In LUMEN, illumination is not just atmosphere. It is a resource that changes what a player knows about the world.
See more, spend more
Expanding light reveals the path and its hazards but asks the player to manage a limited resource. Releasing the input changes the trade-off.
Show the rule through the world
A light radius can communicate information without a paragraph of instructions. The environment becomes part of the interface.
Make darkness understandable
Mystery works when the player believes the system is fair. A strong visual language distinguishes uncertainty from illegibility.
The world can teach the rule when the player sees the consequence of using light.
Small studio / Bigger worlds
