How do you make a game support Arabic?

Mirror the interface for right-to-left reading, use a text system that shapes Arabic letters and handles bidirectional text, use fonts with full Arabic coverage, format numbers and dates per locale, and review content culturally.

Does Unity support Arabic text?

In Unity 6, UI Toolkit's opt-in Advanced Text Generator supports right-to-left languages such as Arabic. TextMeshPro typically needs a plugin, such as the open-source RTLTMPro, for shaping and right-to-left text.

Does Unreal Engine support Arabic?

Unreal Engine supports complex text shaping and bidirectional text, and its localization tools manage string tables for Arabic and other languages.

What should be mirrored in a right-to-left UI?

Navigation order, back buttons, progress bars, lists, tabs and directional icons. Media controls, clocks, logos and non-directional icons are usually not mirrored.

Do games need a rating to launch in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia requires video games to be classified before release by the General Authority for Media Regulation, formerly GCAM, which runs the country's age-rating system.

Arabic Game Development: RTL UI, Fonts and Culture

The short answer

Building a game in Arabic properly means mirroring the interface for right-to-left reading, using a text system that shapes Arabic letters correctly, choosing fonts with full Arabic coverage, handling mixed text with numbers and English, and reviewing content for cultural fit. In Unity 6, UI Toolkit's opt-in Advanced Text Generator supports right-to-left text, while TextMeshPro usually needs a plugin; Unreal Engine supports complex shaping and bidirectional text. Saudi Arabia also requires games to be classified by its media regulator.

Right-to-left UI: what to mirror

Mirror	Do not mirror
Navigation order and back buttons	Media controls such as play and pause
Progress bars and sliders	Clocks and timers
Lists, tabs and menus	Logos and brand marks
Arrows and directional icons	Icons without direction, such as a heart or star
Text alignment	Numbers themselves (digits stay left to right)

Mirroring is easiest when layouts use relative anchoring rather than fixed positions. Retrofitting a finished UI for right-to-left is one of the most expensive localization jobs.

Letter shaping and bidirectional text

Arabic letters take different forms depending on their position in a word, and some pairs join into ligatures. Text rendered without a shaping engine shows disconnected letters, which reads as broken to every Arabic speaker. Sentences that mix Arabic with numbers or English words also need the Unicode bidirectional algorithm, so that each run of text displays in the right order.

Engine support

Engine and text system	Arabic support
Unity 6 UI Toolkit with Advanced Text Generator	Opt-in text backend built on HarfBuzz and ICU that supports right-to-left languages such as Arabic
Unity TextMeshPro	Typically needs a plugin, such as the open-source RTLTMPro, for shaping and RTL
Unreal Engine	Supports complex text shaping and bidirectional text, with localization tools

Check the current documentation for your engine version before choosing, and test real Arabic sentences early, not just single words.

Fonts and typography

Choose fonts designed for Arabic, such as Noto Sans Arabic, rather than relying on fallbacks.
Arabic often needs more line height for diacritics and descenders.
Match the Arabic font's weight and personality to the Latin font so the brand stays consistent.
Test small sizes on low-resolution phones; thin strokes disappear quickly.

Numbers, dates and currency

Markets differ on digits: some prefer Western digits (0–9), others Eastern Arabic digits. Pick per market and be consistent. Format dates, currency and large numbers with locale-aware functions rather than by hand. Remember that the Islamic (Hijri) calendar matters for events and seasonal content, even when the game uses the Gregorian calendar elsewhere.

Language choice

Modern Standard Arabic is understood across the Arab world and suits menus, tutorials and most game text. Gulf dialect can make marketing, characters and social content feel local, especially for Saudi and UAE audiences. Use native writers with game experience, and give them context for every string.

Cultural review

Religious symbols and references used respectfully or avoided.
Gambling-like mechanics such as loot boxes reviewed against local rules and expectations.
Alcohol, clothing and relationships checked against target market norms.
Maps, flags and borders reviewed carefully.
Holidays and events, such as Ramadan and Eid, used for timely content.

Ratings and release in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia requires video games to be classified before release, through the General Authority for Media Regulation (formerly GCAM), which runs the country's age-rating system. Applications can be made by the developer, publisher or a local agent in Arabic or English, and digital distribution does not automatically remove the need for classification. Our Saudi gaming market guide covers the wider market.

Player names, chat and input

Arabic support does not stop at displayed text. Players type names and chat messages in Arabic, so input fields must accept and display right-to-left text correctly, cursors must move the right way, and filters for offensive language must cover Arabic, including common transliterations in Latin letters. Leaderboards and friend lists often mix Arabic and Latin names side by side, which is a good test of the bidirectional text handling.

Bilingual games

Many Gulf players switch between Arabic and English. A language switch in settings that flips the whole interface instantly, without restarting, is appreciated. Design layouts that work in both directions from the start, and keep brand names and some gaming terms in English where that is what players actually use.

Testing Arabic

Pseudo-localise early with right-to-left test strings to find layout problems.
Test with real Arabic text from native writers, including long words and diacritics.
Check mixed text with numbers, player names and English brand names.
Run linguistic QA with native speakers in the running build.
Test on popular phones in the region, including lower-end Android devices.

Working with us

We build Arabic-first and bilingual games with right-to-left UI from the first sprint. See our Arabic page, Saudi Arabia page and localization guide.

Sources: Unity: Advanced Text Generator · RTLTMPro plugin for TextMeshPro · Unreal Engine: localization overview · Unicode: bidirectional algorithm (UAX #9) · Google Fonts: Noto Sans Arabic · Saudipedia: clearance of electronic games. Checked October 20, 2026.

Arabic game development: RTL, fonts and culture