Video Game Localization: Essential Terminology

Toolbox

Whether you are a video game localizer, a developer preparing to take your game worldwide or just a curious human being, this lexicon is for you. It gathers the essential terminology to understand when working in video game localization. We've grouped the essential terms to know in several categories. And for more clarity, we’ve grouped the key concepts of video game localization into four categories: Strategy, Technical, Production, and Linguistic. This classification helps illustrate how different aspects of localization interact, highlighting the areas of focus that professionals consider at every stage of bringing a game to a global audience.

General Localization

Consider this section a starting kit to get comfortable with the essential terms you will encounter in localization. These key concepts offer a first glimpse into how localized content is prepared, managed, and delivered throughout a game’s development.

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L10n

Localization

Adapting content for a market

Adapting a game’s content for a specific language and market, including cultural and regulatory adjustments.

I18n

Internationalization

Technical localization readiness

Technical preparation enabling efficient localization, such as externalized strings, Unicode support, and flexible UI layouts.

G11n

Globalization

Worldwide release strategy

End-to-end strategy covering internationalization, localization, culturalization, and global deployment.

Sim-Ship

Simultaneous Shipment

Localization during development

Practice of localizing content during game development phase with several batches workflow.

Post-Gold

Post-Gold Localization

Localization after initial release

The localization process continues after the game is released, allowing translators to incorporate player feedback and introduce greater flexibility into the process.

Locale

Regional Settings

Language + local rules

Combines language and regional conventions, such as date formats, number formatting, currency, and cultural norms.

Source Language

Original content language

The language in which the game content is originally written before localization.

Target Language

Localized output language

The language into which the game content is translated and localized.

Build

Live Build

Available to players

Version of the game that is currently available and accessible to translators.

Master

Master Build

Final approved version

Final build validated internally and approved for submission or release.

Branch

Development Branch

Parallel versioning

Development version separated from the main build, often used for testing or localization.

Lock

Content Lock

Text freeze milestone

Point at which text content should no longer change, allowing localization to finalize safely.

Proofreading

Final Text Check

Checks grammar & consistency

Review of the translated text to correct spelling, punctuation, typographical errors typically done outside the game environment.

TEP

Translation Editing Proofreading

Full process

Together, these three steps comprise the process by which professional translators produce high-quality translations.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Project and Business Terms

This section presents key concepts used to prepare, plan, and manage localization projects. These terms allow to provide a clear understanding of how projects are scoped, tracked, and delivered, helping teams coordinate work, set expectations, and maintain consistency throughout development and post-launch updates.

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Loc Kit

Localization Kit

Package of assets & guidelines

A collection of assets, style guides, and instructions provided to translators and localizers.

Scope

Project Scope

Coverage of the project

Defines which content, languages, and features are included in the localization project.

Milestone

Project Milestone

Key deadlines

Important deadlines or checkpoints in the localization workflow.

Word Count

Total Volume

Total word count

The total number of words in the content to be localized.

Weighted WC

Weighted Word Count

Adjusted for repetition

Word count adjusted based on repetition or fuzzy matches in translation memory.

Fuzzy

Fuzzy Match

Partial TM match

Content segments that partially match existing translation memory entries.

New

New Words

No TM match

Content that does not exist in translation memory and needs full translation.

TAT

Turnaround Time

Delivery constraint

Time allocated for completing the localization task or project segment.

Live Ops

Live Operations

Ongoing updates

Continuous updates or content releases after the initial launch.

Day-One

Day-One Patch

Launch update

Updates or fixes released on the first day of the game or product launch.

Change Request

Post-scope change

Adjustments or additions requested after the project scope has been defined.

Style

Style Guide

Language rules

Linguistic rules and tone guidelines that ensure consistency across localized content.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Text and Linguistic Concepts

Video game localization involves dealing with a unique type of content and a set of specific rules. It is essential to understand how text is structured within a game before translating it. This ensures that all in-game content functions correctly, adapts to different languages, respects grammatical rules, and maintains consistency throughout the game, supporting both development and the player experience.

