Hunger 1942

Chinese culture deeply romanticizes self-sacrifice—using one's most precious life for collective ideals—as the highest form of achievement. From feudal loyalty and early Republican patriotism to today’s vision of national rejuvenation, we consistently celebrate sacrifice for grand objectives. Yet narratives unrelated to these ideals are often marginalized or forgotten. History textbooks selectively pass down the stories deemed worthy, reinforcing a focus on collective righteousness. This raises the question: shouldn’t ordinary people’s everyday struggles also be understood, giving us a fuller, more authentic historical picture? Perhaps understanding their hardships can deepen our reflection on the very ideals we hold dear.

Though there is no definitive "correct" way to narrate history, by examining ordinary lives in past disasters—as we now experience personally during this epidemic—we can develop deeper empathy and thoughtfully reconsider concepts such as "righteousness," "justice," and "humanity." Our project focuses specifically on the 1942 Henan famine, collecting overlooked individual narratives and using the immersive quality of games to reconstruct a realistic historical environment. Through authentic stories and personal choices, we encourage players to reflect critically and independently, striving always to maintain historical objectivity and avoid ideological bias.