Race for Sanctuary: Current State and Future Vision (constructionist approach)

In Race for Sanctuary, I’ve introduced a set of cultural barriers—the Burning Stares, the Cryptic Beams, and the Inhospitable Guardian—each posing a distinct challenge for players. Every barrier carries its own symbolic significance, illustrated by its unique aesthetic and further clarified through SIRS, the robotic companion for the main character Skully who explains their deeper meaning. By confronting these cultural barriers, players gain insights into the real-world difficulties others face, which encourages empathy and a broader perspective on shared human experiences.

The Burning Stares

• What is it?  The Burning Stares are meteoroids with glowing eyes that originally see the player as a threat. 

• How does it currently work?  Currently it functions as a normal meteoroid until the player bumps into it, which allows the police to get closer. If the player bumps into it a second time, then the police will be able to catch him or her and it’s game over. 

• A deeper constructionist design approach (in progress): Players must approach hostile meteoroids, staying within their orbit for a few seconds to avoid aggression. Through this interaction, some of The Burning Stares will shift from hostility to friendliness, symbolizing a transformation from xenophobia to acceptance. However, not all meteoroids are receptive—some will explode into smaller fragments, representing the complexity of cultural change and its resistance. The goal is for players to learn that shifting perceptions requires patience and empathy, adapting their approach based on past experiences and encouraging deeper connections with diverse perspectives. 

The Cryptic Beams

• What is it? The Cryptic Beams are walls of both horizontal and parallel lasers placed as barriers inside the space stations whereby each laser beam has ancient texts spiraling around it for the player to decode.

• How does it currently work? The Cryptic Beams currently only function as a barrier whereby the player navigate the gaps without touching the lasers. If the player touches the lasers, it will damage them significantly and can lead him or her to die.

• A deeper constructionist design approach (in progress): The Cryptic Beams will require players to decode symbols, languages, or artifacts from different cultures to overcome challenges. For example, a locked laser gate can only be deactivated by correctly translating foreign writing, such as Nordic runes or Arabic script. This mechanic fosters cross-cultural understanding by transforming the unfamiliar into moments of discovery and connection. By engaging with diverse languages and symbols, we aim to create a space where players develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for other cultures, turning challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

The Inhospitable Guardian

• What is it? The Inhospitable Guardian are soldiers who guard The Nightfall Station where each of them represent a unique cultural background such as Arab, Chinese, Japanese, or other cultures.

• How does it currently work? At the current moment, The Inhospitable Guardian can only use rockets and sniper rifles to kill the player. If hit by a sniper rifle, the player’s max health decreases from 100/100 to 50/50 and if hit by a rocket, the player loses their current health but max health will stay the same, from 100/100 to 50/100. 

• A deeper constructionist design approach (in progress): The guardians will follow distinct cultural rules within the station. For example, a Japanese Inhospitable Guardian challenges the player to choose between Asazuke (Japanese pickled cabbage) vs Kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage). Selecting Asazuki demonstrates cultural knowledge, reducing the guardian’s aggression, while choosing incorrectly, such as kimchi, escalates hostility, symbolizing how ignorance can fuel conflict.  By understanding cultural differences, we hope players can learn how awareness fosters trust and smoother interactions, while ignorance leads to misunderstandings. Successfully building bridges with the Inhospitable Guardian reinforces the idea that learning about others’ identities can break down barriers and create harmonious communities.