Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[NIS will teach you how to read Japanese with iOS 'Character Chowdown' app]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/nis-will-teach-you-how-to-read-japanese-with-ios-character-chow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/nis-will-teach-you-how-to-read-japanese-with-ios-character-chow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/nis-will-teach-you-how-to-read-japanese-with-ios-character-chow/#comments NIS will teach you how to read Japanese with iOS 'Character Chowdown' appNIS America and developer Yummy Yummy Tummy have partnered for an educational game that seems particularly well-suited for NISA fans: Character Chowdown, designed to teach the Japanese kana and kanji writing systems.

Naturally, as you and the "Nommon" monsters learn Japanese characters (with the game automatically learning and focusing on ones you're having trouble with), you'll see cameos from the Disgaea series, including some heroes available as eventual DLC.

Character Chowdown's developer Yummy Yummy Tummy is run by Spencer, editor of Siliconera. Siliconera has experimented with Japanese learning games before, with the Flash games Dinosaurs and Hiragana and Dinosaurs and Katakana.

JoystiqNIS will teach you how to read Japanese with iOS 'Character Chowdown' app originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-chowdowneducationiosiphonejapaneselanguagemobilenis-americayummy-yummy-tummyThu, 12 Jul 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft language update inadvertently contained racial slur (but it's fixed now)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/minecraft-language-update-inadvertently-contained-racial-slur-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/minecraft-language-update-inadvertently-contained-racial-slur-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/28/minecraft-language-update-inadvertently-contained-racial-slur-b/#comments Minecraft has demonstrated some magnificent feats of community creation, but now it's also offering a lesson in the volatile side of crowd-sourcing. Changing the language to Afrikaans, spoken in South Africa and Namibia, yesterday caused the title screen to display the phrase "You are a NIGGER." As Minecraft Forums user EgXPlayer commented, "Thats racist."

Mojang's Jens Bergensten apologized for the slur and encouraged fans to check the new translation via Crowdin -- the Afrikaans home screen now reads "enkelspeler," which translates to "single player," as it should.
[Image via Minecraft Forums user TripleHeadedSheep]

JoystiqMinecraft language update inadvertently contained racial slur (but it's fixed now) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afrikaanscrowdsourcinglanguagemicrosoftMinecraftpcracistxboxSat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/xbl-language-filter-prevents-harmless-words-from-being-used-in-q/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/xbl-language-filter-prevents-harmless-words-from-being-used-in-q/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/xbl-language-filter-prevents-harmless-words-from-being-used-in-q/#comments Microsoft's language filter on Xbox Live is strangling the linguistic skills of Quarrel players, banning such words as "help," "train," "balls" and "shaft" from being played. While we can understand the potential risque-ness of some of these words -- especially "help," which we're sure was added at the request of the XBL customer-service team -- without context we don't see the harm in them.

These words are fair game in singleplayer (with the Family Setting turned off), but Microsoft adds an extra filter to Live play, developer Denki's Gary Penn told Edge: "Quarrel uses the Collins official Scrabble dictionary comprising over 110,000 words up to eight letters in length, including a huge collection of words deemed 'offensive' by Collins, such as 'arse', 'shit', 'wank' and 'fuck.'"

Other banned words include "start," "skid," "poop," "hung," "dice" and "god." We're stumped on how to use "dice" in an offensive manner, but we've seen "fag" flung around Xbox Live chat with alarming, unfiltered regularity, so we're not going to try to figure out Microsoft's regulation process here.

JoystiqXBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatdenkifilterlanguagemicrosoftquarrelXBLxboxXbox-LiveFri, 27 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyward Sword's language deciphered, turned into font]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/skyward-swords-language-deciphered-turned-into-font/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/skyward-swords-language-deciphered-turned-into-font/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/skyward-swords-language-deciphered-turned-into-font/#comments Did you ever wonder what all the writing found throughout The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword translated to? Neither have we, but fan "Sarinilli" did, and discovered that it's just our alphabet represented by new characters. A few of the Hylian characters represent multiple letters, but it's a simple substitution regardless.

With this knowledge, Sarinilli then created a font out of the Hylian characters, which you can download here. Now you can write secret messages meant only for Link! We think he'd be very surprised to find out how concerned people are about the Zelda timeline.

JoystiqSkyward Sword's language deciphered, turned into font originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fontlanguageLegend-of-Zelda-2010nintendosarinilliThe-Legend-of-Zelda-Skyward-SwordwiiWed, 04 Jan 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[April Fools: The Old Republic localized into Wookiee language]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-the-old-republic-localized-into-wookiee-language/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-the-old-republic-localized-into-wookiee-language/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-the-old-republic-localized-into-wookiee-language/#comments Ahwh rawh wowwwwoorcao aooo scraorwo ahaoc rrrascwo raoaoawoccahrhanwo rhro scoorcwo akwoooakanwo -- ahwhoaanhuwaahwhrr aorcwowo-waohwoananahwhrr, wwhurcrcro rrahrawhaoc -- rhahooohrarcwo rawhwhoohuwhoawowa aooowararo aoacraao ahao'c wwhuananro anoooaraanahufahwhrr Caorarc Ohrarcc: Aoacwo Ooanwa Rcwoakhurhanahoa ahwhaooo cacrorcahahohooooor, aoacwo anrawhrrhurarrwo ooww aoacwo ohooooorahwowoc.

