Game Localization · Glossary
What is a Localization Kit?
A localization kit (loc kit) is the package of materials a game studio provides to its localization partner — containing source text files, style guide, terminology glossary, context documentation, and any reference assets — to enable accurate, consistent, and high-quality translation.
What a Localization Kit Contains
A complete localization kit includes: source text files in a localization-ready format (XLIFF, CSV, JSON, .strings, or similar), a style guide covering tone, register, audience, and writing conventions, a terminology glossary with approved translations of key terms, character profiles (for dialog-heavy games), context documentation or screenshots for ambiguous strings, and character limits per string where UI constraints apply.
Why Localization Kits Matter
A translator working without a loc kit is guessing: guessing the tone, guessing terminology, guessing whether a string is a button label or dialog line, guessing what a character is like. Every guess introduces risk of inconsistency or error. A complete loc kit gives translators the context to make correct decisions consistently across a large project. Quality is proportional to context quality.
Context Screenshots
Context screenshots — images showing where each string appears in the game — are one of the highest-value additions to a loc kit. A string that reads ‘Next’ could be a button to advance a menu, continue a dialog, or proceed to the next level. The translation may differ based on context; without a screenshot, translators must guess or query each ambiguous string (which slows delivery). Studios that provide screenshots consistently receive higher-quality localization.
Building a Loc Kit Without Infrastructure
Small studios without dedicated localization tools can create a serviceable loc kit from basic materials: export your strings to a properly formatted spreadsheet with character limit notes, write a brief style guide (even one page is valuable), document key character names and their personalities, and take screenshots of ambiguous UI strings. A basic loc kit assembled in a few hours improves localization quality measurably.
SandVox and Localization Kit
SandVox provides localization kit templates and guidance for studios preparing their first localization project. We can also help build glossaries and style guides from existing game content as part of project onboarding.
Related terms: Game Internationalization · Translation Memory · Game Localization · Localization Qa
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a localization kit mandatory to work with SandVox?
No — but it significantly improves quality and reduces cost. We provide a localization kit template and onboarding support to help studios prepare their materials. At minimum, we need source files in a workable format; everything else we can help build.
What is the minimum viable localization kit for a small indie game?
At minimum: source text in a clean format (spreadsheet or JSON), a note on the game’s tone (casual? dark? comedic?), a list of proper nouns that should not be translated (or their approved translations), and character limits for any UI strings. This takes 2–4 hours to prepare and significantly improves output quality.
Should character profiles be included in the localization kit?
Yes, for any dialog-heavy game. Character profiles don’t need to be detailed — even a brief description of each character’s personality, speech register, and relationship to other characters gives translators the context to make voice-consistent choices throughout the script.
What format should source files be in for a localization kit?
XLIFF is the professional standard (supported by all major CAT tools). JSON, CSV, and .strings (iOS) are also widely supported. Whatever format your engine exports natively — we work with it. Avoid providing source text as PDF or embedded in design files; machine-readable formats enable TM leverage and automated consistency checks.
Need Expert Game Localization?
SandVox provides end-to-end game localization including localization kit — for narrative games, mobile titles, webtoons, and interactive fiction.