Language defines a culture, person, and even games. AI and Machine Translation (MT) technology is improving at a fast pace. The ease of adding text into a search box and having access to numerous languages is efficient and appealing to developers. It can be cost effective and fast. However, what are games losing not being translated by a Human? Gaming itself is it’s own language, arguably something a machine may never fully understand. The purpose of localizing a game is for the player to identity and understand the game on a personal level. To be part of the game itself. Human translators understand and embrace this.

In this Table-Topic, we’ll compare the pros and cons of AI/MT and Human translators. We’ll discuss the future of localization technology and if there is a way for Human translators and technology to work together.