LA MIA ESPERIENZA COME GAME TESTER (LQA)! (link utili e tutto quello che c'è da sapere)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their experience as a localization tester in the gaming industry. They explain the role's responsibilities, such as checking game translations for linguistic and cultural accuracy, and collaborating with translators to ensure the game's quality. The speaker discusses the importance of linguistic skills, the hiring process, and provides insights into the daily work, including using debugging tools and dealing with non-disclosure agreements. They also touch on the salary range, career prospects, and the joys and challenges of working in this niche field.

Takeaways

• 🕹️ The speaker discusses their experience as a localization tester in the gaming industry.
• 🌐 Localization testers work on ensuring that games are culturally and linguistically appropriate for different regions.
• 📝 A key responsibility is to check for grammatical correctness and cultural context in game translations.
• 💬 Knowledge of multiple languages is crucial, especially English, as it is often required for these roles.
• 🏢 The speaker mentions working for a German company called Caltran Translate, which later went bankrupt.
• 🎮 They participated in the localization of games like Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii U and Fire Emblem Fates.
• 👥 Teamwork is essential, as tasks are divided among team members to check different sections of the game.
• 🐛 Localization testers identify and report bugs that are not just technical but also linguistic.
• 💼 The hiring process includes interviews and tests to evaluate language skills and understanding of the gaming context.
• 💰 Salaries can vary widely based on experience, language skills, and the country where the job is located.
• 🚀 There are career progression opportunities within the industry, but it can be challenging to advance without additional skills like programming.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the speaker's experience as a localization tester in the gaming industry.

What is the difference between a game tester and a localization tester?

A game tester works directly on the game during its production phase to ensure it is not broken or buggy. A localization tester, on the other hand, works on a stable build of the game that is close to the final version, focusing on the language and cultural adaptation of the game for different markets.

What does the abbreviation 'QA' stand for in the context of the video?

In the context of the video, 'QA' stands for 'Quality Assurance,' which refers to the process of checking the game for linguistic and cultural accuracy after it has been translated.

What skills are necessary for someone aspiring to be a localization tester?

A localization tester should have strong linguistic skills in the language they will be testing for, cultural awareness, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a team.

What is the role of a localization tester in the game development process?

The role of a localization tester is to ensure that the translated version of the game is linguistically and culturally accurate, free of bugs, and that the context is correctly adapted for the target audience.

What was the speaker's experience with the company Caltran Translate?

The speaker was hired by Caltran Translate in late 2016 or early 2017 but mentions that the company eventually went bankrupt, which resulted in some colleagues not being paid.

What projects did the speaker work on as a localization tester?

The speaker worked on two projects: 'Xenoblade Chronicles' for Wii U and another project referred to as 'Ferenczi'.

What is the importance of cultural context in localization testing?

Cultural context is crucial in localization testing to ensure that translations are not only linguistically correct but also culturally appropriate and sensitive to the target audience's norms and customs.

How does the speaker describe the working relationship between localization testers and translators?

The speaker describes a close working relationship where testers communicate directly with translators to explain context and suggest improvements for translations that may not fully capture the intended meaning or cultural nuances.

What challenges does a localization tester face?

Localization testers face challenges such as ensuring grammatical correctness, maintaining cultural relevance, dealing with long text that doesn't fit in-game interfaces, and working within the constraints of the game's code.

What advice does the speaker give for someone interested in becoming a localization tester?

The speaker advises that aspiring localization testers should be passionate about gaming, have strong language skills, be culturally aware, and be prepared to start in entry-level positions with the potential for career growth.