Video Game Translation in Belgium: Studios, Gaming Localisation and Accessibility

Belgium is home to Larian Studios(Baldur's Gate 3), one of the world's largest video game studios. FR/NL localisation is a priority for Belgian studios wishing to reach French-speaking and Dutch-speaking European markets. With a national gaming industry in full expansion, supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter, demand for professional video game localisation has never been stronger.

The Belgian Video Game Industry

Beyond Larian Studios (Ghent), Belgium has around a hundred active studios: Fishing Cactus, Eko Software, Appeal Studios, and many independent studios supported by Screen.brussels, Wallimage, and the VAF (Flemish Audiovisual Fund). The Belgian video game market represents more than €500 million in annual revenue, with a growing proportion of productions exported internationally.

• Narrative texts and dialogues: localisation of dialogue scripts, cutscenes, in-game journals, and lore texts - the core of localisation for RPGs and adventure games
• User interface (UI): menus, HUD, tooltips, system messages, tutorials - special attention to FR/NL text expansion which can affect the layout
• Marketing and store pages: Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, App Store descriptions, optimised for French-speaking gaming SEO
• Documentation: player guides, official wikis, patch notes, bug reports for multilingual QA teams
• Voice and subtitles: voice acting scripts, SDH subtitles for accessibility, lip-sync adaptation if necessary

Belgium being bilingual FR/NL, games marketed in Belgium often need to be available in both languages, particularly for products aimed at children and families. We ensure simultaneous FR and NL localisation with consistent gaming terminology adapted to the conventions of each linguistic community.

PEGI Localisation and Age Classification

The PEGI system (Pan European Game Information) is the age classification reference for video games in Belgium and 38 other European countries. PEGI descriptors - violence, language, sex, fear, drugs, discrimination, gambling - must be assessed on the localised content, not just on the original. An inappropriate translation may change the classification of a game and entail additional legal obligations for the publisher.

• PEGI assessment: analysis of localised content to ensure that the PEGI classification remains consistent with the original version
• Sensitive descriptors: rigorous translation of content likely to affect the classification (insults, drug references, sexual content), conformity with PEGI Interactive guidelines
• Legal notices: localisation of mandatory legal warnings on packaging, startup screens, and Belgian stores
• In-game gambling: adaptation of loot box and in-game gambling elements according to Belgian legislation (Act of 7 May 1999 on games of chance, strict in Belgium)

Belgium has particularly strict regulations concerning gambling mechanics in video games - paid loot boxes have been considered gambling since 2018. Our translators verify that localised texts comply with this specific legal framework and flag at-risk passages.

Pricing and Turnaround for Video Game Localisation in Belgium

Gaming localisation rates are calculated per source word, with surcharges depending on narrative complexity and deadlines. For a standard mobile game (10,000 words), the FR or NL rate ranges between €300 and €600. For a large-scale narrative RPG (100,000 words and more), we offer a bespoke quote with a dedicated gaming terminology glossary.

The standard lead time for 10,000 words is 5 to 7 business days. We offer continuous delivery workflows for studios working in agile development - translating strings as production progresses, with direct integration into translation management tools (Lokalise, Crowdin, Phrase, Trados).