Testing the simplification universal in game localization: a quantitative comparison of linguistic complexity in black myth, Sekiro, and RDR2

This study explores the universal hypothesis by analyzing game localization. Specifically, we compare the linguistic complexity of three popular video games: Black Myth: Wukong (China), Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (Japan), and Red Dead Redemption 2 (USA). Using entropy and mean dependency distance as measures of lexical and syntactic complexity, we investigate whether localized versions (L2) exhibit simplification when compared with original (L1) game texts. The results show that the localized games, Black Myth and Sekiro, demonstrate greater lexical complexity and comparable or greater syntactic complexity relative to Red Dead Redemption 2. These findings challenge the traditional simplification hypothesis in translation studies by suggesting that localization processes can lead to complexification rather than simplification. The study concludes that the multifaceted demands of localization, including cultural adaptation, technical considerations, and interactive engagement, result in unique linguistic profiles that defy expectations of universal simplification. This highlights the need for more nuanced frameworks to understand localization phenomena in the context of modern digital media.