Localization Tester

Localization Tester has an important role in the game development process. His/her primary responsibility is to ensure that the game is accurately translated and localized for different regions and languages. Scrutinizes the game’s text, dialogs, menus, and user interface to identify any linguistic, cultural, or technical issues that may arise during translation.

Localization Tester works closely with the developers to maintain the integrity of the game while adapting it to the target market. It verifies the quality of the translation, ensuring that the meaning and context of the original text is faithfully conveyed in the localized versions. It also checks for any text overflow, character encoding issues, or formatting errors that could affect the readability and functionality of the game in different languages. Localization Tester conducts extensive testing to detect any inconsistencies, mistranslations, or cultural sensitivities that may interfere with the player experience. By careful testing and fine-tuning localized versions of the game ensures that players from all over the world can fully enjoy the game in their own language.

Tools

JIRA

SDL Trados

TestRail

Microsoft Excel

Trello

Notepad++

Snagit

Slack

Git

Collaboration with other teams

Localization Tester works closely with various other positions in the game development process. First, it works with translators and localization experts to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate translations. Provides feedback and clarifications on any linguistic or contextual issues that may arise during the localization process. This collaboration helps maintain the integrity of the game’s narrative and ensures that players respond well to localized versions in different regions.

Localization Tester also works in tandem with developers and QA team. It informs them of any technical or functional issues encountered during the testing process, such as text overflow , encoding problems or user interface inconsistencies. By working together, they can solve these problems to provide a seamless gaming experience. In addition, Localization Tester cooperates with Project Managerin order to coordinate timelines, prioritize tasks and ensure quick fixes. Effective communication with these positions is critical to achieving localization goals, maintaining game quality, and delivering localized versions that meet the expectations of players worldwide.

Skills

Depending on seniority, the Localization Tester is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Hard skills

  • Knowledge of one or more languages:
    • must know well at least two languages ​​(the source language of the game and the target language for localization), accurately evaluates the quality of the translation.
  • An eye for detail:
    • identifies language, cultural, and technical issues in localized content, carefully reviews text, dialog, menus, and user interface elements.
  • Technical ability:
    • is familiar with various tools and software used in localization testing, understands programming concepts and file formats.

Soft skills

  • Cultural sensitivity:
    • is culturally sensitive and aware of the cultural nuances and preferences of the target audience, understands the cultural context in which the game will be played.
  • Communication and cooperation:
    • communicates clearly and concisely, provides feedback , discusses solutions, coordinates efforts and maintains a smooth workflow.
  • Troubleshooting:
    • analyzes and solves problems, is proactive in finding solutions for linguistic, cultural and technical challenges, makes informed decisions.

Seniority

Depending on seniority, the Localization Tester is expected to be able to master, do and deliver the following:

Junior

  • Conducts localization testing on assigned game components or sections, reviews translated text, checks for accuracy and consistency, identifies language or cultural issues.
  • Effectively documents and tracks issues encountered during testing, uses bug tracking software, and problem logging and categorization tools.
  • Actively participates in team collaboration, discusses solutions, ensures overall quality of localized content and is ready to learn from more experienced team members.
  • Quickly familiarizes himself with specific localization processes and tools used by the team, learns how to use bug tracking software and other necessary software or platforms.

Medior

  • Proactive in project management, independently plans and executes activities, coordinates with others and ensures adherence to project timelines and quality standards.
  • He mentors and guides juniors, shares his expertise, provides feedback on work and helps juniors improve their testing skills.
  • Conducts functional and linguistic testing, performs cultural checks, takes into account non-textual elements, performs platform-specific testing.
  • Effectively cooperates with stakeholders involved in the game development process, gives clear and concise feedback , actively participates in discussions and contributes to solving problems.

Senior

  • Knows industry best practices, develops effective localization strategies and team guidelines, considers factors such as target audience, cultural adaptation, and technical requirements.
  • It helps resolve complex linguistic or cultural issues, reviews translations for accuracy and quality, and offers insight into improving the overall localization process.
  • Responsible for conducting thorough quality assessments of localized content, performs comprehensive testing, identifies potential issues and assesses risks.
  • Contributes to project planning, provides insight into budgets, localization deadlines and localization best practices, actively participates in meetings and discussions.
LOCALIZATION TESTER // GAME TESTING //
LOCALIZATION TESTER // GAME TESTING //

Education

If you are interested in a career in video game testing, formal education in software testing, quality assurance, or video game development may be beneficial. Consider enrolling in courses or educational programs that cover software testing methodologies, bug tracking tools, and quality assurance practices. Understanding the fundamentals of game design, programming, and art will give you valuable context and insight into the game development process. Look for programs that offer hands-on experience in software and game testing, as hands-on training is necessary to develop the critical skills needed for these roles.

In addition to formal education, gaining hands-on experience through internships or entry positions can be an excellent route to entering the industry. Participating in beta testing programs or contributing to independent projects can also provide you with relevant experience and help you build a portfolio. Networking with industry professionals, whether through online communities or industry events, can provide you with opportunities to learn from experienced testers and gain insight into industry expectations and requirements. Paying great attention to detail, excellent communication skills and a passion for gaming will be key factors in landing a position in this field.

Resources

Books

  • “The Game Localization Handbook” – Heather Maxwell Chandler
  • “Game Localization” – Minako O’Hagan
  • “Translation and Localization in Video Games” – Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino
  • “Localization for Games” – Xuan Zhang, Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino
  • “Beyond Borders: Web Globalization Strategies” – John Yunker

Individuals

  • Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino (@miguel_bernardino)
  • Heather Maxwell Chandler (@heathermaxwell)
  • Renato Beninatto (@LocalizationGuy)
  • Nitin Gupta (@nitinhgupta)
  • Adrián Cinko (@LocalizationPod)

What does an interview look like for this position?

Novosti

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LOCALIZATION TESTER // GAME TESTING //
LOCALIZATION TESTER // GAME TESTING //