Vacuum - Games

In game design, 'Vacuum' often refers to negative space or emptiness that creates tension and isolation. It can manifest as literal vacuums in space games where silence and zero-gravity mechanics heighten vulnerability, or metaphorically in narrative-driven titles where emotional voids drive character arcs. This concept challenges players to navigate absence—whether through resource scarcity in survival genres or the psychological weight of abandoned environments. By stripping away familiar elements, vacuums force engagement with core mechanics, making every action deliberate and amplifying immersion through minimalist design.