Game localization is vital for game producers who want to make their games available worldwide. On the other hand, more than localization is needed to secure a game’s success in a new market, as culturalization takes localization to the next step by tailoring the game to the target audience’s cultural norms and tastes. In this post, we will look at the benefits of culturalization for game localization and discuss why they should invest in it and collaborate with a game localization agency.
Introduction to Game Localization and Culturalization
The process of adapting a game to a given language and culture is known as game localization. It entails translating the game’s text, audio, and images to make it understandable and enticing to gamers in a new market. Culturalization, on the other hand, tailors the game’s content to the target audience’s cultural norms and tastes. This requires translating the text and changing the game’s aesthetics, characters, stories, and gaming mechanics to make it more culturally relevant.
What is Culturalization and How it Differs from Localization
As mentioned, culturalization is adjusting a game’s content to the target audience’s cultural conventions and preferences. For example, a popular game in the United States may only be successful in Japan or China if it resonates with the local culture. To ensure the game’s success in these markets, its creator must culturalize it to appeal to the local audience. It means they will need to change characters’ names, appearance, and probably even behavior.
On the other hand, localization is the process of modifying a game’s text, audio, and images to a specific language and culture. It entails translating the game’s content into the target language and making any required adjustments to the aesthetics and audio to ensure that they are culturally appropriate.
While translation is necessary for making a game accessible to a worldwide audience, it does not necessarily guarantee the game’s success in a new region. This is when culturalization comes into play.
Benefits of Culturalization for Game Localization Companies
Culturalization has various advantages for game localization companies. Game makers can boost a game’s attractiveness to players in a new market by culturalizing it, leading to increased sales and profitability.
Culturalization may also assist game makers in establishing a better brand presence in a new market by showcasing their dedication to learning and respecting local culture.
Another advantage of culturalization is that it may assist game makers in avoiding cultural traps that could damage their image in a new market. For example, a game that contains information deemed forbidden in the local culture may receive negative feedback and reaction from players. By adjusting the game’s content to the local culture, culturalization can assist game makers in identifying and avoiding these issues.
How Culturalization Impacts User Experience and Engagement
The influence of culturalization on user experience and engagement is essential. Game creators may provide players with a more immersive and engaging experience by culturalizing a game to appeal to the local audience. This can result in improved player retention and revenue growth.
Culturalization may also assist game producers in building a more devoted fan base by showcasing their dedication to learning and appreciating the local culture. This can result in favorable reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations, assisting the game to gain momentum in a new market.
Return on Investment (ROI) for Companies that Invest in Culturalization
Game makers can boost a game’s attractiveness to players in a new market by culturalizing it, leading to increased sales and profitability. This can let game makers recover their culturalization expenditure and create a sizable return. Investing in culturalization may yield a significant return on investment for game localization firms.
Furthermore, culturalization can assist game producers in establishing a better brand presence in a new market, leading to long-term growth and success. As a result, game localization businesses that want to broaden their reach and improve their income should invest in culturalization.
Examples of Culturalization in Popular Games
Many popular games have been culturalized to appeal to a specific demographic. For example, the game “League of Legends” has been naturalized for the Chinese market. The game’s aesthetics, characters, and plots have been altered to appeal to Chinese players, and as a consequence, the game has become one of the most popular in China.
Another case in point is the game “Final Fantasy XV,” which has been naturalized for the Middle Eastern market. The game’s aesthetics and narratives have been changed to appeal to local gamers, and as a consequence, the game has been favorably welcomed throughout the area.
Challenges of Culturalization and How to Overcome Them
While culturalization offers numerous advantages, it also has some drawbacks. Understanding the local culture and adjusting the game’s content is one of the most challenging problems. Substantial study and consultation with local specialists are required to guarantee that the game is culturally relevant and appropriate.
Another problem is reconciling culturalization with the original goal of the game. Game designers must discover a means to culturalize the game while maintaining its original vision and gameplay mechanics. This necessitates a precise balance between culturalization and localization.
To overcome these obstacles, game makers should collaborate with seasoned game localization companies who understand the local culture and can assist them in navigating the cultural intricacies of the target audience.
Future of Culturalization in the Gaming Industry
Culturalization’s future in the game business is bright. The need for culturalization services is projected to rise as more game makers seek to expand their reach into new areas. This gives the enormous potential for game translation businesses to grow their company and income.
Furthermore, as the gaming business grows more global, culturalization will become an increasingly important aspect of game production. Game creators that only culturalize their games risk taking advantage of the affluent prospects offered by new markets.
Conclusion
Finally, culturalization is critical for businesses to grow into new markets. By culturalizing a game, game producers may boost its appeal to new market participants, generate a better brand presence, and avoid cultural hazards that could hurt its reputation. Furthermore, for companies aiming to boost income and develop their business, culturalization may deliver a significant return on investment. As a result, firms that want to compete in the global gaming market must invest in culturalization and collaborate with game localization services.
