Video games are no longer just a form of entertainment; they have become a massive industry that generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The global video game market is estimated to be worth $$221.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $583.69 billion by 2030. With such a vast potential market, game developers need to ensure that their games reach a global audience. However, language barriers can be a significant obstacle to achieving this goal. That’s where video game translation services come in.
Video game translations are professional services that help game developers translate their games into different languages. These services employ expert linguists who are well-versed in the language and culture of the target market. They ensure that your game’s dialogues, instructions, and menus are accurately translated and culturally appropriate.
One of the benefits of using video game translation services is that they help you avoid common localization mistakes that can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. For example, using a literal translation of idiomatic expressions may not make sense in another language, resulting in confusion among players. With the help of professional translation services, you can avoid such errors and provide a seamless gaming experience for your players.
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Top video game markets in the world
In this section, we’ll explore some popular video game markets in the world. Plus, we’ll see how video game translations can help game developers expand their reach to these markets.
China
China is the world’s largest video game market, with an estimated market size of $37.9 billion in 2019. The Chinese video game market is projected to grow to $53.7 billion by 2022, making it a lucrative market for game developers.
However, tapping into the Chinese market requires localization of the game’s content. Chinese translation services can help game publishers translate their games into Mandarin or Cantonese, depending on the target market. These services utilize experienced linguists who possess extensive knowledge of the Chinese language as well as Chinese culture.
As a result, they not only accurately translate the content of your games but also ensure cultural appropriateness. Combine these linguistic and cultural aspects together and you’re able to deliver a game that will appeal to Chinese players.
For example, the use of colors in Chinese culture has different meanings than in Western culture. Red is considered lucky and symbolizes good fortune, while white symbolizes death and mourning. Professional Chinese translation services ensure that the game’s colors are culturally appropriate and resonate with Chinese players.
Japan
Japan is a significant player in the video game industry, with an estimated market size of $29 billion (2021 statistics). The Japanese market is known for its console gaming, with popular games such as Super Mario, Pokemon, and Legend of Zelda.
The Japanese language is unique and poses a challenge for game developers looking to localize their games for this market. With Japanese translations, game developers and publishers can get their games translated into Japanese accurately. When the game’s content is available in the local language of Japan, people will find it easy to connect and make purchase decisions.
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Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing markets for video games in Southeast Asia. According to a report by Niko Partners, the Vietnamese video game market is estimated to be worth $1.4 billion in 2020, with a growth rate of 13% per year. This growth is attributed to the increasing popularity of mobile games and the growing middle class in Vietnam.
To tap into this market, game developers need to ensure that their games are localized for the Vietnamese market. Vietnamese translation services can help game developers translate their games into Vietnamese accurately. These services employ expert linguists who are well-versed in the Vietnamese language and culture. They ensure that the game’s content is culturally appropriate and resonates with Vietnamese players.
For example, the Vietnamese language has six different tones, and using the wrong tone can change the meaning of a word. However, professional Vietnamese translation services will ensure that the tone is accurately represented in the game’s dialogues and instructions, avoiding any misunderstandings.
To sum it up…
In today’s world, video games are more than just entertainment. They have become a booming industry, with millions of gamers all over the world. As a game developer, you want to reach as many people as possible to expand your market share. But this is only possible when you consider translation services.
These services will help make sure that your game’s content is accurately translated and culturally appropriate. Thus, by localizing your games to different markets, you can tap into new geographies and expand your reach to a global audience.