Spaced Repetition, Evolved

The early era: Leitner boxes and paper decks. Then: algorithmic SRS (SuperMemo → Anki). Next era: embedded spacing — repetition emerges from system dynamics instead of manual review sessions.

Why The Classic Loop Breaks Down

You eventually spend more time maintaining the queue than expanding capability. Reviews become metabolic tax.

Embedded Spacing in KotobaTales

Story engine tracks lexical exposure density.
Narrative planner schedules organic re-encounters.
Surface form & semantic role variants are alternated.
No “review pile dread.” You just keep playing.

Metrics That Actually Matter

Old KPI	Better KPI
Daily reviews cleared	New words retained in functional story arcs
Streak length	Lexical reuse diversity
Ease clicks	Successful in-context decisions

The Future

SRS won’t disappear; it becomes substrate. The visible layer shifts to simulated environments that generate optimized repetition implicitly.

The best review session is the one you never had to schedule.