“Maryam” by Amin Sarabadani
Cardinal Legacy: a tribute game on the brilliant work and life of Maryam Mirzakhani
Cardinal Legacy is a non-commercial tribute video game dedicated to celebrating the brilliant life and work of Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani. This math-based puzzle adventure invites players to solve intricate geometrical challenges that gradually unveil the story of each chapter through a beautifully crafted visual and musical experience.
To deepen the mathematical element, players can summon Al-Khwarizmi—a nod to the father of algebra—to craft custom puzzle pieces by calculating and inputting the correct numerical values required to extract integrals and reveal the missing shapes.
Cardinal Legacy is created by Amir H. Erfani in collaboration with a team of volunteer artists and programmers known as lowpolytechnic(). Recently announced, the game features 12 levels, each representing a chapter from Maryam’s extraordinary journey in mathematics. As players solve puzzles, they unlock each chapter’s narrative, accompanied by original illustrations, animations, and a dedicated soundtrack that enhances the emotional and intellectual experience.
The idea for Cardinal Legacy was inspired by two remarkable works that brought Maryam’s story to new audiences: Maryam’s Magic by Megan Reid, a children’s book, and Secrets of the Surface by George Paul Csicsery, a documentary film. Both works beautifully convey Maryam’s story, and Cardinal Legacy aims to continue that tradition—this time through an interactive medium that blends art, music, and mathematics.
When released, this free game will offer an engaging, educational experience designed for players of all backgrounds, with two levels of difficulty to accommodate both casual and advanced puzzle solvers.
We are incredibly excited to share more from the development process as Cardinal Legacy continues to evolve. You can stay up to date with our progress by visiting the Updates page for news and development insights.
“The Legacy” - by Zed
The Development Team
The designer, Amir H. Erfani, studied mathematics at Tehran Polytechnic University and discovered an intriguing coincidence: all other volunteer members of the team are also alumni of the same university, representing different majors and graduating years. Inspired by this connection, the team created a new take on Tehran Polytechnic’s logo, combined with Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, resulting in the identity lowpolytechnic()—a wordplay that also reads as “Lowpoly Technique,” referencing the art style often used in video games. Both the game’s logo and the team’s logo were designed by the talented artist Omid Sharif, a member of the development team. The talented programmer Leon, known for his work on Helskate, is handling the coding for this project and also contributing to its design.
In addition to the Polytechnic graduates, two exceptionally talented visual artists, Zed and Mahsa, joined the team to craft the game’s stunning visuals. From promotional posters to in-game levels and the opening cinematic—a frame-by-frame 2D animation currently in development—they bring artistry and elegance to every aspect of the game.
We are a team of dedicated and passionate storytellers, united by a single goal: to achieve pure excellence. Our aim is to create a game worthy of a name as remarkable as Maryam Mirzakhani, a true Persian goddess of mathematics.
Photo by Amir H. Erfani - Amsterdam/April 2025
Music of Cardinal Legacy
The Iranian music icon Sogand has graciously allowed us to base the opening cinematic animation on her song Salam. We found both the tone and lyrics perfectly aligned with the visuals we envisioned, and we are deeply grateful for this collaboration. In particular, the line:
"I’ve spread two wings from this side of my shoulder to the other, and reached to levels I could never imagine"
serves as a key moment in the animation, where Maryam grows wings and is immortalized among the stars. We look forward to sharing a teaser of this cinematic moment soon on the Updates page.
In addition to featured music like this, talented pianist Alireza Chamani is composing 12 original pieces, one for each level. Each composition reflects the emotion, rhythm, and narrative of its corresponding chapter. The piano serves as the central instrument, chosen for its ability to create memorable and soothing melodies while providing a flexible base for additional instrumentation.
Among the featured instruments is the Santoor, a traditional Iranian instrument that enriches several levels. Additionally, a full cover of the song Kharazmi by Faramarz Payvar is included as a tribute to the artist and as a thematic complement to the Al-Khwarizmi summon mechanic.
We also plan to incorporate additional featured tracks from artists we admire. Updates and a curated playlist for the game and its levels will be shared as development progresses. Above all, the music is designed to serve the story—because in Cardinal Legacy, the story always comes first.
The Chapters
Cardinal Legacy features 12 chapters, each representing a significant moment in Maryam Mirzakhani’s life and work. From her early years in Tehran, to her migration and ascent to the highest levels of academia, culminating in her historic achievement as the first female recipient of the Fields Medal, and finally to the poignant conclusion of her life and the enduring legacy she left behind—the game invites players to experience her journey in an immersive way.
Each chapter presents a visual mystery, intertwined with geometry and numbers, waiting to be uncovered by the player. The puzzles are familiar in form but require creative thinking to solve. Players can call upon Al-Khwarizmi, the inventor of algebra, to craft custom shapes and assist with tricky solutions. For those who prefer a more casual experience, Story Mode provides hints, allowing players to enjoy the narrative and explore the rich content of each chapter without frustration.
The number 12 is deliberate, symbolizing the 12 hours on a clock and unlocking a 13th “Time” level at the end—a bonus challenge where geometric puzzles intersect with time-based puzzles, rewarding the most curious minds.
The story will initially be available in five languages: English, Farsi, French, Italian, and Japanese. Since the narrative is delivered through text and audio, it can be translated into additional languages in the future. For now, the focus is on high-quality voiceover performances by professional narrators for each language.
Ultimately, storytelling is at the heart of Cardinal Legacy. The game aims to convey Maryam Mirzakhani’s life and achievements in the most beautiful, engaging, and pure form possible.
Get in Touch
Do you have any questions or inquiries? We would love to hear from you. This passion project means a great deal to us, and your feedback or support could be an invaluable boost to our development process.