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String

Text Unit

Extracted for localization

A discrete piece of text extracted from the game for translation and localization.

ID / Key

String Identifier

Links text to logic

A unique identifier that connects a string to the game’s code or logic.

Table

String Table

Centralized text storage

A file or database storing strings and their translations across languages.

{ }

Placeholder

Dynamic content marker

A marker in a string indicating where dynamic content will appear, such as a player name or number.

Var

Variable

Context-driven text

A text element that changes depending on grammar or context, such as gender, number, or plurality.

Nested

Nested Variable

Variable within variable

A variable embedded inside another variable, increasing complexity for translators and implementation.

Context

Context Screenshot

Visual reference

A screenshot showing where and how a string appears in-game, helping translators understand usage and tone.

Limit

Character Limit

Maximum allowed length

The maximum number of characters a string can contain due to UI or technical constraints.

Hard / Soft

Length Limits

Strict vs recommended

A hard limit cannot be exceeded, while a soft limit is a recommendation that may be flexible.

Terms

Terminology Consistency

Approved usage

Ensuring approved terms are used consistently throughout the localized content.

No-Go

Forbidden Terms

Prohibited vocabulary

Words or expressions that must not be used in the localized version due to legal, cultural, or brand constraints.

Expansion

Text Expansion

Length variation

The increase or decrease in text length that occurs when translating between languages.

Plural

Pluralization Rules

Writing conventions

Rules defining how plural forms are handled in a specific language.

Gender

Gender Rules

Writing conventions

Rules defining how gender forms are handled in a specific language.

Caps

Capitalization Rules

Writing conventions

Language-specific conventions governing when and how capitalization should be used.

Tone

Formality Level

The degree of formality or politeness required, such as tu/vous distinctions in French.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Tools and Technology

It is a complex process that requires not only linguistic expertise but also proficiency with a wide range of specialized tools and technologies. Professionals in this field routinely use these tools, and their mastery is essential. This section provides an overview of the key tools and technologies that support the localization process.

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CAT

CAT Tool

Computer Assisted Translation software

Software that assists linguists in translating and managing text efficiently.

TMS

Translation Management System

Workflow platform

Platform for organizing, tracking, and streamlining the localization workflow.

Translation Memory

Past translations database

Database storing previously translated segments to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Term Base

Approved terminology

Database of approved terms and phrases to maintain consistency across localized content.

Machine Translation

Automated translation

Computer-generated translation used as a first draft or to accelerate localization.

Post-Editing

Refine MT output

Human review and correction of machine-translated text to ensure accuracy and fluency.

Pseudo

Pseudo-Localization

UI testing language

Using fake or exaggerated translations to test layout, character limits, and UI behavior.

Cont

Continuous Localization

Ongoing updates

Integration of translation and localization updates throughout the development process.

Build

Build Integration

Inject assets

Process of adding localized text and assets into game builds for testing or release.

Version Control

Track changes

Using systems like Git or Perforce to track content changes and manage multiple versions.

API

API Integration

Automated data exchange

Connecting tools and platforms for automated transfer of text, assets, or updates.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Cultural and Market Adaptation

Successful video game localization goes beyond language translation and requires careful adaptation to the cultural and market context of each target region. A deep understanding of cultural norms, regulatory requirements, humor, symbolism, and market-specific terminology is necessary to make sure the game resonates with local audiences as well as in its original form.

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Culture

Culturalization

Cultural adaptation

Adapting game content to align with the cultural values, beliefs, and expectations of a target market.

Review

Sensitive Content Review

Risk identification

Identifying content that may be culturally, politically, or socially sensitive in specific regions.

Censor

Censorship

Mandatory changes

Modification or removal of content to meet local regulations or platform requirements.

Legal

Legal Compliance

Law adherence

Ensuring the game complies with local laws, regulations, and distribution rules.

Rate

Rating Board

Age classification

Regional authorities responsible for age ratings and content classification.

