IT and Gaming

THE MOST ACCURATE TRANSLATION SERVICES AND THE BEST SPECIALISTS FOR THE PROGRAMS AND APPLICATIONS YOU CREATED.

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HOW COULD WE BE OF ADVANTAGE TO YOU?

We offer the highest quality translation services for your software manuals and update-related documents, desktop and mobile applications, technical descriptions, company publications contracts, licenses, marketing content, etc. We do not limit ourselves to translation services – localization is also important. Throughout the translation and localization process, we make use of many tools and solutions that help preserve important IT codes and commands.
We invest in the latest translation technology which allows us to localize website and software content, as well as the content for video games, and mobile applications to fit foreign markets.
The localization service is key – the translation needs to be localized to fit socio-cultural contexts.
A quality translation is needed when wanting to ensure convenience for all users worldwide. Many countries employ the same IT software – various apps, video games, terminology databases, etc. The users, however, usually prefer working with them in their local language.
If you attend meetings and conferences we can offer you interpretation services – both consecutive and simultaneous. This way you can focus on the tasks at hand and forget about the language barrier.
The Skrivanek language school can organize specialized language courses for your team. Courses adjusted to your individual needs are available (e.g., those that only focus on specific terminology or language skills, such as writing, speaking, etc.) are available.

language combinations

000+

completed projects in 2022

ISO certificates

years of experience worldwide and 20 years’ worth of experience in Lithuania

THE INS AND OUTS OF IT TRANSLATIONS

All translations related to the IT sector are performed using translation programs that guarantee the consistency of text and terminology. Experienced translators use dictionaries for computer-related terminology, and the databases prepared by the client.

Language related to this sector requires accuracy – for the program to be user-friendly it needs to be translated the right way. Over the years our experienced translators became well acquainted and qualified in preparing texts that meet clients’ needs and expectations, as well as special fulfil requirements. The information is presented in a precise, accurate, cohesive, and clear way.

Our professional IT translators are constantly on the lookout for what’s new in the market, what updates and trends are dominating, and what terms are approved by linguists. Not only the programs are translated accurately – the same goes for technical specifications.

GAME LOCALIZATION – TRANSLATING AN ALL-ROUND EXPERIENCE

Complex video games are an art form that provokes many emotions and offers a wider range of interactive experiences than any other form of entertainment. It allows you to dive in and encounter a brand-new world – a virtual one. Video games can have an enormous fanbase if they manage to transport people into this virtual reality, where no one is stopping you from having these unique experiences.

Character names, the narrative, the sound, animations, and all other visuals have to be in perfect harmony. Moreover, the user interface has to be error-free, and the game has to provide the highest quality experience for the user, no matter what the original and target languages of the game are. Video game localization is a long process that requires a lot of time and thoroughness.

HONOR OF KINGS

Take for example the game that originated in China, and will soon have its debut in the US. Due to the complexity of the game and a large number of cultural differences between these two countries, all elements of the game might require creative translation – in a way, it needs to be re-written.

Regarding “Honor of Kings”, a hit in the Chinese market, a thorough cultural localization was needed. Its original version contained traditional Chinese mythology and values and when localizing the game, it was transformed to rely on more universal qualities and motives. In the version of the game dedicated to the US market, also known as “Arena of Valor”, the light-blue coloured animation in the original was replaced by a darker, more realistic version, only preserving 3 of the original Chinese symbols.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

Due to the need for these advanced changes, localizing the product to fit the needs of foreign clients has to be planned out prior to the video game release date, when the game will be introduced to the new markets.

Even when creating the game, it should be built having in mind the complex nature of the translation process. Video game creators that think ahead take into consideration such things as the need to add more text, or install a user interface, where the content could be presented in such languages as Arabic or Hebrew.

Language service providers that are experienced in video game localisation are able to control this process in the name of the client. It is best to consult a specialist like this prior to releasing the final video game version to the market.

VIDEO GAME LOCALISATION – PRIMARY QUESTIONS

After you select the languages that you want the video game to be localised in, there are a few primary questions you should contemplate

QUESTIONS

First, we need to analyse the content of the game. Which elements will need to be localized to fit different markets?
As its authors you have the most information about the game and you should consider: What translation guidelines will the localisation team need?
Are there any fragments of the text, that could undergo the translation process in the beginning stages, even before the game mechanics are all in place?
What platforms will be used to operate the game? According to “Stat-Counter”, “IOS” comprised 61% of the US market in November of 2020, while it only comprised 31%, and 16% of the markets in Europe and Asia, and only 3% in India. Moreover, more often than not games are now operated on smartphones and smartwatches, while the use of consoles and computers is diminishing. Regarding this aspect, the trends of separate markets need to be observed.
Are the translation management systems that can extract translatable text fragments from the code available? Languages service providers working with the localisation project will know how to ensure the consistency and effectiveness of the text.
Are there any specific functions or elements which need to undergo creative translation that could be taken care of in the beginning stages? Martin Michi, a game localization expert, raises the issue of limited time that translators encounter, to the surface. More often than not it is due to the fact that they are the ones responsible for the preliminary vocabulary of the text. “You can’t come up with a genius monster name for the game in half an hour.” However, you have to remember that whether or not the game is attractive to users depends heavily on the translation and the creators’ inventiveness.
Will the game contain dubbing/subbing? The players’ opinions on this matter vary from culture to culture.
What is your target audience and what is the political stance of national state institutions regarding violence and similar elements of the game? Could the game be subject to censorship? For example, US-based games rated M cannot be purchased by individuals younger than 17 years old, and in some countries, they cannot be sold at all. At this point, you can make use of the option of blocking out bloody scenes in some versions of the game – as a matter of fact, this is often done for products sold in New Zeeland and Australia.
Can we check if all game functions work smoothly together after text integration? What kind of system do we have for quality control? All elements of the game need to operate in near-perfect harmony, and the translated text needs to correspond with the context in order to preserve the magic of the virtual world during the game. Well-recognized translation service providers use reliable quality control processes and are well-acquainted with the clients’ expectations regarding every final version of the game.
When do we expect the localised version of the game to premiere in foreign markets? Do not forget to plan out the whole strategy beforehand. “Post-gold” editions, i.e. after the original “golden” version was introduced, allow translators to work with the final project which has more advantages from the standpoint of localisation teams. On the other hand, the release of a one-time model (aka Simship or simultaneous shipment) presents a challenge – the localised versions of the game are being prepared for export while the original is still not 100% finished. Simship, however also has its benefits due to the worldwide agiotage related to the debut.

One-third of people in the world play video games and the industry’s net worth should reach $180B this year. There are over a million video games on the market, and new ones are constantly being created. Such a wide selection means that if you want the players not to look elsewhere for products, yours has to offer them a variety of sensations and smooth gameplay. However, because there are billions of players out there in the world, a game that operates and is localised well has unlimited potential.

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