Names within the project are informed by Latin and Greek language roots, using historical meanings to subtly reinforce the world's themes and foreshadow narrative elements. For example, Paritz, a team name derived from concepts of violence and lawlessness, hints at both the team's identity and its potential role within the wider story. Similarly, Atomos, meaning "ungovernable" or "indivisible," reflects the illegal and underground nature of the sport, positioning it outside established authority.
These naming choices act as environmental storytelling, rewarding players who recognise their historical and linguistic origins while adding depth to the world's factions and organisations.
A potential gameplay mechanic inspired by sponsor systems, such as those seen in survival competitions (similar to Hunger Games, S.Collins, 2008), could further reinforce the setting's themes. Wealthy patrons or corporate sponsors may influence matches by purchasing supplies, equipment, medical aid, or temporary advantages for competitors. Framed as acts of generosity, these interventions instead highlight the imbalance of power, turning survival into a spectacle where success can be shaped by those with the greatest financial influence.
Player UI in VR/ Game ArenaPhoto: People Playing Football, Photography by Keith Johnston