The gaming industry’s incredible success story has given rise to a plethora of game localization companies, each vying to cater to the ever-growing demand for top-notch localization services.
With new providers popping up seemingly every day, and existing ones branching into the gaming sphere, navigating the sea of options can feel like a daunting task.
But, don’t worry. We’ve curated a comprehensive list of trusted game localization companies, highlighting their key strengths and potential considerations.
This quick guide aims to simplify your search, saving you the time and effort of extensively researching each and every provider.
The top 10 game localization companies
1. Allcorrect Games
Allcorrect is a mid-sized localization company that has carved out a niche in the gaming industry since its inception in 2008. Headquartered in the vibrant city of Dublin, Ireland, with additional offices in Canada, Serbia, and Hong Kong, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the needs of game developers worldwide.
Main services:
- Translation services in over 40 languages.
- Linguistic quality control in 22 languages.
- Comprehensive artwork services.
- Narrative design that crafts immersive and compelling storylines for your game.
- Dubbing and voice-over services.
With a proven track record spanning both triple-A and indie games, Allcorrect Games has established itself as a multi-platform localization expert, with notable projects such as the action-packed Doomblade, Mahokenshi, Lunacy: Saint Roads, Omniheroes, and the iconic Streetfighter Duel.
Core strengths:
- An expansive portfolio of game localization projects and deep game industry knowledge.
- Extensive artwork services, providing added value beyond localization and ensuring a cohesive visual experience.
- The ability to handle projects of varying scopes, from indies to AAA blockbusters.
Potential considerations:
- A relatively limited language pool compared to some competitors, coupled with a smaller translator pool, could limit Allcorrect’s ability to adjust to new projects quickly and scale them accordingly.
- With predominantly European office locations, the company may face challenges for projects requiring expertise in other regions.
2. QLOC
QLOC is a Polish localization company that has specialized in the gaming industry since its inception. Based in Poland, with an additional office in Kyiv, QLOC has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small QA and localization company in 2009. Today, they boast a respectable network of 850 freelancers and full-time employees, offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to the needs of game developers worldwide.
Main services:
- Localization services in 35 languages, including subtitling, dubbing, and localization engineering.
- Quality assurance services, including functionality, compatibility, and compliance assurance.
- Artwork services that bring your creative vision to life with stunning visuals.
- Game development services, including porting, co-development, and optimization services.
With an impressive portfolio of notable projects, including triple-A titles like the blockbuster Hogwarts Legacy, Prince of Persia: The Last Crown, Cyberpunk 2077, and many more, QLOC has proven its mettle in the gaming localization arena.
Core strengths:
- One of the few game localization companies that places a premium on security, safeguarding your intellectual property throughout the development process.
- Extensive game development services, from ideation to release, offering a truly comprehensive solution for gaming companies.
- An established track record with large-scale projects.
Potential considerations:
- While their size is respectable, they may have difficulty handling highly flexible workflows requiring quick readjustments.
- Although their language pool is sufficient for most projects, it may not be extensive enough for some niche cases.
3. Transphere
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our own localization services—Transphere. With a rich history spanning over two decades, we’ve been a trusted name in the industry since 1996 and expanded our expertise into video game localization and translation in 2004.
Our journey even took us through a brief period where we developed our own video games, providing us with invaluable first-hand experience in the game development process. Headquartered in Nanjing, we have 11 additional offices strategically located across all major continents, ensuring a truly global reach.
Main services:
- Comprehensive localization services in over 80 languages, including translation, interpretation, language quality assurance (LQA), subtitling, and dubbing, ensuring your game can connect with audiences worldwide.
- Video production and editing services.
- Scriptwriting for gaming narratives (quest lines, character backstories, game lore, items, etc.).
- Artwork and design services.
- Market research to help you navigate the ever-evolving gaming landscape.
With a team of 1,000 in-house staffers and a worldwide network of 2,000 linguists and experts, Transphere can scale projects flexibly, making us the perfect partner for even the most ambitious triple-A games. Some of our notable localization projects include the iconic World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Age of Wulin, Disco Elysium, Minecraft, and Rush Arena.
Core strengths:
- A large, diverse workforce 3,000 strong, enabling flexible and scalable solutions to address even the most urgent projects.
- Our unmatched expertise and resource pool in Asian languages make us a valuable ally for companies seeking to expand into the Southeast Asian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean markets.
- Alongside QLOC, Transphere puts a premium on data security and privacy, safeguarding your intellectual property.
Potential considerations:
- While our expertise lies in AAA games, we have limited experience working on indie game projects.
- Our focus is primarily on localization services, so we may lack comprehensive game development services beyond our core offerings.
4. Level Up Translation
Level Up Translation is a small French game localization company founded in the town of Saint-Germain-de-Varreville, France, in 2011. Despite its modest size, this nimble provider has made its mark in the industry, working on a diverse range of projects, from indies to AAA blockbusters.