Oaanahoaor acworcwo aooo cwowo aoacrcwowo coawowhwoc wwrcoosc aoacwo ooanwa rcwoakhurhanahoa ahwh cacrorcahahohooooor, oararcwowwhuananro cwoanwooaaowowa aooo wawoscoowhcaorcraaowo aoacwo scwoananahwwanhuoohuc rhworahuaoro ooww aoacraao anrawhrrhurarrwo. Rac ra cahwawo whooaowo, ohwo waoowh'ao huchuraananro rrwoao aooo cwowo aoacahc schuoaac wwooooaorarrwo ooww aoacwo rrrascwo, coo ohwo'rcwo rrrcraaowowwhuan aooo aoacwo anoooaraanahufraaoahoowh wwoorc aoacraao, rac ohwoanan. Hhwo shhucao acooakwo aoacahc waoowocwh'ao aoraorwo raohraro wwrcoosc aoacwo wawohowoanooakscwowhao ooww Scracc Wowwwwwooaao hoc. Warcrarroowh Rarrwo Orrarcaouf.

JoystiqApril Fools: The Old Republic localized into Wookiee language originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-2011biowareelectronic-artslanguagemmoStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicThe-Old-RepublicwookieeFri, 01 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Hardcore Ratchet fan crafts Lombax Scrabble set]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/hardcore-ratchet-fan-crafts-lombax-scrabble-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/hardcore-ratchet-fan-crafts-lombax-scrabble-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/hardcore-ratchet-fan-crafts-lombax-scrabble-set/#comments An Insomniac Games forumite named Paul Grzelak recently completed the labor of love you see above -- a stainless steel Scrabble tile set using the Lombax language from the Ratchet & Clank series. The set came about as a collaboration between Grzelak and Insomniac's Paul "Pacman" Haile -- a collaboration that not only resulted in the tiles seen above, but also in the formalization of the Lombax language, for which Grzelak received an in-game credit in A Crack In Time. Neat story, right?

If you were hoping to get your hands on a set of these tiles for ... some bizarre reason, you're out of luck. Grzelak only made 25 sets, one of which went to Insomniac. We'd be willing to bet the other 24 are still proudly displayed in his swingin' bachelor's pad.

[Thanks, Steliosco]

JoystiqHardcore Ratchet fan crafts Lombax Scrabble set originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>insomniac-gameslanguagelombaxratchet-and-clankratchet-and-clank-a-crack-in-timescrabbleTue, 12 Jan 2010 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2009: Brutal Legend lets you decide about the F-word]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/pax-2009-brutal-legend-lets-you-decide-about-the-f-word/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/pax-2009-brutal-legend-lets-you-decide-about-the-f-word/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/pax-2009-brutal-legend-lets-you-decide-about-the-f-word/#comments
Tim Schafer showed us the opening cinematic for Brutal Legend at PAX, where they revealed the band that Jack Black's Eddie Riggs roadies for: Kabbage Boy. It's a band full of hipster d-bags (one guy wears a Phantom of the Opera half-mask) and they think they're metal. The only problem is that they sound like every emo-alternaband out there, much to Eddie's chagrin. Hopefully we'll get to reveal who's in the band soon, until then just let your speculation run wild.

All of that inside, the cinematic included a very novel way to select if you want to hear the super-cussin' & swearin' version of Brutal Legend, or go the sanitized and parental-safe route. Eddie notices one of the musicians crawling around on top of his behemoth-sized, Stonehenge-on-acid set (which Eddie has already been chastised for not tailoring to their "tween" audience), and is not happy. He spouts, "I don't know how many times I've told you not to crawl around up there! I don't know what the F....."

And then the game freezes. A menu screen pops up and you have to choose if you want to hear naughty words or not, and when you resume he finishes the word appropriately. Much better than choosing from a menu screen, eh? There another option-setting moment like this a bit later in the scene which was cut short, but we imagine it'll have something to do with violence and blood spurts. Thanks for making even the settings fun, Double Fine.

JoystiqPAX 2009: Brutal Legend lets you decide about the F-word originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legendcensordouble-fineeaElectronic-Artsjack-blacklanguageMicrosoftpaxpax-2009tim-schaferXbox-360Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese survey links video games to learning English]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/japanese-survey-links-video-games-to-learning-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/japanese-survey-links-video-games-to-learning-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/japanese-survey-links-video-games-to-learning-english/#comments
Odds are, if you can read this blog post, then you know English. It's crazy, we know, but we've performed several calculations and experiments before coming to this conclusion. A Japanese company called iSHARE INC. wanted to get to the bottom of a similar issue, polling 413 individuals with a single question: If you study English, what method is good? Much to our surprise, the top choice was video games!

Meanwhile, if you're trying to learn incorrect English, we suggest you check out any of the games on this list.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqJapanese survey links video games to learning English originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englishjapanlanguagestudyFri, 30 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Fluent yet?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/ds-daily-fluent-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/ds-daily-fluent-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/ds-daily-fluent-yet/#commentsFiled under:

A few months have passed since the last language trainer, My Japanese Coach, debuted on the DS, so now seems like an apt time to ask: if you bought one of the DS's numerous language titles, are you still returning each day to learn new lessons? Has the DS made you feel confident enough to converse with real people on the streets of Paris/Tokyo/Madrid?

