When approaching a localization project, companies can do a lot to make the process go smoothly for the localization firm – thus saving time and money.

In a recent interview with two video game localizers, GameSetWatch.com provides interesting insight into the complexities of adapting Japanese video games to Western audiences.

Much of what localization specialists John Ricciardi and Hiroko Minamoto have to say about their field of expertise can also be applied to the localization process in general For example, Here is a short extract of what they would like to tell firms they work with about proper preparation:

“There would be general content stuff, which is more like the game consulting side: ‘Here, we’ve been reviewing games, and we’ve been involved in games for years, and this kind of stuff is good; this kind of stuff is not. This kind of interface is very clunky.’ You know, those kinds of things.

From a technical side, as far as localization goes, there are also a lot of ways, at least from our perspective — which I guess the end user doesn’t really see — in which the localization could flow more smoothly.

For example, there could be preparing more resources ahead of time, organizing files in a more efficient manner; things that will allow us to more clearly see and understand the vision for the game from the get go, which in turn leads to a better localization.”