Student Perception of Using Arknights Game to Develop Vocabulary Mastery

Abstract

Vocabulary remains one of the toughest hurdles for those learning English, and surprisingly, narrative-driven mobile games are emerging as a unique way to gain language exposure outside the usual classroom environment. This research delves into how Indonesian players of the mobile game Arknights pick up and understand English vocabulary through its engaging, story-rich content. Using a qualitative approach, the researchers collected open-ended responses from player, mostly university students, and performed a thematic analysis on the data. Data identified five main themes: player characteristics, the difficulties of reading unfamiliar or literary language, the introduction of new vocabulary through the main story and dialogues, using strategies like using translation tools and contextual clues, the players' views on their vocabulary growth. Most participants noted that the game's vocabulary posed a real challenge, often filled with literary or old-fashioned terms; however, the repeated exposure throughout the storyline helped them remember these words. The findings suggest that vocabulary acquisition in this setting happens informally, fueled by ongoing exposure and self-directed problem-solving rather than traditional teaching methods.