Rice Games founder and CEO Julian Rice shared how games can become a learning tool. In particular, he said that if language learning moves beyond the traditional localization, then it can turn into a meaningful form of game innovation. A good example is the studio’s very own title Shujinkou.
Rice argued that game studios shouldn't simply treat language as translated in-game text or even as a separate and mandatory educational layer. Instead, language acquisition can actually be woven into the character of the game and even the world building as well as other features like combat systems, progression, character design, optional learning tools, and overall player experience.
This philosophy is, in fact, central to the studio's flagship title which is Shujinkou. That's because when the studio developed the game, it was designed to be a full-scale role-playing game. Meaning, it's a deep JRPG that has the usual features one would expect from games in the same genre. With that serving as the foundation, they then put in optional Japanese language-learning elements for players who want to engage with them.
As an example, the game has language rooted in its character names and lore. The Kanakae Orb mechanics are connected to enemy weaknesses with the Kanban system being for learning about Japanese and in-game lore. Meanwhile, there's also the Moji Kiroku writing practice system. Rice reiterated that it is possible for educational mechanics to be powerful though only when these same mechanics "support the game rather than replace the game." Rice also said that these same ideas could be applied to other languages like Korean and Arabic.
Shujinkou was released in February 2025 and tells the story of a retired samurai who has been tasked with saving his home from the intelligent and language-devouring “Akuma.” Throughout this journey, he’s accompanied by an eccentric fox that’s freed from a cursed abode along with an astute princess who seems to have her own ambitions.
Shujinkou is a dungeon-crawling JRPG that offers players a unique opportunity to learn Japanese as they play. It features thousands of Japanese words, phrases, kana, kanji, and grammar elements that players can master through focus, diligence, and consistency. The language content spans from JLPT N5 to N1 standards, which means that it can accommodate learners at any stage. For the PC, Shujinkou is available on Steam.