Difference between Game Localization and Translation

Video game localization & translation are two terms that are well-known and somewhat related but not the same thing. Translation is the process of conveying meaning from one language to another, usually via words or phrases. Finding terms in a source language for a target language enables one to translate phrases like "hello" from the English language to "Hola" in Spanish. The process of translation can reach an advanced level through the localization process in the field of gaming. By adapting it for a different setting, it takes content made for one place and makes it suitable for other areas. Although translation is a component of localization, there is much more to it than that.

As video games gain popularity worldwide, more businesses are realizing the importance of localizing their titles to appeal to new markets and user bases. The purpose of video game localization in the gaming industry is to make them compatible with new environments, regions, countries, and languages.

There are numerous steps involved in the process of video game localization. Native language speakers' complete absorption in the gaming medium, and a solid understanding of how important language is to the video game experience are all prerequisites for video game localization. Professionals in game localization collaborate with marketing experts, developers, QA analysts, translators, and testers to localize video games for a variety of consumers.

What is Game Translation?

The translation process of your game's text is only one part of the video game localization process. The process of localizing a game by translating its language into the player's native tongue is known as game translation. Global gaming audiences have grown because of the multilingual video game translation process. The comfort that comes from playing in their own language boosts players' interest in and time spent playing video games.

What is Game Localization?

Video game localization is the process of adapting a video game for a different market. The processes of globalization and language quality control are both included in the localization approach. More than just translating a game's text is involved in the localization process. Language-related factors, such as translations of names or in-game dialogues, are necessary for localizing video games.

Difference between Game Localization and Game Translation Process

The phrases "game localization" and "game translation" are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they don't mean the same thing.

• The practice of translating a game from one language into another so that speakers of that language may play it is known as game translation. The game translation process from one language to another while simultaneously adding adjustments to account for regional cultural variations (such as having characters wear different dresses or have regional accents) is known as video game localization.
• It's vital to understand that game translation solely deals with the text and does not alter the game itself. Depending on the demands of each country, professional game localization services may occasionally involve alterations to the gameplay, visuals, or even music.
• The process of translating video games includes changing the meaning of the text, dialogue, and voiceover from one language to another. Game localization entails completely adapting the game to meet the linguistic and cultural standards of a market, as opposed to translation, which is only about words and keeping meaning.
• Video game translation focuses on meaning, whereas localization is more concerned with the product itself and how it will be received by gamers in a certain region.

The core of a video game may not always be adequately communicated to players through translation. Instead, to make a game truly amazing, we must go beyond its obvious linguistic level and consider its full cultural setting. Let's examine when it makes sense to depart from standard translation procedures and why.

Reasons for Going Beyond the Translation Process

Some video games are quite straightforward, with little to no text, or they don't have a rich world setting, plot, or cast of people. Other video games, however, are more complicated and detailed that are given special attention during the game development process. The latter games frequently include a tonnne of culturally particular features from their native nations, such as names for characters and settings, symbols, humor, and historical connections and details.

A more radical approach may be necessary when dealing with features of this kind that might vary from culture to culture; here is where video game localization comes into play. Overall, there are several situations where a localization strategy may be preferable.

To Reduce Ambiguity

Due to improper word-for-word translation techniques and important missing game localization possibilities, communication errors are common in the gaming translation sector. Therefore, when doing video game development for a different market, preventing misunderstanding is a top concern. Fortunately, effective game localization may address any potential cultural differences in the target market that can cause misunderstanding. A good example of this is the translation of numbers into their appropriate counterparts, including units of measurement, currencies, and time and date formats.

Reduce the Possibility of Cultural Appropriation

The risk of unintentional cultural offense is another significant risk that is frequently connected to the release of a video game in a strange and new market. Video game localization can help avoid this risk. Localization now extends past linguistic boundaries and, in this case, touches on censorship. Basically, localizing a video game also entails changing, censoring, or removing certain themes and iconography that may otherwise be regarded as inappropriate to different cultures.

A translation agency for video games may give pertinent guidance on such issues and eliminate, modify, or replace any allusions, symbols, or even entire sequences and dialogues that are culturally insensitive.

Boost the Authenticity of Your Video Game's Appeal

The attractiveness of your video game to your target audience can be increased with the help of the game localization process. It's true that translation helps in making your thoughts clear in the target language, but game localization is where the real creative magic happens. The key to helping you create a one-of-a-kind gaming experience and ensuring that your game genuinely resonates with its gamers is to make use of the creative options that translation has to offer.

Higher Rankings in the App Store

Based on a survey conducted by CSA Research, most of the online shoppers prefer to buy products with information in their native language in comparison to buying from websites in other languages. Make sure your video game appeals to all your target audiences if you want to raise the number of downloads. You should not undervalue the influence of mobile gaming as a video game creator. After all, the market for video games as a whole is only about 60% accounted for by mobile gaming.

Maximize Your Sales

The most outstanding means of entertaining your global audience is through video games. There aren't many people who don't enjoy playing video games. Go ahead if you wish to join the ranks of the businesses that have already localized their video games and are reaping the rewards of brisk sales. When your business realizes the need for a video game localization process to survive in the gaming industry, you may expect a significant increase in sales. Long-term ROI will go up because of this.

Video Game Translation or Localization

Video game localization is essential in situations when products could confuse or offend your target market. A straightforward translation may occasionally be sufficient; thus, localizing every piece of your game's content isn't always essential. Rules can always be broken, and in certain instances, certain things may even remain the same.

For instance, American gamers are so familiar with the Japanese gaming and anime industry that Americanizing the names of Japanese game characters wouldn't make sense and would be viewed as needless.

There are a few straightforward questions they may ask to help you decide which strategy is ideal for each video game asset:

1. Do the names of the people, places, things, and weaponry sound suitable? Are they simple to pronounce, and are they recognized in the target language?
2. Is the mood intended to be created by this text, conversation, or environment, achieved? For instance, does the translation to the target language maintain the humor of the original sentence?
3. Is there any information that my global audience wouldn't be acquainted with, such as references to local heroes or historical events?
4. If a target audience listened to the dialogue, would it seem natural?

Experienced translators who have a thorough awareness of the culture and the target market will find the answers to these queries more easily. They'll instantly recognize the approach that works best for the situation and adjust it appropriately in the video game localization process.

When it comes to the video game localization process, visual and technological solutions are also covered by translation, which deals with in-game dialogue and cultural concerns. To guarantee that brand experiences are felt by customers worldwide, it makes the material fully functioning in many languages.

It's important to select a skilled localization services provider or translation agency that has expertise in performing video game localization. The removal of poorly localized material and the installation of fresh content costs you more money, more time, and more energy. The well-established reputation of your brand may be seriously harmed if this procedure was performed incorrectly or carelessly during the game development process.

If you are in search of a professional translation company to get your game(s) localized, look no further! You can leave all your game localization requirements on us, Lingual Consultancy. At LC, we localize and work with passionate gaming professionals who also have a knack of translating games into their own language. Therefore, the result is always high-quality localized games.