Unsettled is an immigration-themed card game developed by Legal Alien Games in 2025. The game was designed to put players in the shoes of new immigrants trying to navigate life in the United States. Through a mix of resource management, opportunity cards, and milestone achievements, players experience the emotional and strategic complexity of building a new life in a system that can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. The client aimed to create a game that balanced humor and empathy, using gameplay to shed light on the bureaucratic and personal challenges faced by immigrants. I was brought on to lead the visual development, which included designing the Legal Alien Games brand identity, the card layouts, icons, rulebook, packaging, merch, and overall brand identity of the game. The art direction focused on a playful yet grounded aesthetic that would support the game’s themes without diminishing their seriousness.

After initial testing and development, the company ultimately chose to step away from the project due to increasing concerns around creative expression and free speech in the shifting political landscape. The LLC has since closed, and while the game never entered full production, the project stands as a meaningful exploration of socially conscious design, world-building, and storytelling through interactive media.