Today we will go far away from the markets we discussed in our recent market blogs and land in a fascinating country. Welcome to Japan, the land of neon cityscapes, peaceful temples, and an undeniable love for gaming. Japan’s gaming industry is legendary. As the birthplace of icons like Mario, Pac-Man, Final Fantasy, and Pokémon, it has shaped the global gaming landscape for decades. But, there’s more to this market than its rich history. In this blog post, we’ll talk about Japan’s game market and the importance of Japanese game localization. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together.
The history of the gaming industry in Japan dates back to the 1960s. It grew significantly during the bubble economy era, leading to the creation of some of the most iconic games we know today.
These games reached millions of players worldwide. They transformed global gaming dynamics and established a billion-dollar industry in Japan. Today, Japan is the third-largest gaming market in the world, after the USA and China.
According to recent reports from Statista, revenue in the game market in Japan is expected to reach $50.94 billion by 2025. This impressive growth is primarily driven by a resurgence in mobile gaming. Mobile games have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and creativity. As a result, they now dominate the market. They offer fun, immersive experiences and engaging storytelling that align perfectly with Japanese culture. Meanwhile, renowned companies like Nintendo, Sony, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco continue to lead the global gaming industry. They are also shaping trends within Japan.
The gaming audience in Japan is diverse, spanning different age groups and preferences. A recent survey by Statista revealed that action-adventure games are the most popular genre, followed by adventure games and strategy games. Puzzle and simulation games also hold a significant share, appealing to casual gamers and mobile users alike. Notably, 60% of the gaming population in Japan is under the age of 45, indicating a youthful and highly engaged player base.
As we have mentioned in our previous blog posts, it’s always a good idea to check Steam’s most common languages when planning game localization. Japanese is one of the most frequently used languages on the platform. This shows us that Japanese gamers prefer to play in their native language. To connect with this vibrant player community, Japanese game localization is essential.
Japanese game localization isn’t just about translating text. It’s about adapting the language, culture, and sometimes even gameplay elements to ensure the game feels authentic to Japanese players while preserving the original content’s unique charm.
We won’t go into much detail about the importance of localization today, but if you are curious about that, check out one of our previous blogs, The Art of Game Localization.
Japan values its gaming culture and community deeply. Moreover, its energetic market offers a great opportunity for your game to thrive By localizing your game into Japanese, you can not only attract more players from Japan but also deepen their connection to your game.
Written by
Gözde Alkan
Business Development Specialist
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