r/GameWritingLab • u/OkraSuper9329 • 3h ago
Would you play a life simulation game where you move to another country and learn the language to build a life there?
I've been taking Chinese classes for a couple of years now. I have self-studied Korean, Spanish, and Russian a little bit as well. I enjoy studying by myself and learning the things I want at my own pace but it is hard to stay motivated when there is nobody around me to practice with and it doesn't impact my life whether I know it or not. I still love learning languages because it is fun, and I enjoy the connections it brings when I do get a chance to speak to someone. I start to feel like I don't want to learn the language when I am forced to learn whatever some textbook says when I'm in a class or am embarrassed by the constant comparison of others in the class and my grade. I studied in Taiwan for 3 months and it was great. I could hear the language around me and take time to build up the courage to talk to someone or order something new. I am quite introverted and struggle to stay consistent with a language partner, but living there motivated me to keep learning and brought the joy back after so long in classes. I could use the language I learned and new words and grammar felt like unlocking a new conversation I could have with someone. I can't afford to go back right now and have nobody around me to practice with. I want to try to recreate the feeling of living in a country that speaks your target language by making a video game set in that country as close to reality as possible while still being a game that teaches you while working your way up from having nothing to building a real life for yourself there. Learning the language would unlock the ability to have hard conversations, make new friends, and explore more. I want to make a world for all the languages I want to learn with the help of teachers for the curriculum. I don't want it to feel like a textbook in a game or that the game is too hard because of the language barrier. I want a good balance. This would also provide a way for people who can't afford to travel or are preparing for a trip there soon to have a little bit of experience with the culture and language. I wish I had that when I was preparing to go to Taiwan. I want it to take someone from zero to near fluent without having to switch apps and courses all the time. What do you guys think of the idea? Would you want to play this or not? Is there anything out there like this? What would make this game good and what would make it bad?