The Block Is Hot.

Counter of Sheep is a speculative XR sandbox game where Black youth become architects of the future—designing dream homes that respond to climate threats and cultural memories. Set in a surreal dreamscape recovering from catastrophe, players collaborate with animated guides like the Dream Realtor to reimagine what community, survival, and joy look like when shaped by kids. Blending worldbuilding, storytelling, and interactive design, the game invites players to explore, place, and interact with fantastical homes built from wind, water, memory, and imagination. Through AR-powered gameplay, youth-crafted houses come alive with animation, avatars, and soundscapes, forming an evolving “neighborhood of the future.”

At its core, Counter of Sheep is an educational, justice-driven creative tool disguised as play. Developed through workshops with 5th graders at MLK Elementary, the project transforms student ideas into 3D models, prints them, and brings them into an XR environment powered by Unity. By merging speculative architecture, Afrofuturism, and climate storytelling, the experience centers Black and nonwhite youth as visionaries—using design as both survival and storytelling. The project culminates in a community showcase and immersive installation where homes can be explored physically and digitally, giving families and audiences a glimpse into what it means to build a better world from the ground up.