We get it, game localization might seem like a big investment, but did you know that there are some common mistakes that are quietly draining your budget? We’ve all heard the saying “time is money,” and that is true for game localization as well. If you’re looking to give your budget a break, it’s time to stop making these costly game localization mistakes.
Lack of Context for Translators
Professional translators are amazing, but they aren’t mind readers. Without context about the game’s genre, characters, quests, or backstory, they’re left guessing. Providing this essential information is key to ensuring high-quality translation. Without enough context, translators will constantly need clarification, which adds delays and costs to the project. Even with this information, translators may still need some clarifications along the way, so be ready to answer their questions. Don’t hesitate to share details and screenshots, they can make all the difference.
Not Doing Proper Market Research
This might be one of the most common game localization mistakes we see with indie developers. Every market has its own spending habits, gaming preferences, expectations, and size. For example the South American market might prefer a different genre than let’s say the Asian market. Another factor to consider in your market research is the English Proficiency Index (EPI). If you’re targeting a region with a high EPI, such as Scandinavia, you might get away with minimal or no localization, freeing up your budget for markets where localization is more critical. Solid market research ensures your localization efforts are aimed at the right regions for your game. Without it, you risk localizing for markets that aren’t interested in your game’s genre or simply aren’t profitable. To avoid unnecessary costs, market research is a must. The good news? You can even do it yourself.
Not Planning Localization Early Enough
It might seem counterintuitive, but this is actually one of the most common game localization mistakes out there, and it’s costing you time and money. When you plan for localization early in the development process, the whole process runs smoother, avoiding hiccups and unnecessary rework. For example, accounting for right-to-left languages like Arabic or Hebrew early on will save you from having to redesign your UI later. Similarly, planning ahead for languages with longer text, like German or Russian, ensures your UI accommodates those without breaking. If you don’t consider localization from the start, you risk having to redo entire sections of the game. This could mean anything from adjusting text boxes to redesigning game assets, which is expensive and time-consuming. In short, planning early gives you the flexibility to design with all languages in mind from the get-go, saving time and money down the road.
Not Hiring Professional Translators
We get it, fan translations, non-professional translators, or even MT seem like cheaper options. But how could choosing the cheaper option end up costing you more money? Simply put, these alternatives don’t deliver the same level of accuracy and quality that professional translators provide. It’s like hiring a cheap plumber to fix a leak, if they don’t get the job done right, you’ll end up paying more to fix the damage later. Non-professional translations can hurt your game’s reception, leading to wasted time and money for two main reasons:
– First, poor translations can result in negative reviews, damaging your game’s reputation and costing you players.
– Second, if you want to fix these mistakes, you’ll need to hire a professional translator anyway, which will end up being even more expensive.
On top of that, professional translators can help with technical details and make the process much smoother and save you from unnecessary stress down the road.
Skipping Regular LQA Checks
Let’s stick with the plumbing analogy: If you’re fixing a leak behind a wall, do you test the pipe first to make sure the leak is fixed? Or do you put the wall back up and then hope for the best? The same goes for game localization. Skipping regular LQA checks might allow minor translation issues to go unnoticed, which can eventually grow into bigger problems. Regular LQA checks catch these problems early, like awkward phrasing, missing context, or inconsistent terminology. These problems might lead to player confusion and overall detract from the gaming experience. Without thorough testing of the localized text, these mistakes could go live, damaging your game’s reputation.
Skipping Playtesting
While LQA focuses on catching translation issues, playtesting addresses more technical aspects and the overall gaming experience. It’s one thing for the text to be accurate, but playtesting ensures the gameplay runs smoothly and without any major problems. Skipping this step could mean overlooking critical gameplay adjustments that are essential for your game’s success in different regions. Playtesting also catches technical issues that might only arise in the localized versions, such as text that doesn’t fit within the user interface or misaligned subtitles. By thoroughly testing your game, you can spot and fix any bugs or technical inconsistencies before launch, avoiding the need to release 31 different patches and costly fixes.
Overlooking Legal Compliance
Unfortunately one of the most easily avoidable yet common game localization mistakes that we see developers make is overlooking legal compliance. Every country has its own laws governing content, privacy, and in-game purchases, and failing to comply with these regulations can lead to severe consequences. In some cases, your game could be banned or removed from stores, and you might face fines or be forced to make last-minute changes, which could delay your launch. For example, are you familiar with China’s strict game regulations? By researching and complying with legal requirements early in the localization process, you can avoid costly delays and ensure your game meets the necessary standards for every market.
Don’t Mess Up Your Game’s Localization
By avoiding these common game localization mistakes you can save both time and money while ensuring your game resonates with players in every region. Investing in proper game localization early in the process can prevent costly rework, boost your game’s reputation, and help you succeed in global markets. Last time we checked, nobody likes to waste their time and their money and investing in a solid localization strategy will make sure all your efforts are repaid. If you are looking to make a smart investment to give your game that little push it needs to succeed, look no further, LCP Localizations has got your back!