Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions. We have answers

Translation Services

What languages do you support?

We support more than 65 language pairs, including the language variants. Please use our self-service system or contact us via email at sales@localizedirect.com, so that we can advise you and come up with the best solution for you!

What if my source file is not in English or its format is not supported by the self-service system?

No worries, if your file format is not supported, just send us an email. Our team will gladly advise you on the possibilities and get back to you with a quote within 1 business day. If your source file language is not English, it might be required to translate it into English first ( we'd be happy to help with that) before moving on with localization into other languages.

Can you translate my source file into English?

Yes, we have expertise covering the localization of a number of languages into English. We are constantly expanding our services portfolio, so feel free to contact our team for more details.

How long will it take to translate my game?

There are many factors that influence the delivery time. Quality is our top priority: we usually keep our localization teams rather small to preserve the style of your localized game. On average, once the project is set up, reference materials shared and questions answered,, we translate 2,000 - 2,500 words per day.

Who will translate my game?

We only work with professional translators with experience in many fields and years of experience in video game localization. They are native speakers of the languages you target and have domain expertise to ensure the highest localization quality. We use industry-standard CAT tools to make sure the localization is consistent and thoroughly checked for any mistakes.

What is your translation word rate?

It depends on the language and service required. Please contact our team for more details or use our self-service system for a quote.

Am I charged for translating tags or non-translatable codes?

No. You pay only for the translatable text, leaving repetitions, as well as tags outside of the paid scope of the project. Chinese and Japanese source texts are charged per character.

What if I have a partially translated file or recently added strings? Will I need to pay for everything to be translated again?

No, if you previously ordered translations via our online system or sent the files directly to our PM team, you'll only be charged for the new / rewritten strings. Each of our localization projects utilizes a translation memory so that all previously translated strings are stored there. If your file has been translated by another provider or your internal team, we can also easily incorporate that content either by using your TM, or creating a new one leveraging the already approved legacy texts.

Is there any sign up fee for the translation service?

No, neither for the direct work with our internal team, nor for the self-service portal. For the latter, you can upload your files, play with the intelligent mapping tool, and get your instant quote.

Do you apply additional management costs?

There is a small additional management cost applied on the projects that require direct assistance of a project manager. This assistance is crucial in case your text file is in an unsupported format, the source file isn't in English, you may require a variety of services or , or you are unsure which markets to choose. You may also benefit immensely if you have a limited localization budget and want to invest wisely by fitting appropriate processes to reach optimal results. Our localization project managers will gladly step in to find the best solution for you.

I'm not sure which languages are best to localize my game into. Can you advise me on which to choose?

Sure! We've collected a lot of market data and insights in the gaming industry and will be glad to share it with you. Just email us for support.

What's the minimum order?

The minimum order is €100 for orders containing up to 10 languages. For orders exceeding 10 languages, a minimum fee of €10 per language will apply. If the order total does not meet the minimum threshold, the final charge will be adjusted accordingly. If your game doesn't have that much text, we recommend you add more languages to reach more markets with a one-time investment or bundle your content for a more sustainable process.

How do I get a quote?

With our online self-ordering translation system, you'll get it immediately. If you need help from a project manager for less straightforward projects, you'll get a quote within 24-48 hours after you share all important details, requirements, and expectations with us.

I used the self-service translation platform, placed and paid the order but received an email from the project manager with additional questions about my game. Why do you need this information?

We want your gamers around the world to have the same great experience when they play your game. Therefore, we must understand the context, target audience, language specifications, etc. This information as well as visual references will help our linguists provide the best localization for your game.

I am concerned about my data when dropping my file for a translation via self-service portal. Can I be sure that my source files won't leak out?

We are ex-game developers, and have a deep understanding of your concerns. We'll never share your files with anyone unauthorized; all our translators signed the appropriate NDAs that protect the confidentiality of your materials.

What if I'm not happy with the quality of the translated file?

We make sure that all our clients are satisfied with the quality of delivered projects. However, if there are any issues or concerns, we'll be happy to discuss them and, if needed, fix them at no extra cost. At the end of the project, we'll ask you for feedback to improve our services and guarantee the quality of our translations – we will be happy to hear about your true experience!

LQA

What is Localization QA?

Localization Quality Assurance (LQA) is the final step in a localization process performed to ensure the translated content is accurate in context and delivers the intended message seamlessly. . The aim of the process is to guarantee that the game or app meets the expectations of the target audience in terms of language, context, and cultural specifications. Provided by expert gaming linguists with testing experience, LQA aims at giving your game an accurate, personalized dimension.

What is covered by Localization QA?

Linguistic (Language) QA, Visual QA (User Interface testing)

What do localization QA testers do?

Our LQA reviewers are professional linguists who also love playing games and have strong testing experience. They are widely familiar with the day-to-day terminology and idioms spoken in their language, as well as other cultural aspects crucial to give your game that personal touch. Localization testers will go over the translation in the game itself, providing insightful comments and beneficial changes, boosting the natural feel of the translation, as well as ensuring top localization quality. Our game testers understand the needs of the target audience, considering factors such as overall context, character personalities, gameplay, story driven texts, menu conceptualization, linguistic accuracy, terminology adherence, and more.

Can you describe the Localization QA process to me?

You start with filling the contact form on our website. It's best to add as much detail as possible: we may need some reference materials and supporting documentation to understand your needs (of course, we understand that it's top secret information!). Our LQA manager will be back to you within 1-2 business days ready to discuss a tailored test plan for your title. Pending your confirmation of the plan and budget, LQA experts begin testing your game. All the identified issues and improvement suggestions are presented in an actionable report ready for you to implement (our project manager will assist you if needed.)

Which problems can LQA help me solve?

LQA identifies linguistic and UX/UI-related errors and inconsistencies. The most common issues found by LQA testers include translations not fit for the game context, unnatural phrases, grammatical mistakes, irrelevant metrics used, font issues, partially translated strings, as well as keyboard, navigation.

What games do you test?

We test all game genres on mobile and PC.

What does the LQA price depend on?

There are many factors to be considered: number of languages, word count to review, complexity of your game, availability and nature of debug options, as well as desired level of detail and regression. Every game is different; speak to our LQA expert and get a personalized quote tailored to the requirements of your game.