Louder than words: videogame localisation as narrative (re)telling

Gao, Qipeng 2023. Louder than words: videogame localisation as narrative (re)telling. Cultus journal 15 , pp. 99-120.

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Abstract

In recent years, the videogame industry has become increasingly lucrative, overtaking many traditional entertainment market sectors such as film and music in value (BBC 2019), and has continued to grow thanks to an ever-expanding international gaming community. The need of many videogame companies to attract more international players has subsequently stimulated the development of videogame localisation (Lires 2019). Although the increasing availability of localised games has attracted more global audiences, there have been growing concerns about the quality of videogame localisation (Chandler 2012). Many researchers have identified the preservation of players’ gameplay experience as an important criterion for videogame localisation quality (O’Hagan 2007; Bernal�Merino 2018; Mangiron & O’Hagan 2006; Mangiron 2018); however, what gameplay experience actually entails remains unsolved (Mangiron 2018). Despite the once-heated debate between ludology and narratology (Murray 2005; Clearwater 2011; Mateas & Stern 2005; Aarseth 2004; Jenkins 2004), narrative has gradually emerged as a vital element of successful game design. This article argues that because narrative can be perceived in most games, it should be given greater consideration in videogame localisation. Drawing on case studies and a series of interviews carried out with different stakeholders related to the videogame industry (including videogame players, videogame developers, narrative designers, and videogame localisers), this article explores the unique relationship between narrative and videogames, and the influence such a relationship has on localisation approaches. Through insights derived from videogame industry professionals, this article ultimately provides a distinct approach to narrative in translation that highlights the translator’s role in creating and (re)narrating texts in cyber-storytelling.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Schools:	Modern Languages
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PB Modern European Languages
ISSN:	2035-2948
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 February 2023
Date of Acceptance:	10 January 2023
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 17:53
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/156533

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