Why Choose Loekalization?
Bad localization can ruin a game. The Dutch manual of Baldur's Gate once translated "turn undead" as "flip undead." This is why localization isn’t just about translation—it’s about understanding the heart of the game. That’s why games shouldn’t just be localized—they need to be Loekalized.
Meet Loek van Kooten, a passionate Dutch gamer with over 40 years of experience in the gaming world. From first-person shooters like Quake to MMORPGs like EverQuest, I’ve spent at least 2 hours every day staying up-to-date with gaming trends and the industry’s evolving standards.
Frustrated by poorly localized Dutch games, I left a full-time translation career to focus on delivering top-quality game localization. My goal? To give Dutch gamers the exceptional gaming experiences they deserve. And the results speak for themselves.
As Dutch Language Lead at Electronic Arts, I’ve worked on iconic titles like F1, Apex Legends, Battlefield, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Star Wars, Need for Speed, Real Racing, Madden NFL, NHL, and more. I’ve also contributed to highly acclaimed games such as Stray, Syberia: The World Before, and several Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games titles, alongside beloved franchises like The Sims and FIFA. My expertise ensures your game connects authentically with Dutch gamers.
Major game localization agencies rely on Loekalization to give their titles the edge in the Dutch market. Research shows that localization can significantly boost market share, with studies indicating a potential revenue increase of up to 40% across industries. It’s a quick, impactful win for your game!
I had plenty of chances to triple my salary in the IT industry, but I chose games instead. Some people say game translation is a job. I call it a passion.
Why Localization Matters in the Dutch Market
Dutch gamers are highly critical and often prefer playing games in English. However, certain genres with popular real-life equivalents in the Netherlands, like F1 and soccer, demand high-quality localization to engage the audience. Similarly, games aimed at children are frequently localized to Dutch, as younger players often don’t speak English yet. In other genres, English itself becomes the escapism, and localization should focus on manuals and marketing to feel genuine rather than patronizing.
Impact of Localization on Sales
Localization can have a significant positive impact on game sales and market reach. For example:
- CSA Research found that localizing products and services can boost revenue by 40% and customer satisfaction by 76% across industries.
- On Steam, only about 33% of users navigate the platform in English, meaning localization can expand market reach to 67% of potential users.
- Localizing into the top 6 languages on Steam covers about 85% of the platform’s audience.
Dutch Gaming Market Insights
- The Dutch gaming market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 13.7% from 2018 to 2027.
- By 2023, the market exceeded USD 1.22 billion, with mobile gaming showing an annual growth rate of 14.6%.
- The Netherlands is a key player in Central and Western Europe’s gaming market and leads the Benelux region in esports.
The data shows that thoughtful, high-quality localization can make a tangible difference, even in markets where English proficiency is high, like the Netherlands.