Our client stands as one of Poland’s leading mobile game developers, and locatheart localises its games into over 20 languages.

The partnership between a translation agency and a mobile game development studio demands an agile localisation approach, with both sides committed to ensuring players regularly receive captivating new content.

The main goal of LiveOps events is to promote the game by introducing new content and events regularly. Beyond in-game content, promotional materials such as event names, descriptions, and CTAs play a crucial role in sustaining players’ engagement and encouraging them to reopen the game.

Navigating a player base that spans the globe presents the challenge of localising and adapting content to ensure it remains both understandable and equally engaging for every player, irrespective of their language or geographic location. Cultural sensitivity is paramount; for instance, Brazilians might find it peculiar to play winter-themed events while they’re gearing up for the summer.

Every project kicks off with the developer sending us the copy for localisation, along with extra comments and reference materials. We established thorough guidelines at the start of our collaboration, enabling us to seamlessly dive into the work without facing obstacles or asking unnecessary questions.

Next, English content is reviewed by proofreaders whose first language is English and who specialise in gaming.

Coordinators from locatheart’s Games & Entertainment department oversee game-related projects and prepare reference materials for linguists to ensure accuracy and consistency in the translations. These include:

•       copy guidelines;
•       character limits;
•       translation memory and glossary terms, which should be used in the translation.

Subsequently, we send a complete package, which includes project files and reference materials, to translators all over the world.

Our project managers play a pivotal role in addressing queries from translators and clearing any uncertainties. All communication takes place via a query sheet: an online document accessible to all individuals involved in a particular project.

Queries from linguists often pertain to shortening certain segments, particularly if the client’s source text is extensive, and the target languages demand more space.

Requests for additional context or graphics, which were not initially provided, are also common. LiveOps projects are highly dynamic, necessitating the ability to promptly update content, guidelines, and reference materials.

The query sheet serves as a central tool for efficient coordination among the client, our in-house Games & Entertainment department, and linguists from around the world.

Before we deliver the files to our client, we conduct a rigorous quality control check. This involves verifying translation compliance with reference materials, ensuring:

We use dedicated software for quality assurance processes.

Once the files have been checked for any potential issues, project managers get them ready for delivery. Each file undergoes a three-step verification process, rectifying any errors typically associated with formatting.

The dynamic nature of LiveOps projects diverges from typical translation assignments. Every LiveOps project, regardless of uniqueness or periodicity, is treated individually.

Translated copy, particularly notifications, must capture attention within specified character limits. This requirement extends to all app descriptions visible on platforms such as the App Store and Google Play, necessitating individualised adaptation.

Effective transcreation of dynamic content requires a skilled team of experts, including linguists and project managers. They play a crucial role in ensuring the global success of your game’s events.