What Is Game Localization?

First things first, before we talk about the benefits of game localization, we should know a little more about it first.

What exactly is game localization?

Game localization includes many aspects. Let’s take a look.

1. Translation

This phase includes translating written content, such as in-game text, menus, tutorials, and dialogue, into the target language. It also includes translating technical documents, user manuals, and support documentation.

2. Cultural Adaptation

This entails adjusting content to avoid cultural taboos, stereotypes, and offensive material as well as localizing jokes, idioms, and historical or geographical references.

This may also include making minor changes to the storyline to better suit the cultural context.

3. Voiceover and Dubbing

Some developers prefer to provide voiceover or dubbing instead of subtitles to allow players to be fully immersed in the game.

4. Graphics and Visual Adaptation

This entails two main aspects:

1. Text on Images: Translating and replacing text within images, such as signs, posters, and interface elements.
2. Visual Elements: Localizing the visual content of your game to be culturally appropriate.

5. Technical Localization

• Coding and Scripting Adjustments: Adapting code and scripts to support different languages and character sets.
•  Performance Optimization: Ensuring the localized game performs well on the target region’s hardware and network conditions.

5 Benefits of Game Localization

Absolutely, let’s dive deeper into each benefit with more elaboration:

1.  Reaching New Markets

 Game localization allows you to access different markets. Imagine if your game is only in English: you’re potentially missing out on millions of gamers in non-English speaking countries like Japan or U.A.E, some of the highest number of gamers around the world.

 Game localization ensures your game can reach a wider audience and to suit local tastes. Remember, the broader your audience, the greater your potential for increased sales and revenue.

2. Better Game Experience

When you’re developing a game, your players are your success. You want to provide an impeccable gaming experience, right?

Imagine the joy and satisfaction your players would feel when they find a game that speaks their language, both literally and culturally.

When you localize your game, you’re enhancing the user experience by providing content that resonates with players’ cultural contexts and linguistic nuances. This includes translating text accurately, dubbing character voices with native speakers, and adapting cultural references that make sense locally. 

This level of personalization makes the game more relatable and engaging, leading to more customer satisfaction and loyalty. Players are more likely to immerse themselves in a game that feels like it was made just for them, resulting in longer playtime, better reviews, and positive word-of-mouth. 

3. Competitive Advantage

 There was a point where available games were limited, and players didn’t have many options. But the industry is significantly different today, and if one player doesn’t like your game, there are probably others under the same category. 

Game localization provides you with a significant edge over competitors who may only offer a one-size-fits-all game. When players have the option to play a game in their language with references they can understand, why would they choose a game that they don’t fully understand or relate to?

This not only makes your game more attractive to a diverse audience but also helps in building a stronger brand presence internationally.

 4. Increase Mobile Game Downloads

Mobile games make up about $248 billion of the revenue of the gaming industry. That makes mobile games integral in the gaming industry.

But, do players buy mobile games that speak in foreign languages? Not so much, nope. Customers are more likely to buy apps in their mother-tongue, and the majority of app downloads come from countries that don’t speak English as a first language.

So, the answer is quite easy. Game Localization= More Mobile Game Downloads!

 5. Adhere to Legal Regulations

Legal regulations vary from one country to another. And if your game doesn’t follow such regulations, it can get banned in certain areas of the world, making you lose a big portion of your customers.

Some types of extreme violence, nudity, or certain allusions to religion can get your game banned in places such as China, KSA, and U.A.E. We assume you wouldn’t like that, right?

 Game localization is your key to ensuring your game adheres to the legal regulations of the target market.

Conclusion

Gripon Global, a leading company in the game localization industry, stands prepared to localize your game from A to Z in 120 languages. With different specialists in game localization, we have the tools and expertise to transform your game into one that speaks locally.

You Develop, We Localize.