2024-09-18
v2.29 Furigana added!
2024-09-03
v2.28 Mini-game improvements!
2024-08-01
v2.24 MAJOR UPDATE: No-speech input, LINK + more
2024-07-04
v2.2 Bug fixes + updated demo
2024-06-14
Update #6 LEARNING & PROGRESS!
2024-05-13
Update #5 NEW ALPHABET TRAINER!
2024-05-13
v2.19.3 Save backup + minor fixes
2024-04-22
[v2.10055] More bug fixes...
2024-04-22
v2.17 Fixes + speech recognition changes!
2024-03-06
[v2.10023] Hide romaji + fixes!
2024-03-06
v2.13 Hide romaji + fixes!
2024-01-19
Update #4 MAJOR LANGUAGES!
2024-01-08
[v2.1] LEARN ENGLISH, ARABIC, MEXICAN, RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN + GREEK!
2023-10-10
Update #3 MIXED REALITY!
2023-05-12
Update #2 KOREAN + JOBS GAME!
2023-03-16
Update #1 ZOO & AR MODE!
2023-01-27
[v1.0496] UX addons + stability updates
2023-01-16
[v1.044] Hotfix for SRS, Upload button
2023-01-04
[v1.042] Hotfix for Learning Rush bug
2022-12-24
[v1.041] Enahnced speech rec! Hotfixes for lessons + other bugs
2022-12-15
[v1.04] Steam release!
2022-12-06
[v1.03] Updated + bug fixes!
2022-12-01
Noun Town on Quest!
2024-09-18: v2.29 Furigana added!
PC + MAC

- You can now see Furigana throughout Noun Town when learning Japanese - This was one of our most requested features! - Check it out on the Object Info page (tab button on keyboard to access), Dictionary, Lessons, all NPC dialogues, and the colour & number mini-games

2024-09-03: v2.28 Mini-game improvements!
PC + MAC

DIRECTIONS mini-game: - Made the delivery bot way easier to handle - Removed the time penalty on making a wrong choice - "Play again" button added to final screen NUMBERS mini-game: - Made the haywire robots way easier to hit - You can now walk up to a completed bot to hear its number - UI on workshop easier to understand what numbers you've completed / still need to find PLUS, both games have... - More tooltips to help players understand the game - Various bug fixes / UI improvements - VFX and SFX improvements

2024-08-01: v2.24 MAJOR UPDATE: No-speech input, LINK + more
PC + MAC

NEW -> No-speech input method added!

- You can now choose to input via text or the original voice recognition method

- This provides a whole new way to learn!

- It also means you can play off-line, when not connected to the internet NEW -> LINK feature added

- Back up your progress for added security

- Synchronise your learning between versions of Noun Town (even the VR version!) Plus...

- Steam Deck optimisations so it is now fully supported

- Multiple other bug fixes and quality of life improvements

2024-07-04: v2.2 Bug fixes + updated demo
PC + MAC

14 more bug fixes as reported by our awesome community!

- All voice files for Arabic items replaced

- Arabic NPC Question dialog lines now correctly read right to left

- Updated demo released

- Ordering of Greek school lessons corrected

- UI for lesson console test phase improved

- Audio menu music setting level adjusted

- Fixed a bug with NPC questions when switching language

- Fixed a bug where clicking the lessons console in constructor mode locks the game

- When talking to an NPC, show three already-asked questions when all unasked questions have been cleared

- Japanese bundle renaming fix

- Various fixes to language content across multiple languages

- Fixed a bug where players can get stuck in the beach area

- Fixed a bug where lessons with three or five lines of dialog don't run correctly

- Fixed a bug where all sports hall lessons didn't run correctly

2024-06-14: Update #6 LEARNING & PROGRESS!
VRMR

Track your achievements and instantly locate new vocab with the new Learning & Progress feature! Mastering foreign vocab has never been easier.

With this new feature you can:

> Celebrate your progress > Discover even more vocab > Recap vocab to lock in your learning

You can access the Learning & Progress screen at any time by pulling up the menu / frame (press “B”) and clicking on the chart icon.

More updates to come later this summer! :)

2024-05-13: Update #5 NEW ALPHABET TRAINER!
VRMR

Welcome citizens of Noun Town!

