Best Game Localisation Services In 2022
Game localisation services is the process of creating a foreign language version of a video game. This process is complex and involves making changes to text content based upon cultural considerations. Important character names, place names and item names in the game need to be identified for consistency.
There are many types of video games that could benefit from game localisation services. These range from mobile games to PC and console games. Text based games are arguably the easiest to provide localisation for, as the audio does not need any translation or localisation. 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?
Video Game Localisation Services Benefits
One of the many benefits of video game localisation is that the end product is more likely to match the original. Localisation also allows for more consistency in the end product. This is because it requires a more intensive process. The creation and use of a “lockit”, or ‘localisation kit’ are instrumental in the use of video game localisation services. Things included in a lockit can be a glossary of in-game terminology, character biographies, illustrations, and any additional information required by the localisation specialists.
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. Video game localisation can take this and other cultural considerations into account and adjust as necessary. Failing to take cultural context into consideration could turn your video game’s Hero into a villain. Additionally, using the correct level of formality and politeness can be important when translating the a character’s script. And one of the biggest benefits of video game localisation is that it can increase sales internationally.
What are the effects of Video Game Localisation Services on sales?
Simply put, each new language added to your video game opens up at least one brand new market. Whilst you could list your video game on any international game store, listing it in a rarely spoken language for the region will severely restrict your 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 games revenue in France was 2.7 billion dollars. The country with the largest video games market was China, with estimate 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.
Localisation or just translation?
Video game localisation goes much further than a simple translation. A well-executed localisation can help to maximise sales and leave your new international customers happy. On the other hand, a bad localisation (or no localisation at all) can leave customers frustrated, unhappy, and likely to leave bad reviews. This can obviously have a negative effect upon future sales.
It is important to remember that the video gaming community is incredibly tech savvy, and can have a cutting sense of humour. There are websites dedicated to discussing localisation failures, such as Legends of Localisation. If something in a videogame 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.
Finally, good game localisation services also take into account the censorship and publishing laws of various countries. Some countries ban video games due to violent content. Australia, for example, bans or 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 many sales by failing to conform to censorship laws.
Contact us for Professional Game Localisation Services
We work with trained and skilled video game localisation professionals. Our top priority is to provide the best game localisation and translation services, working closely with our clients through every stage of the process. Get in touch today to discuss your localisation needs.
