Passage (video game)

Passage is a short, independent video game created by Jason Rohrer and released in 2007. It is often cited as an example of an art game and a powerful exploration of life, death, and relationships within the confines of a limited and abstract interactive experience.

The game mechanics are simple. The player controls a pixelated character who walks to the right across a scrolling 2D environment. The character ages as time progresses, indicated by the character's sprite becoming older and eventually dying.

The core gameplay loop revolves around the player's choices and priorities as they navigate the world. The player can choose to explore the environment, finding treasures that increase their score. They can also choose to find a partner, represented by a female character who walks alongside the player character.

The catch is that carrying a partner reduces the amount of visible space ahead of the player, making exploration more difficult. Furthermore, the partner ages alongside the player, eventually dying, which evokes feelings of loss and the finite nature of relationships.

The game's abstract visuals and minimalist gameplay are deliberate design choices meant to convey complex emotional and philosophical themes. Passage encourages players to reflect on their own lives, their relationships, and the choices they make, prompting them to consider what truly matters in the limited time they have. The experience is brief, lasting approximately five minutes, but it leaves a lasting impression due to its poignant and thought-provoking nature. It has been widely discussed in academic and artistic circles for its innovative use of the video game medium to express profound ideas.