In this major update we've added an Alphabet training machine! This console, called 'Alpha-Bash', can be found in the airship behind the SRS machine.

The Alpha-Bash console is a fast and frantic way to lock-in foreign alphabet vocab, racing against the clock to set a high score. Listen to a native speaker pronounce a letter, then to hit the corresponding character to score.

Phonetic alphabets can be played in English, Japanese (Hiragana & Katakana), German, Korean, Spanish (MX), Spanish (ES), French, Italian, Ukrainian, Russian, Greek and Egyptian Arabic.

We'll also soon be adding the ability to pick between other topics to learn on the console, including colours, numbers, directions, and more!

Enjoy! :)

2024-05-13: v2.19.3 Save backup + minor fixes
PC + MAC

Introduction of a save backup system to prevent issues if a player's system crashes whilst the game is saving. Also some bug fixes reported by our [awesome!] community:

- Enabled directions game words to be reviewable in the spaced repetition system (SRS).

- Resolved issue where NPCs didn't spawn in the school learning environment.

- Fixed the pear item so that the button can be pressed during Learning Rush on Steam Deck.

2024-04-22: [v2.10055] More bug fixes...
VRMR

Welcome to our latest update!

We are *very* close to another major update, but in the meantime we're dropping a number of bug fixes and quality of life improvements in this update

What's changed?

- Resolved various flickering surfaces across game

- Fixed an issue where users in Türkiye had trouble accessing

- Improved the UI on the color minigame

- Minor fixes / UX improvements to various verbs, including:

-> To shoot - resolved crashing issue

-> To swim - allows for for both teleport and locomotion inputs

-> To get off - start and finish processes more accessible

-> To look at - manatees placed correctly in the water

-> To turn on - lights no go back on fully after verb completed(!)

-> To read - quality of life improvements

-> To climb - ladder appears correctly in all locations

-> To watch - fixed an issue with a shy mouse not appearing

-> To see - fixed the gravity on the sketchbook

-> To get up - corrected text on UI

Enjoy! :)

2024-04-22: v2.17 Fixes + speech recognition changes!
PC + MAC

Welcome to our latest update.

In this update we've fixed lots of bugs, and made some major enhancements to the speech recognition.

SPEECH RECOGNITION IMPROVEMENTS:

- Switched to an improved server for players in China - this also removes the need for players in China to use a VPN to access speech recognition

- Resolved issues with speech recognition during longer sentences and Japanese lessons

- Resolved other issues with speech recognition functionality, particularly after using kiosks improving the experience for all players

BUG FIXES & QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS:

- Cursor Enhancement: Constructor mode cursor VFX now appears enlarged when opening Numbers workshop for better visibility and usability for users

- Lesson Progress Display: Fixed an issue where the HUD lesson progress did not immediately update upon completion.

- Audio Settings: Revision, SRS, and Dictionary audio playback is now correctly linked to the "Voice" setting instead of "SFX" so players can more accurately control the sound levels to suit their needs

- Robot Interface Improvement: Changed buttons on the 2nd robot numbers screen to feature active text with a speaker icon (similar to multiple choice) rather than phonetic text

- Learning Rush: Fixed visual glitches where characters Muri and Lindo faced the wrong way and twisted their bodies during gameplay

- NPC Interaction: Resolved a bug where NPC faces turned without their bodies when speaking during conversations

- Network Connectivity: Fixed issues related to internet connection checks

- Tutorial Improvement: Enhanced handling of request failures during tutorials to reduce the chance of players losing their way when starting the game

- Graphical options: Added a "depth texture" to settings to give players greater flexibility to control visual quality vs speed to suit their setup

- Minigame Fix: Corrected a typo in the landmark ID for directions.

- SRS Enhancement: Implemented a fix to prevent non-ISO items from being included in the testing list.

- Implemented a solution to delete corrupted files upon application start to reduce the instances of players opening unplayable games

- Audio Playback: Fixed Japanese lesson audio playback issues in certain areas and addressed instances of audio being cut out.

- UI Enhancement: Fixed empty textbox issues in lessons after toggling off phonetic text.