Oh, and as this is sort of related, did anybody ever pick up the hilariously inappropriate Spanish for Everyone?

JoystiqDS Daily: Fluent yet? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coachdsdlanguagemy-japanese-coachtrainertrainingubisoftThu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[My Japanese Coach: Konnichiwa and beyond]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/my-japanese-coach-konnichiwa-and-beyond/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/my-japanese-coach-konnichiwa-and-beyond/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/my-japanese-coach-konnichiwa-and-beyond/#commentsFiled under:

Just as we did with My French Coach, we're taking a long, hard look at the recent My Japanese Coach -- but with one key difference. This time, instead of just lowly little me, slaving along with some knowledge of French, this time I'm struggling with a language I know very little of, and I'm working with a "partner" who knows quite a bit of Japanese already.

Before tearing into Ubisoft's latest DS language trainer, if asked, I would have struggled to produce ten words in Japanese, and one of those ten would have been in the title of this post (and another would have been sushi). Perhaps that's exaggerating; after all, I did know a bit more than the fact that I prefer nigiri to sashimi, such as the words for red, blue, and green, and words like "please." My Japanese Coach-partner -- also known as my husband -- has always been very good about teaching me words when I ask. I suppose that makes me 1% more knowledgeable about the Japanese language than the average person pulled off the street.

And that fraction means absolutely nothing, I learned, when you sit down to study a language like Japanese with any tool, even My Japanese Coach.


NEXT >>

JoystiqMy Japanese Coach: Konnichiwa and beyond originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanesejoystiqfeatureslanguagemy-japanese-coachnon-gamesensory-sweep-studiostraining-gameubisoftThu, 30 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: I think I'm learning Japanese, I really think so]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/ds-daily-i-think-im-learning-japanese-i-really-think-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/ds-daily-i-think-im-learning-japanese-i-really-think-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/ds-daily-i-think-im-learning-japanese-i-really-think-so/#commentsFiled under:

My Japanese Coach is probably one of the most anticipated games hitting the DS. After our week with My French Coach, we can say that piece of software was effective. So, how many of you are looking to pick this up to learn Japanese?

Any of you learn another language through the aid of software before? Did you pick up any of the other language coach games? Or are you not excited by My Japanese Coach at all?

JoystiqDS Daily: I think I'm learning Japanese, I really think so originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coachlanguagemy-japanese-coachtrainertrainingubisoftTue, 23 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[My Japanese Coach needs a release date coach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/my-japanese-coach-needs-a-release-date-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/my-japanese-coach-needs-a-release-date-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/my-japanese-coach-needs-a-release-date-coach/#commentsFiled under:

It's a little odd when Amazon is the main source of information on a game, and when it comes to My Japanese Coach, nearly all the substantive news has come from the online retailer, from screenshots to release dates. According to Amazon, the training title, which was originally scheduled for September 18, has been delayed to October 14. My Japanese Coach was already previously bumped, but only for a week.

There were some concerns over the game when those first, very early (and very rough, in places) screens appeared, and that, combined with the double delay, makes us wonder if there aren't some fixes in the works for the title. But who knows? It could be something as simple as inauspicious scheduling.

We hope to actually see My Japanese Coach in mid-October.

Gallery: My Japanese Coach

JoystiqMy Japanese Coach needs a release date coach originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayjapaneselanguagemy-japanese-coachtrainingubisoftWed, 10 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: In desperate need of a coach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/ds-daily-in-desperate-need-of-a-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/ds-daily-in-desperate-need-of-a-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/ds-daily-in-desperate-need-of-a-coach/#commentsFiled under:


For many people, My Japanese Coach is like the best thing ever. It seems like such an awesome idea to help gamers learn the language of the land that has all of the best games (well, maybe that's up for debate, but that discussion is for another time and place). We know many of you can't wait to check it out. Heck, neither can we!

But, brushing the My Japanese Coach aside, what other languages do you wish they'd make helpful software for? My Klingon Coach? How about My Simlish Coach? Do you want something a little more grounded in reality, like My Greek Coach or something?

JoystiqDS Daily: In desperate need of a coach originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>klingons-are-awesomelanguagemy-japanese-coachmy-klingon-coachmy-simolian-coachtrainertrainingubisoftTue, 29 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[My Screenshot Coaches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/my-screenshot-coaches/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/my-screenshot-coaches/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/my-screenshot-coaches/#commentsFiled under: ,

We know My Chinese Coach and My Japanese Coach are coming, but we haven't seen much of them ... or anything, really. We didn't need to, though, to get excited about these titles; after all, people have been begging for a Japanese language trainer for a long time, and a Chinese language coach is just neat.

But if you were holding out, just to see what the titles included and whether or not they were set up like Ubisoft's previous language coaches, many of your questions will now be answered. Screenshots have turned up at Amazon, of all places, and while they seem to be pretty early shots -- there are in-game pictures missing -- they do give a good idea of what sort of things are included in the titles.

In other news, they look pretty difficult! As masochistic as we are, we can't wait to try them out.



[Thanks, Feba!]

