International players’ perceptions of localization in their gameplay experiences

An explorative study with Steam user game reviews

Bibliographic Data

ID16928914
AuthorsHao Hsu (0000-0001-5003-2500, University of Auckland), Minako O’Hagan (0000-0003-0870-0725, University of Auckland)
Year2025
Volume14
Issue1
Pages1-24
Publication date2025-06-27
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTranslation Spaces (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2211-3711 • E-ISSN: 2211-372X
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1075/ts.23042.hsu
OpenAlexW4402642513
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited20

Game localization is the complex industrial process of adapting digital games linguistically, culturally and technically, seeking to deliver a gameplay experience as close as possible to that of the original. Guided by Livingston’s (2018) Review Analysis methodology combined with thematic analysis, we tap into user reviews of the Taiwanese game Detention ( Red Candle Games 2017 ) in Simplified Chinese, English and Japanese, to gauge and compare player experiences in relation to localization, and explore the scope of review data for player-focused game localization research. Our qualitative analysis implicates culturalization as an impactful underlying factor in shaping the gameplay experience, for which translation issues remain opaque. As long as certain limitations are acknowledged, real-world data such as Steam user reviews provide an alternative source that is high in ecological validity, offering promising scope for future player-focused game localization research towards enriching the international dimension of Games User Research

Cognitive psychology · Perception · Digital Games and Media · Educational Games and Gamification · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Neuroscience · Psychology

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