Creation

Transcreation

Creative adaptation

Creative reworking of content to preserve intent, tone, and emotional impact beyond localization.

Conversion

Transliteration

Script Conversion

Converting characters from one writing system into another to make the text readable and pronounceable in the target language.

Terms

Market-Specific Terminology

Regional usage

Use of terms and expressions that are accepted and familiar within a specific market.

Symbol

Symbol Adaptation

Visual changes

Replacing or modifying symbols that may be offensive or inappropriate in certain cultures.

Humor

Humor Localization

Jokes & wordplay

Adapting humor, idioms, and wordplay so they make sense and resonate culturally.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Narrative and Content Types

Video games feature a diverse range of textual and voice content, each serving a specific role in storytelling, gameplay, or player interaction. This section highlights the main narrative and content types that localization teams work with.

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Lore

World background

Narrative and visual elements describing the game world’s history, mythology, and background.

Branch

Branching Dialogue

Player choices

Dialogue structures offering multiple choices that influence narrative outcomes.

Font

Text design

The visual design of text characters used throughout the game.

Glyph

Character symbols

Individual visual symbols representing characters within a font.

Dialog

Dialogue

Character speech

Spoken or written conversations between characters, often central to storytelling.

Game txt

Game text

In-game written content

All written content displayed in the game that players interact with, like UI elements or instructions.

Barks

Short voice lines

Short lines spoken by characters, typically triggered during gameplay events.

React

Reacts

Event responses

Brief voice lines reacting to specific player actions or in-game events.

Ambient

Ambient Dialogue

Background chatter

Non-interactive NPC dialogue that adds atmosphere to the game world.

Flavor

Flavor Text

Atmospheric content

Non-essential text that enhances tone, world-building, or immersion.

Codex

Codex / Journal

In-game records

In-game encyclopedias, journals, or logs storing narrative or gameplay information.

Quest

Quest Text

Mission content

Text describing objectives, instructions, and mission progression.

Cine

Cinematic Text

Cutscene text

Subtitles or on-screen text displayed during cutscenes.

Tutor

Tutorial Text

Gameplay guidance

Instructional text introducing mechanics or guiding player actions.

System

System Prompts

UI instructions

Informational or instructional messages generated by the game system.

Menu / Interface Text

UI content

Text appearing in menus, interfaces, shops, and other on-screen UI elements.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Voice-Over and Dubbing Localization

Voice localization is a crucial aspect of video game adaptation. It encompasses adapting scripts for performance, recording voice-overs and dubbing characters, and providing subtitles or closed captions. Proper voice localization is essential for maintaining an immersive player experience and involves its own specialized terminology.

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Sync

Lip-Sync

Mouth matching

Adjusting dialogue timing and phrasing to match character mouth animations.

MoCap

Motion Capture

Performance capture

Recording actors’ physical performances to align dialogue with gestures and timing.

Cue

Cue Sheet

Line metadata

Document listing all audio lines with identifiers, timing, and recording instructions.

Line ID

Unique reference

Unique identifier assigned to each recorded line for tracking and implementation.

AsRec

As-Recorded

Original reference

Final text changes recorded during the studio sessions.

Script

Recording Script

Studio version

Final approved script used during voice recording sessions.

Pickup

Pickups

Re-recorded lines

Additional or corrected recordings made after the initial session.

Alt

Alt Takes

Multiple versions

Different recorded versions of the same line offering performance variations.

Voice-Over

Narrated speech

Spoken narration or commentary, typically delivered by a narrator and not necessarily tied to a specific character.

Dub

Dubbing

Localized voices

Recording localized character dialogue to replace original voices in cutscenes or gameplay.

Sub

Subtitling

Translated dialogue

On-screen translation of spoken dialogue or voice-over content.

Closed Captions

Accessible subtitles

Subtitles that include dialogue as well as descriptions of sounds and audio cues.

Adapt

Script Adaptation

Spoken rewrite

Rewriting localized text to sound natural and performable when spoken aloud.

