The Nimdzi Lessons in Localization series highlights the largest, most innovative, and most successful globalization programs in the world.
A lesson by Hannah Leske.
About Riot Games
If you’ve ever played League of Legends — currently the most-played computer game in the world — then you’ve experienced the world of Riot Games.
The American-based game developer has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings in a converted shop alongside a highway and now boasts over 3,000 employees across more than 20 offices worldwide.
The company is also behind the likes of League of Legends: Wild Rift, Valorant, Legends of Runeterra, and Teamfight Tactics, with more eagerly anticipated games such as Project L in the works.
Evidently, the company’s localization team has been getting something right! We met with localization experts Sarkhan Lyutfaliev and Denisse Kreeger to discuss their approach to the challenges of game localization.
TL;DR
External partners are treated as extensions of the internal team and assist with almost all stages of localization.
Gathering feedback doesn’t need to be complicated and detailed — the Riot Games localization team proves that, with the right approach, the simple question “How do you feel about the experience in your native language?” can be an effective tracking tool.
Localization is important, but player experience is paramount: The team is aware that it needs to balance its desire to provide as many languages as possible with its ability to localize content accurately.
Fast facts
Included in this lesson in localization
- Localization at Riot Games: an overview
- Organization
- Culture
- Project and process management
- Languages
- Supply chain
- Keeping track
- Quality control
- Technology
- Interesting insights
This has been a preview. The full Riot Games report can be accessed online by Nimdzi Partners.
Who should we feature next?
Special thanks to Sarkhan Lyutfaliev, Director of Global Localization at Riot Games for sharing a valuable lesson in localization.
Special thanks to Denisse Kreeger, Head of Global Localization Production at Riot Games for sharing a valuable lesson in localization.
This Lesson in Localization was prepared by Nimdzi's Localization Researcher, Hannah Leske. If you wish to learn more, reach out to Hannah at [email protected].
