International Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games

Fun for All: Serious Business

Video Games and Virtual Worlds Translation, Accessibility and Educational Design

In four decades the video game industry has become a worldwide phenomenon, generating millions in revenue every year. Video games are increasingly becoming more elaborate and sophisticated, with advanced graphics and intricate story lines, and developers and publishers need to reach the widest possible audience in order to maximise their return on investment. Translating games into other languages and designing games that can be played for a wide spectrum of players, regardless of their (dis)ability, are two obvious ways to contribute to increasing the audience for the game industry. In addition, games are increasingly being used for “serious” purposes beyond entertainment, such as education, and such games should also be designed inclusively, to facilitate access to them by all types of players.

However, to date, both industry and academia have paid little attention to the emerging fields of game localization and accessibility, as well as accessibility to virtual worlds, also known as metaverses, and the role translation plays in them. Academic studies focusing on game localization and accessibility of games and virtual worlds are few and far between, despite the fact that further research in localization and accessibility is beneficial to all. The industry can benefit by reaching the broadest possible audience, while the audience can benefit from having improved access to games and virtual worlds. A more systematic and interdisciplinary approach bringing together academics from different disciplines with various research backgrounds and methodologies, such as translation studies, media studies, psychology, linguistics, education, usability, human rights, engineering and computing is required to promote further advances in these areas of study.

The successful previous editions of the Fun for All: International Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games and Virtual Worlds, held at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2010 and 2012, became a meeting point for academic and professionals working in the game industry and the game localisation industry, as well as students interested in this field. The third edition of the conference, Fun for All: Serious Business Video Games and Virtual Worlds Translation, Accessibility and Educational Design, aims to continue fostering the interdisciplinary debate in these fields, consolidate them as academic areas of research and contribute to the development of best practices.