Ancient civilization joins digital ecosystem

Tao notes that discussions with Sanxingdui staff members began around three years ago, focusing on how the two sides might collaborate. One detail that stood out to her was the early exchange of ideas around hero selection.

"At first, we proposed some heroes that leaned toward a lighter, more playful direction," she recalls. "But the experts pointed out that Sanxingdui is deeply rooted in a culture of divine authority and ritual. They suggested heroes with mythological origins, which led us to the characters Hou Yi, Nyu Wa, and Yang Jian."

During the process of designing skins, a cosmetic item that alters the visual and audiovisual presentation of a hero, Sanxingdui experts offered extensive guidance on the meanings behind specific artifacts and how they might align with particular heroes, and provided valuable and constructive input. Through this collaboration, Tao and her colleagues also gained a deeper understanding of Sanxingdui culture.

"Once I truly understood these elements, I started thinking about how to translate them into the visual language players can understand," Tao says. "If players can absorb this knowledge naturally while playing the game, in a relaxed way, I think that's incredibly meaningful."