Casual Connect Magazine Winter 2008

2008·11 MB·English

by  Casual Games Association

Winter 2008
article group
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Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
© 1999-2008 Atom Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
casualconnect_Sabakan_ad.indd 1 2008-01-02 12:54:10
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Have you partnered with WildTangent yet?
[email protected]
 
Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
About the Cover
9 Letter from Director Jessica Tams
The International World of Casual Games
Schizoid is a downloadable action game from
Torpex Games, a developer in Bellevue, 11 Hello, Hamburg! Stefan Klein
Washington. They call Schizoid “the most Casual Connect Europe Moves on to Germany
co-op game ever.” Schizoid is the first game
13 Meanwhile, in Kyiv . . . Alex Ptitca
to be released on Xbox Live Arcade that
What They’re Saying about Casual Games in Russia
was developed with Microsoft’s XNA Game
Studio technology. (For more about Schizoid, Design and Production
see Bill Dugan’s article on page 23.)
17 The Rules of Casual Game Development Jake Simpson
Schizoid has an opposing-color theme
Five Simple Guidelines That (Almost) Guarantee Success
in which the blue player can beat
19 Localization Lloyd Melnick &
blue creatures but is vulnerable to red
A Key Element in Successful Casual Games Dmitri Kirin
creatures, and the red player can beat
red creatures but is vulnerable to blue 22 Pragmatic Design George Donovan
creatures. The result is a new kind of co-
Using Logic and Data to Increase Your Chances for Success
op game-play in which both players work
closely as a team to defend each other as Risk Management
they advance through 120 game levels.
24 Dream or Reality? Jessica Tams
Accompanying this simple game-play is the
Does your project have what it takes?
purity of simple controls: The player uses
only one thumbstick (and no buttons) 25 Survival Brian Poel
to move around. The depth of the game Risk Managment for the Small Developer
is not in the player mastering intricate 27 Rapid Prototyping to the Rescue Bill Dugan
controls, but in the player’s response to How to Keep Design Documents from Destroying Innovation
different numbers and combinations of
31 Zam BeeZee Postmortem John Foster
creature types and level layouts.
Jamie Fristrom, Torpex’s technical director, Brand Licensing
used the code name “Gemini” for the
37 Licensing Content Robert Adams
game as it was early in development, and
A Developer’s Guide
his programmer-art reflected this, with
different zodiac symbols portraying the 39 The Good, the Bad, and the Money Kevin Richardson
different characters in the game. Artist Inbound Licensing: The Value of Global Brands
James Chao was inspired by the idea of the
Business Models
zodiac symbols as constellations; he took
Jamie’s placeholder art using the Scorpio 43 A Survey of Casual Games Business Models Vladimir Cole,
symbol and created in its place a large, Opportunities for Developers and Publishers Jonathan Bankard,
glowing, animated, symbolic-yet-organic- Andy Peterson
looking scorpion outline (depicted on the
49 Micro-payments to the Rescue Nils-Holger Henning
cover). He proceeded to use the glowing-
Designing Billing for Online Games
lines theme to create Schizoid’s other
outlined, abstract game characters, like the 51 Making Money Off of Free Games Alisa Chumachenko
Starburster and the Astramoeba. Using Micro-transactions to Monetize
Free MMOs in Russia
Torpex Games may be reached at s-torpex@
casualconnect.org. 53 Remember Time Limits? Chris Houtzer
What We Learned from In-game Advertising in 2007
© 2008 Casual Games Association. All rights 54 Two Important Questions Alex St. John
reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of this
Things Every Developer Must Know to Make
magazine is strictly prohibited. Casual Games
Association and Casual Connect, and the Casual Money Through Advertising
Games Association logo and the Casual Connect
57 Virtual Worlds Kevin Richardson
logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Casual Games Association. All other product The Next Casual Frontier
and company names mentioned herein may be
trademarks of their respective owners. 65 Giving Voice to the Interactive Skill Games Industry Harlan W. Goodson
Casual Connect Magazine is published three An Introduction to the Interactive Skill Games Association
times yearly by the Casual Games Association,
P.O. Box 302, Layton, UT 84041, http://mag.
