Orwell is a privacy invasion thriller exploring contemporary themes of security, privacy, and our interpretation of online information in a way that only a game can. It has received critical acclaim from players and media worldwide. This talk will explain how we primed the player using mechanics, user interface and words in line with the game’s narrative in order to put them in a state of mind that made the fictional online world feel believable and immersive. It will also explore how repetition and routine in game mechanics can be used as a tool to make story arcs and player choices feel more impactful.