Webinar Recap: Level Up – The Power of Localization in the Gaming World

From behind-the-scenes workflows to the player’s emotional journey, our panel shed light on how language adaptation impacts every stage of game development and delivery — and why localization is a powerful tool, not just a final step.  

Meet the Panel 

The session brought together a unique blend of voices from the language services industry, the gaming world, and the player community: 

• Ana Meštrović, Business Development Manager at Ciklopea, provided a look under the hood of large-scale localization projects, highlighting the tools, workflows, and quality assurance processes used by LSPs to ensure seamless global releases

• Maja Pavlinušić, Growth Marketing Expert at Today’s Games Studio, joined us to share insights from the client side. She gave us a real-world case study of Resetna, a game brought to life for multiple markets through carefully crafted localization

• Lukas Schwitzer, experienced Localization Specialist, offered his linguistic expertise, diving into the art of translating not just words but emotions, context, and culture

• Sir Baron Sand, gamer and content creator, brought energy and authenticity, sharing what localization looks like from the end-player’s perspective, the difference it makes in immersion, gameplay, and ultimately, enjoyment

Behind the Screens: How Game Localization Really Works 

Ana Meštrović kicked things off by unpacking the inner mechanics of a typical gaming localization project. Far from being just a matter of converting words from one language to another, gaming localization, especially at scale,  involves: 

• Detailed terminology plannin

• Close coordination between developers, linguists, and project manager

• Use of CAT tools, term bases, and QA system

• Ongoing cultural and functional reviews to ensure immersion and accuracy
   

“Gaming localization is unique because it has to preserve the tone, atmosphere, and playability, all while adapting to different languages and cultures. It’s like translating an interactive story that you also have to feel, not just read.” 

From Vision to Voice: How Resetna Went Global 

One of the most impactful moments came when Maja Pavlinušić shared the story of Resetna, a game that required deep localization to maintain its immersive and cinematic experience. 

“It was very important to really have this, I’d say, very, very good translation and localization because it is not something that you can just, you know, translate easily. You really need to look at it as maybe almost a movie… because it really needs to be immersive. And Ciklopea helped us achieve that for Resetna.” 

Her words highlighted how localization is intertwined with the creative identity of a game. It’s about transcreation, not translation, ensuring that the game resonates emotionally with players from different linguistic backgrounds. 

From the Player’s POV: Why Localization Matters 

Sir Baron Sand brought a much-needed player’s voice to the conversation. His stories illustrated how localization can elevate — or disrupt — a gaming experience. Whether it’s a poorly translated mission objective that confuses the player or a perfectly localized joke that lands just right, localization shapes how players perceive and connect with the game. 

“When localization is done right, you forget it’s even there, you’re just immersed in the world. But when it’s bad? It pulls you out instantly. You notice it.” 

He also emphasized how today’s players are increasingly discerning and appreciative of quality localization, and how language access often influences their purchasing decisions. 

Between the Lines: The Linguist’s Craft 

Lukas Schwitzer rounded out the conversation by speaking to the art and nuance behind great localization. For him, the magic lies in the balance between accuracy and creativity. Whether it’s adapting wordplay, maintaining consistency in UI/UX, or localizing cultural references, linguists must make micro-decisions that impact the entire gaming narrative. 

“Good localization requires a feel for the rhythm, tone, and pacing of a game. You need to understand the world the developers created, and then rebuild that world for a different audience without breaking immersion.” 

He also stressed the importance of playing the game or working with gameplay footage, to ensure context is never lost. 

Final Takeaway: Localization is Strategy 

If there’s one takeaway from this panel, it’s this: localization isn’t just a technical task, it’s a strategic advantage. 

Done right, it: 

• Extends your game’s reach to global market

• Deepens player engagement and satisfactio

• Preserves brand tone and narrative voic

• Improves sales, reviews, and retentio

In the words of our panelists, localization is storytelling at scale, and with the right partners, like Ciklopea, studios can go global without losing their soul. 

 Missed the live panel?
Catch the replay on our LinkedIn page, or contact us for more insights on how we can help you localize your next hit title.