casualconnect.org/
 
Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
www.turbogames.ru Letter from the Director
CASUAL
ONLINE
The International World of Casual Games
H
ere we are in Amsterdam for our third take for granted and the wide range
Jessica Tams
year. Who would have ever imagined that of continents from which they sprang:
in three short years we would have already micro-transactions (Asia & Russia),
grown so large—it seems everyone is talking trial-to-purchase (North America),
about casual games. For those of us who mobile (Asia & Europe), Wii (Asia), DS
were here in Year One, the growth of our (Asia), Xbox (North America), Solitaire
association is nothing short of amazing. (Europe), Mahjong (Asia). None of our
business models would be complete
We have truly become an international
without influence from other cultures.
industry: our development occurs all
over the map, with hotbeds in Eastern 4. Interaction helps to broaden our
and Western Europe, in Russia, and perspective—which in turn leads to
in South and North America. That greater stability. The marked differences
internationalization of the industry did not in the market dynamics in different
happen merely by chance. On the contrary, regions of the world enable us all to
as an industry we have focused since the watch, learn, and modify without the
very beginning on creating this global risk that might otherwise be associated
industry we now enjoy. with trying something new. For example,
sitting comfortably in North America
Which perhaps begs the question: Why
one may have never conceived of the
is internationalization important for the
micro-payment business model. Seeing
success and health of our industry? I can
it flourish elsewhere, North American “
think of several good reasons:
developers and publishers can’t help Ultimately we speak
Reach entiRely 1. Siti nisc ree eallelyc teraosny sf oarr eu es atosy rteoa mcho cvue satoromuenrds , bapupt rwooancdhe tro h tohwei rth meya rmkeigt hats awdeallp.t that the common language
new taRget gRoups! aowlphl piacochrr otmussnu tisthty e bc ego lmaodbedesr .a eW sssmiethda lfltl hcaiows mlgerpsesllaiyct: a tion 5. Wocoeraknins gan todg metahneyr,, macarnoys st ibmoer dzeornse asn, d of play. Fun knows no”
makes us better global citizens. Face-
understanding of the local market. I borders.
to-face contact and collaboration go a
would guess that three years ago most
long way toward dispelling prejudice and
of us (including myself) didn’t truly
ethnocentricity.
There are already more than 2,500 webshops reaping the benefit from this understand the importance of taking
into account the differences in the local While we have made much progress, we
new facility to offer their customers a secure and, above all, simple alternative
market. Localization is more than just still have quite a way to go. But as we learn
payment method. They have been finding that the new system really pays off. getting the right translations—it is about to accept other cultures and work as one
creating a game that appeals to a culture big team, the barriers will continue to fall.
through language, art, and themes. I’m convinced, in fact, that our industry is
uniquely positioned to succeed precisely
2. Different cultures and regions have come
because our cultural differences tend to
to excel in different ways. This is one
The benefits at a glance: enrich rather than divide us.
phenomenon that never fails to amaze
100% guaranteed payment: paysafecard is a prepaid means of payment. us—the differences in focus that seem to Ultimately we speak the common language
This means that a payment cannot fail to go through. Furthermore, appear almost spontaneously when we of play. Fun knows no borders.
meet with industry members throughout
unlike credit cards, there are no reversed transaction costs.
the world. That multiplicity of talents is
a sign of great promise for our industry,
Rnpeuewracc hghar osnueepsw so tonaf r tgcheuets igtnortmoeurenpresst: . w phaoy shaafveec anrodt ebneaebnl easb lyeo tuo tpoa ayc fqour ire nnoo b carnekd iat cccaorudnt 3. eaNdsepvwea cniidtaaelglayes aflosf ow oweu flrre oianmrdn it vthoide bumeatelt esettrri netangk goetfh s.
minds with different backgrounds.
Think of the various business models
Supports micropayments.
and design elements we have come to
 
Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
www.paysafecard.com
sample.indd 1 08.01.2008 12:36:27
Hello, Hamburg!
Casual Connect Europe Moves on to Germany
A
fter three years in Amsterdam, In addition to their support of the CGA, As if that weren’t enough, there is this
Casual Connect Europe will be holding a gamecity:Hamburg will also offer services unexpected bonus: Generally speaking,
conference in Hamburg, Germany. The to Casual Games Association members in flights from the U.S. to Hamburg tend to
move comes with many mixed feelings for order to make cooperation with Europe run several hundred dollars less than flights
us as we will always associate Amsterdam through Hamburg as seamless as possible. from the U.S. to Amsterdam.
with the beginnings of the Casual Games Services available*: You’re going to love Hamburg. We
Association. 1. gamecity:Port—Sixteen affordable offices already do.
