FAQs

Everything you've always wanted to know and never dared to ask...

Why should I use MediaLoc?

Unlike many other localisation companies, the MediaLoc team is exclusively formed by translators who know and understand the industry challenges. Our extensive experience and industry background mean that we will work with you through all the stages of the process and become part of the development team, rather than an add-on. Some of us also have experience as localisation testers and know exactly what the text looks like on screen once the language assets are in, so we tend to spot things that other translators might miss. Similarly, we can advise you on common localisation problems and how to avoid them before they happen.

Our customer service is second-to-none, professional yet with a personal touch. We believe in quality and will always strive to deliver the best, so once we are involved in a project you can count on us to work to the best of our ability. We take a lot of pride in our work and, most importantly, we care about your projects and want to help them succeed. Unlike many companies out there, we do not make false claims or fake promises; we respect our clients and always treat them with honesty and integrity, because we are keen on establishing long-term and successful working relationships.

What kind of experience do you have in the videogames industry?

Our translators are all qualified professionals with decades of combined experience in the videogames industry. Some of the projects they have worked on include the Formula 1 franchise, Michael Jackson: The Experience, Kung-Fu: High Impact, Gears of War, Final Fantasy XI, Lair, The Eye of Judgment, Imagine Zoo Keeper, Metal Gear Solid Mobile and SOCOM: Confrontation. Such an extensive experience means that we are able to tackle any game genre in any platform, from a children’s game for Nintendo DS to the latest first-person shooter for PlayStation®3 and Xbox as well as mobile phone apps and social games.

What languages are available?

Whereas MediaLoc's main working languages are still French, Italian, German and Spanish, we offer other languages frequently requested in the videogames industry, such as Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish. If you are considering localising your project into a wide range of languages, please contact us at info@medialoc.net and we'll put the resources in place.

How much will it cost to localise my project?

The cost of your project will depend on a number of factors, such as the number of words, the difficulty of the text, the deadline, the required format and the language combination. MediaLoc assesses carefully every project before offering the client an estimate based on all these factors. To obtain a free quotation, please contact us at info@medialoc.net.

How long will it take to localise my project?

Generally, an average translator can handle 2,000 words a day. In addition, you should also allocate another half-day to have those 2,000 words reviewed by a second translator. This means that you can expect to have around 7,000 words localised in one week. It might not sound like a lot, but it is worth planning the localisation of your project in advance and sticking to these numbers if you wish to achieve the best quality possible. After all, translation is an art and should not be rushed. On the other hand, if you feel that you still need to speed things up, you might want to read the next question.

This project is quite urgent. Can you work with more than one translator per language at the same time to speed things up?

Yes, we can work with more than one translator per language at the same time, but it is an option you might want to consider carefully. Whilst it is possible to achieve high-quality work using more than one translator per language, you have to keep in mind that different people might say the same thing in different ways, and as such this could lead to differences in style and terminology. This can be addressed with glossaries, terminology tools, communication amongst the translators and even allocating one lead translator per language who will be in charge of reviewing everybody else’s work and unifying it. Still, we would not recommend having more than 3 translators per language working on the same project, as the more people involved, the more difficult it becomes to unify all the different translations.

Why do I need to have the text checked by a second translator?

Whilst it is not an obligation to have the text reviewed by another translator, it is highly recommended. This does not mean that we do not trust our translators, but we are all human and as such we can make mistakes every now and again. Some of these mistakes can easily be spotted by a spell checker, but it could be the case that a word typed incorrectly also exists (e.g. “licence” instead of “license”) and as such is not highlighted by the system. A good reviewer will not only look for spelling and grammar mistakes, but will also ensure that the translation reads fluently in the target language and is fit for purpose. This service is especially valuable when more than one translator is used per language, which can happen with larger projects with relatively short deadlines. In this case, the reviewer will also check for consistency across the different translations and will unify the style and terminology.

This text is quite easy, and I happen to know someone who knows a bit of German. Could I ask them to do it and save some money in the process?

Over the years, we have seen many translation tests and, surprisingly, those who say that the text is easy are generally the ones who do not pass. Translation is an art and requires very special skills, so it is completely untrue that anybody who speaks a language could be a good translator, especially if they are not a native speaker. That is why MediaLoc only uses university-educated professionals with years of experience in the industry. After all, they say that you get what you pay for, and this is also true of the translation industry. You might get someone to do it for free, or at a very low rate, but almost invariably the quality of the work will be so low that it will require retranslation, making you spend more time and money in the end. Or worse still, you won't find out about any problems with the translation until you start receiving complaints from your customers.

I had a translation done by somebody else but I am unsure about the quality. Could you check it?

Yes, MediaLoc offers proofreading and editing services and will help you check any translation even if it wasn’t done by one of our translators. These services are charged on an hourly basis, mainly because the quality of the translation itself will have a huge impact on how long it takes to check it. For a free quotation, please contact us at info@medialoc.net.

Do you offer voice recording or localisation testing services?

MediaLoc specialises in text localisation and as such does not offer voice recording or localisation testing services on our site. However, we have partners who specialise in these two areas and will be happy to refer them to you or even liaise with them if you wish us to take care of that part of the process.

Can you handle character restrictions?

Yes, our translators have all got years of experience in the industry and are used to working with character restrictions and other localisation-specific challenges. We will make sure your text does not exceed the allocated space whilst keeping the essence of the message intact. If you can, however, it is always recommended to plan in advance and leave enough room for the text in other languages, which can typically be 20-30% longer than English.

Will you keep all my material confidential?

MediaLoc knows that maintaining absolute confidentiality is of paramount importance and takes every measure to make sure your information is safe in our hands. In addition, all our translators have signed confidentiality agreements.

How far in advance do I need to contact you?

Ideally, you should try to plan the localisation of your project as early as possible and contact us at least two weeks before the project is due to start, especially if it is on the large side, to allow us to allocate all the necessary resources. However, we do understand that this is not always possible and we will always try to accommodate your work even without previous notice as long as we have availability. Giving notice is especially recommended during peak periods, such as the summer months.

How can I be sure you will deliver on time?

MediaLoc will not accept any project that cannot be realistically delivered on time. We believe in being honest with our clients and if we feel the deadline is too short we will let you know. On the other hand, we understand the time restrictions in this industry and we will endeavour to accommodate your projects to the best of our ability. In the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances cause a delay that might affect your deadline, you can rest assured that we will contact you as soon as possible.