JoystiqMy Screenshot Coaches originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinesejapaneselanguagemy-chinese-coachmy-japanese-coachnon-gametrainingubisoftMon, 28 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB says 'konnichiwa' to My Japanese Coach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/esrb-says-konnichiwa-to-my-japanese-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/esrb-says-konnichiwa-to-my-japanese-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/esrb-says-konnichiwa-to-my-japanese-coach/#commentsFiled under:


Following the listing that was found on Gamefly, the ESRB has revealed the above listing for My Japanese Coach, yet another language coaching title. Searching for My Chinese Coach comes up empty, but at least we can all be pretty certain that My Japanese Coach will be releasing to North America. We're totally expecting to hear about it next week at E3.

JoystiqESRB says 'konnichiwa' to My Japanese Coach originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coachingesrblanguagemy-japanese-coachtrainerubisoftTue, 08 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[English of the Dead teaches Japanese to the living]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/english-of-the-dead-teaches-japanese-to-the-living/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/english-of-the-dead-teaches-japanese-to-the-living/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/english-of-the-dead-teaches-japanese-to-the-living/#commentsFiled under: , ,


As if the English of the Dead game itself wasn't appealing enough, those with a mind to learn the language of the Land of the Rising Fun can make strides with Sega's DS title. It may not be as full-fledged as a product aimed specifically at teaching English-language natives the language of Japanese, but it's surprisingly useful.

You see, there's this mini-game included with the title that has zombies running about, with English words above their heads. You, the backpack-wearing son-of-a-gun, are then presented with three different words in kanji, one of which matches the English word. Pretty neat, huh?

JoystiqEnglish of the Dead teaches Japanese to the living originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>english-of-the-deadjapanesekanjilanguagesegatrainerzombiesFri, 27 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[DS is an excellent tool for teaching Japanese students English]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/ds-is-an-excellent-tool-for-teaching-japanese-students-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/ds-is-an-excellent-tool-for-teaching-japanese-students-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/ds-is-an-excellent-tool-for-teaching-japanese-students-english/#commentsFiled under:

Japanese students at Tokyo's Joshi Gakuen all-girls junior high school are getting DS handhelds for the classroom, but they're not playing New Super Mario Bros. on them. They're using them to learn a new language: English. What makes it such a great tool in aiding their studies? Perhaps it's familiarity ...

The handheld system is incredibly popular in the country and many students have one they enjoy using to play games on a regular basis. It's a system they're comfortable with, has an easy interface, and mixes a bit of fun in with the learning. If we would've had the option when learning another language in our schooltime studies, we'd probably remember how to ask where the bathroom is in German.

JoystiqDS is an excellent tool for teaching Japanese students English originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englishjapanlanguageschoolstudentstudentstrainingThu, 26 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[I'm learnding -- UK school picks up the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/im-learnding-uk-school-picks-up-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/im-learnding-uk-school-picks-up-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/im-learnding-uk-school-picks-up-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:


Awright, what's all this then? Clunbury Primary School in merry old England has brought on a fleet of DS Lites to help combat stupidity in children. It's safe to say the kids aren't sitting around playing Mario Kart, but instead picking up any one of the maths, language or brain games available.

It's not just one tyke campaigning for Ninteducational powers. Head teacher Andrew Davies said using DS software is an "exciting and alternative way of approaching education." Capital idea, old bean. Just make sure this mother's kid doesn't enrol at your school anytime soon.

Clunbury was voted as the top Information and Communications Technology (ICT) school in England, using mp3 recorders, blogs and podcasts to teach the tots. Where was all the awesome technology when this blogger was battling with the Commodore 64?

JoystiqI'm learnding -- UK school picks up the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-trainingeducationedutainmentenglandlanguagemathsschoolukTue, 24 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Learn Chinese with the DS ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/learn-chinese-with-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/learn-chinese-with-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/learn-chinese-with-the-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you already read Japanese really well, that is -- because Touch de Nihao is a Chinese language-learning program for Japan.

Touch de Nihao is a utility program designed to help Japanese people get around in Chinese (Mandarin, we assume). It features a translation function that translates words written on the screen, as well as subway maps of Shanghai and Beijing.

The screenshots seem to show some sort of lessons, as well, or a dictionary organized by subject. The screen here, with the, uh, thing enjoying a beverage, is titled Nomimono (drinks) -- indicating some kind of subject page.

We probably won't see an English-Chinese version of Touch de Nihao, but we'd like to. We're fans of DS language learning.

JoystiqLearn Chinese with the DS ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinesedigital-media-lablanguagetouch-de-nihaotrainingWed, 14 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Backpack Identification of the Dead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/backpack-identification-of-the-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/backpack-identification-of-the-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/backpack-identification-of-the-dead/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hey, look, even more English of the Dead stuff! A lot of the screens in the latest update from GAME Watch showed up in yesterday's bundle of screens, but we think this is worth a look anyway. The new screens are organized by chapter and by mode, for a complete overview of the new training game (which means you can see what the Magician boss, and the others we had yet to see, look like on the DS).

Most importantly (to our curiosity), the new screens include this straight-on shot of the new backpack. It's clearly (as clearly as it can be in that resolution) a Japanese Mega Drive in the second model, with the blue button and the red cartridge slot (and the fact that the game is Japanese) distinguishing it from other Model 2 Mega Drive/Genesis systems.

