CASE STUDIES
For those intrigued AND engaged
CASE STUDY of plus
The thin line between…
Quality over everything
When addressing our business, we diligently seek to discern the delicate demarcation between translation and localization. Our intention is to avoid merely treading the path of translation. Why, you ask? Because that path embodies a routine of mediocrity, a task easily replicated. Instead, our aspiration reaches for loftier goals, aiming to deliver elevated quality for both our esteemed customers and our cherished community. While preserving the overall essence of the original context, our utmost effort is dedicated to enhancing the entire process, ensuring that the Turkish and other communities encounters an entirely novel gaming experience.
Case Study #1 – Cloudpunk
Developed & Published by beautiful minds at ION Lands
How and Why Cloudpunk Needed to be Localized?
Because of the Turkish community’s strong affinity for the cyberpunk ambience, it became a necessity. Cloudpunk was introduced just before Cyberpunk 2077, intensifying the demand for a cyberpunk game within the community. Personally, we engaged with Marko Dieckmann, the head of the ION Lands studio. After a series of conversations, it was agreed that the Turkish language would be included in the list of languages upon the game’s release.
Initially, only the FIGS languages were available. Therefore, Plus Localization undertook the task of translating tens of thousands words and incorporating Turkish into the game. Remarkably, we accomplished this within a mere 14 days, inclusive of Language Quality Assurance (LQA) processes.
What Was Translatıng Cloudpunk Like?
Cloudpunk included many technical words and/or phrases since it’s a game that takes place in a cyberpunk city, Nivalis. The localization procedure encompassed standard assignments like translating names of items, along with more intricate matters like modifying humor, rare idiomatic expressions, and eccentric dialogues along with some text blocks that define the items which are all created in a cyberpunk world. All of these aspects demanded considerable deliberation and effort.
Translating The Game’s Humor and Dialogues
Cracking the code of humor translation is a puzzle in itself. A joke that sends one country into fits of laughter might baffle individuals from Turkey, leaving them lost in translation. The challenge deepens as innocuous humor can transform into something wholly unsuitable when transplanted into specific cultural terrains. Thus, our mission went beyond simple translation, evolving into a careful crafting that intricately interwove the game’s essence with the unique intricacies of various mindsets and cultural landscapes.
Translating jokes and puns is one challenge, and dealing with item names adds another layer of complexity in different countries. In Cloudpunk, there were many technical terms and item names, each with its own explanation. As Marko Dieckmann said in his testimonial, “Our game has futuristic terms, technical slang, long conversations, and item descriptions. They managed to translate it quickly and flawlessly.”
Dialogues are crucial too. The success of a localization project hinges on how well dialogues are translated. If the emotions and meanings from the original text don’t come through, it feels incomplete. Plus Localization understood this and poured a lot of effort into ensuring Cloudpunk’s Turkish version was top-notch.
Last Words
Localizing Cloudpunk wasn’t just a project for our team; it’s also a candle lighting our way into many successful localization projects. Our experience with Cloudpunk was incredibly enjoyable, and we’re enthusiastic about consistently providing localization services for ION Lands in the future.
Case Study #2 – MADiSON
Developed & Published by craftful hands at BLOODIOUS GAMES
How and Why MADiSON Needed to be Localized?
With an intricate collection of riddles to complete and no shortage of jolting jump scares to startle you with, solving MADiSON‘s grim fundamental mystery is a little like attempting to escape an escape room while also attempting to avoid the vacuation of your intestines. MADiSON expands on the ingenious usage of a Polaroid camera for puzzle-solving and exploration with continuously intriguing results, taking evident inspiration from Hideo Kojima‘s outstanding 2014 Silent Hill teaser demo, P.T. It may not be as perfectly designed as Kojima’s twisting, psychological horror halls, but MADiSON’s haunted home is surely frightening enough to be located in the same area.
