iGames industry entails many different types of gaming, usually with some money at stake. From sports betting and fantasy sports to casino style games and lotteries, there is a wide variety of content to choose from. However, there is a language barrier that keeps some players from fully enjoying the games. That’s why localisation of mainstream games and development of iGaming products in languages other than English is a hot topic in the industry that has a huge impact on the player experience.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding this issue, leading some players to falsely believe their options are much worse if they don’t want to play English-language games. We’ll try to clear up some of the most significant points of contention and present true facts about this issue.
Why Are Most Games Designed with English Language Text?
English is one of the most widely spoken tongues on the planet, with billions of people using it either as a first or second language. It is the official language in more than 50 countries around the world, as well as for a host of international organisations including the United Nations. When it comes to iGaming, it’s important to understand that many of the leading providers are based in English-speaking countries and most of their products are intended for domestic markets in those locations. That’s why it’s no surprise that English is the default language found in a majority of online casino games and on top betting websites. Like many other software products, games tend to have all instructions and in-game notifications in English and most of the players are accustomed to this approach.
Who Plays English Language Games?
It’s not necessary to be a highly proficient speaker in order to play English-language games. Many iGaming sites are open to players from around the world, and English plays the role of lingua franca that allows everyone to share the same experience. Since games typically contain only a limited amount of text and convey much of the information through visual means, even people who speak English as a foreign language can successfully interact with the commands. For experienced players, textual descriptions are largely unnecessary since game rules and mechanics are very intuitive. In some cases, beginners can use online games as a language learning tool and adopt new English words they first encountered while playing. It’s fairly easy to use online translation services for this purpose without navigating away from the game.
How are Games Localised for Specific Countries?
Given the worldwide popularity of online games, it comes as no surprise that many developers are localising successful games for new markets. Translating the content to a local language is the central step in any localisation effort, and it’s paramount to do it the right way. In some cases machine translation is used to instantly create versions for all markets, but the quality of such translations is dubious at best. Relying on skilled human translators who are native speakers of the target language is a much better approach, but it is associated with higher costs and longer delivery times. There are instances when the providers don’t change the in-game text which would require additional programming, and instead just translate the accompanying descriptions that teach players how to use all commands.
Why Gameplay Doesn’t Depend on Linguistic Cues?
From previous deliberations, it is clear that gameplay is mostly independent from the language in which instructions are displayed. This is because a majority of iGaming titles use simple mechanisms to decide the winner and require little to no verbal input to play. You don’t have to speak fluent English to understand the basic terminology of poker or blackjack, and no linguistic skill is needed at all to control online slots at sites like Woom bet’s casino. These are well-known games that have very forgiving learning curves, so even total newbies can quickly pick up the main rules just by playing. Despite gameplay remaining mostly the same, playing in a language you know well is a big advantage since it affords a higher level of comfort and eliminates any ambiguity that could confuse the player.
Where to Find Great Games that are not in English?
If you are interested in game titles that are not in English, you should search local casino or sports betting websites. Depending on your native language, you should be able to find a place where you can switch to it from the website’s language menu. Widely spoken languages like Spanish, German, Japanese or Chinese are official accepted at many big name websites, while in many cases even less common languages might be supported. Finding games manufactured specifically for the linguistic group you belong to might prove more challenging, but not impossible. A trick that could help you discover local content is to search with localised terms, so the results you get are all in your preferred language. It might take a little longer, but you should be able to play poker, slots, roulette or anything else in a language you use every day.
RELATED: GGA Indigenerd Wire: Preserving Navajo Language Through STAR WARS
- Is Toluna the Best? Discover the Alternatives That Could Pay More - January 14, 2025
- Understanding Falling Risks With Common Causes and Practical Prevention Tips - January 14, 2025
- Dancing With The Stars: How To Dress To Impress When Dancing - January 10, 2025