JoystiqBackpack Identification of the Dead originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englishenglish-of-the-deadlanguagesegatrainingWed, 16 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Berlitz language training for kids: yes, it includes Japanese]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/berlitz-language-training-for-kids-yes-it-includes-japanese/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/berlitz-language-training-for-kids-yes-it-includes-japanese/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/berlitz-language-training-for-kids-yes-it-includes-japanese/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's plenty of DS language training available for kids in Japan, but language software elsewhere seems to be focused on either adults or ... whoever Spanish for Everyone was supposed to be for. Virgin PLAY is taking advantage of this gap by releasing a series of language training games designed for kids, based on Berlitz language training materials. The series also covers the one language that gamers always clamor for in language-learning materials: Japanese.

The first two Mind Your Language games planned for release this summer (in Europe, we believe) include Learn English and Learn Spanish. But Berlitz and developer Spiral House are also working on three more programs to teach French, German, and Japanese, to be released this fall.

JoystiqBerlitz language training for kids: yes, it includes Japanese originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berlitzeuropejapaneselanguagemind-your-languagetrainingvirgin-playWed, 09 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Danish Lego Racer lost in translation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/danish-lego-racer-lost-in-translation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/danish-lego-racer-lost-in-translation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/danish-lego-racer-lost-in-translation/#commentsFiled under: , ,


What could possibly be blurred out of a seemingly innocent screenshot? Nothing controversial, if you're reading it in the right language. Pictured is the Danish version of LEGO Racers, as seen on Insert Credit. A certain, misogynistic word appears when players successfully complete a race. Bizarre Danish sense of humor? Or perhaps the work of a vengeful coder?

As it turns out, neither. The word, coincidentally, means "finish" or "end" in Danish, making the above image perfectly acceptable in its intended tongue, but humorously inappropriate for English speakers. Check out the uncensored, vaguely NSFW image after the break, and enjoy the giggles at the expense of a foreign language.

Continue reading Danish Lego Racer lost in translation

JoystiqDanish Lego Racer lost in translation originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>high-voltagehumorlanguagelegolego-racersPCvulgarityThu, 28 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your kana on with an obscure license from D3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/get-your-kana-on-with-an-obscure-license-from-d3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/get-your-kana-on-with-an-obscure-license-from-d3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/get-your-kana-on-with-an-obscure-license-from-d3/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ojaru-maru: Ojaru to Okeiko Aiueo DS isn't necessarily made for adult learners of Japanese as a second language. In fact, it isn't. It's made for children. But the first thing you learn from trying to learn a new language is that being illiterate is pretty much the same experience whether you're 4 or 40. Materials designed to help kids learn to read in their first language are pretty useful for adults learning it as a second language. Unless they're too hard.

Ojaru-maru DS helps you learn to speak and read very basic Japanese. It contains games that train kids on how to read and write the kana syllabaries, and pick the correct numeral classifier for counting different varieties of objects. There are also speaking exercises that require you to pronounce phrases into the DS mic. It's made for Japanese native speakers, but this vaguely approaches the idea of a My Japanese Coach. It could come in handy for at least learning how to read the Media Create listings every week!

JoystiqGet your kana on with an obscure license from D3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3japaneselanguageojaru-marutrainingWed, 05 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Price drops for everyone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/price-drops-for-everyone/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/price-drops-for-everyone/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/price-drops-for-everyone/#commentsFiled under:

Maybe you think this will help you understand Spanish? Maybe you just want a cheap game to laugh at because, frankly, it's just an incredibly absurd journey the main character embarks upon? Maybe, just maybe, you have a hidden lust for talking bulls?

Whatever your reason may be for wanting to purchase and own a copy of Spanish for Everyone, know that it can be purchased for the low, low price of only $20. Gaming retail mega-corporation EB Games/GameStop is selling the title for the discounted price via their websites. We would imagine it's the same in-store, as well.

JoystiqPrice drops for everyone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionlanguagespanish-for-everyonetrainingFri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Coaching]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/ds-daily-coaching/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/ds-daily-coaching/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/ds-daily-coaching/#commentsFiled under:


When we first heard about the My (Language) Coach series, we approached the idea with cautious optimism, and immediately turned to ask your opinion. They're non-games, sure, but they're non-games in an area that may be interesting. The response was overall positive toward the games, though there was plenty of talk (plenty) about wishing for a Japanese edition.

Now that the Coach games have hit, and have been explored in exhaustive detail thanks to Alisha's daily gameplay journal, we thought we would ask again. Anyone out there thinking of picking up a new language with their own personal Coach? Or has Spanish for Everyone undone any goodwill you may possibly have toward DS language training?

JoystiqDS Daily: Coaching originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>languagemy-french-coachmy-spanish-coachspanish-for-everyonetrainingWed, 21 Nov 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Une semaine avec My French Coach: Day Three]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-three/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-three/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-three/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's another day at DS Fanboy, and this week, that means more quality time with Ubisoft's My French Coach. All week long, we're on a mission -- French language mastery! Or at least a valiant attempt to get through as many lessons as possible in seven full days. If you missed the overview on day one, you might want to back up a little. If not, then let's get moving with day three of our language training.

Since I did two lessons yesterday, it only seemed proper to keep that up. Even at this rate, I won't make it halfway through the lessons by Sunday! I may have to step it up to three tomorrow, but that's a lot of French, and my brain is weak and poor, and my mushy Southern accent may get in the way of mastering all that pronunciation. But that's no reason not to try, eh? Today's lessons weren't as complex as yesterday's ... or maybe I'm just getting better!

