On May 22, 2025, Women in Localization (WL)’s newly formed Madrid chapter turned the spotlight on the video game localization sector, an area historically dominated by men in high-value, technical roles. The Spanish-language, in-person event — titled “Mujeres en la localización de videojuegos: Experiencia, liderazgo, y futuro” (Women in Game Localization: Experiences, leadership, and future) — featured a panel and networking session, which was sponsored by Terra, Perfect Sound, and Loc & Capture. The main goal of the event was to uplift women working in the game localization industry, as well as to create an inviting atmosphere for community building.
The event brought together approximately 40 attendees, including both women and men, highlighting the association’s commitment to inclusivity. Attendees engaged enthusiastically throughout the entire program and described the event as a highly enriching experience. Participants emphasized the quality of the discussions, strong sense of community, and valuable networking opportunities.
The event started with a warm welcome by the WL leadership team, including WL Madrid’s Chapter Manager Paola Manca. Next, Marina Ilari (CEO of Terra and WL Los Angeles Chapter Manager) moderated the panel comprising Rosane Thuaudet (Senior Localization Specialist at Game Strategies and WL Membership Manager), Cris García (Project Manager at Perfect Sound), and Esther Gómez (Localization Business Solutions Manager at Electronic Arts (EA)). The panelists brought a perfect combination of localization experience, representing both the vendor and client sides, as well as different levels of seniority.
During the panel, Marina asked questions about career trajectories, the value of localization work, the importance of diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry, the impact of motherhood and caregiving responsibilities in professional careers, and the future of gender equality in localization and the broader game industry. The session focused on the importance of supporting and amplifying women’s voices in gaming, ensuring that their experiences, insights, and leadership continue to shape a more inclusive and supportive industry.
What We Learned
From Esther, we learned that you can shape your career if you are curious and open to embracing new opportunities. Beginning as a project manager, Esther eventually pioneered technological implementation within EA, even amid maternity leaves and a male-dominated tech environment. Esther emphasized that gender diversity in the gaming audience must be mirrored in the industry workforce.
“I see more women in leadership positions, and that really encourages me,” she said. “I see that different ways of thinking, problem-solving, and reconciling viewpoints are being increasingly recognized. I see that work-life balance, especially between work and family, is becoming much more normalized. All of this is evolving, and it’s in our hands to ensure it keeps moving forward.”
From Rosane, we learned that working on both the vendor and client sides gives you a unique perspective and a better understanding of how to localize a game. Rosane reflected on how limited she felt while on the vendor side, and emphasized the greater impact she now has within a game development company where she collaborates with writers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders. This shift allows her to advocate for localization decisions from the outset.
Rosane also shared her experience of prioritizing family during a difficult economic moment in Spain, something that is not unusual for female leaders. Despite temporarily stepping back, Rosane eventually returned and reclaimed a leadership role, highlighting the importance of recognizing motherhood not as a barrier but as a source of transferable professional skills. “Being a mother is not an impediment,” she said. “On the contrary, companies should see it as an added value to any organization that is committed to talent, co-responsibility, and diversity.”
From Cris, we learned how you can grow as a young professional within the industry, as she reflected on her move from managing text localization to audio. She also reminded us of our social responsibility to make players feel seen and represented, highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Finally, Cris reflected on how clients are increasingly not only showing interest in inclusivity, but also taking action in that direction. For example, she mentioned that clients increasingly request that transgender or non-binary characters be voiced by actors with matching identities, a demand that brings both opportunity and complexity.
Closing Remarks
In closing, the panel addressed the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence (AI). All speakers agreed: AI is here to stay, but it’s not here to replace. Instead, it should be a tool guided by human oversight. They emphasized that creativity, empathy, and cultural intuition remain irreplaceable. Rosane reminded the audience that the localization industry has always been disrupted by technology, and Esther encouraged women to be more involved in technology projects. The panel’s message was clear: Responsible innovation must go hand-in-hand with ethical practice.
The session ended with encouragement for future professionals to enter the localization field. As Cris put it, “If you love games and language, go for it. There’s nothing more gratifying than seeing your work resonate with players around the world.”
