What Is Video Game Localisation? Everything You Need to Know

Let’s assume you have designed a video game which you want to be known internationally. So, how would you expand its reach to international markets? How would you earn more users by promoting your video game to a global audience?

The answer is – video game localisation!

It’s the best way to reach your goal with minimal effort. Localising your game and adapting it to a new global region not only helps boost sales conversions but also broadens your customer base and brings more profits.

However, there are many aspects that you must consider before you plan to localise your video game.

In this blog, we will guide you through video game localisation and all the important aspects relating to it, starting from scratch.

How to Get Started with Video Game Localisation

Before you plan to localise your game for global markets, decide on your target region. Here are some of the crucial actions that you must perform to maximise the results of your video game localisation:

1. Translate the game’s script, written text and user interface text. Make sure the translation is accurate for a successful localisation.
2. To make regional gamers more familiar with your video game, localise all voice-overs.
3. From the game’s story to character names, locations, weapon names, audio and other components, localise everything to remove complexities. It will give users a more realistic feel and greater comfort.
4. Your target audience doesn’t care about culture-specific references from elsewhere, so it’s better to remove or simply replace them.
5. Transform the game’s look and feel according to the taste of the specific regional audience.
6. Don’t skip the details, such as date formats, addresses (postcodes) and more.
7. Also, don’t forget to localise all technical components, such as text operations and coding, and marketing elements such as posters, packaging and websites.
8. Translate the user manuals and other information too, to guide your audience throughout their gaming interaction.
9. Write the game code in a way that can easily be adjusted to localise it for various languages, locales or cultures.

To ensure that all nine steps are executed seamlessly and without errors, partner with a language services provider that specialises in video game localisation.

At Translationworks, we can help you meet your specific business requirements with the best quality and within budget. Connect with our team to learn more about our offerings.

Top 3 Benefits of Video Game Localisation

The video game localisation process is extensive, but the benefits are worth the effort. It results in greater sales, engagement and ROI.

Let’s unfold the benefits of acquiring video game localisation services from professionals:

1. Increased Sales

The ultimate goal of any business is to drive maximum sales and earn greater profits. When you expand your video game into a new global market, it’s obvious that sales will surge.

Especially with video games, which play a vital role in people’s entertainment, localisation can work miracles. It will naturally attract and engage more customers in your target region.

2. Maximised Number of Downloads

Just as your sales go up, downloads will automatically increase, and this will result in enhanced popularity of your game worldwide.

You can also encourage users to rate your game with impressive reviews and ratings to earn top ranks in the search results of app download stores.

3. Competitive Advantage

The more you localise, the further ahead of the competition you get. While your competitors may be struggling to establish a sustainable presence in a single country, you’d already be spreading your wings in global markets, attracting more users and customers.

Which Countries to Target First?

Once you have made up your mind about video game localisation, the first thing to decide is which country and region you’d like to target.

For your convenience, we have listed the top 10 countries with a large market in the gaming sector. Let’s check them out:

1. China
2. The United States
3. Japan
4. South Korea
5. Germany
6. The United Kingdom
7. France
8. Canada
9. Italy
10. Spain

When considering these countries for localisation, you can connect with our team of experts for more detailed research and analysis. Based on the type of your video game and its target audience, they will help you with a detailed statistical report to pick the right country and plan how to embark on your journey.