We love Amsterdam. The locals have always in the St. Pauli district available for lease. For more information about Hamburg@work and
made us feel welcome, and the sites for 2. gamecity:Funding—Up to €100,000 in gamecity:Hamburg, please contact: Stefan Klein
our conferences have consistently been seed money is available as an interest-free (telephone: [phone]; email: Stefan.
top-notch. This year, however, we will hold loan for Hamburg-based entrepreneurs [email protected]).
our conference in the largest venue in the to assist them in producing commercially
center of Amsterdam—and we will still viable prototypes which can be used to
be filled to overflowing. Even so, since we secure funding from publishers.
held the first Casual Connect conference
(then known as Casuality) in 2006 we have
Conference Average Temp
come to realize that, as long as the city is Population Founded Attendance at time of
accessible and the locals are friendly, the 2007 Conference
people who attend our conferences are
Seattle 0.5 million The first permanent European Settle- 1350 75° F, 24° C
what really matter. Summer ment was in 1851. The city was named
Seattle after a chief of a neighboring
Hamburg is Germany’s foremost media and
indigenous tribe.
IT industry location with a workforce of
more than 110,000. For over ten years now, Hamburg 1.7 million The city takes its name from the 862 38° F, 3° C
Winter first permanent building on the site, (Amsterdam)
companies from throughout the media,
a castle built in 808 AD to provide
IT, and telecommunications industry have defense against Slavic incursion.
received special support from the city-state
Kyiv 2.7 million The city is believed to have been 520 54° F, 12° C
of Hamburg through the special public-
Fall founded in the 5th century as a trad-
private partnership Hamburg@work, which ing post in the land of Early East Slavs.
is supported by the Ministry for Economic
and Labor Affairs.
Through their gamecity:Hamburg initiative,
Hamburg is located in
Hamburg@work has provided considerable
support to the 150 local gaming industry Northern Germany. It is the
companies and has even provided logistical second largest port city in
support and office space for the Casual Europe with extensive areas
Games Association staff while in Europe.
of water and parkland.
In preparation for the move, Hamburg@
work’s Uwe Jens Neumann and
his team have attended the
Seattle and Kyiv Casual Connect
conferences and will be available
at Casual Connect Europe in
Amsterdam to meet with CGA
members who have any questions
about Hamburg.
10 Casual Connect Magazine * The CGA does not guarantee the services of Hamburg@work. Casual Connect Magazine 11
Join Our Family! Meanwhile, in Kyiv . . .
What They’re Saying about Casual Games in Russia
W
Alex Ptitca
e love holding conferences in Kyiv. Not only is the food in Kyiv excellent, but the attendees are
full of fire and enthusiasm. It’s always exhilarating to get together there. Although it was attended
primarily by people from Russia and the Ukraine, we also had over 75 people from North America in “
attendance at our last conference in Kyiv. Casual games made
Casual games have a distinguished history in Russia, beginning with the 1984 release of Tetris, in the countries of the
the #1 selling casual game of all time. Since then, many of the most popular casual games—
former USSR and the
including Magic Ball, Mystery Case Files, and Cake Mania—have passed through the hands
of Russian developers on their way to market. Recent acquisitions by Oberon Media, Arkadium, bordering Eastern
and MumboJumbo merely confirm what many of us already know: Eastern Europe and Russia are
European countries
producing many talented casual game developers.
To give everyone a bit of insight into how the local community has received the casual games industry, are becoming more ”
we are reprinting here a translation of an article that recently appeared in DTF, the largest online
and more remarkable.
publication in Russia. —ed.
Игровая индустрия за неделю: THE GAME INDUSTRY WEEKLY:
15–21 октября 2007 года October 15-21, 2007
Привет всем читателям самого игроиндустриального ресурса Regards to all the readers of the most “gameindustrious” resource
Рунета, особенно той части, с которой ваш покорный слуга of the RU-net, especially to that part of you whom your humble
имел удовольствие общаться в Киеве на международной servant had pleasure to meet at the international conference
Great Working w/ You! ккоонлфонекруе нкцаики р Cазa sсu эaтlо Cйo тnеnмeыct.: Киев 2007. Начнем сегодняшнюю Cthaissu taolp Cico.nnect Kyiv 2007. Let’s start the current column right from
Итак, год назад Casual Games Association, принимая во Due to the fact that casual games made in the countries of the
внимание тот факт, что на казуальной сцене все громче former USSR and the bordering Eastern European countries
проявляют себя игры, сделанные на просторах бывшего are becoming more and more remarkable, a year ago the Casual
СССР и прилегающих странах Восточной Европы, приняла Games Association decided to add one more conference to their
решение к двум уже существующим конференциям - в Сиэттле existing ones in Seattle and Amsterdam. For many reasons Kyiv
и Амстердаме - добавить еще одну. Местом проведения was selected as its venue. The organizers confessed that a year
At Big Fish Games we take pride in helping our partners succeed. по многим причинам был выбран Киев. Как в этот раз ago they were a bit afraid that the event would not attract enough
признались сами организаторы, год назад они побаивались, что participants, but their concerns proved to be groundless as there
We’re looking for long-term partners that we can bring into our мероприятие не соберет достаточного количества участников, were over 300 people at Casuality 2006 (as the event was called at
но их опасения оказались напрасными, поскольку на Casuality that time— see details on that at http://www.dtf.ru/articles/read.
