Want more people to play your awesome game? Imagine kids in Japan, adults in Spain, and families in Brazil all enjoying it. How? You need to make your game speak their language! And this is where game translation services can help you elevate the level and demand of your game. They transform your game into fun and understandable experiences and expand the reach of your game.
In this read, we are going to talk about the importance of localization for your game and how it increases sales of your game in local as well as international markets.
Why Talk Different Languages? More Players, More Fun!
When a game talks in one’s native language, it feels like home. People understand the story. They know what buttons to press.They get the jokes.This makes them want to play more. And when more people play, gaming companies get to sell more copies. The diversity of languages and cultures brings communication barriers we all know about. So when it comes to playing games, these barriers can hinder the gameplay. This is why localization and translation are important parts of the gaming industry.
What is Localization Anyway?
It’s not just changing words. It’s changing everything to fit a game in a new market. Think of it like this: you’re not just translating, you’re making a new version of your game.
Words, Words, Words: Getting the Text Right
Simple Words are Best: Use words that everyone knows. Don’t use big, fancy words. Kids should understand. Grown-ups should too. This is why industry-relevant jargon is the best option you must use to make your game relatable for the audiences.
Keep Sentences Short: Long sentences are hard to read. Short sentences are easy to understand and they convey the meaning quickly.
Think About Space: Some languages use more words than others. Make sure your text boxes are big enough. You don’t want words to get cut off. This is why with localization, not only the text is translated but also graphics are taken into notice.
Check for Mistakes: Even small mistakes can confuse people. Get someone who speaks the language to check your work. Native translators are the soul of game localization as they incorporate cultural nuances in the games to make them free of mistakes.
Pictures and Sounds: Making it Feel Right
Pictures Tell Stories: Make sure your pictures fit the culture. A thumbs-up might mean something different in another country.
Sounds Matter: Sounds should feel right too. Music and sound effects should match the mood. Sound plays an important role in depicting what is happening in the game so it should be localized.
Voice Acting is Key: If your game has voices, get people who speak the language well. They should sound natural. Gamers can tell when voices sound fake.
Buttons and Menus: Easy to Use
Make it Easy to Find Things: Menus should be simple. People should know where to go.
Check Button Sizes: Different words take up different space. Make sure buttons are big enough and they keep the text right in them or otherwise it can ruin the look of images.
Dates and Numbers: Making Sense
Dates are Different: Some countries write dates day-month-year. Others write month-day-year. Make sure your game uses the right way. With localization, you can adapt the date format as per the target audiences.
Numbers Change Too: Some countries use commas for decimals. Others use dots. Make sure your numbers are easy to read.
Money is Special: Show prices in the right currency. Gamers need to know how much things cost in their own money.
Game Testing: Play Your Game in Other Languages
Get Real Players: Find gamers who can play the localized version of your game and point out the mistakes. This will help in identifying mistakes and later you can fix them so that the game offers an immersive experience. This feedback will improve your game and you will get to sell more copies of your game.
Know Your Audience: What Do They Like?
It is important to know what your audience likes so that you can deliver them the game they want. As questions like, what do they like to play? What stories do they like? What jokes do they find funny? Look for the age of your audiences. Kids like different things than grown-ups. Make sure your game is right for the age group.
Updates and Changes: Keep it Fresh
Games Change: You need to add new levels or characters. Make sure you update the other languages too.
Listen to Players: Players might find mistakes after the game is released. Fix them quickly.
Keep it Up-to-Date: Languages change. Cultures change. Keep your game current. If you need to change many things, look into game localization services.
Plan Ahead: Don’t Wait Until the End
Think About Localization Early: Don’t wait until your game is finished. Plan for it from the start.
Make it Easy to Change Text: Use tools that make it easy to change words. This will save you time later.
Budget for Localization: It takes time and money. Make sure you have enough.
Final Words!
By making your game speak the language of your players, you open up a whole new world of fun and sales. You’ll make more friends and more money. And that’s a win for everyone. With game localization, you will get to launch your game in niche markets as well which will give a boost to your gaming business.
