In our previous blog posts, The Value of Professional Localization for Global Success and The Impact of Game Localization on Player Engagement and Retention we’ve talked about how game localization helps your game to reach global success and keeps players engaged. Today, let’s focus on an equally important aspect: player complaints about the lack of game localization and how addressing these demands can transform negative reviews into opportunities.
Let’s narrow down our topic just a little bit and focus on the reviews about the localization on Steam. Steam is a platform where the conversation is constantly buzzing. Why? According to their data, over 60% of Steam users access the platform in a language other than English. This shows us that a majority of gamers worldwide prefer gaming, communicating, and engaging in their native languages. This reality explains why there are a lot of discussions and reviews about game localization on the platform. We can analyze these reviews under the three main categories.
By addressing these concerns, game developers can reach out to larger audiences. Furthermore, they make their players more satisfied with the games.
Let’s take a look at real reviews to understand the player demands.
In this first example, we can see the player clearly appreciates the game but is upset because of the language barrier. Their dissatisfaction could lead to lower ratings and a decline in recommendations. This behavior emphasizes their desire for localization.
Both players in these reviews express their satisfaction with the game itself. However, the lack of content in their native languages creates a barrier. As a developer, you might think that as long as the core gameplay is enjoyable, localization isn’t necessary. It’s important to remember that gaming is part of the entertainment industry. Players turn to games to relax and escape daily stress.
Even if players enjoy your game, they may become frustrated or bored if they can’t fully understand the content. Constantly checking out a dictionary or struggling with unfamiliar language nuances takes away from the fun. In some cases, players want to see the content in their native language to best fun of it. Every culture is unique. Even fluent English speakers may want to see culturally specific elements like slang, myth, or dialogue presented in a way that feels familiar to them. Game localization bridges that gap and make the experience more immersive and enjoyable.
All of the above factors highlight why investing in localization is essential. Localizing your game content not only helps attract new players. It also boosts positive reviews on platforms like Steam. It enhances player satisfaction and fosters loyalty, turning casual gamers into long-term fans.
To achieve these benefits, you can get professional localization services from a specialized game localization company to ensure high-quality results tailored to your audience.
Let’s open up a whole new world together! Contact us today to learn more about our localization services.
Written By
Gözde Alkan
Business Development Specialist