close-knit family, and we see the true value in enabling our 2006 (так тогда назывался эта конференция, читайте, кстати, php?id=43732).
наш подробный репортаж о ней) приехало около 300 человек.
This year the attendance grew almost two times; moreover, the
partners to create, distribute and publish top-notch games.
Нынче “посещаемость” выросла почти вдвое, кроме того attention of the foreign casual industry’s “high and mighties” has
усилилось, внимание к конференции со стороны зарубежных intensified. All the leaders of this market (foreign and domestic)—
“китов” казуальной индустрии. На Casual Connect: Киев 2007 Oberon Media, RealNetworks, MumboJumbo, Big Fish Games,
присутствовали представители от всех лидеров этого рынка PopCap Games, iWin, Reflexive, Alawar, Absolutist, IT-Territory,
(как зарубежного, так и отечественного) - Oberon Media, Nevosoft, CTXM and a lot of others (my apologies to those whom I
Real, Mumbo Jumbo, BigFish, PopCap, iWin, Reflexive, Alawar, have failed to mention)—were present at Casual Connect Kyiv 2007.
Absolutist, IT-Territory, Nevosoft, CTXM и многие другие
Speaking of the organization of the conference, it is necessary
(прошу прощения у тех, чью компанию я не назвал).
to mention that its quality has significantly increased (in many
Говоря об организации, нельзя не отметить, что ее уровень respects due to the capable use of the venue facilities—President
Put Big Fish Games to Work for You! существенно повысился (во многом благодаря грамотному Hotel Kyivsky). During three days of the conference there were
использованию возможностей нового места проведения several dozens of lectures and workshops conducted; moreover,
- президент-отеля “Киевский”). За три дня работы было for the first time they were split in two tracks. There were plenty
проведено несколько десятков лекций и семинаров, of opportunities for developers to communicate with potential
причем впервые они шли в два потока. Возможностей для distributors and publishers.
For more information email: [email protected]
1 1
Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
Meanwhile, in Kyiv . . .
What They’re Saying about Casual Games in Russia
общения разработчиков с потенциальными издателями и It is interesting to note that among the people one could meet
дистрибьюторами хватало. at the conference were those who are not really directly related
to casual games, but at the same time their presence surely
Интересно, что среди людей, которых можно было встретить
means something, including representatives of PrivatBank,
на конференции, были замечены персоны, вроде бы и не
Yandex Money, and РБК. [PrivatBank is the #1 ranked Ukrainian
имеющие прямого отношения к казуальным играм, но их
bank and part of a huge industrial/financial holding company; РБК
присутствие о чем-то да говорит - представители “Приват-
(RosBusinessConsulting) is a huge Russian information agency.—ed.]
банка”, “Яндекс-Деньги”, РБК. Да и люди, работающие
By the way, people who are working in the industry of enthusiast
в индустрии “больших” игр почтили мероприятие своим
присутствием - о КранКе и “гайдзинах” я не говорю, потому core games also visited the event—and I do not mean just
как они у нас в этом смысле “многостаночники”, а вот КранК and Gaijins because in this regard they are like workmen
Игорь Карев (Action Forms) или Джордж Бэйн, менеджер operating several machines simultaneously with many operations
по поддержке девелоперов из Sony Computer Entertainment across the gaming industry—but Igor Karev (Action Forms) and
Europe - это уже что-то. George Bain (Developers Support Manager from Sony Computer
Entertainment Europe) are worth to be mentioned here.
