Game Localization and Ninjas feat. Marina Ilari

Introduction to MZ Live

In this section, Tucker Johnson introduces the MZ Live show and its focus on topics related to translation, localization, internationalization, and culturalization for global companies.

Tucker Johnson Introduces MZ Live

• Tucker Johnson is the host of MZ Live.

• The show covers the latest trends in Translation, Localization, Internationalization, and Culturalization.

• Guests are invited to share insights valuable to globalization professionals.

• Audience participation is encouraged for topic suggestions and guest recommendations.

Shoutout to Localization Today Podcast

This part highlights the Localization Today podcast as a resource for industry news in audio format for easy access and staying updated on industry developments.

Localization Today Podcast Features

• Offers daily news about the industry in audio format.

• Provides short snippets for quick updates.

• Available on various platforms like Spotify, Apple podcasts, etc.

• Ideal for staying informed about industry news on-the-go.

Upcoming Events and Guest Introduction

This segment previews an upcoming interview with Mark Schreiner focusing on RFP management processes. Additionally, Marina Alari's introduction as CEO of Terra Translations sets the stage for discussing video game localization challenges and successes.

Preview of Upcoming Events

• Interview with Mark Schreiner regarding RFP management processes.

• Emphasis on relevance to clients at MC Insights.

Introduction of Marina Alari

• Marina Alari is CEO of Terra Translations.

• Discussion will cover challenges, rewards, and success factors in video game localization.

Terra Translations: Evolution into Video Game Localization

Marina Alari discusses Terra Translations' evolution from a Spanish/Latin America-focused company into a multilingual business specializing in video game localization and LQA services.

Evolution of Terra Translations

• Founded by Marina's mother 25 years ago with a focus on Spanish/Latin America markets.

• Transitioned into a multilingual business over time.

Focus on Video Game Localization

• Significant involvement in video game mobilization and LQA services.

Breaking into Game Localization Industry

The conversation shifts towards breaking into the game localization space. The discussion touches upon the unique nature of this niche market characterized by passionate clients deeply invested in video games.

Challenges of Entering Game Localization Space

• High barrier to entry due to niche market characteristics.

Client Dynamics in Game Localization

Knowledge and Industry Experience

The importance of industry knowledge and experience in niche markets, specifically focusing on the gaming industry.

Importance of Industry Knowledge

• Understanding the industry is crucial for credibility with clients.

• Building expertise takes time through attending events, giving presentations, and engaging with the community.

• Despite initial doubts from leadership, perseverance in pursuing industry passion is key.

Challenges and Perseverance

Overcoming challenges and doubts while persisting in a niche market like gaming localization.

Facing Doubts and Challenges

• Enduring skepticism from observers while staying committed to the vision.

• Dealing with external doubts, even from close ones like family members.

• Highlighting the significant investment of time, effort, and credibility required in the gaming industry.

Building Trust and Expertise

Establishing trust, credibility, and expertise within the gaming localization sector.

Establishing Credibility

• Emphasizing the need for deep understanding of gamers' needs and industry complexities.

• Focusing on building trust through demonstrating knowledge and reliability to clients.

Specialization in Niche Markets

Discussing the challenges and advantages of specializing in a unique market like game localization.

Specializing in Gaming Localization

• Noting that specialization requires experience but offers a strong client connection.

• Acknowledging that entering such niches demands time, vision, and dedication.

Podcast Creation & Game Localization

Exploring podcast creation related to video game localization along with insights into specific games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Podcast Creation & Game Localization

• Introducing "Open World," a podcast focusing on video game localization.

Translators as Ninjas

In this section, the speaker discusses the role of translators in localization, likening them to ninjas who should work discreetly for a seamless translation experience.

Translators' Role and Impact

• Translators are compared to ninjas; effective translation should be seamless and unnoticeable.

• Localization aims for translations that feel natural in the target language, ensuring cultural nuances are preserved.

Challenges in Game Localization

The conversation shifts towards challenges faced during game localization, focusing on specific instances where translations fell short of fan expectations.

Fan Reactions and Modifications

• Fans created mods to alter translations due to dissatisfaction with localized names and lost cultural references.

• The game's rich content, including mythology and philosophy references, posed challenges for accurate translation.

Importance of Translator Recognition

The discussion delves into the significance of acknowledging translators more prominently in the localization process for enhanced outcomes.

Recognizing Translator Contributions

• Understanding Japanese culture is crucial for translating nuanced content effectively.

New Section

In this section, the discussion revolves around challenges faced by localizers due to character restrictions and the importance of concise names for user interface (UI) integration.

Character Restrictions and Localization Challenges

• Localizers often face constraints due to character restrictions, hindering their ability to provide suitable names.

• Shorter names are necessary for UI integration, emphasizing the need for brevity in naming conventions.

New Section

This segment delves into the significance of communication and collaboration in localization efforts, particularly focusing on the complexities faced during the localization of "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice."

Importance of Communication and Collaboration in Localization

• Localization for "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" was a substantial undertaking due to numerous archaic words and cultural references.

• Lack of involvement from the localization team during development phases may lead to discrepancies in portraying cultural nuances accurately.

New Section

The conversation shifts towards how intricate cultural or historical elements can impact localization quality and understanding among diverse player bases.

Cultural Nuances in Localization

• Variances in cultural references may result in Western players struggling to comprehend certain story elements accurately.

