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u/Toaki

A game designed to make learning a language feel like play (Snake-style arcade)
▲ 3 r/EnglishLearning

A game designed to make learning a language feel like play (Snake-style arcade)

I’m a solo indie dev with a background in linguistics, sharing an alternative way to practise a new language.

I’ve recently released BABELUM: a fast 3D Snake-style arcade word game where you collect letters to complete REAL words in your target language. Available on Steam (Windows), plus a 100% free Linux Edition on itch.io.

It’s a fun way to get started in a new language and practice your first few hundred words.

Supported languages: English, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi.

  • 30 unique levels, each with a new twist.
  • Multiple themes, powers, and characters.
  • 4 modes: Regular (vocab), Runner (phonetic listening), Story (verbs/pragmatics), Exploration (practice).
  • Hundreds of words to collect.
  • Difficulty is part of the identity; there’s also an Immortal mode (easy).
  • Support for leaderboards and speedrunning.
  • More coming via expansions

More info in the comments. Happy to answer questions.

youtube.com
u/Toaki — 7 hours ago
▲ 11 r/italianlearning+2 crossposts

A game designed to make learning a language feel like play (Snake-style arcade)

I’m a solo indie dev with a background in linguistics, sharing an alternative way to practise a new language.

I’ve recently released BABELUM: a fast 3D Snake-style arcade word game where you collect letters to complete REAL words in your target language. Available on Steam (Windows), plus a 100% free Linux Edition on itch.io.

It’s a fun way to get started in a new language and practice your first few hundred words.

Supported languages: English, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi.

  • 30 unique levels, each with a new twist.
  • Multiple themes, powers, and characters.
  • 4 modes: Regular (vocab), Runner (phonetic listening), Story (verbs/pragmatics), Exploration (practice).
  • Hundreds of words to collect.
  • Difficulty is part of the identity; there’s also an Immortal mode (easy).
  • Support for leaderboards and speedrunning.
  • More coming via expansions

More info in the comments. Happy to answer questions.

u/Toaki — 5 hours ago
▲ 3 r/pcmasterrace

BABELUM: Linux Edition released for free!

Recently we released BABELUM on Steam (Windows).
We decided to release the Linux version 100% free!

Our challenge to PC Master Race: come to the light side of the Operating Systems (Linux), and get a free digital cookie (=game) 🙂 We believe culture should have a free alternative, no PC should have to pirate and risk virus in order to access culture.

Linux Version available on:

Context:
BABELUM is an indie (solo dev) action-educational game inspired by the classic “Snake” (90s Nokia) style gameplay, where players collect and spell words, learning a real language while climbing the Tower of Babel.

In one sentence: Duolingo meets Snake (90s Nokia game).

Supported languages: English, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Hindi.

Linux Edition:

The Linux Edition is a thank-you to the open-source community: heroes in the shadows that deserve some love in return. All our future games will follow this rule: Steam/Consoles will have commercial versions, Linux will always have a free version available.

More information: https://retrotales.eu/press/babelum/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACfk6UQA6Xg

youtube.com
u/Toaki — 1 day ago
🔥 Hot ▲ 194 r/linux

BABELUM: Linux Edition released for free! A thank you gift to the open-source community

Recently BABELUM was released on Steam (Windows/Steam Deck).
We decided to release the Linux build for free!

The Linux Edition is a thank-you to the open-source community: you are heroes in the shadows, you deserve some love in return. All our future games will follow this rule. We also believe culture should have a free alternative.

BABELUM was created using Godot and Blender, both children of the open-source community: thank you!

Released on:

Context:
BABELUM is an indie action-educational game inspired by the classic “Snake” (90s Nokia) style gameplay, where players collect and spell words, learning a real language while climbing the Tower of Babel.

In one sentence: Duolingo meets Snake (90s Nokia style).

More information: https://retrotales.eu/press/babelum/
Future: after the commercial peak cycle (~2 years) we'll release BABELUM as FOSS.

u/Toaki — 4 days ago