Absence

RIGDEN is a research-led tabletop strategy game that translates the idea of “Mythical Urbanism” into an interactive design system. The project began with a question: how do myths, rituals, and belief systems shape real spaces, social decisions, and forms of governance? Instead of presenting the research only as a written thesis, I transformed it into a playable board game where players experience myth as a system of rules, power, conflict, and negotiation.

The final game is set in Shambhala during the Kali Yuga, an age of decline. Players take on the role of lineage holders competing to become the next Rigden King. To win, they must realign districts, use Tattva cards strategically, invoke Dharma Kings, negotiate with other players, and prove that their internal frequency is aligned with the city.