How Indonesian Game Localization Boosts ROI (2024 Update)

The Indonesian gaming market is on fire. Noticeably, with its vast and fast-growing population of mobile-savvy gamers, the Southeast Asia's largest economy is already appraised at more than USD 4.4 billion by 2023. Hence, game developers from all over the world are getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; Indonesian game localization is no longer a "nice-to-have" at this point—it's a strategic need for unlocking this lucrative market.

Localizing your game to Indonesia would become one of the most prominent methods to maximize ROI in the middle of changing times for the gaming industry. The locally adapted game will immensely increase its reach and provide a better player experience, hence attracting a more significant audience. This paper takes into account the benefits of Indonesian game localization and how to cash in on it to significantly increase ROI in 2024.

Indonesian Game Localization: The Next Big Thing

These are the stages of localizing a video game into Indonesian culture and its language: changing names of characters, translation of all in-game texts, and every other process so that it is connected with local customers.

Recently, Indonesia is already the leader in Southeast Asia for the contribution of local games on the Steam platform, which amounts to more than 256 as of January 2024. Cloud gaming platforms have become so massively popular over the last two years, with good-quality local content development driving that growth.

Read also: Why Indonesian Game Localization Is the Next Big Thing in Gaming

Why Indonesian Game Localization Matters in 2024

Here are the reasons why you should invest in Indonesian game localization to enhance your ROI in 2024 and beyond:

1. Massive Reach

Among Indonesia's 270 million residents, there is a sizable gaming community. You may reach a huge, highly engaged audience with localized versions of your game.

2. Better User Experience

Indonesian players need a familiar setting that makes them feel immersed in the game. Thus, by localizing the interface, text, audio, and cultural references of your game, it develops attachments that enhance players' engagement and loyalty.

3. Improved Brand Perception

Game localization into Indonesian shows your commitment to the Indonesian market. This fosters trust in a brand and leads to positive reviews that generate organic marketing among players through word-of-mouth compared to rivals.

4. Higher Conversion Rates

A localized game with clear instructions in Bahasa Indonesia, coupled with engaging narratives, makes the game much easier to understand for players. It is an easier flow for gameplay and results in a higher conversion rate, even in terms of in-app purchases.

5. Be Ahead of the Curve

The gaming market in Indonesia is very competitive. If you have given priority to the localization of Indonesian games, you demonstrate that you know the local market and its preferences, thus keeping you ahead in the competition while some of your competitors who haven't adjusted may lose that advantage.

Read also: Game Localization 2024: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in a Dynamic Industry

How Does Indonesian Game Localization Increase ROI?

Let us examine how Indonesian game localization helps increase your ROI through an increment in the rate of downloads and engagement, better reviews, and ratings, brand reputation, and increased profits from in-app purchases.

1. Rate of Downloads and Engagement

One of the most influential ways to foster trust in players—to get them to play longer—is engaging them in their native language. Indonesia is both the largest and most diverse country in Southeast Asia; this is, therefore, not an opportunity many game developers can afford to miss. As players see the game's content in Bahasa Indonesia, they will feel more at ease and connected, resulting in longer play sessions and higher engagement rates.

Localization is more than translation. It includes the adaptation of a game's content to local culture, idioms, and taste. This local relevance makes a player believe, "This game is for me." In case players are more emotionally involved in the gameplay, they will recommend it to friends. The more players are engaged with the game, the higher the chances that they will buy things from a game, subscribe, and remain loyal to your game.

2. Improved Reviews and Ratings

Achieving positive reviews and ultra-high ratings is crucial for drawing new players, making organic growth feasible. When players are satisfied with a game, they tend to leave favorable feedback on stores and gaming forums. A localized game, in this sense, speaking directly to experience and cultural context, will receive improved reviews and ratings from Indonesian players.

The thoroughly satisfied player will pen good reviews, and share experiences via social media, and other community forums. This word-of-mouth publicity is invaluable because it is free; it tends to drive the game to greater visibility and downloadable rates without additional advertising costs. Improved reviews and ratings, therefore, go on to create a cycle where downloads and engagement increase, further improving ROI.

3. Improved Brand Reputation

That means that you are serious about Indonesia, thus adding value to your brand image. The investment in localization means valuing the Indonesian users and providing them with a great gaming experience. Localizing your game content can set you apart. Win beyond one game—Fans of your localized games are more likely to try your other games and trust your brand. As your brand becomes synonymous with excellence and cultural sensitivity in Indonesian gaming, this loyalty can lead to predictable revenue.

4. Higher In-App Purchases

Players who appreciate cultural references and realize the meaning behind the gameplay are willing to make in-app purchases. To buy premium features, skins, and other in-game stuff, they will be much more willing if a player feels their ease in a game in his native language and relates to the stuff within. Localization will ensure that all the instructions, storylines, and even in-game purchases are clearly understood and appealing to players from Indonesia. By lowering the language barriers and increasing the cultural relevance, you will create an environment where players are willing to spend money and increase the ARPU (average revenue per user).

Read also: Success in Game Localization: Strategies for Capturing New Markets and Players

Every Investment in Indonesian Game Localization Is a Direct Investment in Growth

Indonesian game localization is not just any additional cost item; it is a strategic investment that will give you access to a huge and lucrative market. Providing an engaging and relevant experience for Indonesian gamers will increase your ROI and brand loyalty—definitely a push for the success of your game in the booming gaming landscape in Southeast Asia.

Unlock the full potential in the Indonesian gaming market by simply partnering with Digital-Trans Asia for professional Indonesian Game Localization Services. Feel free to drop a message and get your project started! At Digital-Trans Asia, we know how complex the Indonesian gaming market is. An experienced team of linguists passionate about crafting high-quality Indonesian game localization supports our center, which is able to speak with players. We provide a full package of services, including the following ones:

• Translation and Localization: We translate your game content into the language and adapt it to the cultural features of Indonesia.

• Consulting on Culture: All the allusions and puns in your game will be explained so that they are appropriate and understood by Indonesian players.

• Mobile Optimization: We make your game perform better and perfectly fit with Indonesian devices.

• QA and Testing: Our team tests the localized game to perfection. Now, unlock the potential of the whole Indonesian market and help your game succeed with Native Indonesian Game Localization Services from Digital-Trans Asia. Get in touch with us today to open a discussion about your project.

If you've got the right strategy and are committed to localizing your game for Indonesian players, then the Indonesian gaming market will become the billion-dollar growth driver for your game.