Main services:
- Localization services in 20 languages, including translation, transcription, and subtitling.
- Print-ready translation services for board games, bringing the joy of tabletop gaming to players across the globe.
Some of their notable localization projects include the charming Ghost of a Tale, The First Tree, and the gripping The Painscreek Killings.
Core strengths:
- While their small size may bring some challenges, it comes hand-in-hand with more intimate project management, agility, and a faster onboarding process, allowing for a tailored approach to each project.
- Their structure makes them an ideal partner for indie game projects, where their personalized attention and flexibility can truly shine.
Potential considerations:
- With roughly half of their linguistic portfolio focused on European languages, Level Up Translation may face limitations in handling niche languages or games with extensive linguistic targets.
- While ideal for indie or mid-sized games, Level Up Translation may struggle with extensive projects with many moving parts and tight deadlines.
5. Testronic
Testronic, a British game localization company founded in 1998, has established itself as a formidable player in the industry. With its headquarters in the iconic city of London and a global presence spanning offices in the United States, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Serbia, Testronic boasts an impressive workforce of 1,700 employees and freelancers.
Main services:
- Localization services, including language quality assurance.
- Player support services, providing a seamless and engaging experience for your players.
- Thorough quality assurance services, including compatibility, functionality, and compliance quality assurance.
While the company does not publicly disclose its language offerings, Testronic’s impressive client roster, which includes industry giants like Riot Games, Funcom, and Deep Silver, speaks volumes about their ability to handle projects of varying scopes, from indie darlings to AAA blockbusters.
Core strengths:
- Comprehensive services that go beyond localization, offering a one-stop solution for all your game development needs.
- Extensive experience working with major game developers, demonstrating their ability to handle complex projects.
- Expertise in media localization through their subsidiary, Giant Worldwide, allowing them to handle trailers and other audiovisual projects.
Potential considerations:
- While their localization offering is robust, it may be more limited than other entries on this list, which could be a factor for gaming companies interested primarily in localization services.
- With a lack of offices in Asia, Testronic may face challenges for projects requiring expertise in Asian languages.
6. Inlingo
Inlingo is a British localization company specializing in the gaming industry, particularly in the dynamic mobile games sector. Headquartered in the iconic city of London, with additional offices in Serbia and the UAE, Inlingo has evolved as a dedicated localization provider since its inception in 2012.
Main services:
- Comprehensive localization services, including translation, UI, packaging, and in-game localization.
- Artwork and design services.
- Voice-over and dubbing services.
With a versatile workforce of a few hundred employees and a talent pool of 1,300 freelancers, Inlingo boasts a scalable team capable of tackling projects of varying sizes. Some of their flagship projects include the engaging Adventure Capitalist, Solitaire Cruise, Bermuda Adventures, Seekers Note, and Crush Crush.
Core strengths:
- Extensive experience in mobile game localization, with over 2,500 projects under their belt, demonstrating their expertise in this rapidly growing sector.
- A willingness to work with and support tiny studios and first-time game developers, fostering creativity and innovation in the industry.
Potential considerations:
- While capable of handling triple-A games, their expertise lies primarily in the mobile gaming sector, which may be a consideration for developers working on other platforms.
- A lack of physical presence in Asia and the Americas may pose challenges for projects targeting those regions, potentially indicating a shortage of local cultural experts.
7. GameScribes
GameScribes, previously known as GTL Media, is a small American game localization company based in the vibrant state of California, USA. Founded in 2009, this provider has steadily expanded its reach, establishing additional offices in Spain and Hong Kong, covering three major continents.
Despite its modest size of fewer than 50 full-time employees, GameScribes can leverage the resources of its sister company, GOGTL, for added support when needed, ensuring a scalable and flexible approach to every project.
Main services:
- Comprehensive localization services in 53 languages, including translation, voice-overs, and quality assurance.
- Content creation services, including transcreation and game narrative services.
While GameScribes has cultivated a strong presence in the vibrant indie gaming scene, they have also had the opportunity to collaborate with notable industry giants. Some of their prized partnerships include the beloved Club Penguin, ABC Mouse, The SandBox, Rocket League, and the iconic Batman Arkham Collection.
Core strengths:
- An extensive language offering, ensuring your game can truly go global.
- Multiple nominations for their mobile gaming localization expertise, showcasing their prowess in this rapidly growing sector.
Potential considerations:
- While their localization services are robust, GameScribes does not offer game development services, which may be a consideration for some projects.
- The limited size of the company may make larger projects challenging, potentially requiring additional resources or partners.
8. Andovar
Andover, a localization company dedicated to video game localization since its founding in 2007, has carved out a unique niche for itself in this specialized field. With its headquarters based in Singapore and a global footprint spanning offices in Thailand, Colombia, Hungary, India, and the USA, Andover boasts a diverse and culturally rich workforce that brings a wealth of perspectives to every project.
Main services:
- Comprehensive localization services in a staggering 80 languages, including subtitling, dubbing, translation, and linguistic testing.
