Post by habiba123820 on Nov 6, 2024 1:23:49 GMT -5
A great way to increase adoption of video games is to expand into international markets. Many developers overestimate the cost and effort of offering their game in different languages. However, the cost is surprisingly low when compared to the return. Localizing video games doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you prepare for the challenges and work with a company that will address them. Many creators make their games available worldwide but keep the original language. However, this initial phase can give them early access to metrics that can help them determine where the most interest for their product is. They can then increase that engagement by translating their games for that country’s market. With the right global video game launch strategy in place, the transition can be relatively smooth. However, there are some challenges to consider.
Challenges of Video Game Localization
Localizing video games may not be as difficult as most people think, but there are a few challenges worth mentioning. Since these games tend to be word-heavy and graphic-heavy, there are a few extra wordpress web design agency steps you need to take to maintain the user experience. Specifically, there are four different things to consider.
High degree of adaptation
Code is the product of a video game. You need to consider adaptability at both a linguistic and architectural level. There are a ton of variables that need to be considered. Consider something simple like a message that says, “Congratulations, you made X shots!” The variable can’t just be bound to “X” because some languages will require numeric value movement. Proper variables are needed to ensure that the message is displayed correctly to the audience.
Context is vital because it tells the linguist what the sequence means. Without it, the translation could be meaningless. Consider the example above: "Congratulations; you made X shots!" In English, this could refer to gun shots, as in a first-person shooter, or baskets, as in a sports game. However, when translated into its German equivalent, "schuss", the word specifically refers to a projectile.
Video game localization—more than any other type of translation—requires explicit subject matter expertise. Without it, it would be like trying to play chess without knowing the rules of the game. If you don’t know the objectives, goals, standard moves, and strategies, translating them into another language may not work. Even if you get every word right, the lack of contextual understanding will likely degrade the user experience.
A translated game rarely succeeds on its first try. First, the code must pass linguistic review and be applicable to the gameplay experience. Then, engineers will need to review it to ensure it works as expected. Testing and review can happen repeatedly. When you consider how frequently games are updated, it’s a nearly never-ending process. A standard translation agency may not know how to manage code or provide expertise specific to the video game industry. Their linguists may just be given strings without context, and the QA team may focus exclusively on linguistics. To eliminate these issues, developers should aim for an end-to-end experience.
Challenges of Video Game Localization
Localizing video games may not be as difficult as most people think, but there are a few challenges worth mentioning. Since these games tend to be word-heavy and graphic-heavy, there are a few extra wordpress web design agency steps you need to take to maintain the user experience. Specifically, there are four different things to consider.
High degree of adaptation
Code is the product of a video game. You need to consider adaptability at both a linguistic and architectural level. There are a ton of variables that need to be considered. Consider something simple like a message that says, “Congratulations, you made X shots!” The variable can’t just be bound to “X” because some languages will require numeric value movement. Proper variables are needed to ensure that the message is displayed correctly to the audience.
Context is vital because it tells the linguist what the sequence means. Without it, the translation could be meaningless. Consider the example above: "Congratulations; you made X shots!" In English, this could refer to gun shots, as in a first-person shooter, or baskets, as in a sports game. However, when translated into its German equivalent, "schuss", the word specifically refers to a projectile.
Video game localization—more than any other type of translation—requires explicit subject matter expertise. Without it, it would be like trying to play chess without knowing the rules of the game. If you don’t know the objectives, goals, standard moves, and strategies, translating them into another language may not work. Even if you get every word right, the lack of contextual understanding will likely degrade the user experience.
A translated game rarely succeeds on its first try. First, the code must pass linguistic review and be applicable to the gameplay experience. Then, engineers will need to review it to ensure it works as expected. Testing and review can happen repeatedly. When you consider how frequently games are updated, it’s a nearly never-ending process. A standard translation agency may not know how to manage code or provide expertise specific to the video game industry. Their linguists may just be given strings without context, and the QA team may focus exclusively on linguistics. To eliminate these issues, developers should aim for an end-to-end experience.