Continue reading Une semaine avec My French Coach: Day Three

JoystiqUne semaine avec My French Coach: Day Three originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frenchjoystiqfeatureslanguagemy-french-coachnon-gametrainingUbisoftweek-of-frenchWed, 14 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Une semaine avec My French Coach: Day Two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-two/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's another day at DS Fanboy, and this week, that means more quality time with Ubisoft's My French Coach. All week long, we're on a mission here -- French language mastery! Or at least a valiant attempt to get through as many lessons as possible in seven full days. If you missed the overview on day one, you might want to back up a little. If not, then let's roll on through the second day's excursion with the language trainer.

During the second day's session, I decided to do not one lesson, but two. I also learned that cockiness does not pay -- but the butt-kicking I endured was completely worth it, as I managed to increase my list of mastered words by a great deal, and grew much more confident with the mini-games and various features of My French Coach.

Continue reading Une semaine avec My French Coach: Day Two

JoystiqUne semaine avec My French Coach: Day Two originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiqfeatureslanguagemy-french-coachnon-gametrainingUbisoftweek-of-frenchTue, 13 Nov 2007 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Une semaine avec My French Coach: Day One]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/une-semaine-avec-my-french-coach-day-one/#commentsFiled under: ,


As soon as Ubisoft announced their language trainers, we here at the DS Fanboy offices just knew we'd have to take one for a spin. The real question was ... which to choose? I love studying languages and have made a casual hobby of it over the years, and thus have a little bit of knowledge in a lot of areas. Of the two languages at hand -- Spanish and French -- I struggle more with French, so that seemed like a natural choice for the big test. I love the sound of the language, but the peculiar (to me) accents, the soft, slurring sounds, and all the similarities between the singulars and plurals often leave me mystified. Written French I can handle in small doses, but spoken leaves me struggling. Can Ubisoft's trainer help me master my difficulties in the space of one week? There's only one way to find out!

Continue reading Une semaine avec My French Coach: Day One

JoystiqUne semaine avec My French Coach: Day One originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiqfeatureslanguagemy-french-coachnon-gametrainingubisoftweek-of-frenchMon, 12 Nov 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Spanish For Everyone: The Saga Concludes with very little Spanish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/spanish-for-everyone-the-saga-concludes-with-very-little-spanis/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/spanish-for-everyone-the-saga-concludes-with-very-little-spanis/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/spanish-for-everyone-the-saga-concludes-with-very-little-spanis/#commentsFiled under:


While, at this point, it seems like a mistake to invest too much of ourselves in the Spanish For Everyone storyline, we still couldn't help but be a little amazed at the game's ending. Finally arriving at Miguel's house in a cool Jeep, our hero Shawn knocks on the door and asks Miguel for his DS back. Miguel complies and gives Shawn a package that contains his DS, "several puffy dolls," and a plane ticket to France to deliver the dolls to a French friend.

Now, here are the parts that should bother us but don't:
  1. The Jeep leaves after dropping Shawn off, leaving him to walk back home from Mexico (or to the airport.)
  2. The whole "please carry this package for me" thing only adds to the general sketchiness found throughout the game's story, and contributes to the impression that illegal activity is afoot
  3. A bunch of cars pull up to the house afterwards for seemingly no reason
Here's what does bother us:
  1. During the whole trip, guided by his aunt, a talking bull, and then his creepy uncle, and ending at his friend's house, Shawn has no need to speak or understand a word of Spanish, at all. The whole premise of the game is that he needs to learn Spanish! And the bull said that Spanish would thwart evil!
Check this OCRemix thread for discussion of the game's story from one of the designers at developer Humagade (calling himself EEX.) In his words: "Indeed, all the story was intentional :P"

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqSpanish For Everyone: The Saga Concludes with very little Spanish originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionhumagadelanguagespanishspanish-for-everyonetrainingThu, 08 Nov 2007 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA['They don't call me Gina Vasquez for nothing!']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/they-dont-call-me-gina-vasquez-for-nothing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/they-dont-call-me-gina-vasquez-for-nothing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/they-dont-call-me-gina-vasquez-for-nothing/#commentsFiled under: ,


Activision's Spanish For Everyone may not be as inclusive as the title may make it sound. There are a lot of people, in fact, who may fall outside the category of "everyone" that this game purports to be for. Allow us to describe the introduction of the game: Miguel asks to play with his friend Shawn's (brother's) DS for a minute, just as Miguel's father pulls up in a limousine and informs him that it's time to go. The car pulls out before Miguel can return the DS, headed straight to Mexico and trailed by two police cars. Shawn's aunt, a taxi driver, pulls up and offers to drop him off in Tijuana, and to help him learn Spanish along the way. She tells him "They don't call me Gina Vasquez for nothing! I can teach you many things, and Spanish is definitely one of them!"

If that offends you, the game's not for you. If the fact that this sequence was depicted in CD-I Zelda-level art bothers you, the game's not for you. If you don't trust a language training game whose English text is rife with errors, you are just not a member of the "Everyone" that Activision is after. You should be proud.

Activision should be proud too. They've created a series of ridiculous videos that's bound for Internet memedom. The story continues after the break (Spanish For Everyone spoilers ahead)!

