Unsafe Spaces

Unsafe Spaces is an auto-biographical game about navigating a public transit system as a visibly queer immigrant. The player is disabled by heightened barriers to both language cognition and color perception.

You only know one phrase in the language of the city you newly reside: “Can you tell me the way to [HOME]?”

Your cell phone is incompatible with the local telecom system, so you cannot use it for anything other than local bluetooth communication. You cannot access a useful map. You cannot call for directions. You cannot call for help.

The only way to navigate the transit system and return home is by asking the people on the metro platform which way you should go. But asking questions is dangerous. All of the people you encounter are rendered as lavender silhouettes: people with the potential to help. When you speak to them, they will provide you directions and change color.

Grey people are neutral. They may or may not give correct directions.

Green people are allies and will always give accurate directions. They will also be added to your Contact List.

Red people are hostile. They will berate you and force you to move away and will prevent you from approaching them. This can possibly make other people or metro entrances inaccessible. 

Each person will provide a recommendation which will appear as an appropriately colored diamond on the line map above each metro platform.

Once you walk into one of the waiting metro trains on the platform, you will be taken to the next stop. There you repeat the process at station after station until you arrive at the station nearest your home.

You arrive at your empty, colorless apartment safely, and view your contact list. You met many allies along the way. A month later, they are in your home at your colorful housewarming party.

You are not alone. Your life is full of color and warmth.