Localizing gaming applications is very different from typical enterprise applications in many ways. It poses particular challenges that may not apply to other kinds of content. Many games work because they succeed in building a compelling and immersive experience in a virtual world, one that engages and sustains a sense of believability throughout gameplay. Subpar localization that jars users out of the story can annoy gamers and create a poor experience. Contrast this with typical office or productivity applications where poor localization may be an irritation, but is far less likely to render the product itself less acceptable. For instance, language serves a supporting role in a spreadsheet, but the application's core functions do not typically change from market to market. As a result, even though the words appearing in the user interface (UI) or elsewhere are important in guiding users to accomplish tasks, they are not part of its core function. Similarly, a user manual or online help site is successful if it helps users accomplish a task, even if the language isn't stylish or doesn't sound perfectly native. As you localize your gaming content, factor in the following during the planning process.
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