. 👉 Curious to learn more about navigating gendered language in #translation & #localization ? Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d6FYSfmQ

🌏 Looking to expand beyond traditional gaming markets? 🌏 Consider Indonesia - an emerging powerhouse with millions of eager players and growing revenue potential 🇮🇩 Indonesia is the largest market in Southeast Asia, offering access to nearly 200 million players and the highest earning potential for mobile games in the region. With its official language written in Latin script, localization becomes more accessible despite the country’s cultural diversity. Key Facts About Gaming in Indonesia: 🎮 Over 185 million gamers, with many engaging daily. 📱 Mobile games dominate the market, generating $142 million in revenue (2021). 📊 87% of smartphone users have Android devices. 🎮 PC and console gaming is growing, with 62% of men and 50% of women playing console games (2019 report). 🔥 Action games are the most popular genre, driving downloads and purchases, while simulation and casual games lead in downloads, and RPGs and strategy games generate significant in-app revenue. ☪️ Religious sensitivities are important; 87% of residents are Muslim, so consider Muslim representation in your marketing strategies. 📄 Games must be registered as a local entity and undergo an evaluation process for age classification and content checks. If you want to learn more about other emerging markets in Asia, read this article 👉 https://lnkd.in/d2DUZj-3

❌ LQA testers are gamers who test the game simply by playing it over and over. ✅ LQA testers follow specific tasks tailored by clients. The number of levels and rounds to test is determined by the developers or game owners. At LocalizeDirect, our LQA plans are customized for each title, considering factors like: 🪄 Number of language assets 🪄 Game size 🪄 Languages being tested 🪄 Client-specific requirements This tailored approach not only ensures a thorough evaluation but often saves costs and reduces unnecessary testing rounds. 🔍 Key Takeaway: #translation and #lqa should be conducted by separate teams to eliminate bias and bring fresh perspectives to the game. If you use the same agency for both, ensure they utilize different project teams. 👉 Want to learn more about game localization testing? Check out the article here https://lnkd.in/enx3jzbt

🔍 What Does the Localization QA Process Look Like? At LocalizeDirect, we follow a structured #localization testing program for #games 🪄 Goal Setting: LQA manager identifies needs, prepares schedule, and test plan. 🪄 Pre-Test Preparation: Game testers receive a localization brief, including genre, style guides, expected playthrough, and debug options. 🪄 Game Testing: LQA specialists play the game, assess linguistic quality, and document bugs and inconsistencies with screenshots and suggestions. 🪄LQA Implementation: Loc manager assists in implementing updates after reviewing files. 🪄 Crosscheck: Testing across languages to identify if bugs are repeated in other versions. 👉 Remember: Some bugs may be hard to reproduce and can reappear even after QA is completed!

🌍 When localizing #games for the FIGS languages, it’s crucial to recognize the distinct dialects and variations within each language. Here are some examples: 🔹 “90” in French: nonante (Belgium) vs. quatre-vingt-dix (France) 🔹 “Laufen” in German: walking (Switzerland) vs. running (Germany) 🔹 “Computer” in Spanish: ordenador (Spain) vs. computadora (Latin America) Tailoring accents and dialects can create an authentic experience for players. Always involve native speakers for accurate #localization ! Want to learn more? Check out our latest article for best practices on game #translation & #localization into FIGS! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dv3AiDXW

Same same, but different—why? 🤔 In Honor of Kings, a character originally appeared riding a motorcycle with no helmet and one hand off the handlebars. But due to strict regulations in China, this character had to be redesigned for safety - adding a helmet and adjusting the pose to meet local concerns. 🏍️➡️🎮 Curious about how regulations like these affect #gamepublishing in China? Dive into our article, "How to Publish Your Games in China: Major Regulations and Things to Consider" 👉 https://lnkd.in/dx_Gt3s to uncover the complexities and requirements for launching your game in this massive market. 💬 Have you ever needed to make #localization changes for safety or cultural reasons? Share your story with us!

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