Localization SIG

International Game Developers Association

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Last Update: 8 May, 2012

Welcome to the Game Localization SIG of the IGDA!

This SIG was launched in June 2007 in order to serve the need of the game localization community, i.e., those involved in the process of proactively planning for content adaptability in target international markets, performing the requisite translation and adaptation, and the act of reactively managing expectations when problematic content elements are identified by local customers.

Contents

Announcements

The LocSIG140 Project - Get Involved!: The Loc SIG has launched a new project called the LocSIG140. In Phase 1, we're collecting as many 140 character statements on game localization as possible. Assuming we get a vigorous enough response, in Phase 2 we'll raise the bar and start collecting 140 word paragraphs on game localization (which can be original or based the 140 character statements from Phase 1). Phase 3 will possibly involve creating a 140 page book with insights and comments pertaining to game localization. The contributions can be virtually anything pertaining to game loc - an insight, a best practice, a favorite game localization - anything! The contributions will be categorized by the community in order to organize our statements. Anonymous contributions will also be allowed but any statements with overt marketing will not be accepted. To get started, go to the LocSIG140 site and start contributing!

Game Localization Best Practices is complete: Initially written by our own Richard Honeywood, this document has been updated to version 2.0 with Jon Fung's editorial guidance, based on the input of many members of the Loc SIG.

We're now on Twitter: The Loc SIG now has an active Twitter account. Follow @igdalocsig to keep informed of SIG activities and game localization news.

Topics of the Week (TOW): We've restarted our Topics of the Week feature on the SIG DL as of 5 December, 2011. Please feel free to join in the discussions and offer your opinions. If you have ideas for TOW topics, please submit them to the SIG Steering Committee [locsig-sc at igda dot org].

IGDA Translation Force Needs YOU!: The Loc SIG has launched the "Translation Force", a group of SIG members who are volunteering their time and skills to help the IGDA provide its content in a variety of languages - not just English anymore!. If you're a translator and interested in donating your time to help in this effort, please contact the SIG Chair, Kate Edwards [kate at englobe dot com]. Let's help emphasize the "International" aspect of the IGDA! Most recently, this effort provided translation for the Global Game Jam 2012 website!

Don't Miss Out! Join the Loc SIG Email Distribution List: In case you didn't know, the Loc SIG has its own email distribution list. For those of you who wish to join the DL or aren't sure if your email was included in the initial set-up, please visit the Loc SIG DL Information Page to sign up (we currently have 300+ members on the list!). This email DL is the PRIMARY method by which the SIG sends announcements and conducts discussions. The Facebook and LinkedIn groups remain open, but only for major announcements.

Events

Loc SIG Gathering @ E3 - 6 June, 2012: We will be holding an informal gathering for all Loc people at E3, 5:30-7:00pm. Drop by and socialize with fellow localization folks before heading off to any evening parties or events. The location is TBD, but will be close to E3.

Localization Summit @ GDC 2012 - 6 March, 2012: We had a very successful 4th edition of the Loc Summit at GDC! You can view the speaker line-up on the GDC website. If you missed this year's event, the audio and video will be up on the GDC Vault in the near future.

Loc SIG Annual Meeting @ GDC 2012 - 8 March, 2012: The Loc SIG Annual Meeting took place and had a good-sized crowd. An update on the agenda and action items is coming soon! The annual meeting was followed by a social gathering at the IGDA Booth.

Note: all information about Past Events can be found here: Localization SIG Past Events
Do you know of an event involving or of interest to game localization? Are you speaking at such an event? Please let us know and we'll post the news here!

SIG Overview

Reason/need for a Localization SIG: The number of game industry and localization industry professionals who are engaged specifically and exclusively in games has been increasing in proportion to the industry's growth. This group of specialized professionals is currently split between either being more "game industry-oriented" or more "localization services-oriented", without an appropriate "home" in which the hybrid field of game localization can exist. The game localization practice contains its own unique challenges and solutions that would benefit from a community space in which its professionals can interact and grow in association with the games industry. At the same time, the utility software localization industry has been developing tools and workflows that the game industry could utilize to save time and money which would benefit everybody involved in the localization process, as well as the game industry and the gaming community.

SIG Objectives

Goals/Mission: To provide a focal point and nexus for the growing number of game localization professionals in order to build community, draw together best practices and processes, and emphasize the requisite international dimension of game content development towards the goal of improving global game development processes and local end user experiences.

Potential projects/Initiatives: Beyond the goal of drawing together and building community among those involved in game localization, the SIG would also seek to fulfill collaborative projects. Some possible examples include:

  • Game Localization Summit: Organize at least one annual, one-day game localization tutorial/seminar, preferably in conjunction and in association with one of the GDC events. This event was launched at GDC in 2009!
  • Activities at Industry Events: Ensure that the SIG has a clear presence at events like GDC, Localization World, E3, Gamescom, etc.
  • Game Localization Best Practices: Compile a list of core best practices for game localization and make the guidelines available via the SIG. This effort was launched in early 2011 and version 2.0 was released on 1 February, 2012!
  • Loc Standards White Paper: Generate a game localization standards white paper that contains recommendations for standards that can be applied in localization processes throughout the game industry.

SIG Leadership

The SIG Steering Committee is comprised of 5 SIG members and can be contacted at [locsig-sc at igda dot org]. The following individuals were elected by the SIG membership in December 2010 and are serving as the SIG steering committee for the 2011-2012 2-year term:

In addition, the following individuals are currently serving as content managers for the SIG:

  • Tom Slattery - Responsible for the SIG's online presence, including management of the SIG’s wiki page, Facebook and LinkedIn groups.
  • Rolf Klischewski - Responsible for gathering relevant game localization news, as well as helping to establish closer relations with game media outlets.
  • Jon Fung - Responsible for the Best Practices document, moderating the discussion and helping with compilation and edting.

SIG Guidelines

The SIG guidelines document is available here: Localization SIG Guidelines

How to Join and Get Involved

First and foremost, we encourage everyone who's interested in the SIG to first join the IGDA as a paying member - more information is available here: http://www.igda.org/join/. Your paid membership and affiliation with the Localization SIG will help support the SIG's activities.

Once you have a profile on the IGDA website, you can go to My Groups and edit your affiliations, make sure you make the "Localization" SIG one of them. Next, you need to join the official Loc SIG mailing list, indicated below. You can also join the Facebook and LinkedIn groups, but the mailing list will be the primary channel for ALL SIG-related communication.

Feel free to introduce yourself on the SIG mailing list, send ideas, and/or express your thoughts on game localization!

Retrieved from "http://wiki.igda.org/Localization_SIG"
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