Laura Palestrini

Localization Lead | Project Manager | Video Games

Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

About

Localization Lead with 10 years of experience in AAA game development, specializing in end-to-end localization strategy, quality governance, and cross-functional delivery within large, multi-disciplinary studio environments. I lead multilingual localization teams working on narrative-driven, AAA titles, ensuring that localized content consistently reflects creative intent, immersion, and player experience across platforms and regions. My role sits at the intersection of localization, production, and creative disciplines, aligning quality standards, planning, and execution with studio goals. I have a strong background in building and scaling localization processes, mentoring specialists, and collaborating closely with Narrative, Audio, Marketing, Design, QA, and Production teams. I’m particularly focused on quality frameworks, workflow optimization, and sustainable team growth in complex production pipelines. Previously, I worked hands-on as a Senior and Specialist Localization professional across AAA games, marketing, and audiovisual content, giving me a strong operational foundation that informs my leadership approach.

Experience

  • Cloud Imperium Games (On-site)
    • Localization Lead
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

      Responsible for the holistic performance and direction of the localization team. Pivotal role in quality management, planning, and cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring that all localized content, regardless of platform or region, reflects the tone, quality, and immersion that define CIG's games. Leading the localization team’s day-to-day execution of the SQ42 project tasks, with responsibilities such as: - Team Leadership: Lead a team of Localization Specialists, ensuring all the projects are delivered on time and the team is appropriately tasked up. - Quality Governance: Own and enforce localization quality standards across all languages, channels, and content types. - Project Oversight: Supervise major project timelines, resources, and delivery. Support Project Localization Leads and Lead Localization Specialists in execution. - Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Narrative, Audio, Marketing, Design, QA, and Production to align localization needs with studio goals. - Process Development: Optimize workflows, tools, and cross-functional handoffs to support scalability and efficiency. - Strategic Planning: Contribute to departmental roadmap development, resourcing decisions, and risk mitigation strategies, collaborating with the wider Localization department’s leadership. - Advocacy & Visibility: Represent localization in company-wide meetings, reviews, and communications. Advocating for quality, resources, and player experience.

    • Senior Spanish Localization Specialist
      Mar 2023 - Feb 2025 · 2 yrs

      - Support the Localization leadership in handling projects, team and vendors. - Suggest improvements to pipelines and processes. - Coach and review work of lower-level professionals and participate in the onboarding of new starters. - Work collaboratively and productively with other departments. - Own internal initiatives and ensure successful delivery to leadership. - Manage direct reports and support their personal and professional development. - Oversee the Spanish version of the games. - Collaborate with internal team members and external vendors to deliver fully localized content. - Be the main point of contact for language specific queries. - Build a robust glossary and style guide for CIG's games. - Support recruitment and conduct interviews.

    • Spanish Localization Specialist
      Apr 2022 - Mar 2023 · 1 yr

      - Translate and proofread content from English to Spanish. - Oversee the Spanish version of games. - Test and fix localization issues. - Test and request features for internal tools. - Verify the quality of dubbing. - Collaborate with internal team members and external vendors to deliver fully localized content. - Act as the main point of contact for language-specific queries. - Build glossaries and style guides. - Use CAT tools and integrations. Main projects: Squadron 42 and Star Citizen

  • Translator, Editor, Proofreader, Localisation Expert at Freelance
    Jan 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 6 mos

    WHY ME? Born in Argentina and located in Europe, I am a client-oriented language professional ready to bridge the gap between you and your target audience in Latin America. I have participated in big-scale projects and coordinated language teams aiming towards good practices and the best results for seven years. If you are looking for accuracy, confidentiality, great communication and interpersonal skills, good quality, punctuality and reliability, do not hesitate to contact me. TRANSLATED PRODUCTS Mobile Games, AAA Games, Forex and Trading, Apps and Websites, Webinars, Corporate Videos and Material, Personal Branding Products, Social Media, E-Commerce, among other products under NDA. GAMING Mobile, AAA, MOBA, Shooting, RPG, Sports, SRPG, Open World, Action, Gacha, FPS, Strategy, Adventure, Point-and-Click, Visual Novels, Indie, Puzzle, Casual, Hidden Objects. MARKETING AND APPS Forex and Trading, Traveling Apps, Product Description, Social Media Campaigns, Google Ads, Brochures, Corporate, Websites, Virtual Platforms, SEO, Graphic Assets.

  • Rockstar Games (Full-time · 3 yrs 6 mos)
    • Senior Mexican Spanish Localisation Specialist
      Sep 2020 - Jan 2021 · 5 mos

    • Mexican Spanish Localisation Specialist
      Aug 2017 - Jan 2021 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      Linguistic Quality Assurance, Translations, Proofreading, Text Edition, Marketing, Development Support and Internationalisation Support. Video Games, Websites, Platforms, Social Media and Marketing content. Assistance in the development and QA testing of internal tools. Localisation consultancy, workshops, team coordination. - Red Dead Redemption 2 - Red Dead Redemption 2 for PC - Red Dead Online - GTA Online - Rockstar Games Launcher - Marketing texts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - Graphic assets - Social Club of Rockstar Games website - Rockstar Games support website - Red Dead Redemption 2 website - Others

  • Translator, Editor, Proofreader at Clear Words Translations
    Sep 2016 - Aug 2017 · 1 yr

    In-house translator, editor, proofreader and quality evaluator. Main areas: health care, pharmaceutical and technical texts, such as CIOMs, Stability Reports, PSURs, User Instructions for Medical Devices, Pharmacokinetic Studies, Pharmaceutical Procedures, Ophthalmological Procedures, Product Testing Reports, Submission Letters, Monographs, Industrial Machines User Manuals, Genetic Testing Reports, Standard Operating Procedures, Health Care Web Pages, among others.