The story of Thief's English language pack serves as a shining example of the importance of high-quality localization in the video game industry. It's a reminder that even the smallest details, like accurately translated text and natural-sounding dialogue, can make a significant difference in a player's experience.
As the team brainstormed ideas on how to make the game accessible to a broader audience, they realized that creating a comprehensive English language pack was crucial. The game was already set to be released in several languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish. However, the team wanted to ensure that the English language pack was of the highest quality, considering that English was the primary language for the game's marketing and online community.
It was a chilly winter morning in 2014 when Eidos Montreal, the developers of the Thief series, gathered their team to discuss the upcoming game's localization. The game, simply titled Thief, was set to be released on February 25, 2014, for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Thief english language pack
The team began by importing the game's text assets into a translation management system. This included all in-game dialogue, quest descriptions, menu options, and subtitles. The text was then assigned to individual translators, who worked on rendering it into natural-sounding English.
The English language pack was eventually completed, comprising over 100,000 words of translated text, 500 lines of dialogue, and numerous audio files. The pack was then integrated into the game, and the team conducted rigorous testing to ensure that everything worked as intended. The story of Thief's English language pack serves
As the translation process progressed, the team encountered several challenges. Some of the game's text assets were poorly formatted, making it difficult for the translators to work efficiently. Others contained obscure references or wordplay that required careful consideration to translate accurately.
To overcome these challenges, the team worked closely with the game's writers and designers to clarify any ambiguities and ensure that the translations met the game's high standards. The editors reviewed and revised the translations multiple times, verifying that the text was accurate, consistent, and engaging. The game was already set to be released
The success of Thief's English language pack was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the localization team. Their efforts had paid off, making the game accessible to a broader audience and contributing to its positive reception.
Meanwhile, the audio team, led by the sound designer, worked on implementing the English voiceovers. The voice actors, including Romano Orzari (as Garrett) and Brian Bloom (as the Town Guard), recorded their lines in a state-of-the-art studio, bringing the game's characters to life.