Нельзя не упомянуть и о всегда заметной фигуре Ричарда
“Левелорда” Грея, который нынче вместе со своими коллегами One must also mention the always noticeable figure of Richard
из Ritual трудится на благо казуала в компании Mumbo Jumbo. “Levelord” Gray, who is now working on casual games with his
Кстати, в только что вышедшей Luxor 3 есть доля и его труда. colleagues from Ritual on behalf of MumboJumbo. By the way, he
Когда я спросил Левелорда, чем он занимается в новой компании, contributed to the just-released Luxor 3. Levelord’s answer to the
ответ оказался вполне ожидаемым - “делаю уровни, рисую арт и question about his duties in the company was quite expected: “I
немножко программлю”. Кстати, вот еще один показательный create the levels, draw art, and do some programming.” Speaking Nikitova Games и украинской Friends Games из Ровенской from Rivne region. Top-managers of the mentioned companies
факт, связанный с Mumbo Jumbo. Вице-президент компании по of MumboJumbo: Some time ago the company’s VP of Business области. Топ-менеджеры названных компаний влились joined Oberon’s management: Olga Nikitova holds the position
развитию бизнеса Майк Суарез (Mike Suarez) прежде занимал Development, Michael Suarez, held the same position at Rockstar в руководство Oberon: на Ольгу Никитову возлагаются of VP Online Publishing in Eastern Europe, and the new Oberon
аналогичную должность не где-нибудь, а в Rockstar Games. По Games. According to him, the Ritual team will significantly обязанности вице-президента Oberon по онлайновому business card of Taras Tarasov (CEO Friends Games) says “Director,
его словам, команда Ritual поможет существенно повысить improve the production value of MumboJumbo’s products. паблишингу в Восточной Европе, а на новой, “обероновской” Developer Relations Europe.”
production value продуктов от Mumbo Jumbo. Undoubtedly, Jason Kapalka (PopCap Games) was the brightest визитке Тараса Тарасова (CEO Friends Games) тепер значится And still there is more to tell. May I remind you that MumboJumbo
“Director, Developer Relations Europe”.
Безусловно, самой яркой звездой и приманкой для star and lure for members of the media. For those who may have recently acquired Vladivostok’s team Hot Lava, and Sandlot has
представителей СМИ стал Джейсон Капалка (PopCap). Если forgotten, I will remind you of some of the titles with which he has Но и это еще не все. Напомним, что не так давно Mumbo a subdivision in St. Petersburg. An office of iWin will be opened
кто-то запамятовал, напомню некоторые тайтлы, к которым been directly involved: Bejeweled, Bookworm, Zuma, Chuzzle, Peggle. Jumbo приобрела команду Hot Lava из Владивостока, а у in Kyiv soon, and an office of Arkadium is already operating in
он имеет самое непосредственное отношение: Bejeweled, Any questions? компании Sandlot есть подразделение в Санкт-Петербурге. Simferopol. There are reasons to think that the consolidation
Bookworm, Zuma, Chuzzle, Peggle. Вопросы есть? It appeared as if Jason did not have a single minute to spare. В Киеве вскоре откроется представительство iWin, а в process will become more active in the near future, and that the
Сиферополе уже работает офис компании Arkadium. Есть все Kyiv conference will contribute to this significantly.
Судя по всему, у Джейсона не было ни минутки свободного He made several public appearances: presenting the report “Fat
основания полагать, что процесс консолидации в ближайшее
времени. Несколько раз он появлялся “на людях” - соло chance: Randomness and luck in casual games” along with Anatoly Bringing this brief story of Casual Connect Kyiv 2007 to an end, I
время еще более активизируется, и не последнюю роль в этом
с докладом “Держи карман шире. Случайность и удача в Ropotov (CTXM); presenting the story about the peculiarities of cannot help but mention the organizers this pleasant and useful
сыграет прошедшая в Киеве конференция.
казуальных играх”, в дуэте с Анатолием Ропотовым (CTXM) Xbox Live Arcade; playing the role of Lead Judge for the Innovate event: The Casual Games Association, headed by Jessica Tams;
с рассказом об особенностях Xbox Live Arcade, в качестве 2007 competition, organized by IT-Territory; and finally appearing Завершая краткий рассказ о Casual Connect: Киев 2007, the Dnepropetrovsk-based company Absolutist; and advisors of
председателя жюри конкурса Innovate 2007, организованного among the people and answering journalists’ questions during a не могу не помянуть добрым словом организаторов этого the CGA such as Alawar Entertainment, CTXM, and Friends
IT-Territory, и, наконец, среди лиц, отвечавших на вопросы press conference. приятно-полезного действа - Casual Games Association во Games (the last of which should be probably called Oberon
журналистов в процессе пресс-конференции. главе с Джессикой Тамз (Jessica Tams), днепропетровскую Ukraine by now).
