Is game localization a passion or profession? We asked freelance linguists and our team at Allcorrect about their experiences in game localization. Do translators need to be gamers? Do they play the games they translate? Does game genre impact their work? Their answers might surprise you. Join the discussion!
How long have you been working with Allcorrect?
- Kirill Dudnik, Localization Team Lead
6 years.
- Yulia Tregubova, Localization Project Manager
More than 13 years.
- Valentin Pronin, Head of Linguists
7 years.
- Celia Gonzalez, Freelance Linguist
2.5 years.
- Fisher Deng, Freelance Linguist
I think it has been 3 years or more now :)
- Dylan Vega Ceccon, Freelance Linguist
Almost 3 years.
Do you think it’s important to be a gamer to localize games?
- Kirill Dudnik, Localization Team Lead
Of course, it’s not that important to be a gamer, but if you are a gamer and your work is also connected with games, that’s what makes you truly inspired! It boosts your interest and makes the result better every time.
- Yulia Tregubova, Localization Project Manager
I wouldn’t call myself a gamer, but I do enjoy playing games. Therefore, I believe that people who localize games (for all platforms) should also be interested in them, as they’ll be more attentive and passionate in their work.
- Valentin Pronin, Head of Linguists
Yes, I believe it’s important. You need to have a genuine love for games to fully immerse yourself in the process—that’s what leads to the best results. That said, this doesn’t mean you have to be a hardcore gamer or a competitive esports player. What truly matters is appreciating video games in all their forms, and that’s one of the key secrets to great localization.
- Celia Gonzalez, Freelance Linguist
Absolutely! I’d find it hard to localize content I’m not actively engaging with on a regular basis outside of work. I don’t think it’s strictly necessary, but it’s much easier to stay up to date on terminology and trends if you play yourself.
- Fisher Deng, Freelance Linguist
Oh, absolutely, but you don’t need to play every game that you worked on. Playing games is a very effective way to understand how you “say” the game, lay the basis for the increasing interest, and finally “play” with the game.
- Dylan Vega Ceccon, Freelance Linguist
Being familiar with the gaming industry is undoubtedly useful when working on video game localization. The experience that comes from gaming regularly can help fill in the gaps when confronted with the lack of context that is so often the main challenge in the field.
However, if I had to choose, I’d say that experience as a translator matters more than experience as a gamer. An experienced translator will be able to work on video game localization projects without issue after a period of familiarization, while someone who plays games regularly and is proficient in multiple languages will still lack the knowledge and experience needed to provide sufficient quality in localization jobs.
Do you play the video games you’ve translated? If so, which ones?
- Kirill Dudnik, Localization Team Lead
Oh yeeeah! I’ve played a lot of them: Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, Atomic Heart, Banishers: Ghost of New Eden, SCHiM, and many others.
- Yulia Tregubova, Localization Project Manager
Yes, of course. I always try out the game I’m working on. I think it’s very important to understand the atmosphere and genre so we can deliver the best possible result for the player. Naturally, if I enjoy the game, I might spend more time playing it—even in my free time.
- Valentin Pronin, Head of Linguists
Of course! Playing the games I’ve worked on is one of the best parts of the job. There are too many to list, so I’ll highlight just a few:
– The Crew 2: My first project with voice-over and lip sync. The game offers a huge variety of modes and vehicles, but I especially enjoyed powerboat racing, drag racing, and rally.
– Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: The perfect mix of genre, setting, and universe—what’s not to love?
– The Just Dance series: These games have made countless parties with friends and colleagues unforgettable.
Indie games also hold a special place in my heart. One standout is Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, a hilarious game packed with references. Our localization team did an amazing job adapting them.
Most recently, I’ve started playing Cabernet. I’m just getting into it, but my first impressions are fantastic!
- Celia Gonzalez, Freelance Linguist
I don’t usually, but I’ve played a bit of Fireside! It’s such a cute game. I might also play the game I’m translating now. It reminds me so much of my all-time favorite cozy game, Stardew Valley.
- Fisher Deng, Freelance Linguist
Yes, there are quite a few, but mostly if I’m provided the key, I’ll play until I get the game. But as an FPS and tactical game fan, I tend to play those genres longer. The most recent would be Door Kickers 2: Task Force North.
- Dylan Vega Ceccon, Freelance Linguist
It really depends on the type of game. If I work on a game that I would have been interested in naturally, then I might end up playing it. For example, I had the pleasure of participating in the localization of the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection last year. Ace Attorney is my favorite game series, so I’m playing those games right now, and would have done so even if I hadn’t had the chance to work on them.
Sometimes, I also discover games that would have slipped under my radar and that fit my tastes while working on them. Sorry We’re Closed, a game I worked on with Allcorrect in 2024, is a great example of that. It is a mix of survival horror and visual novel with a great story, memorable characters, and a striking visual style. Those are elements I really appreciate in a game, so I’m planning on playing it when it comes to consoles soon.
Does the genre or type of the game you translate matter to you? Why or why not?
- Kirill Dudnik, Localization Team Lead
I’d say it doesn’t matter to me. I like all the games I’ve worked on. I think it is very important to understand the genre to know better the mechanics of the game you’re working on, and to have some examples from other games of the same genre to help your team, managers, and linguists with some questions.
- Yulia Tregubova, Localization Project Manager
In most cases, yes. There are some genres I don’t like and never play on my own (though I still try them during localization). In that case, I try to find a linguist or an expert who does play those games and ask for advice when I have doubts.
- Valentin Pronin, Head of Linguists
For me, the genre or setting of a game isn’t a deciding factor. I think my superpower might be the ability to fully immerse myself in any new project. Every game brings something unique—whether it’s the narrative, mechanics, or world-building—and that’s what makes localization so exciting.
- Celia Gonzalez, Freelance Linguist
Not particularly. I’m mostly a cozy gamer, so of course I love translating cozy games, but I also really enjoy translating action-adventure, which I play much less of.
- Fisher Deng, Freelance Linguist
It doesn’t really matter. I’m not that interested in visual novels because there are way too many dialogues for me, and most of such games have the same plot, which isn’t that interesting. Tactical games are my specialty because of years of gaming experience. Besides that, I can work well with small, independent games too because I can provide the localization a certain “flavor,” a consistent but unique feel throughout the whole game. It is very much like working on games with fantasy elements such as Dota, WoW, etc., where you have to balance the necessary rigidness, way of expressing themselves for each of the characters, and a natural flow of yourself speaking. To achieve such a balance makes me very happy.
- Dylan Vega Ceccon, Freelance Linguist
The genre of a game can greatly influence the specific needs and challenges of a localization project, so it always has an impact on the process. Though I work on a variety of games, there are some genres I prefer, like RPGs and narrative-driven games. This is due to a mixture of professional experience and my personal interest in those genres as a player.
