Translation Techniques of Technical Terms Found in the Video Game "Asphalt 9: Legends"

Abstract

With the rapid globalization of the digital entertainment industry, video game localization has become a critical process in ensuring player immersion and maintaining software usability across diverse regional markets. This study investigates the translation of specialized game-specific terminology in the mobile and cross-platform arcade-racing game Asphalt 9: Legends from English (Source Text) into Indonesian (Target Text). Utilizing the descriptive micro-unit taxonomy of translation techniques established by Molina and Albir (2002) alongside Lawrence Venuti's (Reiss, 1981) (1995) concepts of domestication and foreignization, we analyze an empirical corpus of 78 key technical terms extracted from the game's localization databases and verified through active in-game observation. To analyze how localization strategies adapt to interface needs, the terms are classified into five functional in-game domains: Game Modes & Events, In-Game Economy, Vehicle Customization, Gameplay Stunts, and UI/Progression. Quantitative analysis reveals a highly concentrated distribution of translation techniques dominated by Borrowing (46.15%) and Established Equivalent (38.46%), followed by Literal Translation (12.82%), Transposition (1.28%), and Modulation (1.28%). Qualitative analysis demonstrates that the localizer's strategies shift systematically with the term's functional domain. Action-heavy, on-track stunts (e.g., Drift, Shockwave) rely almost exclusively on foreignizing Pure Borrowing to match global "gamer jargon" and to fit tight user interface constraints. Conversely, general navigation menus, mechanical upgrades, and player milestones are domesticated using native Established Equivalents (e.g., Chapter → Babak) to ensure intuitive usability. These findings challenge flat-dataset translation approaches and demonstrate that successful game localization requires a flexible, domain-shifting approach to balance cultural naturalness, player subcultural expectations, and technical layout limitations.