Want to take your software and game products global? You’ll need to localize them for success. This guide provides advice on how to make the most of the global market. Learn how to meet the diverse cultural preferences of your international users. Make sure your products are primed for success worldwide!
Understanding the Importance of Localization
As the global market expands, grasping the value of software and game localization is vital. Adapting to diverse languages and cultures will help you stand out and boost your brand recognition, trust and sales. Software localization and game localization offer many advantages; it goes beyond translation. It includes accommodating local culture-based needs, such as font size, colors, logo designs, payment systems preferences. Ignoring those can cause product failure and poor analysis, leading to a potential 75% customer loss.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Web Browser launch in Japan is an example of what can happen without proper localization. Locals could not view Japanese text, so they abandoned the browser for other options. Therefore, understanding the importance of localization isn’t just about language; it’s about understanding the specific needs of different cultures. A lack of localization can hurt revenue and long-term success for any industry on a global scale. Investing in proper localization shows your audience that you care, and it can lead to more success.
Localize Your Game to Connect with the Audience
Game localization is all about connecting with gamers worldwide. It involves adapting content and design to different languages and cultures. As games attract more diverse audiences, localization is essential. From translation to regional idioms and music, the process needs experienced translators who know the cultures. Changes to gameplay, like puzzles, side quests, and difficulty levels, must be adapted too.
Hire localization experts to understand user engagement metrics for each segment. This way, you can create authentic connections by reflecting values and interests in your product. Players will be more satisfied and generate more revenue from loyal fans. Start prioritizing game localization today! And don’t forget, you’ll need to do it all over again with every update.
Post-Localization Maintenance and Updates
To guarantee product permanence, continual post-localization upkeep is a must. This involves examining and fixing any issues in the adapted language edition and refreshing it with new data as needed. Take a look at a few best practices of post-localization maintenance in the table below:
| Job | Frequency | |
| Localization Testing | Weekly | |
| Software Updates | Bi-weekly | |
| Content Refresh | Monthly |
Regular language testing after localization is important to make sure all content has been interpreted accurately. Regular software updates will take care of bugs and boost user experience. Refreshing localized content every month will keep it relevant to the target audience. During post-localization maintenance, it is essential to promptly answer customer feedback about your product’s localized versions. A CSA Research study found that companies who invest in ongoing localization have an average 42% higher return on investment than those who don’t prioritize global outreach efforts.
