Slowly but surely the hiring of women and non-conforming individuals in the video game industry continues to grow across several countries. Below we will explore their role in the localization industry, their importance, and how we can continue advancing inclusion.
Whenever I sit down to play a video game, I try to look out for the feelings and emotions that the game might provoke. From the second I started playing Far Cry 6, I felt everything from fear, excitement, sadness, and hopefulness, to happiness. In this article, I outline some of the reasons why this game feels so special for a Latina player, as well as provide some cultural insights.
It appears that only people in the business of translation or creating content for broader audiences truly understand how vital the localization process is. Others had to learn it the hard way – and it’s a common nightmare for new developers!
Continuing our journey through the Witcher’s many locations and accent choices, we arrive in the warm, sunny region of Toussaint.
The first article focused on the translation obstacles on the path to localization paradise. Taking center stage in parts two and three of our feature on the Witcher are accents – and wow, what an array there was in the English version.
In our first article we delved into the meaning of the fictional pact and how it works for video games in terms of images, sounds, UX/UI, among others. These are the fundamental factors that allow players to connect with games and enjoy them. But what’s the deal with the (invisible) elephant in the room: idiomatic localization and culturalization?
The 15th anniversary of The Witcher series’ video game debut is upon us! The adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series was first released in-game format on the PC/Mac in 2007, which was followed up by a sequel in 2011, before the critically acclaimed The Witcher 3 was released in 2017 across most gaming platforms, and, owing to the popularity of all things Witcher, the third installment was localized into 15 different languages – including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian!
The topic of women and other non-binary groups has long been known and discussed. This topic is discussed regarding not just how their likenesses are represented in video games but also in their industry presence.
Accessibility in the video game world can be defined as having the ability to play a game even under restrictive conditions, be it due to some sort of functional limitation or disability. Accessibility also plays an important part during game development, as it relates to the interaction between the game and the player.