The gaming industry has experienced exponential growth in the last two years. The reason for this is quite apparent. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many people tried to find a way to keep themselves from getting bored, so they tried playing video games as one of the sources of entertainment.
This growth is expected to increase because multiple video games are being played more than ever, from tablets to consoles, downloaded/box PC, browser PC, and smartphones. The same trend is also true in the game localization industry.
It is essential to know that going international is one of the main courses of action for game developers to help grow their success. Making their game attractive to other countries, especially non-English-speaking ones, by providing them with the localized version of their favorite games is one of the best options. In other words, video game localization.
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Getting To Know Video Game Localization
Localized video games are considered adaptations of the original video games sold in the international market. The original ones are usually in English. Furthermore, video game localisation involves internationalization, translation, culturalization, and linguistic quality assurance.
Many people expect to feel at home when playing video games. The only way your game business can provide that is through localization. For example, a video game based on American culture or mythology won’t be that appealing in Asia because most locals won’t understand the storyline.
Benefits of Video Game Localization
Video game localization can bring many benefits to your game business, such as:
Boost in Revenue Potential
The larger your target market is, the more revenue you can seize. So, for example, if you’ve only made your video game in the U.S, you’ll be able to increase or even double your potential market size if you choose to localize to another market such as China.
Always remember that there are billions of gamers around the world. This means that there are multiple opportunities to help grow your gaming business. Moreover, it would be best to take advantage of these opportunities and start by localization.
Improved App Store Rankings
It is essential to know that most Google Play and IOS downloads are from non-native English countries. Thus, if you want to increase your video game downloads, it is best to ensure they appeal to different target markets.
As an entrepreneur in the gaming industry, it is critical not to underestimate the power of mobile gaming. This type of game covers 60% of the total gaming market. Furthermore, mobile gaming is expected to rise in the following years. Thus, you better start considering it.
Stand Out from Your Competitors
If you want to compete with the video game developers that offer the same niche as you, go for localization.
Offer players the best game with an authentic home-grown experience. Moreover, it is vital to know that not all gaming companies will make an effort to develop a game that is relatable to different countries. So don’t let your game flop just because you don’t want to localize your content.
Larger Target Market
As mentioned earlier, billions of video game players exist up to date, so why not take this opportunity and focus on increasing your game’s potential players by localization? You never know. Your game might be so popular in a different country.
Saves You from Embarrassment
It is critical to keep in mind that professional video game localization lessens the risk of players misunderstanding the context of your video game.
Localization is not just focused on translation. Instead, it involves changing the game into a whole new perspective, which is culturally appropriate and relatable to a target market.
It is still the same game. What video game localization provides is a breath of fresh air into your video game experience.
Your video game will be adapted to include local influences such as date formats, food, music, holidays, and colors based on your target audience’s social, cultural, and regional environments.
Countries You Should Consider
Video games are top-rated these days. However, it is vital to know that several countries have led to this race. Furthermore, making these countries your target market is recommended if you want to reach the best downloads and sales.
These are the ten gaming markets you should consider:
- China
- Japan
- United States
- South Korea
- France
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Canada
- Spain
To Wrap It Up
Expanding your gaming business to larger and different target markets means that you are also increasing your revenue potential. One of the best options to do this is through video game localization.
Localizing your game makes it more relatable in different countries (usually non-English countries). Besides access to the best games, the players can get the authentic home-grown experience they have been looking for. This gives you a significant advantage against your competitors in the gaming business.
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