“An assimilated protagonist goes on a journey to their motherland to reclaim their original cultural identity.” This is the concept I am making a game out of. The player uses a lantern to help guide them through the level. The lantern is the core mechanic, and it has two functions.

The first function is revealing: The lantern automatically reveals hidden objects, pathways, and narratives. In accordance with the concept, the protagonist reveals important parts of their culture that they were not aware of before. The lantern will automatically reveal within its range. The player only needs to manipulate the location of the light by moving the protagonist throughout the level.

The second function is igniting: The lantern’s flame can grow in strength and ignite living and non-living things. The flame is symbolic of cultural pride. A lantern was the chosen object to represent the protagonist’s drive to preserve their ‘flame’ from going out. This is a common theme in postcolonial nations. The player can swing their lantern in order to ignite things. Throughout the level they collect loose flames to grow the lantern’s revealing range and igniting power.

Based on the core mechanic, the minimum viable product must be a single level that requires the player to learn and use both functions in order to complete it. It must also be made evident to the player where they are and why the protagonist is going on this journey. At minimum I hope to present this through sound, music, and location.

The wish is to create 4 levels, each in which the protagonist searches for one of her four older siblings. For the MVP, I will be creating only 1 level. This level is meant to be El Yunque, the rainforest located in northeastern Puerto Rico. In this level the player will have to reveal hidden pathways and swing their lantern to defend themselves from hostile wildlife. At the end of the level, the protagonist will find their sibling. This signifies completion.