Games

When you choose Alpha to deliver your localization projects you benefit from over 20 years experience in games localization. 

We pride ourselves on meeting the individual needs of each of our clients. To ensure our business is structured to meet this commitment, we make a significant investment in time, resource and technology on an ongoing basis.
We have specialist games translators located around the world, who on a regular basis help us deliver games projects in more than 30 languages.  All are categorized in terms of their skills and game experience, ensuring the appropriate translators are assigned to each project. This deep level of experience means we have the necessary resource to deliver truly localized versions, as well as the skills to handle the additional demands often common in RPG such as, riddles, rhymes and puzzles. This network has been crucial in giving us the capability to deploy resource very quickly, whatever the size of the project.
Our network of specialist games translators is supported by an in-house team of more than 150 full time staff and our nine production centers in eight different countries. In total we have worked on well over 1500 games and our core competencies cover all aspects of the localization process. We deal with projects ranging from just a few words to those containing millions of words per language. Our full time staff includes 89 translators plus experts in engineering, DTP, QA, testing, voice recording and project management.  This means we always have people available to discuss and deliver your requirements.

We have considerable experience across a number of languages in the localization of MMORPG games. This includes working on the linguistic QA of three previous Final Fantasy releases, Guild Wars into 5 languages and supporting Jagex with the localization of their popular game RuneScape. 
Recently we successfully delivered a project containing more than 2.5 million words into Brazilian Portuguese. Therefore you can trust we understand what is required to meet the challenges of large projects where quality cannot be compromised.
To ensure we can deliver projects in the most efficient method possible we own the most powerful localization and Global Information Management technology available. In addition, the large range and volume of projects we deal with demands we keep abreast of developments with the toolsets available to the localization industry. This means we are always well placed to offer an independent voice on their strengths and weaknesses.

Over its history, Alpha has provided linguistic support for many key players in the industry, either for individual aspects of the localization process - for example translation of scripts and audio recording, or in-game text translation only - while delivering a fully integrated solution for others. Whatever the client's requirements, we have the flexibility to undertake small and large projects, for one language or several, with maximum cost savings and a minimum of fuss. What many of our clients appreciate most is our flexible approach, quick response and aptitude at solving problems.

The process

Our games localization projects follow a well-established process, though of course it can be adapted for special client requirements. The Project Manager analyzes the assets and assigns the tasks to each of the teams involved. An exact time schedule is drawn up and agreed with the client.

Typical workflow

The game is installed. Everyone who will be involved familiarizes themselves with the type of game it is to get a feel. Ideally, the client will provide a brief about target group, etc.

In some cases, preparatory language work may need to be done (for example for fantasy games based on published books, where names of characters, locations etc. need to be researched in each of the languages).

The engineering team extracts all text for translation from the assets and identifies the graphics, audio and animation files which need localizing.

Prepared assets are handed to the translator team, usually in rtf or doc format.

The DTP/graphics department prepares the animation and graphics files for substituting source text with foreign-language text.

Audio assets may need transcribing from original audio files, or a script may be available from the client. Translators translate scripts with the spoken word in mind, and aware of any time constraints. Special techniques are used if synchronization is required.

In consultation with the client, Alpha will hire professional actors or voice artists; in a few cases, in-house linguists may be used.

Clients are encouraged to attend the audio session. Their approval is important, as re- recording is very costly.

Translated and fully reviewed assets are handed to the engineering team for integration. The game is then built in the new language(s).

The game will be tested according to a testplan provided by the client, or drawn up by Alpha. When this has been agreed with the client, the department will test each of the target language products for functionality and also for any language-related issues

The finalised product is then delivered to the client