Leveling Up with Minecraft

Ongoing Localization of In-game Text, 24/7/365

(1.9+ million words and counting)

The Client

Microsoft’s Minecraft is a global phenomenon in the gaming industry, captivating an audience in the hundreds of millions with its unique blend of creative building and exploration. The game’s continual evolution through iterative updates means that it requires ongoing, dynamic localization to engage its humongous, diverse, and global audience.

The Project

The project involves the complete localization into Bulgarian of all ongoing updates to Minecraft’s in-game text, encompassing translation and meticulous revision to ensure the game’s spirit resonates across linguistic boundaries.

The Challenges

The main hurdles were formidable:
  • Huge Volumes and Rapid Pace: The project demanded the handling of vast quantities of text, exceeding 1.7 million words as of 2024, often requiring immediate attention due to the abrupt nature of gaming updates.
  • Consistency and Availability: With updates rolling out unpredictably, maintaining linguistic consistency and ensuring 365-day availability posed significant logistical challenges.

Our Solutions

To tackle these challenges, we took the following strategic steps:
  • Specialized Team Selection: Across two generations, four linguists were selected with a profound interest and background in gaming, ensuring the localization efforts were fueled by both passion and expertise.
  • Immersive Research: Team members engaged directly with Minecraft by playing the game and watching gameplay videos, which enriched their understanding and appreciation of the game’s culture and lexicon.
  • Technical Mastery: Intensive training was conducted on the client’s proprietary translation platform, optimizing our workflow and adaptability.
  • Structured Workflow: We implemented a dual-role system for translators and reviewers and established a rule-based schedule that allowed for shift work, ensuring round-the-clock productivity without sacrificing quality. This allowed us to produce regular monthly outputs of 80,000+ words, at times even hitting the 130,000-word mark.

The Results

This approach not only met but exceeded client expectations, delivering timely and culturally resonant updates that enhanced the Minecraft experience for players worldwide. The ability to effectively manage high volumes under tight deadlines while maintaining quality solidified our reputation as a reliable partner for localization into Bulgarian in the gaming industry.