- SRS Testing: Fixed sprite issues in the SRS test location to make these look more attractive for players

- Learning Object Fixes: Addressed collider issues in learning objects so players can't accidentally throw and lose objects

- NPC Interaction: Implemented checks after all questions are asked during NPC interactions so users know when all questions have been asked.

- Lexicon: Adjusted dictionary list order for improved organization so players can see what they've learnt more easily.

- Learning Kiosk: Prevented double-tap of "V" during Noun Test, which resulted in losing two lives at once.

- Lesson Navigation: Added pagination to lesson lists for easier navigation by players

- Dictionary UI: Ensured correct button coloring when switching between tabs for easier understanding of progress

- Island Environment: Improved floor collider outside the cafe to prevent spawned Fabricator items from falling through.

- Lessons at Farm: Fixed roleplay part of lesson 1 for Yaya, particularly in German language lessons.

- SRS Multiple Choice: Fixed audio playback for directions in Spanish (MX) and Arabic languages during SRS tests.

Enjoy! :)

2024-03-06: [v2.10023] Hide romaji + fixes!
VRMR

Welcome to our latest update!

NEW FEATURES:

- We've added a Romanisation toggle in Settings menu (can now turn off all romaji and other romanisations)

BUG FIXES & QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS

- Fixed app freeze upon launching into MR in INITIALISATION MR for some users

- Ensured speech recording works after unpausing/refocusing in STEAM VR

- Fixed Noun box orbiting issue when opening and closing Oculus menu in NOUN BOX

- Implemented different marker implementation for ONBOARDING to the verb process

- Added Noun Town:LINK beta support for backing up + syncing save file

- Fixed LEXIMAIL screen break preventing news display

- Adjusted UI board highlight fitting in COLORS MINIGAME

- Corrected typo for "Environment" in VRMR UI

- Enabled talking to Meera in Food Store in AMBIENT

- Fixed SUPERSEEKER items facing wrong direction

- Ensured "To look at" water is visible in MR in MR VERBS

- Prevented loss of Farm scene Hose in "To Wash" VERB

- Fixed broken Cassian verb in BEACH

- Addressed particle spawn position issue in NUMBERS MINIGAME

- Prevented item highlight remaining after quitting SUPERSEEKER early

- Ensured "Heater" can be grabbed in LEARNING OBJECT

- Repositioned fishing rod to not block items in FARM LEARNING RUSH

- Fixed multiple particle instantiation upon verb completion in VERBS

- Ensured AIRSHIP CASSETTES appear when learned

- Improved airship path-following animation in ISLAND AIRSHIP

- Fixed animals being thrown through bench collider in resort area in COLLIDERS

- Made lessons playable in "Sports" and "Clothes" in broken languages

- Addressed blank data appearing as an option in SRS multiple choice

- Update "Carp" audio in English in AUDIO

- Differentiate between chair and stool in Arabic in LEARNING RUSH

- Corrected rotation of instantiated particles in VERBS learning scenes

- Prevented getting stuck in DIRECTIONS GAME if device is lost

- Addressed multiple sounds from learning objects in SUPERSEEKER

- Fixed disappearing items in room after SUPERSEEKER game

- Adjusted UI to prevent overlaps in SUPERSEEKER with extensive word learning

- Added texture to Silver flower in FLOWER MINIGAME

- Prevented Verbs and NPC spawning during active SRS in MR

- Prevented going out of bounds on Farm in ISLAND

- Added texture to lever on fabricator in AIRSHIP

- Aligned UI buttons correctly in QA CHAT

- Fixed UI for limit reached in LEARNING KIOSK

- Addressed game slowdown in COLORS MINIGAME after learning multiple seeds

- Allowed bypassing colors directly to phase two in FLOWER MINIGAME when learning multiple seeds

- Addressed issue where "Walk to marker" instruction appears despite being in the marker after final word in ONBOARDING CAFE

Enjoy! :)

2024-03-06: v2.13 Hide romaji + fixes!
PC + MAC

Welcome to our latest update! As ever, a HUGE THANKS to our community for suggesting improvements and reporting bugs!

