An Unsung Hero

In the game development industry, competition is fierce, quality is essential, and resource optimization is critical. Linguistic Consulting Services can be a key component of success. Especially for devs who are taking their first steps or for those aiming to reach new global audiences. Achieving efficient resource management, capturing the maximum return on investment, and player satisfaction depend immensely on a smart strategy for localization and cultural adaptation.

Starting a Project

The development of a video game requires great design and management efforts. The Development team must take many aspects into account. The best or worst decisions made in pursuit of an original vision directly affect the total cost of resources and timeframe, often also impacting the final quality of the product and its reception.

Unfortunately, localization is often only addressed in the later stages of development. The development team’s focus is generally placed on gameplay, level design, or graphic assets, among other main elements, and the importance of localization and its impact on marketing is overlooked. A few hours of consultation in the early stages can prevent significant headaches.

Pre-Consultation Hours That Save Weeks of Rework and Correction

A few hours of linguistic consulting in the early stages of video game development can be precious for several reasons:

1. Time and money savings in later corrections:

   After translation, a Linguistic Quality Assurance (LQA) stage is recommended. At this stage, experts identify translation problems. Especially if the translators coulnd’t work specific references from the game. Most probably by a team of linguists who lack context about the product or game. If required, the texts are sent back to linguists for correction, which implies more time and higher costs. If LQA is omitted and linguistic or communication errors come up after the release, editing them can be costly and may require game updates.

1. Clarity in communication:

   Video games often tell complex stories and require effective communication for players to understand the plot and objectives, as well as to maintain immersion and engagement. A linguistic consultant can help ensure that dialogues, texts, and interface elements are clear and consistent to avoid player confusion.

2. Localization and cultural adaptation:

   A linguistic consultant can guide the translation and adaptation of content for different cultural audiences, which can significantly increase the game’s acceptance in global markets. The consultant can also provide valuable insights to the development and narrative teams, enriching the experience in different markets.

3. To avoid legal issues and controversies:

   Inappropriate language use, insensitive cultural references, or controversial content can lead to legal problems and damage a game’s reputation. A linguistic consultant can help identify and correct potential issues before they become costly controversies. Harmless terms, like a character’s name, sometimes mean entirely different things in other markets. We want to avoid surprises.

4. Heightened immersion:

   The quality of writing in a game can significantly enhance the player’s immersion in the experience. A good linguistic consultant can work on the narrative, dialogues, and details that bring the game universe to life, resulting in a more engaging and addictive gaming experience.

5. Improved player retention:

   A game with well-written text is more appealing to players and can increase user retention. Players who enjoy solid narratives and attractive dialogues are more likely to keep playing and dedicating their time to the game.

6. Overall product quality:

   Writing quality is a fundamental component of a game’s overall quality. A game with grammatical errors, translation issues, or unnatural dialogues may be less appreciated by players and critics, affecting the game’s perception in the market.

Consultation on Rating Systems

Another area in which a linguistic consultant can be of use is to assist developers with game rating systems, such as ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board), PEGI (Pan European Game Information), and CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization), which are integral to the game development and publishing strategy and directly relate to linguistic consulting.

They are responsible for rating and classifying video games based on content. This includes factors such as violence, language, nudity, and mature topics, among others.

Neglecting linguistic and cultural issues can lead to a higher rating than intended, which can potentially reduce audience reach and sales. Age ratings and content descriptions are key, especially when the target audience and the buyers are different people, such as parents and children. This type of classification serves to inform players and parents about the game’s content.

In Summary

Although linguistic consulting may often be confused with just Translation, it is to Translation what Strategy is to Sports. It comprises many crucial factors. Not only for a good game reception but also for its commercial success and penetration into other cultures.

Investing in early consultations results in cost-saving by avoiding expensive rework. Moreover, it also increases the potential for competitive success in the market.