Avoid These 9 Expensive Localization Errors in Indie Games
Localization, as the name implies, is tailoring any kind of product, including games, to a particular country or region. Poor localization can do more damage than an awkward translation: it can alienate players, mess up storylines, and even kill a game you've worked so hard on - and spent a lot of money on. These kinds of localization errors turn out to be more common than you think, and they cost you in ways you may not suspect. Unfortunately, there are still many indie developers who underestimate it. Whereas, these errors can lead to misunderstood dialogues, broken UI elements, or gameplay issues that frustrate players. The good news? Most of these mistakes are easily avoidable with the right approach. Ever wondered how to steer clear of such costly errors? Keep reading to uncover the 9 expensive localization errors you don’t want to make, especially if you're an indie game developer.
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9 Most Expensive Localization Errors Indie Game Developers Should Avoid
Many indie developers fall into costly traps that could have been avoided with proper planning. So, understanding these localization errors can save you from unnecessary expenses and ensure your game resonates with players worldwide:
1. Treating Localization as the Final Step in Game Development
One of the biggest mistakes indie game developers make is considering localization as some sort of post-processing activity on an already completed game. This approach often leads to a range of issues, from inconsistent translations to expensive reworks that could have been avoided if localization had been integrated from the very beginning. Instead, you should involve translators early in the development process and allow them to understand the game’s context, storyline, and character dynamics more deeply. This collaboration helps maintain consistency across different languages, ensuring that the original spirit of the game is preserved. Moreover, making localization part of the development cycle helps avoid technical issues like text overflow, UI misalignment, or code incompatibility, which are often expensive and time-consuming to fix at the last minute. So, the point is early planning reduces the workload, minimizes errors, and ultimately saves both time and money.
2. Ignoring Cultural Assessment
Another costly localization error is ignoring the cultural context of your target markets. Localization is not just about linguistic accuracy but also cultural relevance. A game that’s perfectly translated but culturally insensitive can face backlash, damage your brand’s reputation, or even be banned in certain countries. A notable example is Fight of Gods, which was banned in Indonesia because it featured religious figures like Zeus, Jesus, and Buddha in combat scenarios, a concept that was considered offensive. This highlights the importance of cultural assessment in the localization process. Developers need to ask critical questions: Is the game’s content appropriate for the target audience? Could any elements be seen as disrespectful or controversial? Because, cultural missteps can be subtle, involving symbols, gestures, color meanings, or even character behaviors that may carry different connotations across regions. Conducting thorough cultural evaluations early in development helps identify potential issues before they escalate. This not only ensures that your game reaches a wider audience but also contributes to a better return on investment (ROI).
3. Embedding Text Directly Into Core Game Files
As an indie game developer with a relatively limited budget, it's best not to embed text directly into the game's core files. Hardcoding text can actually slow down the translation process because translators must sift through the entire code to find the text. This approach also complicates software maintenance. If the same string appears in multiple places, every instance must be manually updated whenever changes are needed. This not only wastes time but also increases the risk of inconsistencies. Instead, it’s better to store all text in separate resource files as variables. This way, translators don’t need to touch the source code. They can easily add translations by updating specific files without affecting the game’s functionality. This method simplifies future localization efforts, reduces maintenance costs, and improves overall efficiency. It also allows for quicker updates when new content is added, ensuring your game remains adaptable to new markets.
4. Cutting the Budget for Translation and Localization
Some developers try to save money by using free tools or cheap services. While that may be beneficial in the short term, it usually leads to a bad-quality translation that damages the reputation of your game. Awkward dialogues, inconsistent terminology, and cultural inaccuracies are easy for a player to notice; this breaks the immersion and reduces the player’s satisfaction. This could be done through machine translations, crowdsourced translations, or professional localization teams. Machine translations are free or very low cost, but their quality is unreliable. Especially for games with complex storytelling or cultural nuances, quality may fall short. Conversely, crowdsourced translations may be more effective but are inconsistent. Therefore, the best option is to work with professional translators who understand both the language and gaming culture. Although this requires a higher budget, it ensures accuracy, cultural relevance, and a polished player experience. In the long run, investing in quality localization leads to better player engagement, minimal localization errors, positive reviews, and increased sales.