Continue reading 'They don't call me Gina Vasquez for nothing!'

Joystiq'They don't call me Gina Vasquez for nothing!' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionlanguageno-seriously-wtfspanish-for-everyonetrainingwtfWed, 07 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Snoopy teaches English, despite inability to speak out loud]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/13/snoopy-teaches-english-despite-inability-to-speak-out-loud/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/13/snoopy-teaches-english-despite-inability-to-speak-out-loud/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/13/snoopy-teaches-english-despite-inability-to-speak-out-loud/#commentsFiled under: ,

Talk about overcoming adversity: Snoopy, the lovable beagle from Peanuts, is getting his own English training game in Japan, despite being a dog. And despite the fact that the comic from which spinoff products would spin off no longer exists.

English Lessons With Snoopy isn't all learning words and phrases from a cartoon dog, however; the whole Peanuts gang, including chronically depressed Charlie Brown, anxiety-ridden Linus, and Lucy, who is just a jerk, will join in the learning fun. Who's more qualified to assist a dog in teaching language skills than five-year-olds?

The main game, "Event Mode," involves touching everything in a scene to see its English spelling and pronunciation. As you explore, you'll trigger animated events within the scene. There is also a selection of English training minigames, and a number of unlockable non-training minigames, including slide puzzles and a Charlie Brown dress-up game. Surprisingly, his clothing choices are not limited to hundreds of identical yellow shirts.

We are impressed by the size and breadth of the Japanese DS market. We still have yet to get one foreign-language program for the DS, and licensed cash-in language training games are already being released in Japan.

JoystiqSnoopy teaches English, despite inability to speak out loud originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englishenglish-lessons-with-snoopylanguagesnoopytrainingThu, 13 Sep 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Quebec working on deal for more games in French]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/quebec-working-on-deal-for-more-games-in-french/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/quebec-working-on-deal-for-more-games-in-french/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/quebec-working-on-deal-for-more-games-in-french/#commentsFiled under:


A joint initiative between the French-speaking province of Quebec in Canada and the video game industry is looking to have more games in French. A spokesperson for the Quebec government said a deal is in the works for all games entering the province to be translated into French. Video-game distributors will allegedly pick up the tab and the full details will be made public in a few weeks. Currently less than 40% of the "most popular" games in Quebec are available in French.

As long as it doesn't slow down the release of games outside of Quebec, we're totally for it. Actually, it has been nice to play the Heavenly Sword demo in many different languages with English subtitles. Sure, the voice work isn't as good in some of the languages, but it's still nice to have options. Why shouldn't people be able to have their games in their own languages as long as they're willing to foot the bill?

[Via Game|Life]

JoystiqQuebec working on deal for more games in French originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadafrenchlanguagequebecThu, 16 Aug 2007 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Japanese for gamers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/05/ds-daily-japanese-for-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/05/ds-daily-japanese-for-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/05/ds-daily-japanese-for-gamers/#commentsFiled under:

For the kinds of games most Nintendo gamers are interested in, Japanese is a lingua franca (not literally, of course). Nintendo games are often released earlier in Japan than in other regions, if they even get to other regions. The same is true of third-party stuff: so much weird and interesting material never makes it to the West. Therefore, learning the Japanese language is a great way to expand your gaming possibilities.

Given our (my) own level of Japanese proficiency (which falls between novice and mute), we thought it would be interesting to poll the rest of you. Who has studied Japanese expressly for gaming purposes? Have you taken formal classes? Picked up some books? Are you a dutiful Japanesepod101.com listener? Or have you just learned some katakana from the web, for navigating menus?

We'd love to hear about your experiences and your self-assessment of your progress. No need to feel embarrassed about slow progress; language learning is hard. At least that's what we tell ourselves.

JoystiqDS Daily: Japanese for gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japaneselanguageSun, 05 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stephen Totilo grills Reggie about our lack of talking cookbooks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/stephen-totilo-grills-reggie-about-our-lack-of-talking-cookbooks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/stephen-totilo-grills-reggie-about-our-lack-of-talking-cookbooks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/stephen-totilo-grills-reggie-about-our-lack-of-talking-cookbooks/#commentsFiled under: ,

Where's our Cooking Navi? What about our Japanese language trainers? In a chat with Reggie Fils-Aime, MTV's Stephen Totilo asked the questions we've been asking since forever. The news, however, is only good. Reggie refers to the localization of Cooking Navi -- which we knew was confirmed for Europe, but from this response, it seems it will head this way as well. Great news! Of course, that localization takes more time than for a regular game, since it's not just a matter of changing the language, but also the cuisine. We're willing to wait. You can check out the full interview past the break, but beware, it apparently only works for US viewers.

Best Reggie moment: Maybe you need it [English Training] ....

Continue reading Stephen Totilo grills Reggie about our lack of talking cookbooks

JoystiqStephen Totilo grills Reggie about our lack of talking cookbooks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookingnavienglishtrainingjapanesekanjilanguagemtvreggiefils-aimestephentotiloFri, 27 Jul 2007 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Spanish for Everyone with a DS?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/spanish-for-everyone-with-a-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/spanish-for-everyone-with-a-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/spanish-for-everyone-with-a-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to an EBGames listing, Activision will be releasing a DS program called Spanish for Everyone on October 16th, at a cost of $29.99. Based on a brisk Google search, it appears that Spanish for Everyone is also the title of a defunct PC language tutor from The Learning Company, as well as a DVD-based training system.

