Even by the most conservative estimates, video games are expected to bring in US$365 billion in revenue in 2023. This is made possible by an increasingly global clientele that is now within reach of game producers.
But as the gaming industry goes global, there is a greater need for localization services to ensure that players can access and play their favorite games in their local languages anywhere. The translation and localization of video games are integral aspects of this.
It’s not enough to translate the interfaces and commands into the host country’s language; developers must also adapt the core principles to correspond to local players.
One approach is to include subtitles and voiceovers in the players’ native language for all narratives in the game. This gives each player a personalized experience. New audio production can also be added for high-budget projects requiring dubbing and voiceovers.
Let’s explore the fundamentals of translation, subtitling, and voicing in video games and the many benefits these services provide.
Video Game Localization – Translation, Subtitling, And Voiceover
Adapting a video game for distribution in a territory other than that in which it was initially released is known as “localization.” This involves finding a happy medium between translation and game design by conveying in-game instructions and concepts in a way that players will like and understand.
Marketing the game to appeal to the target demographic is also part of the localization process. That explains why many video games have subtitles in various languages to appeal to a broader international audience.
The Importance Of Translating Video Games
Video game dialogue is getting increasingly complex to serve the narrative better. This has led to the popularity of dubbing and subtitling for video games. Creators of video games and related professionals see the value in adapting their games for a particular region. In search of global acclaim, game makers have started using AV services to deliver stellar quality and localized gaming solutions to a worldwide audience.
The appeal of video games lies in the promise of total immersion and interactive freedom in a digital world. A poor localization job is the quickest way to ruin that potential, as it pulls the player out of the game and makes it nearly unplayable.
Prioritizing high-quality localization from the start of production is essential for a successful game. If you don’t, you risk turning off a large number of potential customers, stifling your earnings, and preventing your brand from expanding globally.
Conversely, a niche regional success can become an international sensation through reasonable localization efforts. Just look at how quickly games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Uncharted Series have gained a global foothold.
Localization is key to increased downloads, playtime, and engagement. Marketing should help improve the number of downloads. But actual playing time and engagement are determined by the quality of the game itself, with translation and localization powering the experience for additional language markets.
Enhanced Experience with Subtitles
Subtitling in a video game works the same as in movies and TV shows, with translated text appearing down the bottom (or top) of the display while characters continue to speak in the original language. Then, as the action plays out, the players follow along with the subtitles.
Being able to hear the actual voices of the performers is a major perk. In most cases, it is possible to understand what is said even if you don’t know the language used, because tone and intonation are readily identifiable and can be matched to the written words on the screen.
Many players find that reading subs enhances their immersion in the game, forcing them to participate in the story instead of only listening to it. So, there is no need to record new audio, and the localization team may spend more time editing the screenplay and making last-minute tweaks without overwhelming the developers.
Participate Actively Through Voiceovers
Dubbing is the process of recording fresh dialogue over an existing soundtrack. As a result, players can enjoy the localized game the same way the target audience did — by listening to the audio as they play.
The primary benefit is best seen in fast-paced video games. When a lot is going on, and the players needs to respond to in-game dialogue, it can be incredibly distracting for them to understand that text and take their focus away from the possibly deadly dangers they are attempting to escape.
Nonetheless, a verbal warning will be easily identifiable if the game is dubbed, which will reduce annoyance and improve the whole experience.
So What Is Better – Subtitling Or Voiceover?
When it comes to localizing game dialogue, there is no “correct” way to do it; rather, it depends heavily on the players’ preferences. Some players favor dubbing, while others would rather have subtitling, and a third group is often agnostic as long as the screenplay is well-written.
It’s not an either/or situation when deciding between dubbing and subtitling. Larger storage formats, such as Blu-ray, make it simple for developers to include subtitles and dub tracks in their games so that players can enjoy them in the language of their choice.
While this increases the workload for the localization team, it ultimately benefits the company by allowing them to meet better the needs of a more significant portion of its target audience.
Conclusion
Game localization opens the community to players of various languages and cultures, making consumers feel that the game was designed with them in mind, which boosts their appreciation of the product. This strengthens the connection between programmers and end users, which in turn will promote customer loyalty.
While subtitling and dubbing are often used for video localization, their application might vary by region, subject matter, and budget. Subtitles are helpful but aren’t always available or translated into all languages.
All in all, it’s crucial to remember that players will have varying tastes when translating your game. Some gamers prefer having their gaming experience narrated by a different voice and some would instead peruse the subtitles of the translated game. Make sure the quality of the translation is high, regardless of the approach you take. Nothing is more frustrating to readers than text inadequately translated.
How Translation Source Can Help In Videogame Localization
Translation Source can help with any subtitling or dubbing you need. Over two decades, we’ve become the industry standard for linguistic assistance.
Our subtitles and voiceovers are available in over a hundred languages and regional accents. As a comprehensive language service provider, we can help with content localization and translations for your advertising materials.
Get in touch with Translation Source right now if you need expert subtitling or voiceover services. Call us at (800) 413-7838 or fill out our online form and let’s talk.
