Have you ever thought about how to localize a video game? We heard your call asking the universe for a detailed blog on what goes into the whole process, so here we are, sit tight.
Let’s start with the bad news first. As of today, developing an engaging video game, with a captivating story and an amazing gameplay might not be enough if your game does not reach players. Here’s the good news though, there’s a solution to that and it’s called game localization. With localization you can reach players in every corner of the world, and give them not just a game, but an immersive gaming experience overall.
Let’s start with the basics.
Understanding Game Localization
Localization involves a little more than just translating texts. Specifically, game localization involves adapting the entire gaming experience to fit the cultural context of the target audience. This includes translating text, voice-overs, modifying graphics, adjusting user interfaces, and even altering (in some cases) gameplay elements, or tweaking the story.
Planning and Preparation
Market Research
Before diving into localization, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research. Identify which regions hold the most potential for your game.
Factors to consider include market size, gaming trends, and the popularity of similar game genres. This research will help prioritize languages and regions, ensuring a focused and efficient localization strategy. If you are operating on a budget, don’t worry, you can even choose the DIY approach.
This is very important, as it will prevent putting effort and money into the wrong markets, which is something that, unfortunately, happens more often than you’d think.
Budgeting
Localization can be costly, so it’s crucial to allocate an appropriate budget. Costs can vary depending on the complexity of the game, the number of languages, and the quality of localization required. Budget for translation, voice acting, graphic modifications, and testing.
If resources are a problem you can consider localizing in layers, prioritizing critical elements such as user interface (UI) text, menus, and essential gameplay instructions. Just remember, choose quality over quantity for the best results.
Assembling a Localization Team
A successful localization project requires a skilled team. The most important are surely translators and quality assurance testers. If you have the budget, consider hiring a localization project manager to oversee the process and ensure timely completion. For indie developers and smaller studios, we recommend choosing smaller localization companies, as they are usually more flexible and can usually provide personalized solutions based on different budgets and needs. For playtesting and feedback on limited resources, it might be a good idea to leverage your Discord community
Preparing the Game for Localization
Source Text Preparation
Prepare all game text for translation. This includes dialogue, menus, instructions, and any in-game text. Keep all the files neatly organized and ready to access, to make sure you don’t forget any of the content, trust us, it happens. Ensure the text is clear, keep text strings simple and short, and be ready in case translators may need any clarifications. Make sure you don’t forget a localization kit!
Technical Preparation
Ensure your game is technically ready for localization. This includes supporting multiple character sets (such as Latin, Cyrillic, and Kanji), accommodating text expansion (some languages require more space), and allowing for right-to-left text direction if targeting languages like Arabic or Hebrew.
Translation and Localization
Text Translation
Choose the right localization provider. Hire professionals that specialize in game localization. Avoid machine translation as it often lacks the nuance and context needed for a quality gaming experience.
Voice-Over and Dubbing
If your game includes voice acting, hire native speakers for each target language. This ensures natural and authentic dialogue. Pay attention to lip-syncing and timing, especially if your game includes cutscenes or character animations that align with spoken words.
Graphics and UI Adaptation
Modify any text within graphics, such as signs, billboards, and user interface elements. Ensure that fonts support the target languages and that the design remains visually appealing. Adapt any culturally specific images or symbols to fit the target audience’s expectations.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Linguistic Testing
Once the text is translated and implemented, conduct linguistic testing to check for translation accuracy, grammatical errors, and contextual appropriateness. This involves native speakers playing through the game to identify any issues.
Functional Testing
Ensure that the localized game functions correctly. This includes checking for text overflow, interface alignment, and any technical issues that might arise from the localization process. Test on different platforms to ensure consistency.
Launch and Post-Launch Support
Marketing Localization
It might be a good idea if you have the possibility to localize your marketing materials, including trailers, social media posts, and websites.
Ensure that your promotional content resonates with the target audience and effectively communicates the game’s appeal.
Post-Launch Updates
Localization doesn’t end at launch. Continuously gather player feedback and be prepared to make updates and corrections as needed. This includes fixing any bugs, improving translations, and adapting to player preferences.
Best Practices for Successful Game Localization
Early Integration
Integrate localization into the development process from the beginning. This avoids costly and time-consuming adjustments later on and ensures a smoother workflow.
Collaboration
Ensure smooth communication and collaborate closely with translators. Open communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and can address issues promptly, without any costly delays.
Feedback Loop
Establish a feedback loop with players and testers. Their insights are invaluable for refining the localization and improving the overall gaming experience.
Conclusion
Guess what? Proper localization can even boost sales, enhance player satisfaction, and establish a loyal international fanbase. By following the steps and best practices outlined in this guide, developers can ensure that their games resonate with players around the world, leading to greater success and profitability.
In conclusion, localization may sound complex but it really isn’t. It’s a rewarding process that simply requires planning, execution, and ongoing support. As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, developers who choose localization will be better positioned to capture a share of the global market and achieve long-term success. Whether you are an indie developer or a major publisher, investing in high-quality localization can make a significant difference in the success of your game.