Compassionate Exclusion: An Escape Room | Reception & Panel Discussion

A one-of-a-kind escape room that weaves gameplay with a compelling story of survival and chance.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024

Cost: Pay-as-you-can

Step into the shoes of a family fleeing a fictional war-torn country, navigating bureaucratic hurdles and unpredictable political uncertainty, modeled after the obstacles Afghans faced during the 2021 US-NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. You’ll make critical choices and connect with people outside the room to shape your fate.

Before the game officially launches, join us for the opening reception on Wednesday, December 4th. Enjoy light refreshments and receive a special object that may aid your escape from the game. The event includes a thought-provoking panel, Compassionate Exclusion: Afghan Stories of Seeking Refuge in America. Combining lived experience and professional insight, this conversation features lawyers, scholars, and Afghan refugees as they explore the impacts of U.S. foreign policy on those seeking refuge.

Created by artist Gazelle Samizay with game design and production by Ramsey Nasser, Compassionate Exclusion is supported in part through a San Francisco Arts Commission grant.

Tickets are pay-as-you can. While not mandatory, your donation will be split 50/50: half supporting the continued development of this project, and half benefiting ANAR, an Afghan American women-led non-profit focused on immigration justice, legal services, community education, and advocacy.