It is clear that in the first place Jason is a creative person
компанию Absolutist и т.н. “советников” в лице Alawar
Понятное дело, что Джейсон - человек в первую очередь (and it is not a coincidence that his position is called Creative [removed part of the article]
Entertainment, CTXM и Friends Games (наверное, сейчас
творческий (не зря его должность звучит - креативный Director of PopCap Games), but Kyiv conference attracted a lot
At this point, let me say goodbye to you all until our next meeting.
последнюю лучше было бы назвать Oberon Ukraine).
директор PopCap Games), но киевская конференция привлекла of people mainly engaged in the business field—and there is a
Sincerely yours,
многих персон, главным полем деятельности которых является great plus in this. [removed part of the article]
именно бизнес - и в этом, несомненно, очень большой плюс. GaMMeR (Alex Ptitca)
I think if the last year’s first event hadn’t taken place, then today На этом разрешите попрощаться с вами до новых встреч.
Думаю, что если бы не было прошлогоднего первого we would not have become witnesses of such a powerful invasion of
Искренне Ваш,
мероприятия, то сегодня мы бы не стали свидетелями the international casual games industry “pillars” to the countries of
ГаММеР
столь мощного проникновения “столпов” международной the former USSR.
казуальной индустрии на постсоветское пространство.
First of all, let’s mention the noticeable announcement about
Прежде всего, отметим громoий анонс Oberon Media о Oberon Media acquiring two studios—Kenjtsu, St. Petersburg’s
приобретении двух студий - Kenjtsu, питерского подразделения subdivision of Nikitova Games, and Ukrainian Friends Games
1 1
Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
Design and Production
The Rules of Casual Game Development
Five Simple Guidelines That (Almost) Guarantee Success
A
lthough the gaming industry may have For Quake III, id Software wanted players
started with casual games, the core of the to be just three clicks away from playing Jake Simpson
industry (and many of its most intellectual the game. Even if you have many screens
developers) walked away from casual games of text for players to wade through before
many years ago, enticed by the style and getting into the game, enable them to ability to make successful even those people
multi-million dollar budgets of games click past those screens instantly. The same who can’t figure out how to send email.
built for true gaming enthusiasts. And yet principle applies to cinematics. They may
4. Test It Before You Release It
in spite of all they have going for them— satisfy the inner movie maker in you, but
experienced developers, huge budgets, they are unnecessary—especially to the Prior to sending your game off (even
high production values, sophisticated casual gamer. Make it easy for people to to the publisher), put it in the hands
game mechanics, excellent sound quality, skip right over them. Likewise you should of unschooled strangers and see how it
exceptional graphics—core games are not minimize interruptions from pop-ups. performs. Think of it as a “Kleenex” test:
always good games. Perhaps you’ve noticed. Any unnecessary interruption of play is Use people once and never again. The idea
I certainly have. I spent several years an annoyance. is to let your actual target audience try the
creating games for enthusiasts, including Remind yourself that people want to play, game and tell you what they think. And
games in the Heretic, Soldier of Fortune, Star not watch. That’s why they’re called players. when they tell you, LISTEN. Never dismiss
Trek series, along with some of the Golden them by saying: “Well, they just don’t know
Age Midway Arcade Games. I also worked 2. Introduce Complexity Slowly how to play it” or “They just don’t get it.”
on The Sims which appeals to demographics It’s OK for your game mechanic to be The fact is that if you don’t do something
very similar to casual games. As a result of complex. It can have lots of effectors about their complaints, your game is almost
Getting Serious About Casual Games that odyssey, and my recent observations of (power-ups or stuff that changes how you surely destined for failure. User testing
should be front and center in your design
the casual games space, I have developed a play). But do not include any of them on
process. Listen to your users as if they were
Eidos, including Morpheme Game Studios, Gimme5Games, Eidos Mobile and few rules for casual games that I think are the first few levels. When people are just
Angels from God.
