Distinct Strategies To Consider For Effective Game Localization

 

Game localization is a process that empowers gamers to enjoy and play the game according to the gaming norms common in their region. Localizing a game is a complex process and extremely crucial for a gaming company or the game developer to adapt if they intend to compete in the global market. There are hundreds and thousands of gaming applications that are available to download on the app stores and not all of these can strive for longer if not localized effectively. Only the games that are localized well get to compete in the long run. To make the most of the localization, it is imperative to seek for best game localization services. These help to compete nicely and stand ahead among the rest of the competitors. To localize the game in a way that leaves an impact, it is important that you as a company go through the whole process thoroughly.

Here are five of the distinct practices that are often overlooked but should be considered for effective game localization.

Proper content adaptation

Content adaptation is the first significant process of game localization. You need to translate the content accurately. It should be checked by the concerned linguists, as any errors and discrepancies can go a long way, also creating problems in the localization process. The translation services hired should be professional and competent. The team should be adept, and they should deal with the content in a way that resonates with the needs of the target audiences accurately. The norms and preferences of the target culture should also be considered. This strategy is particularly helpful as it aids your audiences to connect with your business and game right away. However, if you try to impose content that is beyond their cultural values, this can make them turn away.

Opt for cultural analysis

It is important to consider the essence of the game localization which is cultural adaptation. A game localization that is carried out without considering the crux of the process is of no use. This also indicates that you are merely wasting your time and resources. Hence, you need to be mindful of the fact that when you opt for game localization, you should know your target audience. Also, the content should be according to the gaming practices and norms of the target audience. This includes considering their customs, traditions, and beliefs. Therefore, as a primary strategy, make sure that you consider the target culture’s values, customers, and preferences to implement these well and carefully in the text.Moreover, you should be aware of the cultural and humorous references used in content to translate these properly.

Consider contextual understanding

Your next concern should be contextual understanding. Make sure that you do not ignore the importance of contextual understanding, which can be a deal breaker in the game localization. Context is the key area in every type of translation. Be it game, software, or mobile app translation services, you must take care of it right from the start. Contextual understanding is particularly evident in gaming localization because it works with a certain story and narrative and the characters have to act according to the context. Overlooking it can ruin the whole story and narrative, making players confused and lost.

Careful voice-over & subtitle production 

The voice-over and subtitles are fundamental parts of the game localization and can help to make or ruin the gaming experience of a player. So you should put extra effort into this process and opt for the best strategies. You should select the voices of the actors carefully. They should be able to convey the emotions and personalities of the characters accurately. For instance, Asian languages, particularly, Japanese, asks for high-pitched female voices. Whereas Western audiences may prefer tones that are deeper relatively. Moreover, the subtitles should be placed accurately, and the synchronization should be spot on. Additionally, the subtitles should be easy to read.

Moreover, you should also ensure that the translators are present during the process of voiceover production so that they can point out the mistakes, if any. Many times, the content sounds different while speaking and recording, this can make the translators evaluate their translation better. They can witness the process of voiceovers and  make changes where necessary.

Do not ignore localization testing

A lot of developers often overlook the need for the testing of localized games. Working with a professional game localization company is beneficial in a way that they take care of all such aspects. Testing is important before launching the content so that in case of any glitches these come up and reflect right away. You should also consider testing the game on different platforms and devices to check the compatibility and ensure that these are working as per the expectations. Many times the games fail to work smoothly on the tabs or on some of the operating systems. Therefore, you should strategize your game testing across the platforms accordingly to avoid the bashing. Moreover, games should be accessible for one and all and the accessibility for players with disabilities should be considered in this regard.

Conclusion

Game localization gets better when you conduct proper research and ensure that there are no loopholes. Considering the importance of strategies that are not talked about much can help navigate through the challenges of game localization effectively. Consider a proper content adaptation, opting for cultural analysis, contextual understanding, and careful voice-over production.