2026-05-07 10:22 UTC
I feel like there is an untapped potential in #gamedev for games that help you learn a language. Of course there is always the option to change the language to your target language but that only works if the game is simple enough and you are almost at that level.
I was imagining something like Chants of Sennaar, but less puzzle-like. You arrive at an Island where they speak your target language. They know you are a foreigner so it starts with very simple language and pointing at things. As you learn the language it gets progressively more difficult.
However, in contrast to chants of sennaar I think the key part is that the language is NOT the objective of the game. The game should stand on it's own, but it offers a ramp up on the language.
Imagine Stardew Valley but with Japanese for example. The game should be fun on it's own and the language fade in the background as you learn more mimicking more realistic immersion contexts.
#languagelearning
Replies (1)
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@0x0961h@mastodon.gamedev.place 2026-05-07 10:29
@dziban@functional.cafe I think I saw few games like this. Their problem for me was that they started from, like, 0, which is a bit boring when you already know at least some basics. Going through "私は嬉しいです" in each and every game trying to teach you Japanese becomes dull after 2nd time. 😅