Effort

Efforts / Exertions

Non-verbal sounds

Non-verbal vocal sounds such as grunts, breaths, or exertion noises.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

QA and Testing

Quality Assurance (QA) focuses on identifying and documenting issues that may affect a game’s quality before release. QA testers review game content across different languages and use their own wording to communicate.

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LQA

Linguistic QA

Review of linguistic quality

Ensuring translations remain accurate and consistent across languages while functioning correctly within the game’s mechanics and UI.

Functional

Functional QA

Testing technical correctness

It ensures every game feature and mechanic works correctly and as intended.

Audio

Audio LQA

VO quality review

Verifying recorded voices match script, tone, and pronunciation in the target language.

Severity

Severity Level

Bug priority

Defines the priority or impact level of a QA issue or bug.

Regression

Reappearing bug

Bug that reappears after being previously fixed.

Hotfix

Urgent fix

Small update addressing urgent issues post-release.

Trunc / Wrap

Text Truncation & Wrapping

UI constraints

Text cut off or improperly split across lines or UI elements.

Legibility

Font/size issue

Text is hard to read due to font, size, or formatting issues.

Overflow

Overflow / Overlap

Visual/UI problem

Text or UI elements exceed their space or overlap, causing readability issues.

Font

Font Support Issue

Missing glyphs

Fonts lack necessary characters or glyphs for proper display.

Hardcode

Non-Resourced / Hardcode

Text embedded in code

Text not extracted for localization and directly embedded in code.

Broken

Broken Functionality

Game error

Text or translation causing functional errors within the game.

Cut-off

Audio Cut-Off

VO issues

Issues with localized voice lines ending early, mismatched timing, or incorrect delivery.

Terms

Terminology Error

Incorrect terms used

Ensuring approved terms are used consistently across all localized content.

Tone

Tone Mismatch

Style or mood issue

Text does not match the intended style, tone, or mood of the original content.

Grammar

Grammar Error

Syntax or morphology issue

Errors in sentence structure, syntax, or morphology within translations.

Spelling

Spelling Variant Error

Regional spelling issue

Incorrect regional spelling or orthography in localized text.

Context

Context Error

Wrong situation

Translation is correct but applied in the wrong context or scenario.

Over / Under

Over/Under Localization

Meaning altered

Over-localization changes the original meaning; under-localization is too literal.

Readability

Readability Issue

Difficult to read

Text is hard to read or understand due to phrasing or formatting.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

Platform and Game-Specific Terms

Games must meet different requirements depending on the platform they are released on. This section covers terms related to technical constraints and compliance with platform guidelines.

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1P Req

First-Party Requirements

Platform holder rules

Mandatory rules and guidelines imposed by platform holders such as Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo.

Live Svc

Live Service Game

Long-term content strategy

A game designed to receive continuous updates, events, and content over an extended period.

Season

Season Pass

Future content bundle

A purchase granting access to a set of upcoming downloadable content releases.

Checks

TCR / TRC / Lotcheck

Certification rule sets

Set of quality certifications required by Microsoft (TCR), Sony (TRC) or Nintendo (Lotcheck) to publish video games on its platforms.

Cert

Certification

Compliance approval

The formal approval process required before a game or update can be released on a platform.

Cross

Cross-Platform

Multi-platform play

Functionality that allows players to play together across different hardware platforms.

Build

Submission Build

Cert-ready version

A specific game build submitted to platform holders for certification review.

Patch

Patch Notes

Update documentation

Documentation describing fixes, changes, and new features included in an update.

DLC

Downloadable Content

Additional content

Extra content released after launch, such as missions, characters, or cosmetic items.

Early Access

Pre-release availability

A release model allowing players to access and test a game before its official launch.

Strategy Technical Production Linguistic

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We hope this lexicon helps you navigate game localization with confidence and precision.
Is there another word you would add? Share it with us and help us expand the list.

publication date

Published on

5/2/2026

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