Game Localization Takes More Than Translation Skills
Most language courses teach you vocabulary and grammar. But mobile games? They need someone who gets references, slang, and what actually makes players laugh in different markets.
We've worked with studios across Europe and noticed the same gap everywhere — translators who know the languages but miss the gaming culture. That's what these tips address.
English to Spanish
Spanish players in Spain respond differently than players in Latin America. And we're not just talking about vocabulary differences.
The humor hits differently. A joke that works in Madrid might fall completely flat in Mexico City. You need to understand regional gaming communities — what streamers they watch, what memes circulate, how they actually talk while playing.
Start by joining Spanish gaming Discord servers. Watch gameplay videos from creators in different countries. You'll notice patterns that textbooks never cover.
English to Catalan
Here's something most localization courses skip — Catalan isn't just "another Spanish variant." It's its own language with a dedicated gaming audience that values culturally authentic content.
The Catalan gaming scene is smaller but incredibly engaged. They spot lazy translations immediately. Generic Spanish won't work here.
Immerse yourself in Catalan gaming forums. Follow local content creators. The vocabulary exists — you just need to find where players actually use it.
Spanish to English
Going from Spanish to English seems straightforward until you realize how much cultural context gets lost. Spanish games often reference things that don't translate cleanly.
You're not converting words — you're recreating the experience for players who didn't grow up with the same references. That requires creativity beyond standard translation methods.
Play games that were originally created in Spanish-speaking markets. Notice what gets changed for English releases and, more importantly, what stays the same.
Catalan to English
Catalan games carry specific cultural references that English-speaking players won't recognize. Your job isn't to explain them — it's to find equivalent moments that create the same feeling.
This is where many localizers struggle. They either over-explain or strip out the cultural elements entirely. Both approaches damage the game's personality.
Study how other media handles this. Watch Catalan films with English subtitles. See how translators preserve tone while making content accessible.
What Studios Actually Need
We've reviewed hundreds of localization samples over the past few years. The ones that stand out don't necessarily have perfect grammar — they capture how players actually communicate.
When a character makes a joke, you need to know if players will get it. When quest text uses informal language, you need to match that tone naturally. Technical accuracy matters, but so does understanding what feels right to gamers.
The best preparation? Play mobile games in your target languages. All of them. Free-to-play, premium, indie titles, major releases. Notice the patterns. See what works and what feels awkward.
Then reverse it. Play games in your source language and imagine how you'd adapt them. This mental exercise builds the instinct you'll use in actual projects.
Building Real Localization Skills
There's no shortcut here. You can't rush understanding gaming culture across languages. But there is a logical progression that works better than random studying.
Months 1-3: Immersion Phase
Stop treating this like a translation course. Immerse yourself in gaming communities for both your source and target languages. Join forums, Discord servers, subreddits.
Don't announce you're there to study — just participate naturally. You'll absorb how players communicate, what references they use, what frustrates or excites them.
Months 4-6: Pattern Recognition
Start analyzing actual game text. Pick three mobile games you love and switch between languages. Compare how different markets handle the same content.
Create a document tracking interesting choices. When localizers adapt jokes, how do they do it? When they keep references, what makes them work across cultures?
Months 7-9: Practice Projects
Find games without official localization in your target language. Translate sample content — not for publication, just for practice.
Share your work with native speakers in gaming communities. Ask for honest feedback. You'll learn more from one critical player than from ten grammar guides.
Months 10-12: Portfolio Development
By now you should have sample work that demonstrates your understanding of gaming culture in multiple languages. Polish your best pieces.
Focus on showing variety — UI text, character dialogue, quest descriptions, item names. Studios want to see you can handle different content types with appropriate tone.
Learn from People Who Actually Do This Work
Ines Ferriol
Spanish-English Game Localizer
Spent six years working with indie studios before moving to larger projects. Her advice about maintaining character voice across languages completely changed how I approach dialogue adaptation.
Lidia Esteve
Catalan Content Specialist
Focuses on bringing international mobile games to Catalan audiences. She understands that smaller markets need localization that respects their culture without feeling like an afterthought.
Blanca Jaume
Quality Review Specialist
Reviews localized content for multiple studios. Her perspective on what separates good translations from great localization is exactly what new localizers need to understand.