Bluefish Media, has extensive expertise across the gaming sphere. As one of worth following. They aren’t exhaustive becoming familiar with your game, you
(and they definitely don’t guarantee want to pare down game-play to the barest
the world’s leading developers and publishers of video games, we have proven 5. Keep It Simple
success), but following them will put you essentials—leaving out anything that isn’t
experience of taking valuable IP to new and wider markets and understand
in a better position to succeed. absolutely necessary. You should think Ideally, someone should be able to watch
the diversity of a global market. a friend playing your game and pretty
of it this way: In the early stages, you are
1. The Fewer Clicks the Better much understand how to play it. New
literally training people to play your game.
The Eidos team can offer a full and unique solution for your casual gaming players shouldn’t have to practice or rely
It’s always a good idea to get people into Introduce abilities or mechanic effectors
projects, so if you would like to meet a serious partner in the Casual Games the game-play as soon as possible. That slowly, one by one, and get people used to on multiple pop-ups or explanation screens
business please contact: means you should get things started them before you add more. in order to figure it out. If you don’t have a
root mechanic that can be communicated
quickly, with a minimum number of clicks.
3. Make People Instantly Successful via a YouTube video, then there’s
- Retail Publishing & Distribution – Lou Fawcett: [email protected]
something wrong.
If there is any secret to making casual
- Content Aggregation & Online Distribution – Cyrus Kargar: games, its this one: The first few levels In fact, it’s a good idea to record and watch
[email protected] should be achievable by a brain-dead a video of your game to see if it is obvious
“ moron. The whole what is going on. You might try showing
idea is to entice that video to a couple of your Kleenex
- Online Publishing, Content Acquisitions including mobile – Paul O’Sullivan:
Remind people with instant testers and see if they catch on quickly.
[email protected]
success and the If first-time players cannot determine
yourself that
feeling of power, and game-play mechanics immediately, or if
- Web Games Publishing & Distribution – Matt Spall:
people want to then very slowly turn something basic isn’t clear and obvious,
[email protected]
the screws, doing they will simply stop playing. Which, by the
play, not watch.
so only after you way, isn’t good.
That’s why know the player has
Jake Simpson is an opinionated software
mastered the basics.
they’re c”alled developer and game designer who has been
Don’t ever forget that around the block more than once—and is still
players. the success of your running. Jake can be reached at jake.simpson@
Morpheme, Morpheme Game Studios, Gimme5Games, SolaRola ©, Prism Light the Way © and Bluefish Media are trademarks of Eidos Interactive Limited. Eidos and the game depends on your casualconnect.org.
Eidos logo are registered trademarks of the Eidos Group of Companies. All rights reserved.
1 1
Casual Connect Magazine Casual Connect Magazine
master_ad.indd 1 16/1/08 11:57:11
casual_connect_druck_ende.pdf 15.01.2008 11:46:22 Uhr
Design and Production
advertisement
Localization
How to Become and Stay Market Leader
A Key Element in Successful Casual Games
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L
Is GameDuell different than other (cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:27)(cid:1)(cid:40)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)
ocalization is often an afterthought How to Build for Localization
Lloyd Melnick &
gaming sites? (cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1) in game development, a small issue that
(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:15)(cid:1) needs to be addressed after the game has It is essential to incorporate localization Dimitri Kirin
Kai Bolik:(cid:1)(cid:48)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:40)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:37)(cid:86)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:84)(cid:1) (cid:46)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:1) into product development from the
launched—like creating a special version
(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:1) (cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:1) very beginning in order to minimize the “
for a minor portal or fixing a Win ME bug.
(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:90)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:14) (cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:15)(cid:1) long-range costs and speed up the overall We have found that
Overlooking localization, however, is one of
(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:56)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:1) (cid:36)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:14)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:1) process. It is much more cost-effective
the biggest mistakes casual game developers
(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:69)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:84)(cid:27)(cid:1)(cid:56)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:1) (cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:14) and efficient to localize a game when easy strong localization
continue to make. We have found that
(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:14) (cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:14)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1) localization is built into the programming
(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:46)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:1) (cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:77)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:15) strong localization easily can more than as opposed to when an existing title must easily can more than
double revenue and, more importantly, can
(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:69)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:1) be reengineered. In our experience, ”
(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:78)(cid:74)(cid:91)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:15)(cid:1) mean the difference between creating a hit double revenue.
(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:1) localizing a game as an afterthought often
(cid:53)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:67)(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:1)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:1) or just another top-100 game.
