Digital Translation - Online First

This study examines the evolution of Arabic video game localization focusing on Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series from 2007 to 2023. It also provides a macro-historical perspective on Arabic video game localization and a micro-historical analysis of one of the most prominent video game franchises. By identifying Ubisoft’s strategic shifts — from no localization efforts to full Arabic localization — this research highlights the influence of market demand, regional support, and technological advancements on Arabic video game localization practices over time. Drawing on data from both game paratextual elements and in-game assets, this study identifies the milestones, challenges, and solutions in Ubisoft’s approach to the Arab gaming community. It performs quantitative and qualitative analyses to reveal how localization strategies have been progressively adapted, addressing issues such as right-to-left language support, cultural adaptation, and the increasing inclusion of Arabic voiceovers and in-game graphics. This research strengthens Arabic translation literature by expanding the historical account of video game localization beyond the dominant Western and Japanese contexts. It also serves as a valuable resource for developers, publishers, and scholars interested in reaching Arabic-speaking audiences and exploring localization dynamics in non-Western markets.

This literature review paper examines articles on localization in translation studies published in English and Chinese journals from 2012 to 2023. We systematically reviewed a total of 147 publications consisting of 104 and 43 articles in English and Chinese respectively, integrating thematic analysis to examine their research types, areas, and methodologies. The findings reveal notable disparities between the English and Chinese journal papers regarding overall trends across these three dimensions. English papers are often characterized by preference for qualitative approaches and growing interest in multi-methods and mixed-methods designs, highlighting an increasing appreciation for unique elements in localized products. Chinese papers tend to be more general and place greater emphasis on localization training. Despite these variations, there has been a notable convergence towards descriptive approaches in recent studies regardless of the linguistic contexts, perhaps as a response to the evolving needs of the discipline as a whole. Our paper concludes by suggesting future directions for localization research, particularly in response to the dynamic landscape of game localization practices and the application of empirical methods.