- Unlike other game localization companies, Andovar provides extensive familiarization services that immerse their linguists in the game’s world, allowing them to capture the essence of your creation.
While capable of handling various game projects, Andover’s expertise truly shines in the mobile gaming and indie game spheres, with notable localization projects such as the globally acclaimed PUBG, Cat Quest, The House of Da Vinci, and MapleStory under their belt.
Core strengths:
- Andover places a strong emphasis on the familiarization process, ensuring that every translator who touches your game project is thoroughly engaged with its content before they start working on it. This attention to detail is invaluable for games with unique lore or those that heavily lean on humor and gaming culture.
- With a large language pool and a widespread presence, Andover is well-equipped to satisfy the diverse needs of most localization projects.
Potential considerations:
- While the familiarization process is undoubtedly valuable for some projects, most localization companies provide it as a standard service. As such, whether paying a premium for additional familiarization is worthwhile will depend on the specific requirements of your project.
- Andover’s focus is primarily on localization services, so they may lack game development services or comprehensive services in other areas beyond localization.
9. Tarjama
Tarjama, founded in 2008, stands out as a unique localization company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Despite its relatively small size, with a network of 300 linguistic specialists worldwide, Tarjama has carved a niche in a market often overlooked by its competitors.
While Tarjama does not specialize exclusively in gaming, its inclusion in this list is justified by its unparalleled expertise in a core gaming market—the MENA region. Tarjama boasts the capability to handle an impressive 20 Arabic dialects, ensuring that your localization efforts in this crucial market are flawless and culturally authentic.
Main services:
- Comprehensive localization services in 55 languages, including 20 unique Arabic dialects. Said services include translation, subtitling, and transcription.
- Content creation services.
- Advisory services.
Core strength:
- Unmatched expertise in Arabic dialects, catering to the MENA market, making Tarjama an ideal partner for any game with major appeal in this region.
Potential consideration:
- While their linguistic expertise is undeniable, Tarjama lacks the same breadth of experience as some other entries on this list.
- Tarjama does not offer game development services.
10. Terra Translations
Terra Translations stands out as an American localization company that fully embraces the concept of digital offices. While their headquarters is based in Wisconsin, their workforce is strategically dispersed across the globe, complemented by a network of 1,000 experts, ensuring a truly global reach.
Main services:
- Comprehensive localization services in 30 languages, including in-game localization, testing, and quality control.
- Marketing services that help you effectively promote your game to the right audiences.
- Content creation services.
Core strengths:
- Unique expertise in Spanish dialects, making Terra an invaluable asset for games targeting the Spanish or LATAM markets.
- A digital-first approach, offering flexibility and agility to companies seeking a more adaptable localization partner.
- A strong emphasis on team cohesion, boasting an impressive 95% employee retention rate, ensuring consistency and quality throughout your project.
- A commitment to diversity, operating as a Women-owned (WBE) and minority-owned (MBE) company, bringing a wealth of perspectives to every project.
Potential considerations:
- While their localization services are robust, Terra does not specialize exclusively in the gaming industry, which may suggest a lack of expertise for particularly complex gaming projects.
- A limited language pool of 30 languages could limit the scope of some localization projects with more extensive linguistic requirements.
- As their focus is primarily on localization services, Terra does not offer game development services.
Which game localization company is best for you?
Well, that will depend entirely on your project and its requirements. For companies seeking localization services alongside game development support or additional artwork, QLOC or Testronic would be excellent choices, offering comprehensive end-to-end solutions.
For indie games, mobile titles, or mid-sized projects, Level Up Translation, GameScribes, or Inlingo could be great partners, leveraging their agility and expertise in these specific domains.
If extensive industry experience is the primary factor, companies like Allcorrect and Andover, with their impressive portfolios spanning AAA and indie titles alike, would be strong contenders.
For those seeking unparalleled expertise in specific regions or languages, companies like Tarjama (Arabic dialects and the MENA market), Terra (Spanish dialects and the LATAM market), and Transphere (Asian languages) could be invaluable partners, ensuring your localization efforts are culturally authentic and resonate with your target audiences.
For complex projects with variable outputs, Transphere, Testronic, and Allcorrect are great options due to their ability to scale and leverage vast pools of talent quickly.
Ultimately, the localization company you choose should align with your project’s scope, linguistic requirements, and specific needs. Whether you prioritize flexibility, scalability, regional expertise, or a comprehensive suite of services, this guide has hopefully provided you with the insights necessary to make an informed decision and bring your game to audiences around the world.
*It’s crucial to recognize that although this overview spotlights 10 distinguished game localization companies, several others have achieved similar standards of professionalism and quality. In some aspects, these might even outperform the ones we’ve highlighted. Due to time constraints, an exhaustive list is impossible to complete.
We aim to provide a solid starting point and encourage the reader to do their research. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the vast talent pool and expertise available in the field of game localization.
