Nails on Ninth: Fostering Empathy around Immigration through a Story-Driven Game

“Twenty-some years ago, your parents immigrated to America to provide a better life for you and your brother…” Nails on Ninth is a single-player short story game that connects players with the experiences of first-generation immigrants in America. As the nail salon manager, the player must make difficult choices while striving to keep the salon running smoothly in the face of increasing competition. The player’s choices and relationships with the characters ultimately determine the course of the story. Designed to challenge stereotypes about immigrants, Nails on Ninth hopes to open the door to more nuanced conversations around identities and opportunities.