# Heirloom

> work of electronic literature

**Wikidata**: [Q109713461](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109713461)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/heirloom

## Summary  
*Heirloom* is a work of electronic literature created in 2020 by Abby Sherlock and Kathryn Yu. It is a single-player walking simulator that explores narrative through interactive digital media and is distributed digitally via itch.io.

## Key Facts  
- Title: *Heirloom*  
- Authors: Abby Sherlock, Kathryn Yu  
- Genre: Electronic literature, walking simulator  
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS  
- Publication Date: 2020  
- Distributed By: itch.io  
- Available At: https://kathrynyu.itch.io/heirloom  
- Collections: British Library, UK Web Archive, New Media Writing Prize Special Collection  
- Nominated For: New Media Writing Prize  
- Language: English  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is *Heirloom*?  
A: *Heirloom* is an interactive work of electronic literature released in 2020. It blends storytelling with digital exploration in a single-player walking simulator format.

### Q: Who created *Heirloom*?  
A: The work was co-created by Abby Sherlock and Kathryn Yu.

### Q: Where can I play or access *Heirloom*?  
A: *Heirloom* is available for free on itch.io at https://kathrynyu.itch.io/heirloom. It runs on both Windows and macOS operating systems.

## Why It Matters  
*Heirloom* contributes to the evolving field of electronic literature by merging narrative depth with interactive digital environments. As part of a growing wave of experimental storytelling in games and new media, it exemplifies how contemporary creators use technology to convey personal and cultural memory. Its inclusion in prestigious collections such as the British Library and UK Web Archive underscores its recognition within literary and digital arts communities. Furthermore, its nomination for the New Media Writing Prize highlights its artistic merit and influence among peers in digital humanities and creative computing fields.

## Notable For  
- Being included in the British Library’s digital holdings  
- Nominated for the New Media Writing Prize  
- Built for cross-platform compatibility on Windows and macOS  
- Distributed exclusively through independent platform itch.io  
- Represents collaborative innovation in electronic literature  

## Body  

### Overview  
*Heirloom*, published in 2020, is a single-player interactive narrative experience categorized under electronic literature and the walking simulator genre. Developed collaboratively by Abby Sherlock and Kathryn Yu, the project uses environmental storytelling and minimal interaction to explore themes central to familial legacy and inherited objects.

### Technical Specifications  
The software requires either:
- **Microsoft Windows** (developed since November 20, 1985)  
- **macOS** (launched March 24, 2001)

It is distributed digitally using standard formats compatible with these platforms and hosted via itch.io, which assigns it numeric ID 812903.

### Distribution & Recognition  
- Hosted URL: https://kathrynyu.itch.io/heirloom  
- Digital distribution only  
- Acquired into multiple archival collections including:
  - British Library
  - UK Web Archive
  - New Media Writing Prize Special Collection  
- Officially nominated for the New Media Writing Prize  

### Authorship & Development  
Authors Abby Sherlock and Kathryn Yu designed *Heirloom* as an experiment in blending poetic narrative with accessible interactivity. The piece reflects broader trends in indie game development and digital fiction, emphasizing atmosphere over mechanics.

### Cultural Impact  
As part of the global movement toward recognizing digital narratives as legitimate forms of literature, *Heirloom* has been preserved in national archives and recognized by critics and scholars alike. Its presence in curated collections affirms its status as culturally significant within the domain of new media writing.