Game Localization · English Language Pairs
English to Farsi (Persian) Game Localization
Native Farsi translators. Cultural accuracy. LocQA included. Get a free quote →
Farsi (also called Persian) is spoken by approximately 110 million people — primarily in Iran, Afghanistan (as Dari), and Tajikistan (as Tajik). The Iranian gaming market is one of the most active in the Middle East, with a large population of young, tech-savvy gamers. Farsi uses a modified Arabic script, is written right-to-left, and requires the same RTL UI implementation that Arabic localization requires. Farsi localization differs from Arabic in language and vocabulary but shares technical RTL requirements. SandVox provides English-to-Farsi game localization with RTL UI support and Farsi script rendering expertise.
Text Expansion & Technical Considerations
Farsi text is typically similar in length to Arabic text — compact compared to English. Farsi uses the same RTL writing direction as Arabic, and the same UI mirroring requirements apply. Farsi script uses some additional characters not present in Arabic, so fonts must support the Farsi extension of the Arabic script Unicode block.
Cultural & Technical Considerations for Farsi Localization
- Right-to-left text and UI mirroring — Farsi uses RTL script and requires the same UI direction changes as Arabic localization
- Farsi vs. Arabic script — Farsi uses a modified Arabic script with additional characters (p, ch, zh, g); Arabic fonts may not contain Farsi-specific characters and must be verified
- Iranian cultural context — Iranian culture has its own mythology (Shahnameh, Zoroastrian references), history, and cultural references distinct from Arab culture
- Regional vocabulary — Farsi used in Iran has different vocabulary from Dari (Afghanistan) and Tajik; for Iran-targeted localization, Iranian Farsi vocabulary conventions apply
- Market considerations — distribution to Iran has specific legal and payment infrastructure considerations; localization itself is separate from distribution logistics
What We Localize for Farsi Markets
- English to Farsi game translation by professional Farsi game translators
- RTL UI implementation guidance for Farsi localization
- Farsi script font rendering assessment
- In-engine LocQA for Farsi rendering and RTL UI in actual game build
- Iranian cultural context adaptation for game content
SandVox provides English-to-Farsi game localization with RTL UI support, applying Farsi script rendering expertise and Iranian cultural context to games targeting Persian-speaking audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farsi localization technically the same as Arabic localization?
Farsi shares RTL writing direction and similar script with Arabic, but they are different languages requiring different translators. Technically, Farsi and Arabic have the same UI mirroring requirements, but Farsi requires fonts that include the Farsi Unicode extension characters. An Arabic localization cannot simply be adapted to Farsi — it requires a separate Farsi translation. The RTL LocQA process is similar for both, but font rendering must be verified separately for Farsi.
Is the Iranian games market accessible for Western developers?
Iran has significant informal gaming market activity — many Iranian players access games through VPNs or informal distribution channels. Some developers choose to localize into Farsi to serve this audience, particularly for PC games distributed via Steam or mobile games. Commercial distribution infrastructure to Iran has restrictions for Western companies — localization is a separate question from distribution. We localize the game content; distribution channel decisions are yours to make.
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Frequently Asked Questions
English to Persian (Farsi) game localization is typically priced at $0.16–$0.30 per word depending on content complexity, subject matter, and turnaround requirements. A small indie game with 20,000 words costs approximately $3,200–$6,000; a mid-size title with 100,000 words ranges from $16,000–$30,000. Additional services such as voice-over, UI layout QA, and cultural review are quoted separately. Contact SandVox for a custom project estimate.
Persian (Farsi) is a right-to-left language, written in Persian script (right-to-left). This requires complete UI mirroring — menus, HUDs, dialogue boxes, scroll directions, and icon alignments all need to flip horizontally. Persian is written right-to-left in a modified Arabic script; 70M+ speakers in Iran, Afghanistan (Dari), and Tajikistan. Game engines with strong BiDi (bidirectional text) support handle RTL rendering best; custom engines require explicit RTL layout implementation. SandVox provides full RTL technical QA for Persian (Farsi) localization.
Text-only English to Persian (Farsi) localization for a small game (20,000–50,000 words) typically takes 3–6 weeks including translation, linguistic review, and QA. Mid-size titles (50,000–150,000 words) require 6–12 weeks. Adding Persian (Farsi) voice-over extends the timeline by 2–4 weeks for casting, direction, recording, and integration. SandVox can accelerate timelines with parallel translation teams for urgent launches.
Persian is written right-to-left in a modified Arabic script; 70M+ speakers in Iran, Afghanistan (Dari), and Tajikistan. Games with full Persian (Farsi) localization consistently outperform unlocalized releases in Persian (Farsi)-speaking markets — players rate localized games higher, spend more, and engage longer. Machine translation alone is immediately recognizable to native speakers and damages perception; professional human localization by SandVox’s Persian (Farsi) native teams delivers the quality that converts downloads to loyal players.