Ephemeral: Poetic Game Design for Existential Reflection

Ephemeral is a third-person game prototype developed in Unreal Engine 5 that explores existentialism. The project is based on Irvin Yalom’s concept of the ultimate concerns and focuses on translating abstract existential theories into playable mechanics.

Each philosophical concept is translated into concrete mechanics. Death is represented by a limited playtime that frames the entire experience. Meaning is expressed through a trail-based system: as players move through the world, they leave visible traces. These traces allow players to perceive their presence, connect with the world, and encounter traces left by other players.

The game does not emphasize goals and challenges. Instead, it encourages free exploration and moment-to-moment decision-making within a stylized environment. The visual style is highly abstracted and focuses on atmosphere, supporting the project’s philosophical intent.

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Wenjia Quan is a game designer with a background in architecture. Her work is rooted in the observation and reflection of everyday life, translating themes of time, memory, and lived experience into interactive forms. She views games not just as entertainment, but as a medium for thinking and feeling. In her practice, meaning emerges through interaction rather than explicit narrative. Currently, she is interested in game UX, studying how interface, mechanics, and player agency shape experience and understanding in games.