By Alex Thayer, PartnerPoint Contributing Writer

The business of digital games is booming. Sales are estimated to exceed $70 billion by 2015, and the potential for growth is better than ever given the strength of the console and online gaming markets. But like all software products, digital games must be localized for different markets around the world, a process that can be costly without the right approach, knowledge, and expectations. Without specific knowledge about how to localize games and capitalize on the huge worldwide market, your entry into that market will be far less likely to turn a profit.

 

What is localization, exactly? Localization is the process of modifying a product, solution, or service for a specific culture, locale, language, country, or community. Localization is a strategic process that requires a great deal of planning and active management to complete in a successful manner. As the Internet and digital technology have changed the ways in which companies interact with clients, and the ways in which countries interact with each other, localization has become an area of specialization for members of the technical and professional communication and software development industries. Large software companies increasingly regard localization as an essential activity; localization managers who guide the process of making a software application usable for different cultures are a growing component of the workforce.

In its latest social acquisition, Google has bought mobile game developer SocialDeck, according to a letter posted by the company. SocialDeck is located in Waterloo, Ontario, close to a regional Google office.

SocialDeck’s games were downloaded about a million times in 2009. Its games include Shake & Spell, Color Connect and Pet Hero.

Today at gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. premiered the first wave of Xbox LIVE games launching on Windows Phone 7 this holiday. With even more games and applications to come, Windows Phone 7 is putting the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand — from Xbox LIVE Avatars to staying connected with friends, Xbox LIVE is now at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.^*

Months before the launch of Windows Phone 7, Microsoft is offering a glimpse of a mobile gaming experience that aims to stand apart.

Today at Gamescom 2010, the world’s largest gaming conference underway in Cologne, Germany, Microsoft announced the first wave of video games that will be available for Windows Phone 7 at launch or shortly after. The first 50 titles – a mix of new and familiar games that target both the casual and hardcore gamer – are just a sampling of what will ship this holiday, said Kevin Unangst, senior director of PC and mobile gaming. But the list conveys the wide range of video games that will be available on Windows Phone 7.

Bing launched a new World of Warcraft (WoW) visual search gallery on Wednesday, hoping to wow some of the game's more than 12 million players.

Whether it's the Chestplate of Septic Stitches, the Bloodvenom Blade, or the Ring of Rotting Sinew, the new Bing gallery lets players search, filter, and view images, videos, information, statistics, and links, as well as comments and blog posts, for the game's most popular items.

On the eve of gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. unveiled the newest addition to the famed “Age of Empires” franchise, “Age of Empires Online.” Microsoft also announced the development of “Microsoft Flight,” a new entry inspired by the best-selling “Microsoft Flight Simulator” franchise. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, these new titles, along with the previously announced “Fable III,” fully integrate the free* Games for Windows – LIVE online service to deliver compelling socially connected gameplay experiences.

As leaked copies of Halo: Reach hit the torrent sites, Microsoft tells Kotaku that they are aggressively investigating the leak and are fully prepared to hand out bans to anyone caught playing the game pre-release.

Microsoft unveiled the first wave of games for the Windows 7 smartphone operating system on Tuesday at the GamesCom 2010 conference in Cologne, Germany.

Germany  (Reuters) - Microsoft's motion-sensing game system Kinect will hit European retail stores before Christmas, the company said, as it battles for customers with rivals Sony and Nintendo.

We recently heard a new announcement from Microsoft’s end for its upcoming video game, Fable III. After alluring gamers with the Village Maker Tool, the company has now introduced the official Fable III Limited Edition Wireless Controller for Xbox 360.