The Game Localization Handbook (Game Development Series) - Softcover

Chandler, Heather Maxwell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1584503432 ISBN 13: 9781584503439

Publisher: Charles River Media, 2004

Synopsis

As games become more popular in international markets, developers and publishers need to know how to capitalize on these opportunities quickly. The Game Localization Handbook is a comprehensive guide to producing localized games for any platform. Written for producers, translators, development personnel, studio management, publishers, and anyone involved directly or indirectly with the production of localized games, the book provides insightful guidelines to all the tasks involved. The topics covered are divided into five main areas that provide details on the major aspects of game localization. The first part defines localizations and discusses how to start thinking in a global mindset. It provides a general overview of each phase of the localization process, including localization, internationalization, and software age ratings requirements. The next section discusses how to plan your localizations. You'll also find details on what pre-production tasks are required, along with specifics on creating localization-friendly code, working with third-party vendors, console submissions processes, and determining budgets, schedules, and staffing needs. Part three delves into the core of the production process and discusses what is involved in producing final, code-released localized versions. Practical information is also presented on organizing assets for translations, asset integration, and testing. The next section focuses on the tasks that happen after the bulk of the games localization is finished, including marketing, creating localized demos, and assembling localization kits. In the final part, you?ll explore common localization pitfalls and ways to avoid them, including a case study of the localization of the Xbox® version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Island Thunder. If you?re part of the development teamed tasked with localizing your games, this is a must-have resource!

About this title

About the Author

Heather Maxwell Chandler is a multimedia producer with over nine years of computer and video game industry experience. She is currently a producer at Red Storm Entertainment. Prior to working at Red Storm, she worked in production at Activision, Electronic Arts, and New Line Cinema. She was responsible for localizing over a dozen of the third-party games she worked on, including Vigilante 8, Apocalypse, the Shanghai series, the Heavy Gear Series, Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield, and the Ghost Recon series. Heather also contributed several articles to Secrets of the Game Business (Charles River Media). She has a B.A. from Vanderbilt University, and an M.A. from the University of Southern California School Cinema-Television.

Edition details

• Publisher: Charles River Media
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1584503432
• ISBN 13: 9781584503439
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 338