How to Become a Video Game Translator

by Eric Lum Writer

As technology progresses, video games keep improving and gaining a lot of ground in the entertainment business. Nowadays, there is definitely a game out there for everyone, and even those who aren’t too fond of video games are bound to found a game they would certainly enjoy.

This is a reason why many people decide to pursue a job in this business. The one thing that many people don’t realize is that the video game industry offers a plethora of positions for anyone who is interested in gaming. One of these possible jobs is that of a video game translator. Here are some tips to help you become one.

Having studies which can support your position

The very first thing that is important for someone who wants to become a video game translator is to have some particular knowledge on the field and have the appropriate studies in order to be able to acquire the position. The very first thing you should have is probably a degree in translation.

The good thing is that nowadays you don’t have to have a university degree in order to work as a translator. There are plenty of both online and offline courses which will teach you the basics of translation and help you get into the industry easier.

On top of this, you can also finish a university course in audiovisual translation. As time passes, more and more universities start offering these courses and this is probably the closest you can come to studying and learning how to translate video games in the best way.

No matter where you get your translation degree from, you should keep in mind that the best way to become a good video game translator is to practice. Even after your graduation, you can not only start reading books in the languages you are interested in translating in, but you can also attend seminars and online courses which will help you further your knowledge and get a better understanding of how the industry works.

On top of it all, you should go ahead and take a certification exam which will help make you look even more professional I the industry and it will also help you see how far you’ve come regarding your translation skills. This will validate your studies and help you get that job you’ve been looking for in the field.

Try gaining experience every chance you get

Landing your first job after graduating is definitely not the easiest thing and it could definitely not have been any different for this sector. The good thing about video games is that they keep being created on a daily basis and there are plenty or games out there which don’t take a lot to produce and can help you find a job which will help your career get started.

What most new video game translators aim for are indie developers. For these devs, you might just need to offer your translation serviced for free. In most cases these people are still new in the business as well and often don’t have the funds to hire professional translators for the job. This way, you will help out a developer in need and you will be able to put a translating job in your resume.

While every translator’s dream is to work for a big developing company and make good money, it is certain that you won’t be able to make much when you are just starting out. It will take you a while to start landing good jobs as your worth and knowledge will only be proven by the work you put out there.

Whether you work for new indie developers and don’t get paid much, you should keep in mind that a big company would give you next to nothing to work on a project. While you should never let people take advantage of you and give your work and your services out for free, you should also keep in mind that it would be best for you to keep your word counts reasonable when you are just starting out.

Working as a freelancer

Something that a lot of video game translators choose is to become freelancers. After gaining some experience and having worked on some games, there are a lot of ways for you to find work online and also enjoy it. Freelancing can be very rewarding and it can also give you the time and space you need to complete your projects while still working from home.

There are plenty of ways for you to find work as a freelancer. The good thing is that there are many websites which offer translation jobs and these so called translation portals allow you to register and create a profile which will help you not only go through job postings and see what’s what but also build a solid profile which will help you become more wanted in the job market.

On top of that, you can also check with specialized agencies and see if there is work for you online. There are plenty of localization agencies which specialize in video games and most of them are always on the lookout for new translators in the field.

The important thing to keep in mind here is to always look for companies which are reputable and known to pay well and on time. Companies like ProEssayService can help you find the best companies to work with so you will be able to be certain that the job you are applying for is legitimate and honest.

Becoming a video game translator can be fun and rewarding

If you’re a video game lover and you enjoy spending hours playing all the new RPGs then this job could just be a great option for you. The best thing about it is that you will be able to have access to many awesome and still unpublished games and your work will probably never get tiring. Moreover, you will have the option of working as a freelancer and having a more relaxed schedule and better payment rates.

On top of this, it will also be easy for you to get the required qualifications in order to become a video game translator. Online courses and translation certifications are always here to save the day for all those who are interested in working in translation and as long as you speak more than one language you will be able to easily land the job of your dreams.

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Created on Oct 1st 2018 08:07. Viewed 520 times.

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