3 Important Things When Entrusting Indonesian Game Translations

The story, gameplay, and charm of the characters in a game are the basic keys to making a game popular, but to promote the game overseas, there is still one other factor that should not be ignored, namely: the quality of the translation. Getting high ratings from players is a very important part of marketing. High-quality translation can immerse players completely in the game world, thereby increasing players' ratings of the game. Nowadays, we can share games via social networks and easily see feedback from players around the world. If a new IP (intellectual property rights) can get good ratings and be shared widely, then it is the best marketing method.

Providing Indonesian game translations is a task that requires special attention. The game translation process requires special skills so that the translation results can be accurate and appropriate to the local cultural context. There are several important things to pay attention to when entrusting game translation to third parties. This article will discuss three main things to pay attention to to ensure high-quality game translation results:

1. Choose Competent and Experienced Translators

Selecting a competent and experienced translator is the first and most crucial step in the game translation process. Translators must have expertise in both the source and target languages, as well as understand the context and special terms in the game world. Experienced translators usually have a portfolio showing previous projects they have worked on, which can be an indication of their abilities.

Read More: Discovering Success Factors of 4 International Games in Indonesia

Apart from language skills, translators must also have in-depth knowledge of local culture. This is important because many aspects of the game, such as character dialogue, humor, and cultural references, are often specific and require adjustments to be understood by local players. Translators who understand local culture will be better able to produce translations that are natural and appropriate to the context. To ensure the translator chosen is the right one, game developers may request translation samples or conduct a small test run. Through this testing, developers can assess the translator's ability to handle complex game texts and ensure that they can translate correctly and accurately.

2. Maintain Effective Communication with Translators

Effective communication between game developers and translators is the key to success in game translation projects. Without good communication, translators may have difficulty understanding the context and nuances the game is trying to convey, which can negatively impact the quality of the translation. Game developers must provide complete and clear information to translators, including details about the story, characters, and purpose of the text to be translated. Giving translators access to play the game or view gameplay footage can also be very helpful, as it allows them to understand the context more thoroughly.

Additionally, it is important to maintain continuous communication throughout the translation process. Translators should feel comfortable asking questions if there is a part they do not understand. Game developers must also provide constructive feedback so that translators can improve their translation results.

Using communication tools such as Slack, Trello, or other collaboration platforms can facilitate coordination and ensure all parties are always well informed. By maintaining effective communication, errors and misunderstandings can be minimized, so that translation results can be more accurate and in line with expectations.

3. Conduct Testing and Get Feedback

After the translation is complete, the next step, which is no less important, is to carry out testing and get feedback. Translation testing is a stage that is often overlooked, even though it is crucial to ensuring that the translation results are quality and error-free. Translation testing can be done in several ways. One way is to involve native game players who have English and Indonesian language skills. They can provide feedback on whether the translation feels natural and fits the context. This testing can also be done by playing the game itself and checking whether all the translated texts match the gameplay.

Getting feedback from end users is also very important. Once a game is launched, developers should listen to player feedback. They may discover errors or inaccuracies that were not detected during the testing process. Collecting and analyzing this feedback allows developers to make improvements and elevate the quality of future translations.

Game developers must be open to feedback and ready to make the necessary changes. This is part of an iterative process that helps ensure that the final result is the best it can be. By paying attention to feedback, developers can continue to improve translation quality and provide players with a better gaming experience.

Entrusting Indonesian game translations requires careful attention and consideration. Choosing competent and experienced translators, maintaining effective communication, and conducting testing and getting feedback are three important things that must be considered in the game translation process. By paying attention to these three things, game developers can ensure that the translation results are of high quality and meet expectations.

The game translation process is not an easy task, but with the right approach, game developers can produce accurate and high-quality translations. It is important to provide a satisfying gaming experience for players and ensure that the story and message in the game are conveyed well. In this way, game translation can be a bridge that connects players from different cultures and languages and enriches their gaming experience.

Additionally, it is important to remember that the quality of the translation also impacts the reputation of the game and its developer. A bad translation can damage a game's image and reduce player interest, while a good translation can increase player satisfaction and loyalty. Therefore, investing in a quality translation process is a strategic step that should not be overlooked.

Ultimately, by continually learning and adapting from project to project, game developers and translators can continually improve their skills and produce increasingly better translations. Strong collaboration between the two parties, as well as a commitment to continuously improving quality, will bring positive results for all parties involved, especially the players who are the main audience for each game. In this way, each translated game can provide a satisfying and meaningful experience for players around the world.

If you are looking for game localization services, Digital Trans Asia is the most appropriate choice. Here, we will provide services according to your needs, especially for game localization. We will help you expand the game market that you are developing globally and internationally. Please consult with us to learn more.