Invented Languages ​​in Games: How and Why They're Made

Contents:

• Why are artificial languages ​​needed and what types are there?
• How to create a language - problems and difficulties

Why are artificial languages ​​needed and what types are there?

The creation of an artificial language is important in the gaming industry, despite the complexity and labor-intensive nature of the game development process. At first glance, an artificial language may seem like just a romantic element with no real value. However, this opinion is wrong. When creating a new language, game developers meticulously consider every detail, understanding that it can significantly enrich the game universe and improve interactions between characters. Artificial languages ​​help create a unique atmosphere, make the world more believable, and immerse players in the story. Thus, developing an artificial language becomes not only a creative but also a strategically important step in creating a high-quality gaming experience. Artificial languages ​​first appeared in the gaming industry as codes. The first of these was introduced in 1988 in the French game Captain Blood. These were pictograms that allowed the player to interact with alien intelligence. From a linguistic perspective, these were not fully-fledged languages, but rather a set of symbols representing individual words, similar to modern emoji. However, adding complexity, different alien races responded differently to the same symbol, creating unique language systems. These early examples of pictogram-based artificial languages ​​paved the way for more complex communication systems in games, marking an important step in the development of interactive storytelling and player interaction.

This approach is the simplest and at the same time At the same time, it was the most convenient version of the language for development. Conscript languages ​​are widely used today. In such systems, each word or letter is replaced with new symbols, while the grammar preserves the structure of the original language. An example of this is the Daedric alphabet used in The Elder Scrolls series of games, where the letters are replaced, but the sounds remain identical to English. Such language systems are called conscripts and are artificial alphabets that are used in various fields, including games, literature, and entertainment. Conscripts create a unique atmosphere and immerse users in fictional worlds. In some cases, conscripts do not use standard characters. For example, in the game Ico, the developers used Japanese characters reflected in a mirror image. This unusual approach creates a unique atmosphere and enhances the player's immersion in the game world. The use of mirrored characters not only adds originality but also sparks interest in the culture and language from which they originated. Thus, such game design decisions highlight the developers' creativity and commitment to innovation. Simlish, the language used in The Sims series, is an interesting example of the developers' creative approach to creating a unique gaming experience. Rather than a simple set of random sounds, Simlish includes not only a new alphabet but also original words and phrases that replace their English equivalents. In The Sims Medieval, the language was adapted to sound like "Old Simlish," but its grammatical structures remain similar to English.

Some words in Simlish are entirely made up, while others are borrowed from various languages. For example, the pronoun "vous," meaning "you," is borrowed from French with a change in number. The word "sperk" (to speak) comes from English, but with some letters changed, and "woofum" (pet) is derived from the onomatopoeic word "woof," which refers to the sound of a dog barking. Thus, Simlish has become not only the language of character interaction, but also an interesting object for linguistic analysis and study.

The reasons for the creation of Simlish have changed over time and differ from the original Design considerations related to coded languages. Firstly, most dialogue between characters repeats the same routine topics, which could quickly become boring for players. To avoid this, the developers decided that the language should reflect the essence of the simulation, rather than be real. Secondly, using an artificial language like Simlish allows the developers to significantly simplify the localization process. This eliminates the need to create separate voiceovers for different languages, making development more cost-effective and efficient. Thus, Simlish has become not only a gameplay element but also an important tool for simplifying localization and increasing player engagement.

The Khalani language from StarCraft exhibits interesting characteristics similar to how many fictional languages ​​function. Although it has a comprehensive vocabulary, it often lingers in players' minds only as isolated phrases and words, without a clear grammatical structure. A similar phenomenon can be observed in the Ultima series of RPGs, which use three alternative alphabets. These linguistic features make interaction with the game world more engaging, but also create certain difficulties for fully understanding the text. Simlish, Daedric, and Khalani are examples of language creation through changing words or letterforms. However, another approach, used by Tolkien, is modifying the grammar of an existing language. It should be noted that this method is complex, and has not yet been applied in its pure form in the gaming industry, although there have been attempts. At first glance, it might seem that languages ​​created using the first type, due to their insufficient development, are unlikely to attract user interest, but this is not true. A striking example is Thu'um, the Draconic language from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which has spawned entire websites dedicated to its study. Such interest indicates that even simple language constructs can be deeply developed and appreciated by players.

One example of an artificial language is Ayleid from The Elder Scrolls series. Its developers created it by combining English with Quenya, the language of Tolkien's universe. Another interesting language is D'ni from the Myst games. Initially used only for puzzles, it eventually evolved into a fully-fledged language with its own alphabet, grammar rules, and dictionaries. Numerous resources dedicated to translating words from natural languages ​​into D'ni can be found online, as well as communities of people studying the language and culture of the Myst civilization. These languages ​​demonstrate how constructed languages ​​can evolve and develop their own identity, finding their place in video game culture and attracting the attention of language enthusiasts.

