According to the latest report from Distimo, localising an app into a region's native language will produce an appreciable increase in downloads and revenue.,
The firm claims this effect is particularly marked in Asian territories.
However, the size of this impact varies considerably, and Distimo has found that English is still far and away the single most important language for developers to support.
On the download
Distimo's report examined the iPhone and iPad App Stores in twelve countries the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil and Australia.
It found that, in every one of those countries except China, the top 200 free apps charts were dominated by applications that support English.
Overall, 90 percent of the top 200 most downloaded apps included English-language support.
In China, however, 73 percent of the most downloaded apps include native language support, while 69 percent support English a figure that suggests localisation is particularly important to the Chinese market.
Big earners
In terms of revenue, however, the picture is slightly different.
While a lack of native language support may not actively dissuade customers from downloading an app, players seem much more likely to spend on apps that support their mother tongue.
This is especially true throughout Asia, and Distimo found that in China, Korea and Japan, more of the top 200 grossing apps included native language support than support for English.
All of which suggests that localising a game can be very worthwhile, although it obviously remains a question of balancing the likely cost of such an undertaking against the estimated increase in earnings.
The bottom line
According to Distimo's numbers, though, localisation certainly seems to boost downloads.
"On average, the applications increased their download volumes on the iPhone by more than 128 percent during the next week that followed after introducing the native language app compared to the same period before the introduction of the home language," the report noted.
"This percentage was lower for the increase in revenue, which was around 26 percent. Applications in China and Japan experienced the highest improvement in terms of total downloads."
The report notes that this increase can't be entirely attributed to language support, however. Apps typically see some increase in downloads and revenue following updates, almost automatically.
You can download the report on the translation of apps in native languges from Distimo's website.
Data & Research
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
5 hours, 49 minutes ago
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games E14 -Supercell's Squad Busters goes global and why Steam does discoverability better than mobile
News
May 31st, 2024
Week in Views - Squad Busters goes global, broken app stores, and Hill Climb Racing gets the LEGO treatment
News
May 31st, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
Indie Game Fest & Indie Campus 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Indie Craft K-Game Festival 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
BostonFig Online 2024 | Jun 1st | |
GameSummit Summer 2024 | Jun 1st | |
Gotland Game Conference 2024 | Nordic | Jun 3rd |
Games Mental Health Summit 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |
Dev Play Conference 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |
Tribeca Games Festival 2024 | North America | Jun 5th |