Game Localization · Glossary
What is Simultaneous Ship (Sim-Ship)?
Simultaneous ship (sim-ship) is the practice of releasing a game in all target languages at the same time as the source-language (usually English) version — rather than releasing the English version first and following with localized versions weeks or months later. Sim-ship has become the standard expectation for AAA titles and increasingly for mid-market and mobile games.
Why Sim-Ship Matters
Staggered releases — English first, localized versions later — create problems: non-English players encounter spoilers and community discussion before they can play, players in key markets feel treated as second-class audiences, and the localized versions release into a saturated news cycle with diminished press coverage. Sim-ship ensures all markets launch together, receive equal press treatment, and can participate in the community from day one.
The Localization Challenge of Sim-Ship
Sim-ship requires localization to begin before content is final — a process called ‘continuous localization’ or ‘alpha localization’. Translators work on submitted batches of content as it becomes available, rather than waiting for content lock. This introduces risk: if source content changes after translation, retranslation is needed. Managing this requires clear content freeze milestones, version control for source strings, and a TMS that can handle incremental content batches.
Sim-Ship vs. Follow-On Release
Follow-on releases (English first, then localized versions) are simpler to execute — all content is final before localization begins — but they come with the commercial costs of delayed market access. For mobile games in markets like Japan and Korea, where localization quality affects App Store ratings within the first week, a late localized release can permanently damage a game’s market position. For these markets, sim-ship is commercially essential.
How Localization Partners Support Sim-Ship
Supporting sim-ship requires a localization partner capable of handling incremental content batches, maintaining consistency across batches submitted over weeks or months, managing retranslation when source content changes, and ramping up quickly for content lock crunch. SandVox operates rolling delivery cycles specifically designed for sim-ship projects, with dedicated teams that maintain full project context across the delivery period.
SandVox and Simultaneous Ship (Sim-Ship)
SandVox supports simultaneous ship projects with rolling delivery cycles — accepting incremental content batches as they become available, maintaining terminology and style consistency across the full delivery period, and scaling team capacity for content-lock crunch.
Related terms: Game Localization · Translation Memory · Localization Kit · Localization Qa
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should localization begin for a simultaneous ship release?
Localization should begin as soon as a significant stable batch of content is available — typically 6–12 months before launch for a mid-size title, earlier for large AAA projects. Starting with UI strings and early dialog allows the team to establish terminology and style guide foundations before the high-volume content lock phase. The earlier localization begins, the more time there is to manage content changes.
What happens when source content changes after translation?
Changed source content requires retranslation of affected segments. Translation memory helps — unchanged segments don’t need retranslation. The cost and timeline impact depends on how much changed and how late in the project. We track all content versions and flag retranslation needs as part of our sim-ship workflow.
Is sim-ship worth the additional complexity and cost?
For most commercial game releases targeting international markets, yes. The commercial cost of delayed market entry — lost launch week revenue, diminished press coverage, player community fragmentation — typically exceeds the additional localization management cost. For mobile games in JA/KO markets especially, day-one localized release is the baseline expectation.
Which languages are most critical to include in a sim-ship release?
Prioritize markets where players are highly engaged from day one and where delayed releases cause the most community damage. Typically: German, French, Spanish for Western markets; Japanese and Korean for Asia. Chinese (Simplified) is increasingly important for global mobile titles. The right answer depends on your existing player base distribution and platform focus.
Need Expert Game Localization?
SandVox provides end-to-end game localization including simultaneous ship (sim-ship) — for narrative games, mobile titles, webtoons, and interactive fiction.