Video Game Localization: Engaging Teenagers and Adults with an Innovative Approach

 

Video game localization is the preparation of video game software and hardware for sale in a new region or country. Translating the game text is a large part of localization, however, this is not the entire process. Video game localization includes any changes made to a game, including altering art assets, creating new packaging and manuals, recording new audio, transforming hardware and many more. Video game localization looks after the processes associated with making the video game accessible to the local market. The gaming language and structure should be in sync with the parameters operating in the local market. Moreover, the game should be able to attract local market players as they incorporate a large segment of the consumers in the economy. The growth and expansion of a video game depend majorly on consumption by the local segment of the population.

The decision to localize a game relies heavily on economic factors, such as the potential profits that could be made in a new country. The process is usually undertaken either by the game developers themselves or by a third-party translating company. Unauthorized fan localizations can also occur if the official translation is of poor quality or if a game is not released in a specific language. As a professional service, localization is still in development and lacks consistency in terms of implementation and importance. Gathering information about industrial localization practices can often be difficult because of the lack of consistency between companies as well as the non-disclosure agreements many translators have to sign.

The goal of localization is to create an enjoyable, understandable, and non-confusing play experience for the end-user by paying heed to their specific cultural context while being faithful to the source material. The suspension of disbelief is of utmost importance to the process; if a player feels as though the product was not meant for them, or if the localization creates confusion or difficulty in comprehension, this may break immersion and disrupt the player's ability to continue the game.

Levels of Video Localization

Depending on the financial viability of importing a game to a new locale, several different levels of localization may be undertaken. The first level is no localization. A game may still be imported into a region in the original language if there is a potential market for it, but no efforts to localize the game will occur, to cut back on costs. The second level is box and documentation localization, in which the box and documentation or manuals for the game will be translated, but not the game itself. The third level of localization is partial localization, in which game text is translated but voiceover files aren't. Further, this helps cut down on the cost of hiring actors and re-recording all of the dialogue while making the game comprehensible in another language. Voiceover dialogue that doesn't appear on the screen may be subtitled. The final level of localization is full localization, where all of a game's assets will be translated, including voiceover, game text, graphics, and manuals. This is the most expensive option and is usually only undertaken by AAA game companies.

White Globe, Asia's largest and most celebrated translation and localization expert has been instrumental in transcending the market and helping business firms penetrate local market spheres. If you want to expand the localization measures in your market, you must communicate with White Globe.