In MADiSON, you take on the role of Luca, an adolescent who awakens in his family’s house covered in blood and plagued by a malevolent entity. In a structurally shaky farmhouse that changes and recalibrates around him in constantly disorienting ways, Luca’s only hope of escape is to solve a series of progressively difficult puzzles and complete the painful steps of a demonic ritual.
Knowing that the Turkish community loves the horror genre in general, especially as it’s one of the most preferred genres in gaming, according to the annual report from Gaming in Turkey, MADiSON was the cherry on top. As Plus Localization, we teamed up with BLOODIOUS GAMES to help them with their localization needs. From jumpscares to chilling moments, there were lots of compelling moments to be adjusted properly to really grasp player’s feelings. And as Plus Localization, we managed to achieve just that.
What Was Translatıng MADiSON Like?
Everyone can define the term “horror” differently; however, the very feeling that send chills to our spine is just the same. From its extraordinary gameplay elements, to its soundtrack, MADiSON is one game that surely got our heart rate went up. Fun fact, did you know that MADiSON is choosen to be the scariest game amongst known games such as Alien Isolation, Outlast 2 and Visage? It’s based on a legit research by Broadband Choices that included 200 participants.
“The scientific study by Broadband Choices had 200 participants play a random section of a compiled list of 45 horror video games and tracked their heart rates. The researchers not only recorded the players’ overall BPM (beats per minute) while playing each game but also the highest spike in their heart rate. Bloodious Games’ MADiSON, a video game about a teenage boy who receives an instant camera that once belonged to a serial killer, topped the list on both counts, scoring an average game heart rate of 97 and the highest spike in BPM of 131.”
Therefore localizing MADiSON was a wild ride for each and every one of us. And it’s rather motivating to see the game’s current sales data and seeing that our community really enjoys the game.
Last Words
MADiSON is a mainly exhilarating journey through the night, full of difficult riddles to solve and terrible mysteries to discover. Its excellent use of the camera’s light and creepy aural design created lots of nervous moments, so it’s doubly disappointing that all that suspense may occasionally turn to monotony owing to arbitrary inventory constraints and monotonous backtracking. Nonetheless, MADiSON is a scary journey through a twisted haunted mansion with enough true out-of-your-seat horrors to leave you shook like a Polaroid image, even with these rare momentum-stalling diversions.
Case Study #3 – Sengoku Dynasty
Developed by skilled hands at Superkami, published by passionate people at Toplitz Productions
How and Why Sengoku Dynasty Needed to be Localized?
Sengoku Dynasty constitutes an engaging RPG that provides players with the opportunity to construct and oversee their own villages while ascending the ranks of medieval Japan’s dynastic hierarchy. Collaborating alongside Superkami, the esteemed developers, and Toplitz Productions, a prominent publisher, Plus Localization assumed the responsibility of a pivotal mission – acquainting the Turkish community with the essence of medieval Japan. It is noteworthy to mention that Toplitz Productions boasts the success of another captivating game, Medieval Dynasty, which has garnered considerable adoration within the Turkish community. The moment of elation was palpable when we received initial contact from them, inviting our participation in this ambitious undertaking.
Turkish was included in the languages list for Early Access release. Normally this wasn’t planned due to high volume of words, however, with Plus Localization this became reality and thus, it was the responsibility of Plus Localization to undertake the intricate task of translating tens of thousands of words and seamlessly integrating the Turkish language into the game for the Early Access and for the Turkish community to enjoy the game to the fullest. Remarkably, this ambitious endeavor was achieved within a remarkably short span of 12 days, encompassing comprehensive Language Quality Assurance (LQA) processes.
What Was Translatıng Sengoku Dynasty Like?
The integration of terms such as ‘dynasty’ and ‘medieval’ within the context of the game necessitated a significant incorporation of references to historical periods, whereby names and definitions of items were meticulously aligned with this thematic backdrop. Notably, owing to our familiarity with the setting and ambience cultivated by Medieval Dynasty, the process of adapting our translations to seamlessly resonate with both the game and our community proved to be a relatively straightforward endeavor. The task at hand encompassed an extensive array of item descriptions as well as a substantial volume of dialogues. Given the RPG nature of the game interwoven with elements of player choice, each sentence demanded meticulous consideration to ensure its harmonious alignment with the potential outcomes of the dialogues.