How to Create a Language - Problems and Difficulties

When developing languages ​​for games, one of the first tasks developers face is choosing a language model. English and Romance languages ​​are most commonly used, but other variants are also found. For example, in Simlish, the influence of Navajo and Ukrainian can be seen. Languages ​​often serve to create a unique atmosphere, and most games follow a certain rule: northern peoples are created languages ​​based on Scandinavian and Germanic languages, southern peoples receive languages ​​inspired by Turkic and Semitic languages, eastern languages ​​resemble Asian languages, and western languages ​​resemble Romance languages. This rule is observed in various projects. For example, the language of the steppe system in the game "Pathologic. Utopia" is similar to Mongolian and Buryat, and the Tho Phan language from the game Jade Empire is clearly reminiscent of Chinese. Interestingly, Russian is often used by Japanese developers, and in a modified form, as in the game Panzer Dragoon.

The second problem is the need to logically imagine how the language will sound. The sound of a language depends on the anatomy of NPCs, their cultural background, their perception of the world around them, and many other factors. For example, the lizard-like Argonians from The Elder Scrolls often use hissing sounds, reflecting their physiological characteristics. Meanwhile, zombies from Urban Dead, due to the partial decomposition of their larynx, are only able to pronounce nine sounds, significantly limiting their communication. Such aspects play a key role in creating unique languages ​​for different game worlds, making them more realistic and engaging for players.

The creators of Far Cry Primal faced a unique challenge, as the game is set in 10,000 BC. Using English in such a setting would have undermined the project's historical accuracy. The developers needed to find a way to convey a coherent narrative, given that all the characters were primitive cavemen. To achieve this, they chose an approach based on creating a unique language that reflects the cultural and social aspects of ancient life while maintaining the clarity and emotional richness of the dialogue. This solution allowed players to more deeply immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the prehistoric world, while maintaining the integrity of the plot and the authenticity of the gameplay.

Ubisoft employees turned to linguists specializing in the research and reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European, a language spoken between approximately 2500 and 4500 BC. The linguists translated the game's 40,000-word script and developed a fictional language based on variants of Proto-Indo-European for three game tribes: Vinja, Izila, and Udam. Each tribe's name reflects its unique culture and way of thinking. For example, "Winja" comes from the word "wan," which translates as "to hunt." The Izila tribe speaks a more melodic language, a variant of the Winja dialect. Although Winja and Udam can understand each other, their dialects differ as much as Southern English and New York English. This adds depth and realism to the game universe, allowing players to immerse themselves in a variety of cultures and languages.

Far Cry Primal placed a strong emphasis on accuracy, as the Proto-Indo-European language has attracted the attention of many researchers. Brenna Bird, one of the language designers, emphasizes the importance of creating a language that is as authentic as possible. The goal was to make it sound plausible to linguists, which underscores the desire for a high degree of realism in gameplay.

Creating a cipher language is a fascinating and challenging process that requires careful thought and creative thinking. Even if you decide to develop such a unique language, there are many aspects to consider. You can focus on grammar, structure, and vocabulary to make the language functional and engaging. It is also important to consider how your cipher will be used in practice and what purposes it should serve. By working on a code language, you not only develop your skills, but also create something completely new that can attract the attention and interest of others.

The third key aspect is a well-thought-out language structure. Large companies often hire language specialists, which greatly simplifies this process. Various algorithms are usually used to create a language. For example, the Lexipoeia program is used to develop a language with modified words and allows you to generate unique lexemes. This software is also available to casual users, allowing them to immerse themselves in the language creation process.

To create unique content, you should be creative and offer more than just a standard letter cipher. Consider writing sentences in reverse order or changing the direction of the text, writing it from right to left instead of the usual left to right. This approach will not only attract attention but will also make your content more memorable and interesting for readers.

Paul Frommer is a prominent linguist and specialist in creating fictional languages, best known for developing the Na'vi language for the film Avatar. His work on Na'vi captured the attention of both audiences and linguists, giving the language a unique structure and a deep culture. Frommer applied his knowledge of phonetics, grammar, and syntax to create a language that has become an integral part of the world of Avatar. The development of Na'vi has inspired many fans and researchers interested in artificial languages ​​and their capabilities.

When developing structures, it is important to consider cultural specifics. For example, the Wenja language from Far Cry Primal lacks tenses. Like any full-fledged language, Wenja has its own grammar and syntax. Sentence structures typically include a subject, object, and verb. Although verb conjugation is possible, it is impossible to distinguish between past, present, and future tenses. It is worth noting that 95 percent of Wenja and similar languages ​​are reconstructions.

The future of gaming artlangs looks promising. Their number will increase every year, indicating the growing popularity and interest in this form of entertainment. Despite the complexity of their creation, artlangs play a key role in creating deep immersion in the game world. They help players better understand the plot and atmosphere, which makes the gaming experience more rich and engaging. Developers are expected to continue improving the quality of artlangs, leading to their further widespread adoption in the gaming industry.

Graphics in video games continue to evolve, and we expect to see further improvements in the future, including the transition to virtual reality, which will make gameplay as realistic as possible. It's also important to pay attention to the new languages ​​that will appear in games. They foster a deep connection with the game world and help players immerse themselves in the atmosphere, whether they're exploring the vast, snowy landscapes of Skyrim or exploring the vastness of space in StarCraft. New languages ​​and interaction technologies open up new horizons for players, allowing them to better understand and experience every moment of the gameplay.