Language is a beautifully essential part of life, something that is evocative and communicative in countless ways. Language is vast and all encompassing, yet the tiniest little details inspire the nuances of what language can be. Written and spoken language, physical language, inflection and tone. Every detail comes together in a beautiful dance, being the fibrous tissue that creates understanding and connects every living thing.
Underneath the art, the music, and the gameplay of Pyre is a small feature that many players may never take notice of, and it has to do with language. For years, games have been getting around full voice acting by using gibberish and noises while displaying what the characters are saying in English text. The characters can still feel emotive and alive without having to voice every little thing they say. If you weren’t paying attention, Pyre might seem like it employs these same measures, a minor game design quirk but nothing inherently special. Looking closer reveals that this gibberish is actually a language, and Creative Director Greg Kasavin recently opened up on Pyre’s forums about the creative process and inspirations behind this language. When English Dies
Pyre’s fictional language, called Sahrian, is the language of the world, a far flung future where English and literacy are an ancient and forgotten history. As the Reader, the player has the unique distinction of understanding English and the Book of Rites in order to h...