996 Tech — Zhuoran Ma

Team: Krystal Huang (Physical Computing, Fabrication ) & Yijia Guo (Lead Unity Developer, 3D Art)
Role: Game UI, Unity Programming, Lead Fabrication, Video Editing

2024 alt.ctrl GDC Finalist

Game Arcade
Made with: Unity, Figma

Step into the world of 996 Tech, where innovation works overtime! At our tech haven, we redefine the meaning of work-life balance by blurring the lines between work and...more work! Embrace the thrill of high-pressure creativity as you navigate the maze of repetitive tasks, all while savoring the sweet symphony of your keyboard's incessant clicking. Here, we believe in not just working smart, but working hard, because nothing says success like burning that midnight oil—literally! Welcome to a place where the coffee flows as freely as the code, and self-value is measured in lines of code per hour. Get ready for an unforgettable journey at 996 Tech, where every day feels like Monday, and weekends are just a distant memory.

Concept Statement

996 Tech is a two-player car racing game that challenges the conventional office experience by having players race on the toilet seats instead of in the racing simulators. Inspired by the Chinese internet slang "带薪拉屎" (paid to poop), a norm among young generations in the workplace who tend to slack off and commit as little work as possible in the office, the interaction explores the notion of escapism, lack of motivation, silent rebellion, and, more importantly, the excessive stress in the workplace.

Set in the context of a depressing and exploitative workspace, where individuals find their inner peace in the restroom as a means to escape, 996 Tech aims to transform this negativity into a thrilling racing experience. To embody the core of "paid to poop," players utilize customized toilet seats and plungers as game controllers, immersing themselves in a quirky yet competitive environment.

In the game, players are expected to control their vehicles by leaning left and right on the toilet seat, driving around the office space to collect as many poops as possible along the way. To spice up the competition, participants will also use the plungers to either toss poops at their opponents to slow them down or boost their own speed.

The winner of the game remains on the toilet seat until defeated by the next challenger stepping foot into the world of "slacking off." 996 Tech seeks to materialize the widespread phenomenon of employees seeking refuge in the restroom, providing an outlet for stressed-out employees to relax and loosen up. Indeed, the name "996 Tech" speaks it all. In a world where 9 to 5 no longer seems to satisfy the companies' needs, certain tech firms now feature "996" schedules -- working 12 hours from 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. Join us in this absurd yet whimsical journey, where racing to win not only contemplates job promotion but also highlights the ultimate mastery of slacking off.