White Gold

Since the Soviet times the government has recruited common Uzbek people to harvest cotton for free. This is often discussed in the international community but the cultural significance of cotton as a powerful and dear symbol of propaganda is often missed. I remember learning in elementary school that cotton is the "white gold" of our country. And anyone who grew up in Uzbekistan will tell you that they had a tea set with a cotton-shaped pattern on it at home, or a tapestry with cotton in it.

The familiar ornamental beauty of this symbol conflicts with the historical reality of how cotton is grown and harvested. This strange contention is what the game is about. It’s a story of forced labor and arbitrary quotas, wrapped in swirly and colorful patterns that feel dear and hostile at the same time.