Video game translation/localization Thread poster: Michael Hughes
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Michael Hughes 
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:41
Member (2022)
Japanese to English
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I've been translating part-time for almost a year now (Japanese to English pair), primarily in the business and marketing fields. I'm intrigued by game localization, despite the reputation it seems to have for low rates. My impression though, is that many positions appear to be in-house at full-service localization companies like Keywords Studios (who provide end-to-end translation, localization, voice-over, as well as additional required programming and QA testing).
I could be wro... See more I've been translating part-time for almost a year now (Japanese to English pair), primarily in the business and marketing fields. I'm intrigued by game localization, despite the reputation it seems to have for low rates. My impression though, is that many positions appear to be in-house at full-service localization companies like Keywords Studios (who provide end-to-end translation, localization, voice-over, as well as additional required programming and QA testing).
I could be wrong, and perhaps there are many traditional translation agencies that take on game localization work and offer it out to freelancers (and I just haven't found them).
As someone who grew up playing Japanese import games in the 1990s, I am honestly astounded at how many games receive localizations these days (into English and multiple other languages). A quick search on Nintendo Online brings up a humongous catalog with even the most obscure indie titles having received (at the very least) a J-E translation. I figure these couldn't possibly all be done in-house!
Any insight into this sector would be very much appreciated. ▲ Collapse
| | | | MurielG
France
Local time: 17:41
English to French
| many freelancers | Mar 29, 2023 |
Hi Michael!
I've been working in video game localization for 6 years now, and I feel this is the other way around: there are a lot a freelance translators, not so much in-house ones. And I know for a fact Keyword Studios does rely on freelance translators, because I've been working with them for a few years. Furthermore, I think there are a lot of job opportunities with your pair of languages, as Japan video game industry is one of the strongest.
So my advice to you would be t... See more Hi Michael!
I've been working in video game localization for 6 years now, and I feel this is the other way around: there are a lot a freelance translators, not so much in-house ones. And I know for a fact Keyword Studios does rely on freelance translators, because I've been working with them for a few years. Furthermore, I think there are a lot of job opportunities with your pair of languages, as Japan video game industry is one of the strongest.
So my advice to you would be to search for agencies that specialize in this field, I'm sure you'll find something interesting ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Hughes
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:41
Member (2022)
Japanese to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Thanks so much | Mar 29, 2023 |
MurielG wrote: Hi Michael! I've been working in video game localization for 6 years now, and I feel this is the other way around: there are a lot a freelance translators, not so much in-house ones. And I know for a fact Keyword Studios does rely on freelance translators, because I've been working with them for a few years. Furthermore, I think there are a lot of job opportunities with your pair of languages, as Japan video game industry is one of the strongest. So my advice to you would be to search for agencies that specialize in this field, I'm sure you'll find something interesting
Thanks so much for that Muriel, that makes a lot of sense! I think it was just because I seem to read a lot of blogs etc from in-house staff that I was under the mistaken impression that it was the norm (and I didn’t realise that the big localization companies themselves offer a lot of work to freelancers - I’ll definitely check those out!).
| | | | Dan Lucas
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:41
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
Michael Hughes wrote:
As someone who grew up playing Japanese import games in the 1990s
I think games is an area where you do need some sympathy with the product and experience of using it to do a good job, so you sound well-qualified. I covered the game industry for a while - remember seeing Resident Evil while it was still under development in Capcom's Osaka office - but I would not try to tackle it unless I was still actively gaming. Need a good command of demotic Japanese and slang as well!
From past chit-chat I have heard, rates may be a bit variable but for games that actually need a proper translator rather than a fan translation, they are probably no worse than similar areas of specialisation...
Regards,
Dan
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MurielG
France
Local time: 17:41
English to French
| totally right | Mar 30, 2023 |
I think games is an area where you do need some sympathy with the product and experience of using it to do a good job, so you sound well-qualified.
Agreed! Agencies I work with asked me very accurate questions about games I loved and played a lot, and I usually translate games or type of games I am well-versed in. (for example, I localize a lot of RPGs, but no FPS shooters because I don't play any shooters)
| | | | Michael Hughes
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:41
Member (2022)
Japanese to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Dan Lucas wrote: Michael Hughes wrote:
As someone who grew up playing Japanese import games in the 1990s I think games is an area where you do need some sympathy with the product and experience of using it to do a good job, so you sound well-qualified. I covered the game industry for a while - remember seeing Resident Evil while it was still under development in Capcom's Osaka office - but I would not try to tackle it unless I was still actively gaming. Need a good command of demotic Japanese and slang as well! From past chit-chat I have heard, rates may be a bit variable but for games that actually need a proper translator rather than a fan translation, they are probably no worse than similar areas of specialisation... Regards, Dan
Thanks so much for the insight (and vote of confidence!).
Incidentally, I've been trying to get my joining request for the Honyaku Mailing List approved for a while now (even emailing one of the former mods!) but it's hard to know who's heading things up there at the moment. Not sure if you (as a regular) have any thoughts on where I might have better luck in this regard (thought it was worth a try anyway). ^^
| | | | | I prefer staying freelance. | Apr 5, 2023 |
Greetings Michael.
I've been working as a freelancer translating video games for a few years now, and personally I find that it's tough to find a stable job at a translation company that also includes good rates and job security. And yes, from my experience the rates tend to be a bit lower, but I think it's very rewarding work.
Steam and other game hosting platforms are your friends when it comes to finding new clients.
| | | | | Steam and other platforms | Apr 5, 2023 |
Lisandro Johnston wrote:
Steam and other game hosting platforms are your friends when it comes to finding new clients.
My son is a gamer, and he often helps me with translations. How can he find his own clients on Steam or other gaming platforms?
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| Augmented Steam | Apr 5, 2023 |
Monika Rozwarzewska wrote:
My son is a gamer, and he often helps me with translations. How can he find his own clients on Steam or other gaming platforms?
The Augmented Steam extension for browsers lets you see the contact email of the developers of whatever game you're checking out on Steam, so searching for games that could use a translation and directly contacting the devs might be a good way to do it.
| | | | | Getting started | Apr 11, 2023 |
Greetings, I'd like to use your publication as a chance to know more about the video game localization field, since I'm a little bit lost.
I graduated recently in Translation and Interpreting, and I want to start working as a full time freelance translator, and since I have loved video games forever, this is the field where I want to specialize on.
So, the thing is, I've been sending CVs and cover letters like crazy for a month or so (to some agencies like keywords studio), b... See more Greetings, I'd like to use your publication as a chance to know more about the video game localization field, since I'm a little bit lost.
I graduated recently in Translation and Interpreting, and I want to start working as a full time freelance translator, and since I have loved video games forever, this is the field where I want to specialize on.
So, the thing is, I've been sending CVs and cover letters like crazy for a month or so (to some agencies like keywords studio), but for now I haven't been contacted, do you have some advices to someone that wants to start working?
I've been thinking about reaching indie game developers directly on Twitter, and offering them to translate their game for free, if it's not heavy on text, as an opportunity to finally get more experience, to have my name appear on credits and to get more confident translating games, do any of you think this is a good idea?
I'm also coursing a video game translation course on Traduversia.
Thank you for the advices in advance.
Best regards,
José. ▲ Collapse
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