• Challenges arise when deeper cultural meanings or wordplays are not effectively communicated to localizers due to workflow limitations.

New Section

This part explores the feasibility and benefits of involving localization teams earlier in game development processes.

Early Involvement of Localization Teams

• Engaging localization teams at early stages allows for proactive adjustments based on potential linguistic or cultural issues.

• Integrating localization input during design phases enables smoother adaptations compared to post-development alterations traditionally practiced.

Languages and Localization in Gaming

In this section, the discussion revolves around the intricacies of localization in gaming, focusing on language nuances and challenges faced by developers when translating games into different languages.

Language Nuances in Localization

• The speaker played a game in Japanese with European Spanish subtitles, highlighting the differences in names and references between languages. -

• Localization can lead to loss of nuance from the original language, especially when multiple translations are involved. -

• Understanding the original source language is crucial for accurate translation, especially for proper names with significant meanings. -

Localization Challenges and Solutions

• The need for footnotes or context information in translations varies based on the developer's experience with localization. -

• Developers may modify translations post-release through patches to address errors or improve localization quality. -

Menus and Lore Localization Complexity

This segment delves into the complexities of localizing menus and lore in games, emphasizing the importance of understanding a game's universe for accurate translation.

Understanding Game Lore

• Localizing menus and lore requires a deep understanding of a game's universe, including its origins and connections to previous versions or works of art. -

New Section

In this section, the discussion revolves around the complexities of languages in games, particularly those that are written from right to left and involve double characters.

Language Challenges in Games

• Some characters in games use double characters, making certain languages tricky.

• Languages that read from right to left present additional challenges for game developers.

• The decision-making process regarding incorporating right-to-left languages into user interfaces can be complex.

New Section

This part focuses on the collaboration between game localization teams and other departments within organizations.

Collaboration with Localization Teams

• Game localization projects often involve working closely with major developers' localization departments and teams.

• Localization processes are typically centralized through dedicated localization teams, ensuring consistency in style guides and terminology usage.

New Section

The conversation shifts towards personal gaming experiences and preferences.

Personal Gaming Experiences

• Discussion about playing Sekiro in Japanese with Iberian Spanish audio.

• Mention of challenges faced while playing Sekiro due to personal gameplay style preferences.

New Section

Exploring the impact of dubbing versus subtitling in games, focusing on language variations and player experience.

Dubbing vs Subtitling

• Preference for having a Latin American Spanish version for a more immersive experience based on regional language differences.

• Positive reception towards English dubbing quality in games compared to other language versions.

New Section

Delving into the financial considerations and market strategies related to dubbing versus subtitling choices in game development.

Financial Considerations

• Cost implications influence decisions between dubbing and subtitling based on target markets and game content complexity.

Meeting Requirements for Deadlines and Quality

In this section, the discussion revolves around meeting requirements for deadlines and quality in game localization, emphasizing the importance of exceeding player expectations and understanding the nuances of user experience.

Meeting Deadlines and Ensuring Quality

• Meeting requirements for deadlines is crucial in game localization to ensure timely delivery.

• Quality in localization extends beyond translation to capturing the essence, humor, and tone of the game to resonate with the target audience.

• Developers invest their heart and soul into games, making it essential for localizers to handle the content with care.

• Focusing on maintaining the tone, voice, and references in a game is deemed more critical than pricing in the localization industry.

• The debate on pricing structures in localization persists, with per-word pricing being considered as not ideal but currently prevalent.

Challenges of Per-Word Pricing in Game Localization

This section delves into the challenges posed by per-word pricing models in game localization due to increasing complexity and depth required from localizers.

Per-Word Pricing Challenges

• The shift towards multimedia and interactive elements in games renders per-word pricing obsolete due to intricate research demands.

• Localizers face discrepancies between payment per word and actual effort required for tasks like transcreation or handling poetic content.

• Clients need a profound understanding of localization intricacies to appreciate fair compensation based on effort rather than word count.

Client Understanding of Quality Localization

This segment highlights the significance of clients comprehending the value of quality localization services, fostering productive collaborations based on mutual understanding.

Client Appreciation for Quality Localization

• Clients who grasp the complexities of quality localization contribute positively to effective partnerships with localizers.

• Understanding client needs and educating them about potential outcomes from poor localization enhances collaboration dynamics.

Localization Practices: Latin American Varieties

The conversation shifts towards discussing common practices regarding Latin American varieties in game localization, reflecting on regional nuances.

Latin American Localization Insights

Language Localization in Video Games

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of language localization in video games, focusing on Latin American Spanish and its variations.

Language Localization Strategies

• Neutral Latin American Spanish is often used by companies due to its broad understanding across Latin America.

• This neutral version lacks specific regional colloquialisms but is widely accepted for multimedia content consumption in Latin America.

Specific Variant Localization

• Publishers may opt for specific variants like Mexican Spanish based on player base and market interest.

• There's a common misconception between Mexican Spanish and Latin American Spanish, leading to varied localization approaches.

Challenges of Cultural Localization in Video Games

This part delves into the challenges of preserving cultural nuances and references during game localization processes.

Preserving Cultural Immersion

• Maintaining immersion in Japanese-themed games for Western audiences poses challenges due to cultural differences.

• Some fans express frustration when specific cultural references are lost during localization efforts.

Balancing Authenticity and Accessibility

• While some details may be lost in translation, preserving unique cultural elements adds appeal for diverse audiences.