(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:15) „To be number more than triples the cost of localization
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With product in over 30 countries and and delays the releases in other languages
Which factors were most impor- (cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:46)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:66)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:1) one in the games translated into 17 languages, we have by months.
tant to become market leader in (cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1) seen almost everything there is to see in • Create code that will allow you to add
(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:1) market, you When planning for localization, the goal subtitles to your game for smaller markets
Germany? localization and translation of games, and it
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C Michael Kalkowski:(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:78)(cid:14) (cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:90)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:58)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1) must practice iasn ndo pt upbrelitsthy.e Lrsi taerrea llleya hviunngd trheodus soafn ddesv oefl oypener, s an English version along with versions in • Avoid references to country-specific
M (cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:88)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:90)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:1) (cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:18)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:6)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:15)(cid:1) and work like euros, dollars, and hryvnia on the table by not other FIGS languages (French, Italian, currency, institutions, and themes.
Y (cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:56)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:14)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:1) (cid:56)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:77)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:14) spending a little bit more time on localization German, and Spanish, at a minimum). In
(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:35)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:89)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1) (cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:90)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1) you are number our experience, sales may increase 40–50 • Keep an accurate word count on spoken
CM (cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:90)(cid:1) (cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:27)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:13)(cid:1) from the project inception. percent if all localized and U.S. versions are words, text files, and bit-mapped text.
MY (cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:87)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:1) (cid:90)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:1)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1) two.“ Why Build for Localization? released simultaneously. • Make buffers large enough to hold
CY (cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:6)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1) (cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:15) There are many key issues to consider when translated text.
We can sum up the argument in favor of
CMY localization with one word: revenue. By designing for easy localization. To guide • Isolate localizable resources.
K GameDuell in Numbers focusing on localization at an early stage, those responsible for localization, we have • Ensure all symbols and icons convey the
identified the following as crucial to success.
our company now generates more than same meaning regardless of language.
60 percent of its revenue outside of North If you are a producer or project lead tasked
. • Ensure that menu and dialog
Founded: 2003 America. But localization is not merely with overseeing a localization project, this
accelerators are unique.
.
Userbase: More than 7 million registered members for those hoping to distribute their games list will help you make sure that your team
. outside of the United States; more than avoids any potentially costly mistakes. • Allow users to enter text, accelerators,
Employees and full-time contractors: 75
and shortcut-key combinations using
. 50 percent of casual games have some
Casual games developed internally: 30+ Key Localization Issues: international keyboard layouts.
. development done in Western and Eastern
Funding: Burda Digital Ventures and Holtzbrinck Ventures
Europe (including the former Soviet • Avoid hard-coding or embedding • Confirm that sorting and case conversion
.
Marketing: > 200 partner sites Union). Although these games are usually localizable elements. are culturally accurate.
.
Revenues: Transaction, subscription, sponsoring in English (of varying levels of quality), they
• Keep all of the assets used to create • Ensure that the game responds
.
Website: www.gameduell.com are usually not fully “Americanized”—that the product (including box art, logos, to changes in the control panel’s
. is, adapted to the U.S. market.
International: Available in 7 languages screenshots, and sales sheets) in one international/locale settings.
. Contact: [email protected] When the poor quality of the language place where they are readily accessible. • Ensure that the game works correctly on
interrupts the fantasy of a game, the player These assets will be crucial in producing different types of hardware, particularly on
is less likely to continue playing—and much localized versions of the product. hardware that is sold in the target market.
less likely to buy. That phenomenon is true
(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:6)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1) What trends do you see for 2008? What is your strategy for this year? regardless of the language—which is why • Record and keep separate files for voice, • Inasmuch as language can affect
sound effects and background music. the length of some .WAV files, note
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Kai Bolik:(cid:1)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:24)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:91)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:15)(cid:1) Boris Wasmuth:(cid:1)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:89)(cid:81)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:14) • For all screens that have bit-mapped text, the length of each one in a separate
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created game, even if it was developed
Was there anything you had to (cid:53)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:1)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:15)(cid:1) (cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:15)(cid:1) thousands of miles away. one without it. • If recordings are involved, make sure
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learn the hard way? • Support multiple-byte languages (e.g., the speakers are from the region of
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Japanese, Mandarin) and avoid engines the country with the lowest perceived
Boris Wasmuth:(cid:1)(cid:48)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:1)(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:1) (cid:67)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:1)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:90)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:80)(cid:1) (cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:13)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:84)(cid:13)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:74)(cid:77)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:73)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)
that do not support these fonts. accents.
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(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:20)(cid:1)(cid:90)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1) (cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:15)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:1)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:70)(cid:1) (cid:90)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:1)(cid:88)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:1)(cid:77)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:78)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:81)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:15)
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