It's great that Activision is getting into the language-learning "game," which is still a very new genre for the DS in the US, but we hope more effort is going into Spanish for Everyone than just porting some old PC language software that we'd probably be able to find in a value bin.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqSpanish for Everyone with a DS? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionlanguagespanishforeveryoneMon, 23 Jul 2007 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Conjecture Countdown: 7 days to go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/conjecture-countdown-7-days-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/conjecture-countdown-7-days-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/conjecture-countdown-7-days-to-go/#commentsFiled under:



Even with a diminished E3, there's no controlling the wave of rumors that hit the Internet every year before the show. Why fight it? From now until E3 hits, we'll be posting one piece of wild speculation every day. Some may be patently ridiculous, and others just might turn out to be true. Even some of the ridiculous ones might turn out to be true! Rest assured, everything will be totally made-up and unfounded. Except, of course, when we speak about all the ass Reggie is going to kick. That part? Totally true.

Rumor: More language training games will be announced, by Ubisoft and others, but no one will manage to hit the one that we want with a Japanese training game. Suspiro.

JoystiqConjecture Countdown: 7 days to go originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3cchumorjapaneselanguagerumorspanishtrainingubisoftWed, 04 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[English guide to Ouendan 2 menus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/english-guide-to-ouendan-2-menus/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/english-guide-to-ouendan-2-menus/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/english-guide-to-ouendan-2-menus/#commentsFiled under: ,

Among its other many virtues, Ouendan owed a lot of its overseas hype and success to its undaunting language barrier. Despite the menus and manga panels being filled with Japanese text, importers were able to follow the rhythm title's illustrated screwball plots and quickly pick up its self-explanatory controls. Ouendan's recently-released sequel, Moeru! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, likewise requires little-to-no familiarity with the Japanese language in order to enjoy the game.

Even with these assurances though, there are still many import-shy gamers who hide behind their mothers' skirts at the sight of kanji characters. Fortunately for them, the Platformers has translated Ouendan 2's menu selections, providing a visual guide with an overlay of English text. Most of the buttons and icons are obvious, but having a quick reference like this would be useful for first-time importers. Now there's no excuse for avoiding the cheer squad!

JoystiqEnglish guide to Ouendan 2 menus originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsenglishimportimportsinisjapanesekanjilanguagenintendonintendodsouendanouendan2rhythmtranslatetranslationFri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Finally, with the language 'games']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/16/ds-daily-finally-with-the-language-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/16/ds-daily-finally-with-the-language-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/16/ds-daily-finally-with-the-language-games/#commentsFiled under:

Three words we weren't sure we'd ever say: God bless Ubisoft. They're finally bringing some English-based language trainers to the DS: listings for My French Coach and My Spanish Coach have turned up on GameFly. We've yearned for such as these after drooling over all the English and Kanji trainers out for Japanese DS owners, and at last, it looks like the tide has turned in our favor. Between this and Jam Sessions, we're starting to feel a little better about Ubisoft and their unfortunate port habit.

Also listed is My Word Coach, which sounds like it might be a vocabulary trainer, and we're all for that! We're hoping we'll begin to hear words like mellifluous and tmesis in daily conversation.

So today's question is: are you interested in any of these three, or are you firmly holding out for languages not taught in the average high school? Or perhaps we should say, vous voulez acheter Mon Entraîneur Français? Feel free to correct any errors there -- we could use a French coach!

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqDS Daily: Finally, with the language 'games' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdsdedutainmentfrenchlanguageliteMy French CoachMy Spanish CoachMy Word CoachMyFrenchCoachMySpanishCoachMyWordCoachnintendospanishubisoftWed, 16 May 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[English Training for the younger set]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/english-training-for-the-younger-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/english-training-for-the-younger-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/english-training-for-the-younger-set/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've already accepted the fact that we'll never get a Japanese language training game in the US. It's fine. We can go to school to learn language or whatever.

Because we long ago resigned ourselves to this fact, we can look at these cute screenshots of Hajimete no Eigo Training [Eitore] (Beginning English Training) without wishing we had access to such a program when we were teensy. We don't think about how maybe if our Japanese had gotten a headstart from a game, we would be able to use it for something other than awkwardly translating the titles of English training games.

We're just going to go doodle in our kanji dictionary or something. Enjoy some screenshots!

Continue reading English Training for the younger set

JoystiqEnglish Training for the younger set originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've talked a little about incorporating the bevy of features available in current games, and we've discussed the idea of the DS as the next-generation book, but we haven't spent much time talking about something that is quite often mentioned in tandem with the DS: all of the non-gaming-related possibilities. We've seen some of this, but the phenomenon has been largely exclusive to Japan. The DS has been used in museums, and a number of language-training edutainment titles have been designed for the system. So our question today is: what other creative, non-gaming uses (besides the browser) could you see for the DS, and is it something you'd really go for? Certainly homebrew fills some of those possibilities, but we know a lot of you aren't into that (for various reasons). So if you had to spend money on it, would you use the DS in other capacities?

JoystiqDS Daily: Possibilities originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSdsdlanguagemuseumNintendoThu, 01 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST