Localisation Quality Assurance Tester

Most popular video games stretch further than one specific country or language and big game studios will have global launches, allowing people from all over the world to play.

While Quality Assurance (QA) focuses on ensuring a game’s functionality is error-free, Localisation QA Testers will check the different language versions of a game to identify and help fix any language-specific issues a game might have. This includes reporting on simple mistranslations and spelling or grammar mistakes, to more complex concerns such as cultural references that wouldn’t work in their native country, or symbols and phrases which might be commonplace in one country but are considered offensive or even illegal in others.

Having excellent written language skills in your native language and at least intermediate skills in English is essential in taking on this role. The quality of a game’s localisation can have a huge effect on how well it sells in different countries, so having a keen eye for detail and the ability to work well with colleagues from around the world is also crucial.

QA

You’ll love this role if you’re into:

Being Organised
Writing
Reading

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YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY

Many Localisation Quality Assurance Testers have a degree, which provides professional development and a recognised qualification to employers. However, there are many available pathways and all people working in games claim a unique career journey. Above all, you will need to demonstrate passion and skills in your chosen field. For this job role, you should be someone who loves technology, linguistics and has a meticulous eye for detail.

As a professional, you’ll be ensuring the game is translated and functional to the area it is being published and marketed to. You'll be responsible for tracking and fixing bugs, spelling and grammar errors and cultural references that don't translate. You’ll have experience working with and maintaining various Database Management software applications like JIRA, Devtrack and Bugzilla.

Working in the games industry is highly competitive and you’ll need to make sure your CV stands out to employers and course leaders.

As a Localisation Quality Assurance Tester, demonstrating a passion for games and a fundamental understanding for gameplay will be important. Your CV should include previous roles and responsibilities, expanding on relevant and transferable skills. For more ideas, see our top tips page on building your portfolio.

Whatever role you are working in, it is essential that you understand the game making process. You can head to our build a game section for first steps; join a regular game jam to build up your skills and network; or start modding others games to gain experience.