Mobile video game localization: a case study of Apple Store sub-category ‘play in Arabic’

The current paper aims to scrutinize the technical, linguistic, and cultural issues of mobile video games localized into Arabic and listed in the Apple Store sub-category ‘play in Arabic’ (n = 22). Additionally, it also examines the technical considerations for cell phones, as explained by Chandler and Deming, along with the elements to be translated into any video game. Finally, it seeks to evaluate the applicability of the levels of localization proposed by Chandler and Deming, including the modified version suggested by Al-Batineh and Alawneh. The results of the study show that there are various technical, linguistic, and cultural issues in many games. Additionally, the results show that technical considerations for cell phones have been employed. Nonetheless, elements to be translated into any video game have not been fully considered. To conclude, the analysis of mobile video games suggests a need to redefine the levels of localization.