English for Video Games

1- Read this text :

Vocabulary :

Indie video game: A video game created by Relationship building: A gameplay aspect
independent developers, often with smaller where players develop and strengthen
budgets compared to games from large connections with other characters in the
studios.
game.
Tackle: To deal with or address a difficult Unresolved issues: Problems or emotional
problem or situation in an effort to resolve conflicts that a character has not yet dealt
or manage it.
with or resolved
For example, in the context of Spiritfarer,
the game "tackles" difficult themes like grief Symbolically representative tasks: Tasks in
and loss, meaning it approaches and the game that symbolize deeper emotional
explores these sensitive topics through its
or psychological issues, helping characters
gameplay and narrative.
(or players) process these emotions.

Culminating: Reaching the highest point or

Critical and commercial success: A game final stage of something.
that is both highly praised by critics (for its
quality, creativity, etc.) and sells well to the Ceremonies: Rituals or formal events that
public. signify important transitions, such as a
character’s readiness to move on in the
Grief: Deep sorrow, especially caused by afterlife.
someone's death.
Narrative: The storyline or sequence of
Loss: The experience of losing someone or events that make up the plot of a game or
something important, often referring to
 death or the end of a significant story.
relationship.
Profoundly personal journey: A deeply
2D management game: A type of video meaningful and emotionally significant
game where players manage resources, experience for the individual player.
tasks, or characters, with gameplay
Empathy: The ability to understand and
occurring in two dimensions (flat, without
share the feelings of another person.
depth).
Emotional introspection: The process of
Afterlife: A concept referring to life after
examining one’s own emotions and
death, or the existence of a soul after a
understanding them on a deeper level.
person has passed away.
Therapeutic: Something that provides
Hand-drawn world: A game environment
healing or relief, particularly in an emotional
where the visuals are drawn by hand rather
or psychological sense.
than created digitally or with 3D models.
Educational benefits: Advantages that
Customizable ship: A ship that players can
contribute to learning or teaching, often in
modify or change according to their
a non-traditional setting such as through a
preferences (appearance, functionality).
video game.
Anthropomorphic spirits: Spirits that have
Serious game: A game designed for a
human characteristics, such as talking or
primary purpose other than pure
expressing emotions, even though they are
entertainment, often to teach, heal, or
not human.
inform players.
Acceptance of death: The process of
emotionally coming to terms with the
reality of death.

Resource management: A gameplay

mechanic where players must control and
distribute resources (such as food,
materials, etc.) efficiently.

Exploration: A gameplay element where

players travel through the game world,
discovering new places, items, or
characters.

2 – Answer those questions :

What is Spiritfarer and which game genre does it belong to?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

How does Spiritfarer address the themes of grief and loss within its gameplay?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What role does the main character, Stella, play in guiding spirits in the game?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

How do the spirits in Spiritfarer represent different stages of acceptance of death?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What are some key gameplay elements in Spiritfarer, such as resource management and
relationship building?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

In what way do symbolically representative tasks help spirits in Spiritfarer resolve their
unresolved issues?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Why has Spiritfarer been described as having potential therapeutic and educational benefits?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What are the emotional effects that critics and players have noted when playing Spiritfarer,
particularly in dealing with grief?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3 – Reimagining Spiritfarer
Now imagine you are a Game, Level or Narrative Designer.
The game, Spiritfarer has a new target audience.
Adapt the story, the gameplay or the level design according to this new persona.
But keep the same introduction : Stella becomes the new Charon, sails and has a pet cat.
 Player Persona: Jordan "The Competitor"

Demographics:
 Age: 22
 Gender: Male
 Location: Dallas, Texas
 Occupation: College Student (Major in Computer Science)

Gaming habits:
 Platform: Primarily plays on PlayStation and PC. Occasionally uses mobile for casual
games.
 Gaming frequency: Plays daily, often for 3-5 hours, especially during evenings and
weekends.
 Favorite genres: Competitive multiplayer games, first-person shooters (FPS), and
battle royale games.

Motivations:
 Competition: Thrives on competitive gameplay and enjoys the adrenaline rush of
winning matches.
 Skill mastery: Driven to improve gaming skills and climb leaderboards. Enjoys
games that allow for tactical planning and fast reflexes.
 Social interaction: Values playing with friends and meeting new players through
online multiplayer platforms.

Goals:
 Ranking up: Aims to reach the highest rank in competitive games and participate in
esports tournaments.
 Team play: Enjoys developing strategies with teammates and working together to
achieve victory.
 Game knowledge: Seeks to become an expert in game mechanics and meta
strategies to outsmart opponents.

Challenges:
 Frustration with loss: Can get frustrated with losing matches, leading to stress and
the need to manage emotions during gameplay.
 Time constraints: Balancing studies and gaming can be challenging, especially
when preparing for exams or project deadlines.

Preferred features:
 Fast-paced gameplay: Prefers games with quick match rounds and dynamic action
that keeps the adrenaline high.
 Leaderboards and achievements: Enjoys tracking personal and team progress
through rankings, stats, and unlockable achievements.
 Voice chat functionality: Values clear communication with teammates during
matches for coordinated gameplay.
Summary:
- What type of modifications would you implement ?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- How would you describe them ? If it is a new gameplay, detail its mechanics.
If it is a new narrative, write it down in details.
If it is another level design, explain how it works.
- Justify everything, regarding the new persona and the original story.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Write down your ideas, preferably in a PPT, and get ready to present them next week 💪