NEW FEATURES:

- We've added a Romanisation toggle in Settings menu (can now turn off all romaji and other romanisations)

- Added GRAPHIC SETTINGS to Settings menu so you can optimise how the game performs and looks for your setup

BUG FIXES & QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS:

- Update LEARN MORE WORDS so it can be triggered by users whenever they want

- Fixed various missing UI translations

- Added NOUN TOWN: LINK beta (feature to back-up and sync your save with the VR game)

- Fixed Portuguese localization showing Mexican sometimes

- Fixed speech recognition bug causing animation to stay too long

- Fixed mouse click movement issues for some scenes

- Stopped taller NPCs blocking mouse clicks on buttons in Learning Rush

- Added non-QWERTY keyboard layout compatibility for French keyboards

- Fixed missing Directions and NPC Questions game audio files in Dictionary + SRS

- Deploy corrected Arabic sound files

- Implement improved Chinese pinyin localiser

- Fix issue with fabricator and vehicle menu during elevator ride

- Fix LONGEST STREAK calculation

- Add Dictionary images for Phrases

- Update Constructor Mode for left click/right click functionality

- Added trial of dynamic background audio in BAKERY

- Fix bug where learning English Lessons would sometimes not work

- 33 assorted language audio fixes

- Prevent save corruption if computer crashes during saving

- Make mouse click available for roleplay character selection in LESSONS

- Prevent issues in Tutorial

- Fix Star object in LEARNING OBJECT

- Allow users to learn the same language as their UI

- Fix localisations issues for chromoemitter in Italian

- Fix double audio track bug on Island caused by DIRECTIONS minigame

- Implement respawn fix for Music

- New SETTINGS menu layout

- Ensure BGM plays on AIRSHIP

- Fix squares appearing in Russian and French BEOUF fonts

- Ensure Noun test item names in LEARNING KIOSK are dynamically resizing properly

- Ensure LEXICON dictionary shows all SRS learning progress accurately

- Fixed bug and now new seeds available after each new day in COLOURS (PSUB)

- Updated SRS to make new words available as soon as time is up, instead of after scene change

- Addressed Learning Rush broken item issues in MINIGAME

- Fixed frame moving off screen when entering car on moving elevator in DELIVERY GAME

- Updated UI/LEXICON to ensure object information and dictionary panel update SRS stage information

- Show door-exit arrow at the end of the tutorial to indicate room exit

- Fixed issue with items getting stuck behind walls or under floors in OBJECTS

- Corrected placement of item VFX in LEARNING RUSH

- Fixed location issues in MINIGAME directions game

- Now shows NPC names correctly in NPC QA Answer, NPC QA End, and Lessons

- Fixed DICTIONARY, now correctly shows Date Learned info

- Added fisplay color adjective images in DICTIONARY

- Disabled fabricator during TUTORIAL

- Addressed issue with VSYNC not working in SETTINGS

- Fixed CONSTRUCTOR MODE bug +allow raycast pickup of objects through scenery in CONSTRUCTOR MODE

Enjoy! :)

2024-01-19: Update #4 MAJOR LANGUAGES!
VRMR

This GIANT release brings a better UX, improved graphics + many more languages to Noun Town! Players can learn Arabic (Egyptian), Spanish (Mexican), Russian, Ukrainian,Greek and English!

Plus, we've introduced an any-language-to-any-language system, letting people learn from any of their native languages to any other language in the game.

Oh, and we added the option to learn any language from Portuguese (Brazilian), too.

We've unified the MR and VR experiences to be more fluid + fixed a bunch of bugs reported over the last two months.

This is a lot of content, so we may see some bugs. Please let us know when you see any via our Discord, so we can squash them asap.

2024-01-08: [v2.1] LEARN ENGLISH, ARABIC, MEXICAN, RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN + GREEK!
PC + MAC

This huge new (beta) release brings many more languages to Noun Town! Players can learn Arabic (Egyptian), Spanish (Mexican), Russian, Ukrainian,Greek and English!

Plus, we've introduced an any-language-to-any-language system, letting people learn from any of their native languages to any other language in the game.

Oh, and we added the option to learn any language from Portuguese (Brazilian), too.

This is a lot of content, so we may see some bugs. Please let us know when you see any via our Discord, so we can squash them asap.

2023-10-10: Update #3 MIXED REALITY!
VRMR

After five months of work, we're delighted to show-off Noun Town 2.0, bringing Mixed Reality learning to Noun Town!

