Language localisation is the process of creating a foreign-language version of a product that is adapted to the culture and region of a specific market. One of the most common language localisation services is adaptations of video games. This process is complex and involves the translation of text and localisation of content to account for cultural considerations.

Many video games could benefit from language localisation services, ranging from mobile games to PC and console games. Text based-games are the easiest to provide localisation for, as the audio does not need translation or localisation. On the other hand, video games with spoken language elements often represent larger projects. This is because native-speaking voice actors will record new audio for each language.

The scale of the project should be considered when planning for video game localisation services. Will new updates or additional DLC roll out new language versions of the video game? Or will the various localisations need to be ready and in place before product launch? This article helps answer these questions and looks into the benefits that language localisation provides.

Benefits of Video Game Localisation Services

One of the many benefits of video game localisation is a consistent user experience, regardless of whether people are playing the original or adapted game version. It allows for more consistency in the end product despite cultural differences.

Cultural differences between two countries mean that they have different behaviours. What may be polite in one location could be a social faux pas in another. As such, failing to consider cultural context could turn your video game’s hero into a villain. Language localisation can take these cultural considerations into account and adjust as necessary so that your video game makes sense.

Translation and localisation also ensure that you use the correct formality and politeness, which is essential when translating character scripts. Proper dialogue helps to ensure your video game is a success across the globe and can be enjoyed by people from all countries. This leads to one of the biggest benefits of language localisation: increasing video game sales internationally.

The Effects of Language Localisation on Game Sales

In 2021, the US gaming market had an estimated revenue of 30.4 billion dollars. Japanese video game revenue was about 18.2 billion US dollars, and game revenue in France was 2.7 billion. However, the country with the largest video games market was China, with estimated revenues of 49.3 billion US dollars.

Of the top ten countries in the world for video game revenues in 2021, only two were English-speaking countries. Therefore, each language localisation added to your video game opens up at least one new market. For the most significant impact on game sales, consider translation and localisation into Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, or French.

Of course, the above three languages are not your only option – you could list your video game on any international game store and see improvements in revenue. However, localising your video games in a rarely spoken language for the region will severely restrict your sales.

Game Localisation vs Translation

Language localisation goes much further than translation services. Translation looks solely at rendering the text into another language, such as from English to Japanese. On the other hand, a well-executed localisation can help to maximise sales and leave your new international customers happy by considering their cultural preferences.

When investing in game localisation, it is essential to use high-quality services. A bad localisation is just as harmful as no localisation and can leave customers frustrated and unhappy. There are even websites dedicated to discussing localisation failures, such as Legends of Localisation. If something in a video game is jarring or poorly made, it will be pounced on! Attracting this sort of negative attention, caused by poor translation or localisation, can severely limit sales of your video game.

Good language localisation avoids this negative media. However, it’s also crucial from a legal perspective. Some countries ban video games due to violent content. Australia, for example, requires altered content to remove violence, sexual content, nudity and drugs from video games. Germany has strict laws regarding video games referring to Nazi ideology and violence. It is possible to lose sales by failing to conform to censorship laws.

Professional Language Localisation Services

Renaissance Translations is qualified to offer effective language localisation services. We work with trained and skilled video game localisation professionals and we offer our services in over 120 languages. Our top priority is to provide the best game localisation and translation, working closely with our clients through every stage of the process.

Our company is member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as SDL Trados LSP Partner Programme. Get in touch today to discuss your language localisation needs or request a quote online on our website.