From designating names for structures and embellishments to shaping terminologies for armaments, weapons, crafting materials, and more, a multitude of textual components awaited localization into Turkish. As Plus Localization, we successfully navigated through this formidable expanse with notable ease, professionalism, and efficiency.
A Whole New Community With High Potential
We keep an eye on the games we’ve assisted that include Turkish or any other language support, and Sengoku Dynasty is one such game. Approximately three and a half months after the game was released, Toplitz Productions released a chart indicating that Turkish reviews have secured the top spot with a 95% positive rating. This data is acquired from positive reviews on the Steam page of the game, submitted by players who have played for a minimum of 10 hours. The Turkish community’s reviews were particularly positive, constituting 95% of the overall feedback.
Furthermore, we systematically analyze the reviews in the languages we support at regular intervals. After thorough data gathering, we compile a report with charts, providing our customers with valuable insights into players’ perspectives on the present state of the game and their desire with feedbacks for its future.
Last Words
Undoubtedly, delving into the localization of ‘dynasty’ games evokes a profound sense of familiarity and comfort, reminiscent of reuniting with a cherished old friend. We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Toplitz Productions for granting us this privileged opportunity and selecting us as their preferred partner for the Turkish localization facet. As we move forward, we are steadfast in our assurance to consistently furnish them with translations of unparalleled quality, reaffirming our resolute commitment to excellence.
Case Study #4 – Highrise City
Crafted by the talented team at FourExo Entertainment and brought to the public by the dedicated individuals at Deck13 Interactive/Spotlight
How and Why Highrise City Needed to be Localized?
At first glance, Highrise City appears to be a traditional city-building game. Nonetheless, it introduces various methods for overseeing a prospering city, including the management of economic and production processes. In collaboration with Deck13 Spotlight and the skilled developers at FourExo Entertainment, Plus Localization put forth their utmost efforts to translate Highrise City into Turkish, allowing the Turkish gaming community to fully enjoy the game. Plus Localization recognized the strong affinity for city-builder simulation games in Turkey. Given that Highrise City deviates from the typical city-builder genre, it was an obvious choice for them to introduce this exceptional game to the Turkish gaming community.
Turkish was initially absent from the list of supported languages during the Early Access release. However, thanks to the outstanding efforts of Plus Localization, Turkish was successfully incorporated into the game before its official release. Plus Localization took on the complex challenge of translating tens of thousands of words and seamlessly integrating the Turkish language into the game, ensuring that the Turkish community could fully immerse themselves in the Early Access experience. Remarkably, this ambitious undertaking was completed in an astonishingly brief timeframe of just 15 days, which also included comprehensive Language Quality Assurance (LQA) processes.
What Was Translatıng Highrise City Like?
Highrise City represented a unique challenge for Plus Localization because they hadn’t previously engaged with such an extensive city-builder simulation game. However, this challenge proved surmountable for Plus Localization. They had to ensure clarity in various aspects, including terrain details, building descriptions, the production chain system, sandbox mode, and the user interface. Their goal was to make the game accessible not only to seasoned Turkish gamers but also to newcomers to the genre. While there were no dialogues to work with, this gap was filled with an abundance of meticulously localized tutorial notifications, mission briefings, and help sections, all translated into Turkish with great attention to detail.
Last Words
Michael Hoss from Deck13 Interactive proved to be quite accommodating and helpful throughout the process. Thanks to his prompt responses and quick turnaround time, the localization process was efficiently executed and didn’t take long to implement. There’s no doubt that Highrise City was not only a fantastic game for leisure, offering the enjoyment of city management and a complex economic system based on production chains, but it was also a thrilling experience to contribute to its localization into Turkish.
We would like to express our gratitude to both FourExo Entertainment and Deck13 Interactive for selecting us to work on this wonderful game’s Turkish localization.