Can You Guess Top 5 Genres in Indonesian Game Localization?
For the developers, Indonesia represents a most promising market, with its population comprising 3.5% of the global total, ranking after China, India, and the US. If you’re planning to promote the game in this country, considering the proper Indonesian game localization and dealing with the top five game genres could be the perfect track to gain the fans. Continue reading to discover more!
Indonesia is a Thriving Market, Why?
Indonesia accounts for 40% of the total games market in Greater South East Asia (GSEA). With 111 million active players and an average revenue per user (ARPU) exceeding $16, the market is led by foreign publishers.
Meanwhile, in 2020, Indonesian game localization of PC and mobile games generated $765 million in revenue, with both segments experiencing significant growth. The overall market has steadily expanded over the past two years, with mobile games growing by 40%. As a result, Indonesia is projected to rank among the top 20 countries in game revenue in 2021, reaching $1.9 billion and expected to grow to $2.7 billion within the next five years.
What’s the Favorite Game Platforms in Indonesia?
In 2021, eighty-five percent of Indonesians with internet access use their smartphones to play video games. This phenomenon turns into the largest market for mobile revenue, with 120.7 million mobile players, ranking it among the “Big Six” mobile gaming countries in Southeast Asia.
Besides, mobile games generate twice as much revenue as PC games. Why so? Mobile gamers tend to spend more money, averaging about $23 per user and its popularity is driven by its affordability and the availability of massive multiplayer (MMO) options.
Statista predicts continuous growth in mobile users over the next five years, with an additional 16 million new players expected by 2025. How about Android vs iOS? Similar to many emerging markets, the Android operating system leads significantly in terms of installations and downloads, while the iOS App Store excels in monetization.
Read also: Enhance the Gaming Experience with Indonesian Translation
The Impact of Covid-19 to Indonesian Game Localization
The coronavirus pandemic has led to increased spending and consumption of Indonesian game localization, particularly mobile ones. Forty-one percent of smartphone users have extended their mobile gaming time, and AppsFlyer noted an 11% rise in in-app purchases for mobile games. Interest in esports has also surged, as people adhered to healthcare measures and stayed home. In 2020, Indonesian gamers were willing to pay for game downloads, in-game purchases, and subscriptions. The most common monetization methods are in-game ads and in-game purchases.
However, Indonesian mobile players generally prefer free games, with most mobile games operating on a freemium business model. Meanwhile, to pay for games, Indonesian mobile gamers favor credit cards and iMoney, while PC players typically use credit cards and online banking from home or choose cash payments at internet cafes. The notable note for this phenomenon is, since August 2020, a 10% VAT on e-commerce and digital services has been in effect, impacting game prices.
Take a Look at Top 5 Games Genre for Indonesian Game Localization
The top five genres in Indonesian game localization often align with global gaming trends but are also adapted to suit local tastes and cultural specifics. Here are the popular game genres:
Mobile Games: This category includes various sub-genres such as casual, puzzle, and hyper-casual games. Given the widespread use of smartphones in Indonesia, mobile games enjoy immense popularity.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs): Both Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) and Western RPGs are widely played in Indonesia. Games with rich storytelling and character development tend to be particularly appealing to Indonesian gamers.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA): Titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and League of Legends have a significant following. The competitive and social elements of these games attract many players.
First-Person Shooters (FPS) and Battle Royale: Games such as PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, and Call of Duty Mobile are extremely popular, supported by large communities and frequent esports tournaments.
Simulation and Strategy Games: Games involving building, resource management, and strategic planning, like Clash of Clans and SimCity BuildIt, are well-liked. These games often have a strong following due to their engaging and long-term gameplay mechanics.
These game genres are localized to suit the Indonesian market, taking into account language, cultural references, and regional preferences to ensure they resonate well with local players.
What about the other game genres for Indonesian game localization? The survey continued until the 17th place, with the next genre being racing games (6.9% of download ratio). Furthermore, the other genres show a slight difference of download ration. For the least favorite, it turns into a trivia game (0.5% download ratio).
The Dos and Don’ts of Indonesian Game Localization
Bahasa Indonesia is spoken by 35 million native speakers, with around 150 million people using it as their second language. Indonesian speakers can also be found in the Netherlands, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United States.
While players in larger cities are often accustomed to playing in English, overall English proficiency in Indonesia is low, ranking 74th globally on the EF English Proficiency Index. Consequently, Indonesian is the most common language choice for games localization.
Thus, let’s deep dive into the dos and don’ts below:
The Dos
Pay Attention to the Length of Strings
Indonesian translations are generally 20% longer than the English source. When there are character limitations, skilled translators often retain English terms or remove some words while preserving the meaning. Thus, translations often require transcreation rather than direct translation in Indonesian game localization.
Context is Needed
Indonesian has linguistic markers that English does not, and language deviations are common, necessitating context awareness for translators. For instance, the word “sister” has many variations in Indonesian. The official term is “saudara perempuan,” but it is often considered too long. Translators need to know if it refers to a younger or older sister. Another example: “tembus cahaya” can mean either translucent or transparent, and “anak perempuan presiden yang kaya itu” can be interpreted as either the rich daughter of the president or the daughter of the rich president.
Keep in Mind Number Formatting
In Indonesia, commas are used for decimal points, and periods are used to separate thousands. Local date formatting is DD-MM-YYYY, and time should be in the 24-hour format (HH.MM).
Leave Names and Skills as They Are
Gamers prefer original names for game characters and skills since they often compete with players globally. Meanwhile, this practice is preferred by both players and developers to preserve the authenticity and familiarity of the game across various languages and regions.
Hire Translators with Gaming Experience
It is beneficial if translators of Indonesian game localization are also gamers, as their passion for games helps them determine what words work best. Good communication skills are essential to ensure that translations do not end up being just word for word.
The Don’ts
Avoid Literal Translation
One common error is translating in-game dialogues without considering context, leading to confusion for players. It’s crucial to know when to translate and when to retain familiar English terms, like skill names and item names in games such as PUBG Mobile. In addition, this approach can lead to issues such as loss of meaning, cultural insensitivity, and inconsistency with the game’s tone and style. Effective Indonesian game localization requires not only accurate translation, but also adaptation to ensure that players comprehend and connect with the game appropriately.
Timing and Communication
Delays in receiving information from game publishers and unrealistic deadlines can lead to suboptimal localization efforts.
Sensitive Topics
It’s important to avoid sensitive topics like religion and sexual orientation. In regions like Aceh, there’s been controversy over games like PUBG, with local authorities criticizing them as culturally insensitive and potentially inciting violence among the youth, despite no official ban on playing such games in Indonesia. Understanding and respecting cultural values, particularly the Sunni Muslim majority, is crucial.
Lastly, Indonesian gamers value good graphics and smooth gameplay. They often rely on recommendations from peers before trying new games, making Indonesian game localization more likely to receive positive reception.
Ready to tap into the Indonesian market? Contact us for comprehensive services on Indonesian game localization, with the foremost game genres: Mobile Games, Role-Playing Games (RPGs), Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), First-Person Shooters (FPS) and Battle Royal, and Simulation and Strategy Games.