Provided by Language-games
Introduction:
The South Korean market is uniquely compelling for game developers due to its high PC penetration rate and a distinct gaming culture centered around PC bangs (gaming cafes), making gaming an integral part of everyday life. This widespread gaming culture means a vast potential customer base is just waiting to be tapped into through localization. Then, what are the costs involved in Korean localization? There are mainly three types of costs incurred, among which the third is specific to the Korean market.
Korean Localization Costs:
The process of game localization involves several costs:
Preparing game texts for translation by developers and implementing the translated texts back into the game, which involves both time and labor costs. This cost can significantly decrease if localization has been previously done.
The direct costs of translating texts by professional translators, which are generally incurred regardless of the target country.
Specific Costs for Localization in Korea: Besides the general costs mentioned above, localizing a game in Korea incurs additional expenses due to the need for a rating from the GRAC (Game Rating and Administration Committee). The cost of this rating varies by game genre, but notably, games that are not localized into Korean face a 150% increase in review fees. For example, an online RPG game released on PC might pay KRW 2,160,000 for rating, but if the game isn't localized, this cost rises to KRW 3,240,000. Below is the detailed cost table provided by GRAC.
Platform Support and Mandatory eviews:
Platforms like Steam actively cooperate with the Korean government's game rating system. If a game starts being distributed among Korean players without localization, it is highly recommended to undergo a GRAC review immediately. If the costs for developers to localize the game themselves and the translation expenses are less than the 150% penalty for non-localized games during the GRAC review process, it is financially sensible to initiate localization as soon as distribution in Korea is confirmed.
Cost Comparison for Online and Console Games:
Depending on the genre, the penalty for not localizing games can range between KRW 500,000 to 1,000,000. Often, the cost of translating a game can be managed within these penalties.
Conclusion:
As observed, all games entering the Korean market must undergo GRAC's review, incurring specific fees and a significant penalty for non-localized games. If the game’s text is under 10,000 words and the cost of integrating translated texts is not high, it is invariably beneficial for developers to translate texts into Korean before submission for review. Our team at Language-Games assists not only with game text translation but also with managing the entire process of cost calculation and review without incurring additional expenses. Considering the inevitability of these regulations and the essential nature of entering the Korean market, completing translations before the review is advisable. Language-Games is your ideal partner in this journey.
Engage with Us:
What challenges have you faced when considering localization for your game projects? Are there other factors to consider when entering the Korean market? Share your experiences in the comments below. Engaging in this discussion helps us all expand our knowledge!
Call to Action:
Considering entering the Korean market? The process of game review and localization in Korea can be complex. Let our Language-Games team make it smoother for you. Contact our experts anytime to discuss how we can help you take the first step towards success in the Korean market.
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