Different Games, Different Platforms

Gaming localization is anything but straightforward. There are numerous complexities that add to the challenge of taking a multimedia experience and replicating it perfectly to target audiences across the world. Yes, let’s not forget that games are more than just goods, they’re experiences. They communicate with the user both actively and passively, engaging their senses and demanding interaction.

As games grew both in size and reputation, naturally, platforms evolved alongside them. It’s important to note that a great game can fall spectacularly flat if paired with the wrong platform. We’ve seen plenty of studios overpromise and underdeliver, refusing to budget for more powerful platforms. We’ve also seen certain games barely make a ripple with worldwide gamers, proving that playing it safe might not always be such a good option.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “what does this have to do with localization?”. Simple, localization is another factor just as equally important in making or breaking a game. While a studio might have mind-blowing graphics, a catchy soundtrack, and a plot that can make a room shed a tear, it’s all irrelevant if it gets lost in translation.

Back to Basics: What is Gaming Localization?

Gaming localization is the process of adapting video games to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of players in different regions of the world. It involves translating the game’s content, including text, audio, images, and video into the languages and cultural norms of target regions. In short, it’s a necessary tool in making your game accessible to the world. You wouldn’t start a book you couldn’t read, would you? The same logic applies to games.

One of the challenges of gaming localization is the complexity of the translation process. It is not simply a matter of translating text from one language to another. The meaning of a sentence can change depending on the cultural context, and the localization team must take this into account. When we say “take this into account”, it’s extremely difficult for a non-native individual to truly understand what is meant in the source text. Native translators are the one facet that cannot be sacrificed. It is not enough to be able to understand the word, but the individual has to relate to the experience firsthand, and be familiar with the colloquialisms used in that region.

Additionally, different languages use different sentence structures, and it is important to ensure that the translated text fits within the game’s interface without causing any visual clutter. Studios use placeholders in order to create a visualization of the word count. This gives the localization team a good reference in case they need to edit the text to make it fit.

Another challenge is the amount of content that must be translated. Many games have large amounts of text, and translators must be able to keep up with the pace of development to ensure that the game is released on time. This requires an organized, dedicated localization team to meet the studio’s needs. A cardinal rule would be “better be overprepared than underprepared”.

Platforms in Gaming

Gaming localization techniques can vary depending on the platform being used. For example, mobile games are often simpler in terms of gameplay and mechanics, but they may require more frequent updates due to their online nature. You know those games that need you to redownload them every week or so and it just feels like nothing is really changing? That’s pretty common for apps that need bug fixes and performance enhancements. Often times, you won’t notice a difference as a player, but what goes on behind the scenes is a different story. One single typo could require an entire update.

PC games, on the other hand, can be more complex in terms of gameplay and mechanics, and may require more in-depth translations. The user interface can also be more complicated, requiring more effort on the part of the translator to accommodate the word count.

Console games, including both traditional consoles and newer gaming platforms like virtual reality headsets, may require different localization techniques. The user interface of these games can be more complex, and the translator may need to take into account the different input methods used by players. Additionally, the audio and visual aspects of console games can be more demanding, requiring translators to be familiar with the technical aspects of the platform they are working on.

Benefits of Gaming Localization

In addition to the challenges associated with gaming localization, there are also many benefits. Gaming localization can help game developers expand their audience and increase the global reach of their games. It can also help to make games more accessible to players in different regions of the world, regardless of their language or cultural background.

Gaming localization is used by a wide variety of companies, from large international game developers to smaller independent studios. It is an essential part of the game development process and is often integrated into the development cycle from the beginning. This ensures that the localization process is included in the game’s design, making it easier and more cost-effective to implement.

In addition to the game developers themselves, other companies involved in the gaming industry also use gaming localization. This includes companies that publish and distribute games, as well as companies that offer localization services. These companies can provide a range of services, from basic translation to more complex localization techniques, depending on the needs of the game developer.

What About iGaming?

We’ve spoken in great detail about iGaming localization in the past, but we feel it’s relevant to mention it here as well, given that iGaming localization falls under the umbrella of gaming localization anyway. In fact, the evolution of iGaming in the past few decades has given casinos the opportunity to launch on different platforms as well. Most modern casinos offer PC, laptop, and mobile access to their games.

Localizing iGaming casinos is a task a little less daunting than video game localization, as there are less complexities involved. iGaming is very straightforward, although it does have its fair share of world-building. As thematic games have become more commonplace, we witnessed the emergence of games become more culture-centric.

There’s also a challenge for localization teams regarding operating system compatibility. High-end casinos have standalone apps on both iOS and Android, but certain casinos do not have the financial backing to do that. Therefore, localization teams will have to accommodate browser and phone dimension restrictions when implementing their translations.

With that being said…

Gaming localization is an essential part of the game development process, proving that it can help game developers expand their audience and increase the global reach of their games. However, it is also a challenging process, requiring translators to be familiar with the technical aspects of different gaming platforms, as well as the cultural and linguistic nuances of different regions of the world. By understanding the challenges and benefits of gaming localization, game developers and other companies involved in the gaming industry can make informed decisions about how best to approach this important aspect of game development.

Now that you’ve read the theory, it’s time to put it into practice.

Localization is best left to the experts. Sure, you could hire a freelance translator or two to help out with your game, but are you willing to take the risk of being left shorthanded with so many deadlines to meet?

GTH has been in the business of gaming and iGaming localization for over a decade now. We have the experience, the know-how, and the team capable of localizing your project into a global phenomenon, all at a competitive rate.

Ready to give us a try? Contact us now for a free sample!