Alongside the brand new MR features, we've upped the graphics performance on the Quest 3 (with more to come!) and added 200+ fixes and optimizations since the last release!

As always, if you have any issues, please let us know so we can help you or push out a rapid bug-fix. Contact us via the Help option on our site, or visit our Discord - details for both on: https://noun.town/

2023-05-12: Update #2 KOREAN + JOBS GAME!
VRMR

Introducing Korean - our first language update (with 15+ more on the way in the coming months). Dive in and learn Korean with nouns, verbs, minigames and lessons!

We've also added a new jobs game (near the Zoo), where you can learn jobs vocabulary and get rewarded by skins for the LexiBot helper and fixed a various amount of bugs!

Changelog v1.06
  • New Korean langauge!
  • New jobs minigame!
  • Customize your Lexibot on the jobs terminal
  • Platform and screen panels height fixed
  • Speech recognition improvements

2023-03-16: Update #1 ZOO & AR MODE!
VRMR

Introducing the ZOO - a whole new Learning Space, with Nouns, Verbs and Lessons to learn! AND WORLD ANNOTATE mode - point at anything in the world to see a translation. AND the Lexibands, which show you daily and all-time game progress updates (they also have a button for better distance grabbing)

Also, a NICER ISLAND layout. Oh, and in-game update messages. And 70% better performance. Plus MUCH nicer text. Better anti-aliasing. More options for game-settings customisation. And like 50+ fixes and updates, some of which listed below

Changelog v1.05
  • Fixed word revision test and srs sometimes skipping the multiple choice section in case of errors
  • Fixed fabricator lever which in some cases fabricated infinite items
  • Fixed fabricator issue which did not correctly count the spawned objects
  • Fixed Airship radio not properly reading cassettes' audio
  • Fixed learning rush not recognizing offered objects
  • Fixed learning rush not getting confused when 2 objects had the same translation
  • Fixed QAs menu not appearing when talking to npc multiple times
  • Fixed QAs not clearing the menu options when communicating with npcs
  • Fixed achievement issue where already met npcs wouldn't be counted
  • Fixed and improved tutorial with a more streamlined approach
  • Fixed reported broken lessons across the various languages
  • Fixed non-responding environment and items
  • Fixed occlusion on island environment
  • Fixed verbs in learning environments
  • Fixed conflicting teleport locations
  • Fixed reported data based issues
  • Fixed grab ray toggle
  • Added new settings options for skipping and preferences
  • Added leximails for in-game update log
  • Implemented new optimized island
  • Improved lexibot expressions
  • Improved elevators controls
  • and more...

2023-01-27: [v1.0496] UX addons + stability updates
VRMR

Added new UX aspects, including the ability to choose to display the symbol or romanisation of symbol-based languages, the ability to reset all object locations in a scene, and smooth turn speed. Resolved bugs related to talking to Islanders, settings and interactions with the surrounding environment during minigames

Changelog v1.0496
  • Added a dedicate language option to prioritize the translation displayed
  • Added a dedicated option to reset all objects location while in any learning environment
  • Added new setting to change the player turn speed
  • Fixed fabricator issues in the airship
  • Fixed instances in which communication with Islanders would be blocked entirely by exiting the panel
  • Fixed instances in which communication with Islanders would be blocked by other minigames
  • Fixed teleportation to the exit inside the school environment
  • Fixed teleportation on stair located in the central zone of the map
  • Fixed Navigation glitch forcing you repeat the same search indefinitely
  • Fixed Weather game days of the week stage which could not be accessed
  • Fixed some objects collision detection issue
  • Improved grabbing and respawning mechanics for objects.
  • Corrected reported typos in dialogue and on doors..

