Urban Myths About Game Localization

Game publishers often use localization as an excuse for unexpected delays and costs, while hardcore gamers find reasons to play games in English. Translators, conveniently invisible, become the perfect scapegoats, blamed for various issues. Below are some of the biggest urban myths about game localization.

1. Game Localization Makes Games More Expensive
Localizing a small casual game like Bejeweled (3,000 words) to one language costs around 300 euros. A game like Someday You'll Return (47,869 words) costs approximately 4,790 euros. For a more extensive game such as Punch Club 2 (102,465 words), the cost is about 10,250 euros. A text-heavy title like Shadow Tactics: The Cursed Crew (189,666 words) will set you back roughly 18,970 euros. Now, if you believe localization costs are to blame for price hikes, you'd also have to think that only a few hundred copies of these games would be sold in Holland and Belgium, which is simply not the case. Even niche titles sell thousands of copies in these regions.

2. Game Localization Delays Game Releases
Let’s use the same examples again. Localizing a small casual game like Bejeweled (3,000 words) takes about 1.5 working days. For a game such as Someday You'll Return (47,869 words), it takes roughly 24 working days. A more extensive game like Punch Club 2 (102,465 words) requires about 51 working days. Finally, a text-heavy game like Shadow Tactics: The Cursed Crew (189,666 words) would take approximately 95 working days. However, localization is usually done on the fly while the game is still in development. Since game development typically spans several months, the so-called "delay" caused by localization is actually zero days—provided it’s planned properly.

3. Hardcore Gamers Speak English at a Native Level
Hardcore gamers often claim they don’t need "stupid translations." Many proudly declare their English to be at a native level. However, after careful reading, you'll find that almost all hardcore gamers supposedly have this "special" gift. Not so unique, then, is it?

The English of these individuals is supposedly so perfect that even I, a full-time translator with over 29 years of experience, start feeling dwarfed by their abilities.

Fortunately, in the eternal contest of who speaks the best English, someone eventually shows up who is actually a native English speaker. To prove it, they give a demonstration, and everything suddenly makes sense:

"U hear it from the best and feel the game in ENGLISH...the best language. I can imagin french but neffe Dutch or how u say it : Nederlands. I think i'm on of the best english speaking person on these forums, since i AM english. though, i'm quite sure, i am not the only one here."

Clearly, these gamers have an inflated opinion of their language abilities. The passage above contains only 4 sentences yet nearly 20 mistakes.

4. Hardcore Gamers Play Games in English to Learn the Language
And supposedly, the only way to learn the language is by reading the Dutch translations of what’s being said in English. Even the most talented gamers weren't born understanding English; they learned it by reading Dutch subtitles. Claiming they don't need Dutch subtitles is ironic since those subtitles taught them English in the first place. Maybe they don’t need them anymore, but the next generation of gamers needs to learn English too, right? Right!

5. Hardcore Gamers Want to Stay as Close to the Original Language as Possible
This must be why most hardcore gamers preferred the English version of Anno 1701, which was actually a translation from German. Strangely, nobody clamored for the original German version—perhaps because German wasn’t "cool" enough for their gaming speak.

So, what's really bothering hardcore gamers? Could it be the next point?

6. Hardcore Gamers Dislike Translations Because They’re Bad
Sometimes this is true, but certainly not always. Regardless of how good, funny, or brilliant a translation is, hardcore gamers will hate it—seemingly just because. If the translation isn’t hilarious because wordplay wasn’t translated, they'll hate it for being too literal. If it is funny because wordplay was translated, they'll still hate it for being too free. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The truth is, hardcore gamers feel threatened by the growing influence of casual gamers. They want to stay the kings of their own domain, much like long-time fans of The Lord of the Rings who felt protective when the book became a movie. Hardcore gamers use their own "in-crowd" language, which just so happens to be English. "Look at us being cool; we speak a language only hardcore gamers understand!"

But don't people have the right to choose? If gamers want English games, isn’t that what you should give them?

Yes, but don’t forget casual gamers—your uncle, aunt, the kids who want to know what Pokémon are actually saying, and everyone not part of the vocal minority on forums. These people make up the majority of your market. They don’t have a "historical" language, most don’t speak English fluently, and they just want to relax after a long day. Relaxing does not include flipping through dictionaries to decipher exotic words in games. Nintendo understood this and launched the Wii. You know the rest.

So, make the Dutch translation optional. That way, players can choose between English and Dutch. And don’t tell your audience that localization will make the game more expensive or delayed. First, it's not true (see points 1 and 2). Second, it only gives hardcore gamers more ammunition—and they are very vocal.

7. Only the Dutch Hate Game Translations
Contrary to popular belief, this phenomenon isn't uniquely Dutch. Hardcore gamers in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain also wish to distinguish themselves. Dutch gamers simply don’t frequent German, French, Italian, or Spanish forums, so they think they're unique. They couldn't be more wrong.

Ich hab heute den deutschen namen von Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts erfahren. F'r mich setzt das dem ganzen nur die Krone auf. Ein beschissener Name zu einem beschissenen Spiel...

8. Hardcore Gamers Represent the Majority of Gamers
The hardcore gaming community is vocal, leading many to think they represent the majority. But petitions against game localization usually garner only 150–250 signatures, while successful casual games can sell 300,000 copies in Holland and Belgium alone. Remember the backlash against Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games? Hardcore reviewers slammed it for being "too childish," yet it sold exceptionally well.

9. Translations Are Always Bad
So are cars if you buy the cheapest one at a scrapyard. If you want quality, you have to pay for it. Go to a specialist.

10. All Reviewers Love Loekalization's Translations
Many do, but there are exceptions. Working with Loekalization offers a high chance of success, but not an absolute guarantee. Remember, most reviewers are hardcore gamers themselves. Some will dismiss translations out of hand. I can ensure that casual gamers enjoy the game, but I can't change the rigid mindset of some hardcore gamers. They've made up their minds before even seeing the translation.