5. Failing to Provide Enough Context
Localization teams need context to deliver accurate translations. Without it, translations may lose their intended meaning, making dialogues sound unnatural. To prevent this, developers should provide translators with screenshots, gameplay videos, or demo versions. These resources help them understand the scene, the character’s emotions, and the overall narrative flow. For RPGs, character biographies are crucial. Translators need to know the character’s personality, gender, and relationship with others to maintain consistent tones in dialogues. Developing a style guide, character design documents, and a glossary can significantly improve translation quality. A well-structured guide should include details about backgrounds, different settings, and key gameplay elements. Providing these materials ensures the localization team can accurately adapt the game for different markets.
Read more: Top 10 Action RPG Games for Beginners
6. Not Testing All Target Languages
Another costly localization error is skipping proper language testing. Many indie developers test their game only in one language, often assuming English will work for everyone. However, English has multiple variations, including American English, British English, Singlish, etc. Ignoring these differences can result in inconsistencies and confusion for players. Also, skipping proper testing also increases the risk of functional issues. Undetected bugs in different language versions can lead to major problems after release. Players will quickly notice and may leave negative reviews, harming the game’s reputation. So, what should be done to avoid this? Developers should use Pseudo-Localization. This technique creates a mock-up version of the game in different languages early in development. It helps identify text expansion issues, UI misalignment, and other localization-related bugs. Implementing Pseudo-Localization early can save time and money while ensuring a smooth user experience.
7. Skipping Translation Testing on Actual Devices
Failing to test translations on real devices can cause various UI and graphical issues. Because, translated text often doesn’t align properly with game elements, making it difficult to read. Localization also affects text length. For example, German translations typically take up 50% more space than English. In contrast, Mandarin text is much shorter due to compact characters. If developers don’t test how translated text fits within the UI, they risk text being cut off or misaligned. Hard-coded strings can also disappear in the final version, creating further issues. Thorough in-game testing prevents these problems.
8. Ignoring Market Performance Evaluation
Launching a game doesn’t mean the localization process is over. Developers need to collect player feedback to assess how well the localization works. If users find translation errors or unnatural phrasing, it can damage the game’s reputation. To evaluate localization effectiveness, developers should use in-game surveys and monitor reviews on platforms like the App Store and Google Play. Player feedback provides valuable insights for future updates and patches.
9. Hiring Non-Gamer Translators
Last but not least, another costly localization error is working with translators who don’t understand your game, or even understand the gaming industry neither. This can result in unnatural dialogue, incorrect terminology, and a poor user experience. To ensure high-quality localization, developers should work with professional game translators who understand industry-specific language. A good localization partner should provide consistent quality, excellent customer service, dedicated project managers, creative solutions, and competitive pricing. Choosing the wrong localization partner can lead to costly fixes, forcing developers to redo large parts of the game.
If you are seeking professional game localization in Southeast Asia, then Digital-Trans Asia is the answer. Our diverse teams of translators cover all main Southeast Asian languages, including Indonesian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, and more. Also, with an advanced delivery calendar, you can track translation progress in real time, and we provide instant delivery for tight deadlines. Need high-volume translations? We can produce a maximum of 15,000 words daily without compromising on quality. We've also worked with leading game developers and studios to minimize localization errors in the Southeast Asian market for titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Genshin Impact, Tera Classic, etc. Don't know where to start? We offer free consultations to create the most effective market focus position within the localization strategy. Let’s bring your game to new heights in Southeast Asia!
Ready to avoid costly localization errors for your indie game? Visit https://digital-trans.asia/ to learn more about our services. Contact us today to get started!