Game localisation is not for beginners
When it comes to the gaming industry, localisation goes up to expert level. Not only is the localisation of the game an intricate job in itself, but the entire process that comes along with it requires a lot of time and attention to ensure success. Here’s how you do it.
A properly onboarded team is key
The last thing you want when trying to offer your audience a seamless game experience, is them feeling disconnected from the content and thinking it was not created with their region and culture in mind. Also, accurate terminology and consistent tone of voice is more important now than ever.
Therefore close collaboration with your own customised Team of translators is crucial. A tailored onboarding is extremely important to make sure your translators are familiar with the game and are comfortable with the content. This way ensuring quality content throughout the game and delivering an experience that feels native to the user.
Reduce margin for errors and ensure quality content
The review stage is one of the biggest challenges in game localisation, since it is usually performed late in the process when the game is close to its release date, making the stakes high for any hiccups that could cause delays in launching.
In order to ensure a smooth journey, the Editor Tool allows you to review, edit and comment on the translation, as well as communicate directly with the translators, significantly reducing margin for errors and avoiding delays in launch.
Goodbye to launch delays thanks to seamless integration
Having your launch date pushed can be detrimental to the sales of your game, and therefore it is extremely important that the process of localisation is handled properly leaving no room for setbacks.
By using plug and play Integrations you allow for content to be imported and exported automatically, without the need for any coding, this way decreasing hours spent on manual work leaving more time to focus on other tasks.
Always have content ready for release
In the gaming industry, new versions of the same game are always being released, and making sure your content is up to date as the different versions come out is super important, but can also be very time consuming.
By using a String Library you can synchronize your strings and keep them updated at all times. This way you can avoid having untranslated strings and having to re-deploy because of missed translations and minor fixes, always putting you ahead of the game.
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Rules of the Game
Preparing your games for new regions involves various components. Linguistic and cultural localisation involves translating texts and cultural references so that the game’s overall feel remains genuine to each region. The gaming localisation process consists of the text on the game’s box, general marketing, PR materials, and the in-game characters’ spoken dialect through dubbing or subtitles.
Win the Audience Over
You can never be entirely sure how well a product will perform in the market, but there are certain steps you can take to maximise your chances of success.
For your game to have a competitive advantage in the marketplace, it must draw users in and keep them engaged. You can ensure this by localising character names, place names, items, weapons, or other story elements, to provide players with the most realistic game script possible.
You should also not overlook technical elements, like dates, times, and units of measurement, because they play an equally important part in creating an immersive gaming experience.
And lastly, you need to be aware that the way you promote your game also conveys a message to your audience. So when it comes to the marketing approach, it’s not only about advertisements and graphic design but also about the monetization strategy, as gamers in different regions have unique habits when making gaming purchases.
Sell More & Rank Higher
Of course it is important that your game delivers value to consumers, but what about the value your company generates?
Offering a top-notch localised video game is bound to increase your revenues and improve your brand image. Gamers are often more willing to pay for a video game if it provides an immersive experience specifically designed for them, rather than one that feels foreign and confusing.
And having satisfied consumers also means a large number of positive reviews, where ratings drive publicity and retail priorities, meaning localisation can turn a small game into a global sensation. This can also include mobile gaming because most downloads of games on App Store or Google Play come from non-native English countries.
Outside the box
If your mantra is to never settle, then expanding your video games into new markets is the way to go.
You will be bringing value to a larger pool of consumers through game localisation, by embracing every aspect of a region, from linguistic to cultural ones. If done successfully, it can make your company feel relevant to locals and part of the regional lifestyle.
This also means that you will raise consumer awareness, because making your game available in multiple languages and adapted to different cultures will generate some buzz around it. And it is very likely that by proving flawless localisation, new gaming communities will blossom, which will enhance your brand image and strengthen your fanbase.
Frequently asked questions
What does game localisation mean?
Video game localisation is the process of producing video game content for a specific country or region while doing it so well that it looks like it was made for that region specifically. This is a process that involves many components. Linguistic and cultural localisation consists of translating text and cultural references so that the game’s overall feel remains trustworthy to each region.
Why is game localisation important?
The overall purpose and intention of game localisation is to give the impression that the game was developed for a specific market. This means that linguists and localisers should also be gamers to understand the players’ preferences better. Gaming localisation consists of the text on the game’s box, general marketing, PR materials and the in-game characters’ spoken dialect through dubbing or subtitles.
Your flexible pricing
With our flexible tiers, you can build your own customised pricing plan that includes the features that your project demands and in the quantity you need them.
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