Game developers are well aware of digital trends and AI-based solutions to automate the development process and overcome the hassle of managing complex codes. However, they often struggle when it comes to making their games accessible to a wider player base. The gaming industry has captured the audience from around the world. Reaching a diverse player base is essential for global success. The best approach is to translate your video game to appeal internationally and immerse a wider player base. Translation of video games is a tricky thing to pull off right. Similarly, preparing accurate translations is even more challenging.
Gaming translation goes beyond literal translation to retain the same tone, intent, and design of your gaming project across different localized versions.
This blog tells you about the scope of accurate translation and how it can help expand your player base globally.
The Global Gaming Landscape
With the advent of technology, the gaming industry is seamlessly breaking down geographical barriers. The global gaming market is projected to record a whopping revenue of $187.7 billion in 2024. Is your gaming project capable of capturing its share in the global market? You can leverage the power of global gaming communities, and interactive gaming platforms to connect with a wider player base and expand your reach. However, it requires adapting your project to cater to diverse audiences.
The Power of Video Game Translation
Gaming translation services help adapt your video game to resonate with specific cultures and preferences and appeal to a wider audience.
Break Language Barriers
Accurate translation is key to global success, as it helps break down language barriers and make your project accessible to a diverse audience. Players who speak or understand a different language can seamlessly access your video game if it is localized with higher accuracy and precision. By doing this, you can be sure that your game is accessible to a larger player base who wouldn’t be able to play your game otherwise. Moreover, players feel valued and respected when they can play an international version of a game in their native language.
Cultural Adaptation
Video game translation is complex as it involves cultural adaptation for a seamless user experience. When your video game is prepared with proven localization strategies, you can seamlessly navigate cultural norms, player preferences, and values. Localization ensures resonance with the end user, encouraging them to connect more deeply with the game. If your game is capable of aligning with diverse cultures and players’ preferences, chances are high that it will be played by an expanded audience.
Market Penetration
Accurate translation becomes your passport to new and untapped markets. For instance, your game includes functionalities and features that are highly praised by Chinese gamers. Without localization, it won’t be able to reach Chinese players and your goal of targeting new markets will become more difficult. On the other hand, if you have already localized your game into the Chinese language, you will attract more players which ultimately increases your potential revenue. Apart from reaching new markets, localization helps you get a competitive edge over other similar games and projects. Offering a game in multiple languages can differentiate your project from competitors, enabling more users to access and explore your video game.
Access to Global Community
Passionate gamers have established different gaming communities to ensure effective communication and share different experiences. Your video game is new to the market, it needs different communities to increase awareness and announce the launch of your project in style. Having access to global gaming communities can connect you with players who eagerly want to explore new games and delve into the highly intuitive features and functionalities. This is where you can get assistance from a translation company to deliver shared experiences and create a loyal fanbase across different regions.
Case Studies
Localization is a practical approach that has turbocharged the reach and impact of many popular video games. Video games that are being played globally have already leveraged translation to achieve global success.
Pokemon Go: This global phenomenon has adapted to different languages and cultures to attract a wider player base and maximize its revenue potential. Its global accessibility has helped the developer record a whopping revenue of nearly $8 billion in the course of the last eight years. Released in 2016, Pokemon Go captured the attention of passionate games and currently, it has over 150 million monthly active users.
PubG Mobile: PubG is another popular video game that observed a massive surge in popularity due to its focus on effective localization and adapting to diverse player preferences. Its overall statistics show that the game has 66% of global player spending from China, while the United States accounts for 11% of global player spending. It clearly shows localization has made the game accessible for everyone irrespective of their language, culture, or region. Localization is an ongoing process that ensures the long-term success of your game.
Conclusion
Expanding your player base is becoming a new challenge for game developers due to a lot of competition and alternatives available online. Video game translation is an innovative approach to tapping into new markets and expanding your player base. It helps unlock the full potential of your video game and capture a significant market share.
