When Allison Yang moved from China to the US two years ago, she noticed how immigrants discussed their visa statuses like playing cards. This inspired her to create H1B.Life, a game that simulates navigating the H-1B visa system.

The mobile game centers on a character transitioning from student to work visa status and features decision-making mechanics and random events, reflecting real-world unpredictability. Over half of the nine developers have personal experience with US visas.

“The immigration system is becoming more hostile,” Yang says, adding that the team hopes to bridge the knowledge gap between immigrants and native-born Americans through interactive storytelling.

The game introduces an element of chance via a slot machine mechanism, generating random world events like terrorist attacks or economic crises. This adds levity while retaining realism, according to narrative designer Andrea Saravia Pérez.

Developers are aiming for a wider audience, with interest in adapting the game for different countries due to increasing global challenges faced by immigrants. The team’s goal is to make complex immigration issues relatable and understandable through engaging gameplay.