Title: The Detective Adventure for GRE Test
Type: AU Capstone Project
Date: 2020.5
About: Learn the advanced vocab by playing a game!
Play the game (free version):
https://ruthsonggame.github.io/final/detectivefree/
Intro:
Introduction
It incorporates the learning process in an engaging, meaningful story and makes each part replayable. Also, it combines the input and output stages and offers the learner great agency.
I'm in sole charge of the design, development and art creation of this project (though with help from my programmer classmates and experts in the Unity Community).
Conception
Task-based learning experience;
A balance of input and output;
A well-adapted theme for target vocab;
A semi-linear storyline.
A game designed for students and language lovers;
Educational disciplines embedded.
Watch the Trailer
You did a superb job at embedding low-frequency items in a well-threaded storyline!
It's well adapted to the target structure!
About the game
The game is a 2D based language learning game in a funny and mysterious style. It can be categorized as an educational/adventure/puzzle game. The platform is PC/webpage.
Target Audience
All the groups shown below are believed to be the target audience.
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Gamers
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Detective story lovers
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Language learners
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Standardized test takers
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Puzzle lovers
Contextualized language learning
Most information provided is contextualized. I paid special attention to how to provide the glosses and how to make connections between the test outcome and the main quest of the game. Here is a list of how I did it:
Provide tips and from the characters;
provide gloss in a natural dialogue;
make the relevant object (such as in a crime scene) or gloss visualized;
put the vocabulary in an emotional, meaningful setting;
make the target vocabulary relative to the game progress;
Plot scenes (language input)
The plot scenes are mainly related to the Input process. In this part, the learner shall play with a visual novel with target words embedded. Due to the nature of the target words, it’s usually hard to put them in a colloquial context; however, the game tries to provide both the target words and their glosses in a natural conversation. For example, for the word “oversell” (meaning brag or boast), the plot scene introduces its meaning and etymology in such a way:
Poirot: I am the best detective in the world!
Hastings: My friend, you are overselling yourself again!
Poirot: Selling what? I don’t get it.
Hastings: It’s the combination of “over” and “sell”, only in a figurative way!
Poirot: Simple enough!
In most cases, both the target words and the definitions are embedded in the dialog with no extra clicks, so the flow of a conversation won’t be disrupted. However, in the other parts of the game, the learner would have opportunities to review the words in other ways.
Gameplay
Design and development log
