Top video game localization languages

The global gaming market is massive, and if you’re looking to get your game out there, you may want to consider localization. To be successful, you need a strategy, and one of the first things you’re going to start with when creating that strategy is target market research. The key question to answer early on is: Which languages should your game be localized into?

To determine the most important video game localization languages, we analyzed the top gaming markets worldwide by revenue, according to a report by Statista. Here’s what the data shows about the top markets and the languages they speak.

Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)

Markets: China ($111.98 Billion)

China leads the world in gaming revenue, making Simplified and Traditional Chinese top localization languages. With over 1.4 billion people and a booming gaming culture spanning PC, mobile, and console platforms, tapping into this market requires more than literal translations.

Simplified Chinese is the primary writing system used in mainland China and was developed to increase literacy by simplifying the traditional Chinese characters and is now the standard script for government, education, and media in the country. Traditional Chinese, on the other hand, is used especially in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, and remains the standard in these regions.

When localizing for the Chinese market, you must account for cultural sensitivity and government regulations to avoid banned content (e.g., political issues or excessive violence). Additionally, Chinese gamers favor games that reflect their traditions and values, so incorporating culturally significant themes can significantly improve engagement.

English

Markets: United States ($101.01 Billion), United Kingdom ($13.65 Billion), Canada ($6.35 Billion), Australia ($5.10 Billion)

English remains the cornerstone of global gaming localization. It serves not only as the native language for countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia but also as a second language for millions of gamers worldwide.

However, localization in English isn’t monolithic. You need to consider regional differences such as different spellings. In the US, colloquial terms, pop culture references, and humor might differ from the preferences of players in the UK or Australia. Plus, Canadian localization often involves both English and French (particularly for Quebec).

Japanese

Markets: Japan ($40.68 Billion)

Japan is widely regarded as one of the most influential nations in the video games industry, with a deep history of iconic franchises like Final Fantasy and Pokémon. The Japanese gaming industry is closely tied to the country’s culture. Local traditions, social values, and a unique sense of style often shape the themes and stories in Japanese games.

Japanese players are known for their preference for polished narratives and detailed translations. Developers must focus on formality levels, as Japanese incorporates hierarchical speech that depends on the relationship between characters.

Furthermore, Japan’s gaming landscape is heavily influenced by RPGs, story-driven titles, and mobile games, meaning localized text must be engaging and seamless within extensive dialogues. Attention to detail can really popularize your game in this market.

Korean

Markets: South Korea ($12.26 Billion)

South Korea is a gaming powerhouse, particularly in eSports and mobile gaming, making Korean a dominant localization language… but it’s also one of the hardest languages to translate. With globally popular games like League of Legends and StarCraft originating here, Korean gamers have set high expectations for quality.

To truly engage South Korea’s visually-driven gaming community, you must prioritize eye-catching effects and culturally resonant visuals. Localizing graphics like characters, costumes, and accessories to reflect Korean cultural elements can make a huge difference. Tailoring visuals to Korean tastes can be the key to attracting players and keeping them engaged.

German

Markets: Germany ($9.76 Billion)

Germany is Europe’s largest gaming market, making German a crucial localization language. German gamers are particularly appreciative of in-depth and high-quality translations. Many prefer playing games in their native language even if they are fluent in English. Plus, German localization can open doors not only to Germany but also to neighboring German-speaking regions like Austria and parts of Switzerland.

Cultural adaptation is, again, essential. Germany too has some strict laws around violent or explicit material. Before launching your game in this market, you may have to censor certain graphic elements or modify storylines for compliance, among other considerations.

French

Markets: France ($8.05 Billion), Canada ($6.35 Billion, particularly Quebec)

French is a key localization language for reaching France and Canada’s Quebec region, both significant gaming markets. While France prefers localized content in standard European French, Quebec requires Canadian French—a dialect with distinct vocabulary, grammar, and idioms.

In France, attention to linguistic nuances is paramount. Players expect translations that respect formalities, reflect their cultural identity, and avoid anglicisms (overuse of English words). Similarly, Quebecois players value translations that feel authentic to their local French-speaking culture.

Italian

Markets: Italy ($5.23 Billion)

Video games account for nearly 50 percent of digital media revenue in Italy, making it a strong market to launch your game in. Most players in this country have an affinity for sports and shooter games and big franchises like GTA, FIFA, Call of Duty, and Minecraft currently dominate the market.

Italian players, like many others, expect their games to reflect local cultural contexts and sensibilities. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Italy has a long history of voice dubbing for all sorts of media. Players often prefer localized voiceovers over subtitles.

Factors to consider when choosing your languages

Localizing your game isn’t just about tapping into the most profitable markets. First and foremost, it’s about reaching the right players for your specific game. While markets like China, the United States, and Japan boast high gaming revenues, they may not always align with your game’s genre, style, or audience. Do consider the following aspects when choosing your video game localization languages:

• Analyze your current player base to identify potential markets where your game could thrive. Focus on player preferences, gaming culture, and engagement levels in various regions.
• Understand where your game genre resonates most, as different regions favor different genres.
• Consider how your game’s themes, visuals, and gameplay align with cultural norms. Some markets might require heavy adaptation.
• See where you have opportunities for expansion. Emerging markets, like Southeast Asia show rapid growth in gaming.
• Identify markets where your game has room to stand out. Highly competitive regions like the United States might be saturated so you may have difficulties in gaining visibility.
• Leverage player feedback and community engagement to identify markets worth expanding into.
• Evaluate the cost of localization versus the potential return on investment.

Localize your game with POEditor

POEditor is designed for efficiency and collaboration, allowing you to seamlessly translate and localize games into the most popular video game localization languages: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Italian, but also many others beyond, depending on your needs.

Game localization often involves teams of translators, developers, and editors. With our intuitive platform, collaboration is a breeze, and your team can work together on translation projects in real time. We also offer integrations with popular developer tools, so you can sync localization files directly into your workflows.

We support various file formats commonly used for PC game localization, including JSON and PO files (widely used in Unreal Engine projects). Additionally, we cater to mobile game localization with formats like iOS XLIFF and Android XML, among others.

Are you ready to join us and expand your video game to new markets?