How to localize a game by adding a voiceover

Video game localization is a crucial part of game development. Here's how to localize a game by adding a voiceover with traditional and AI dubbing.

Video game developers are venturing beyond their domestic markets to tap into the global gaming community. This ambition necessitates the comprehensive understanding and skillful implementation of game localization. One crucial element in this process is adding voiceovers in multiple languages.

The importance of voiceover localization is manifold, from enhancing a player's immersive experience to reaching a wider audience. Whether utilizing traditional voice acting or harnessing the power of AI for voiceovers, the primary aim is to provide a high-quality gaming experience that resonates with gamers, irrespective of their cultural or linguistic background.

Keep reading to find out what game localization entails, the benefits of voiceover localization, the differences between AI and traditional voiceovers, and a step-by-step guide on how to localize a game by adding a voiceover.

What is localization in video dames?

Localization in video games, also known as game localization, is a critical aspect of the game development process that involves adapting a video game to different markets and cultures. This can entail translation of in-game text and subtitles, modification of visuals, and adding voiceover to cater to different languages. This process transforms a game into a localized version that makes sense in the cultural context of the target language.

Localization extends beyond simple translation, accommodating for cultural differences and sensitivities to provide a high-quality gaming experience for users across various geographical regions. This aspect of video game localization makes it an integral part of the game industry, particularly in video game marketing when trying to reach new target markets outside of the developer’s own demographics or location.

What are the benefits of voiceover localization for games?

Voiceover localization involves the process of replacing the original video game voice track (in the source language) with a track in the target language. For instance, a game developed in English may require a Spanish or Korean voiceover to reach gamers in Spain or South Korea.

One of the key benefits of voiceover localization is enhancing the player's immersion in the gameplay. By hearing the in-game characters speak in their native language, gamers can more readily identify with the game world, leading to a more enjoyable and engaging experience. This contributes significantly to the game's marketing appeal in new markets.

Furthermore, a localized voiceover can also cater to gamers who are not proficient in reading the game's original language, or prefer audio cues over reading on-screen subtitles. For these reasons, voiceover localization has become an essential part of the localization process in the game industry.

AI voiceovers vs. traditional voiceovers

With advancements in technology, the video game industry has witnessed a rise in the use of AI voiceovers. Unlike traditional voiceovers, where professional voice actors perform the voice acting, AI voiceovers leverage artificial intelligence to generate multilingual speech from text.

Traditional voiceovers offer high-quality voice acting that can accurately capture emotions, nuances, and character personalities. These are performed by professional voice actors, who may either work as freelancers or as part of a localization team. The quality of traditional voiceovers, however, often comes with higher costs and longer production times. The process might involve casting, recording, and post-production steps such as dubbing, sometimes needing to re-record parts, and audio localization.

On the other hand, AI voiceovers can provide quicker results and lower costs. They are especially useful for indie or mobile games with limited budgets. AI voiceovers can swiftly generate speech in multiple languages, allowing the game to be launched in several markets simultaneously. However, the quality of AI voiceovers may not match the emotional depth and nuances offered by human voice actors, depending on the quality of the dubbing tool you use.

How to localize a game by adding a voiceover

Whether opting for traditional or AI voiceovers, the objective remains the same: to provide a high-quality, immersive experience for gamers, irrespective of their language or cultural background. As technology advances and the global reach of video games expands, the importance of voiceover localization will continue to grow. By effectively utilizing voiceover localization, game developers can ensure their games resonate with a global audience.

Here’s how to localize a video game into a new language:

Localization with traditional voiceovers

The traditional voiceover localization process usually involves the following steps:

1. Translation: A localization team, which ideally includes native speakers of the target language, first translates all the in-game dialogue and audio files from the source language.
2. Casting: Once the translations are complete, the project manager organizes auditions to find the right voice talent for each character. This may be done internally or through localization services.
3. Recording: The chosen voice actors record their lines in a professional studio, with the help of a director to ensure the correct tone, emotion, and delivery.
4. Post-production: This includes editing, mixing, and syncing the voiceovers with the game's animations and transitions.
5. Quality assurance: The final step involves testing and proofreading the localized version to ensure the quality of the gameplay and the voice acting.

Localization with AI voiceovers

In contrast, the AI voiceover localization process follows a slightly different workflow:

1. Translation: Similar to traditional voiceovers, the game developers translate all dialogues and audio content to the target language.
2. Voice selection: Instead of casting voice actors, the project manager selects suitable AI voices for different characters from the available voice database.
3. Generation of voiceovers: The AI system generates the voiceover by converting the translated text into speech.
4. Integration and synchronization: The AI-generated audio files are integrated into the game and synced with the on-screen animations and transitions.
5. Quality assurance: Despite being an AI process, quality assurance is crucial. Game developers must ensure that the AI voiceover fits the context and doesn't hamper the gameplay experience.

Use Speechify AI Dubbing for video game localization

Video game localization is crucial for making it big in the international video game industry. For your next localization project, save time and money by going with high-quality AI voices. Speechify AI Dubbing’s natural-sounding voiceovers can produce dubbed content in hundreds of different languages within seconds. The audio can then seamlessly be integrated into your game’s source files to help you reach new audiences around the world.

Try out Speechify AI Dubbing for yourself today.