Designers
Jiangyu Pan, Yan Dong
Year
2024
Category
New Talent
Country
China
School
Zhejiang University
Teacher
Yijun Zhao
Three questions for the project team
What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
The primary challenge for LUO from a UX perspective was designing an engaging and educational experience that seamlessly integrates language learning with interactive gameplay. We needed to ensure the game was accessible to users with varying levels of language proficiency and gaming experience. Creating realistic, dynamic dialogues using AI while maintaining an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface was crucial. Additionally, balancing educational content with immersive gameplay to keep users motivated and interested posed a significant challenge.
What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
One of the highlights came when we saw firsthand how our AI could provide personalized and human-like feedback in real-time. During user testing, a player mentioned how interacting with NPCs that had distinct personalities and cultural backgrounds made learning feel less like a chore and more like a real conversation. This was a game-changer. The aha!-moment struck when we decided to give each NPC unique traits and backstories, making interactions feel incredibly authentic. We saw players light up, fully immersed in these dialogues, improving their language skills in a way that traditional methods never achieved. This shift was not just rewarding but confirmed we were on the right track.
Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In the next five years, I see LUO evolving to become a go-to tool for diverse language learners. Our focus will be on refining the game to cater to different learning objectives, whether for students, professionals, or casual learners. Drawing inspiration from platforms like Duolingo, we aim to provide an engaging, cost-effective solution that delivers high-impact results. We plan to continuously enhance the game's features based on user feedback and advancements in AI technology. By making language learning accessible to those who cannot immerse themselves in a language-speaking country, LUO will help bridge the gap in effective language acquisition for a broader audience.
