Some things to consider when looking for video game translators

I wrote some posts about video game localization, but never talked about how to find localizers themselves. The industry is actually under a thick layer of NDAs that almost everyone is afraid to break by accident, so information just doesn't go around that easily. Considering that localization is also a part of video game development1, this might be surprising, but most of the field is outsourced. Since the devs and publishers are usually running around with their hands already full, it's understandable them not wanting to learn and manage a whole new thing. Anyway, let me get to the point before I start a tangent: here are some things to consider when looking for video game translators. Translators are freelancersUnless you're working directly with translators, the translation will be handled by an agency or an LSP (a "Language Service Provider"). These companies usually have only a small number of employees, most of them being project managers managing multiple projects at the same…