How to Translate a Game from Japanese to English?

The gaming world is quite big, filled with great finds. Japan is one of the leading countries in the gaming field.

You played at least one Japanese game in your life, like Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, and many other great games.

Japan is a kingdom for wonderful games. Sometimes, some of those great games don’t get the recognition that they deserve and don’t expand into the world.

Those games, unfortunately, don’t get translated into other languages.

So, when they started going mainstream in the Western part of the world, only those who could speak Japanese were lucky to play the game.

So, how can we translate those amazing underrated games from Japanese into English?

That’s not a big hassle, with this article you’ll figure out how to translate from the many characters-filled languages ” Japanese” into the language of the world “English”.

Is it Hard to Translate a Game?

Translating a game can be a challenging task, as it requires attention to detail, a good understanding of the original language, and a good understanding of the desired language and culture.

The goal is to keep the meaning, tone, and feel of the original content while making it accessible to a new audience.

In addition to translating the text in a game, localizing a game can also involve adapting images, sounds, and other multimedia elements to better fit the target culture.

The difficulty of translating a game can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the game, as well as the resources available to the translation team.

Translation Partner is more than equipped with the best professional linguists to help you translate your game despite the complexity of the task.

We’ll definitely help you produce high-quality translations that effectively convey the intended meaning and experience of the original game.

5 Steps to Translate Your Game from Japanese to English

Translating a game from Japanese to English can be a challenging but rewarding task at the same time. It allows players from around the world to enjoy games that were previously only available in Japan.

Here are some steps you can follow to translate a game from Japanese to English:

1. Preparation:

This step includes evaluating the size of the game, its content, and the target audience.

You’ll need to gather resources such as translation software, glossaries, and style guides to ensure consistent translation quality.

2. Translation:

The next step is to translate all the game content, including text, dialogue, menu options, etc. into English.

This can be done by a professional translator or by a team of translators who are familiar with the gaming industry and the target language and culture.

3. Editing and Reviewing:

Once the translation is complete, it’s important to have a professional editor review the content to ensure that it reads smoothly and accurately in English.

The editor may also make suggestions for improvement, including adjusting sentence structure and word choice depending on the culture or the audience.

4. Localization:

This involves adapting the game to better fit the target culture.

This can include modifying images and graphics, adjusting necessary elements, and re-recording audio.

Localization also includes cultural adaptation to ensure that the game is appropriate and appealing to the target audience.

5. Testing:

Before releasing the game to the public, it’s essential to test it to make sure that the translation and localization are accurate and that the game is fully functional.

This can include beta testing and other forms of testing to identify any issues that need to be addressed.

It is important to note that the translation process may take several months to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the game.

Conclusion

To sum this article up, translating a game from Japanese to English can be a complex and time-consuming process.

But with the right tools and resources, it can be a rewarding experience that allows players from around the world to enjoy games that were previously only available in Japan.

To get started on translating your game from Japanese or from any language that you might need, Translation Partner is always ready to provide the best quality for your game.