The Bald Translator Adventures
LocJAM is an international game localization contest that unites translators from across the globe. It's an unparalleled platform for both seasoned professionals and aspiring amateurs to demonstrate their prowess in translating and adapting games, ensuring the original cultural essence and context are intact. But LocJAM is more than a competition; it's a celebration of the art of localization. It offers participants a chance to grow, learn, and network. Joining LocJAM means you're stepping into a realm of linguistic and cultural challenges, playing a key role in making games accessible worldwide. Discover more about LocJAM here: https://locjam.itch.io.
Why I Participated?
I dove into LocJAM driven by a profound love for gaming and a relentless pursuit to elevate the gaming experience. As a game translator, the thrill of delving into diverse interactive worlds and reimagining them for new audiences is my driving force. LocJAM presented the ideal stage to test and enhance my localization skills, to imbibe fresh techniques and methodologies. It was an extraordinary opportunity to forge connections with fellow translators and industry aficionados who share a zeal for gaming. This event transcended the bounds of mere competition; it was about integrating into a dynamic community dedicated to breaking linguistic and cultural barriers, thereby making games more accessible and engaging for players globally.
LocJAM Made in Italy
In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the LocJAM Made in Italy, a project focused on localizing the interactive fiction game ‘Avventura nel Castello’, originally released in 1982. I played a key role in the LQA (Language Quality Assurance) team, where I was involved in revising the translated text and making relevant suggestions and adaptations.
Our team, affectionately named ‘Alquimistas da Localização’ (Localization Alchemists), was divided into specialized groups. In Localization, the superb skills of Iara Silva, Leticia Scarabelli, Andréa (Dea) Moretto, and Maria Inês Minatel, who translated from Italian to Brazilian Portuguese, were crucial to the project's success. In the LQA group, myself, Daniel Dornelles Guidi, along with Rafael Francisco, Pablo Bisaggio, Jéssica Gubert, and Gabriela Cardial, dedicated ourselves to ensuring the game's text quality and fluidity. In Consultancy, Ivar P. Junior, Horacio Corral, and Will Xavier provided essential support in organization, guidance, and programming.
Iara Silva also played a significant role in the technical implementation and final adjustments in the game's Javascript. This experience not only allowed me to work with immensely talented professionals but also broadened my understanding of the intricate art of game localization. The project highlighted the necessity of effective communication and harmony among team members, especially in a multilingual context.
I am incredibly pleased with the recognition and visibility our project has gained. A particularly rewarding milestone for our team was being featured on the Drops de Jogos website. This special mention is a testament to the hard work and dedication we poured into our work. To learn more about this recognition and to gain insights into our project, check out the article on Drops de Jogos at https://dropsdejogos.uai.com.br/noticias/cultura/horacio-corral-ich-io/.
To see the fruits of our labor and enjoy a bit of fun, check out the Brazilian Portuguese version of ‘Avventura nel Castello’, translated by ‘Os Alquimistas da Localização’, available here: https://alquimistasbr.itch.io/aventura-no-castelo-ptbr.
If you’d like to learn more about my experience in LocJAM or discuss a game localization project, please feel free to get in touch with me.
