Enhancing Video Game Localization Through Dubbing

Reviews / Votes

"In a robust and illuminating contribution to the literature of audiovisual translation and video game localization, Laura Mejías-Climent takes the reader on a journey to the world of localization that allows video games to be exported to other markets and to expand across the world. By unravelling the secrets and history of this popular professional practice in an engaging and elegant prose, the author adopts an innovative semiotic and interdisciplinary approach -based on game situations and the interactive experience- to analyze the role of dubbing and the new synchronization types used in this market." -- Frederic Chaume Varela , Universitat Jaume I, Spain

"Laura Mejías-Climent's Enhancing Video Game Localization Through Dubbing makes a fresh and valuable contribution to the existing research in game localization, as it focuses on the dubbing process and the specific synchronies applied to video games, which have received little scholarly attention to date. Mejías-Climent traces the origins of dubbing in the video game industry and describes its evolution to date. She also analyzes the game localization process, from a semiotic and multimodal perspective, providing us with the insights of the different agents involved in the dubbing process, skillfully combining theory with practice. The book presents four case studies of dubbing practices applied to AAA games, which illustrate in detail the current approaches used for dubbing in game localization, depending on the different game situations and their level of interactivity. Undoubtedly this book represents a must-read for anyone interested in video games and their localization, as well as readers interested in audiovisual translation and localization, be it academics, professionals, trainers, students or the general public." -- Carme Mangiron Hevia , Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

"Dr. Mejías-Climent has excellently combined dubbing synchronies and video game localization in her monograph, two fundamental and growing areas of research within traditional Translation Studies. The methodology and case studies selected throw a bright light onto current professional practices, and how the localization of multimedia interactive entertainment software can benefit from the existing cinema dubbing industry, as well as vice versa with the growth of interactive multimedia products. The present research thoroughly addresses one of the topics missing from previous game localization scholarship, and nuances the types of synchronies found in video games. The scope of this book is very ambitious but is built on solid foundations, integrating dubbing and localization research from the earliest publications to the latest ones. This monograph is an essential addition to the slowly-growing scholarship on game localization. Without a doubt, a must-have book in all libraries and catalogues specialized in translation. It is a pleasure for me to see this great original investigation published for the benefit of video game dubbing researchers and professionals around the world." -- Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino , University of Roehampton, UK