4. Expanded Feature Catalog (What Language Learners Ask For)

Each feature has a category: TS (table stakes), D (differentiator), X (distraction) or L (liability).

Priority is for the recommended wedge: work-focused spoken English for Hindi- and Bengali-medium learners, on web (PWA) and WhatsApp.

4.1 Placement and level

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
5-minute speaking placement (describe a picture, answer 3 questions, read 2 sentences)	D	P0	Scores fluency, range and pronunciation. Shows the reason for the level.
Your own level scale, mapped to CEFR (e.g. 6 levels, A1–B2)	TS	P0	Needed for scenes, institutes and progress reports. Duolingo's English test uses adaptive, IRT-based design; you only need a simple version.
Goal and situation picker (job hunt, current job, specific role)	D	P0	It decides which places on the map open first.
Reading and listening placement	TS	P1	Useful for text exercises. Don't lead with it.
Re-placement every 30 days	D	P1	It doubles as the progress proof.
Hindi or Bengali as a target language (level framework, curriculum)	X	P2 / —	There's no CEFR-style framework for them as second languages, and no Bengali pronunciation API. Revisit only if demand shows.

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
2D illustrated map with tap zones; places unlock by level	TS / D	P0	Days of work, not months. Shows progress.
5 work scenes × 3 levels at launch: interview, customer complaint call, hotel check-in, shop-floor query, team stand-up	D	P0	The paid core. Each scene is a branching script with hints and model answers.
One scene a day, 5–8 minutes, with a streak	TS	P0	Builds the habit and caps voice cost.
Free warm-up scenes (park, shop, asking directions)	TS	P0	A free hook. Casual practice.
Role tracks (BPO voice, hospitality, retail, IT and office, interview prep)	D	P1	Also the unit you sell to institutes.
Branching NPC moods (polite, rushed, angry customer)	D	P1	Realistic pressure at higher levels. Pre-generated.
Mock interview with a written report	D	P1 (Pro)	Highest willingness to pay.
Email and chat-writing scenes (typing)	TS	P2	Office English beyond speaking.
3D world, avatars, open-world movement	X	—	Build cost with no effect on renewal.
Leagues, coins, shops, cosmetics	X	—	Engagement theatre. Add only if data demands it.

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
Scene engine: "scripted spine, live edges" (cached script + cached NPC audio; live model only for off-script replies)	D (cost)	P0	Keeps voice cost at about ₹0.5–1 a minute.
Per-turn feedback in Hindi or Bengali (what to say instead, and why)	D	P0	The SpeakX lesson, with Bengali done properly.
Weekly speaking score (fluency, filler words, range, pronunciation) + a day-1 vs today clip	D	P0	The renewal driver and the share asset. Azure pronunciation assessment covers en-IN.
Scene memory ("last time you rushed the greeting")	D	P1	Store a short fact list, not audio.
Accent-neutral clarity score (Indian English, not an "American accent")	D	P1	Respectful framing matters to this audience.
Slow-speech and repeat controls	TS	P0	Beginners need them.
Text chat fallback (low bandwidth, quiet places)	TS	P0	Many learners practise in shared spaces.
"Friend" persona that asks about feelings or life	L	—	Companion-chatbot law exposure. Stay a coach.
Premium, most human voice by default	X	—	Cost without a gain in renewal.

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
WhatsApp daily prompt + voice-note practice	D	P0	The concierge becomes a permanent channel. It's where the habit already lives.
Web app (PWA) with microphone	TS	P0	Works on Android Chrome. No store fees.
Android app	TS	P1	After month-2 renewal is proven.
iOS app	TS	P2	Low share in the target segment.
Offline mode for text exercises	TS	P2	Patchy data in Tier 2–3 towns.
Notifications more than once a day	X	—	Leads to churn and uninstalls.

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
"My speaking score" card and before/after clip	D	P0	The share loop.
Scene challenge links ("can you handle this angry customer?")	D	P1	The friend plays one scene free.
Referral credits (free Plus week for both)	TS	P1	Standard.
Short-video content engine (daily "say this, not this" from the scene library)	D	P0 (process)	Main organic channel.
Community or forum	X / L	—	Moderation cost with little one-to-one value.

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
Seat licences + a trainer dashboard (levels, minutes, scores per learner)	D	P1 (month 9)	₹149–249 per seat per month, minimum 50 seats.
Batch placement report ("where your cohort is")	D	P1	This is what a training head buys.
Custom scenes for a client (their call scripts, their hotel)	D	P2	High value, but a service. Price it separately.
Certificate of level	TS	P2	Useful for learners. Don't imply official accreditation.
SSO, LMS integration	X	—	Only for enterprise deals you aren't chasing.

Feature	Category	Priority	Notes
Free / Plus ₹199 / Pro ₹399, monthly and annual	TS	P0	See 07.
Voice-minute fair-use caps and top-up packs (₹49 for 60 min)	TS	P0	Protects margin from heavy users.
Weekly plans, auto-converting trials	L	—	The CCPA "subscription trap".
Ads	X	—	Low revenue, and they undermine a paid product.
Job-placement promises or referral fees from employers	L	—	Outcome claims and conflicts of interest.

Of about 45 features, about 15 go into v1. None of them is a better voice model or a bigger game world. They are:

a speaking placement;
5 work scenes at 3 levels on a simple map;
a cheap "scripted spine, live edges" voice coach that explains in Hindi or Bengali;
a weekly speaking score with a shareable clip;
WhatsApp as the daily habit.

The product wins by proving the learner is getting better at the situations they're actually heading into.