Game-based Kanji Learning has stakeholders all across the world: Learners and Educators in Japanese, Researchers in Linguistics and Pedagogy, and Engineers in Serious Games Engineering. Project seeks to connect these and expand in a continuous process of iterative co-design and empirical evaluation. The first iteration therein takes the form of a practical course for grad students of computer science at TUM. Phase 1 will run during winter term 2026/27, building new kanji learning games in coordination with local learners and instructors.
“The three, Reality, Meaning, and Play, are called worlds, because each one of them is inhabited by different people, disciplines, aspects, and criteria.” (Harteveld 2011, p. 22)
"The world of Reality represents the people, such as experts and consultants, and disciplines related to the domain and subject of the game."
Harteveld 2011, p. 303
"The world of Meaning is concerned with the creation of value beyond the game itself."
Harteveld 2011, p. 305
"Games are first and foremost a specific tool (or medium)."
Harteveld 2011, p. 307
TU Munich main campus
Multi-disciplinary co-design with all stakeholders. Results determine research & development goals in next stage.
The development team selects one or multiple ideas to develop into kanji learning games under repeated check-ins and playtesting with Radical Friends.
TUM Garching Campus
Open to all, this is the first public demonstration for our new game projects.
Testing with play-learners, report results and iterate
Long-term field studies prepared during the semester, and publication of artifacts and results to inform next steps.
A multidisciplinary kick-off event for learners, educators and game engineers to come together and design new ideas for kanji learning games.
Open to any stakeholders that want to get and stay more involved: After a first meeting, we hope to allow for optional check-ins with experts during development. Meanwhile learners will be invited for playtesting and interviews.
Get updated on new developments or reach out to us anytime.
Or write to us: kanjilearning.games@cit.tum.de