2023-01-16: [v1.044] Hotfix for SRS, Upload button
VRMR

A small hotfix to resolve an issue with the SRS not showing words, and for the Upload button in the Kiosk not registering

Changelog v1.044
  • SRS interface fixed, previously could freeze with placeholder text
  • If SRS failed, Lexibot would not respond to commands in blimp area. Resolved
  • Fixed Upload Button not being pushable during during test reviews after a set series of prior events occurred

2023-01-04: [v1.042] Hotfix for Learning Rush bug
VRMR

A quick hotfix to resolve an issue related to Learning Rush minigame, where the counter and items wouldn't despawn on exit

Changelog v1.042
  • Learning Rush minigame, where the counter and items wouldn't despawn on exit

2022-12-24: [v1.041] Enahnced speech rec! Hotfixes for lessons + other bugs
VRMR

We've updated how we retrieve and send user voices to improve voice recognition performance - let us know what you think! There was also problem with some lessons loading, and lesson ordering, as well as some minor quality of life fixes.

Changelog v1.041
  • Updated voice recognition to newer version
  • Italian lessons data file was incorrectly formatted, erroring out Lessons for Italian language
  • Lessons were being unlocked in the incorrect order
  • Tutorial bug during the learning five words could cause game to get stuck until restart
  • Couldn’t get in the office with teleport locomotion
  • Weird teleport ray block in Bakery
  • Ensure dog is on correct mixer and make quieter
  • Playing Steam demo could break full-game. Now resolved.
  • Animals floated on Airship; now grounded
  • Tutorial gap: if finished talking to Yennifer then close and reload during the tutorial, the location of the player was weird
  • [rainb] shows on buttons in NPC Chat/QA, now doesn't
  • Once the lexibot goes into the cafe and disappears, if you summon him, there is a teleport noise but no robot. Now, no noise at all
  • Exiting Learning Rush mode stopped all music. Now, music plays
  • Made SKIP TIMER button as easy to push as UPLOAD WORDS button
  • Learning rush: character clap is now no longer silent
  • Fix post learning rush bug which would stop replaying
  • Fixed a missing island collider
  • School Radio size was wrong, now right
  • Supermarket ambient and verb position overlapped, now have more space
  • Was a deadzone for animal movement in part of the farm, now resolved
  • Thumbstick deadzone threshold now increased to reduce drift
  • Radio eject button less temperamental

2022-12-15: [v1.04] Steam release!
VRMR

Noun Town: VR Language Learning is now available on Steam!

It is v1.04 of the game, so comes with some small updates over the current Quest build. The Quest build will be made parallel later today, after testing. Get it here!

2022-12-06: [v1.03] Updated + bug fixes!
VRMR

We are pushing an update fixing the bugs/major annoyances of players. Expand the changelog below to see them all:

Changelog v1.03
  • Fixed speech recognition bug giving false negatives
  • No Internet Connection Panel was not correctly dismissing after internet connections were re-established
  • Tutorial logic could get confused and not show the user the correct next steps
  • Listening to an object by holding it to your ear was not on the Speech SFX mixer, so volume was not controllable
  • Rabbit in farm scene was not correctly AI navigating around the scene
  • Bridge between resort-area and central-area could not be navigated using Teleport locomotion
  • Fabricator in the blimp could infinitely spawn items
  • Upload button was temperamental to push, and would not push correctly
  • Fabricator Object Destroyer Gun could be thrown out the Airship window
  • Changing language during the Tutorial didn't correctly reset a variable, requiring the game to be restarted to continue
  • Voice recording playback from the user was occuring sometimes; removed until a toggle can be added
  • Airship would have "jagged white lines" when looking through a window at the sea
  • Tooltips were hard to dismiss
  • Verb: To Pull was glitching for some users and unable to pull
  • Airship: fridge door could be pushed inwards when it should be static
  • Verbs: Lexibot might disengage from the verb when the user looks at another Islander
  • Players could still physically push the disabled locations in the Map, allowing them to teleport to them before they were unlocked
  • Airship was missing its back window, and so objects could be thrown outside
  • Other characters might greet you when you are already in a conversation
  • Lexibot "talk to user" marker would not show the written text if the user was already talking to another character
  • Lexibot was not teleporting immediately to players when summoned, instead walking slowly
  • Characters could have dark lumps on their skin due to lighting errors
  • Alarm object sound was piercingly terrible
  • Dog bark sound was too loud
  • Shelladonna's mouth was not moving while talking, and the Lexibot was too low

2022-12-01: Noun Town on Quest!
VRMR

Noun Town is now officially available on the Meta Quest store. Visit: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/5520452821357227/ to see it!