The Book of Distance
Released Oct 2020
In 1935, Yonezo Okita left his home in Japan and began a new life in Canada. Then war and state-sanctioned racism changed everything—he became the enemy. His grandson leads us on an interactive virtual pilgrimage through an emotional geography of immigration and family to recover what was lost.
96% positive · 189 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
The Book of Distance is a narrative VR experience released on October 8, 2020 by the National Film Board of Canada. The store description presents it as a complete, self-contained interactive story — a personal family narrative following one family's journey across generations. There is no indication of episodic structure, DLC, expansions, or post-launch content of any kind. The developer has made no news posts since launch, and no announcements of future content have been made. This is consistent with a finished artistic work that shipped complete on release day, much like a film. No DLC has been listed, no roadmap has been published, and the developer has not signaled any intent to extend the experience beyond what shipped.
Evidence
Store description presents The Book of Distance as a complete, self-contained interactive narrative experience with no mention of episodic content, DLC, or ongoing updates.
Short description reinforces the game as a finished personal story — no language suggesting ongoing content or future additions.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Astrea
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player
About this game
In 1935, Yonezo Okita left his home in Hiroshima, Japan, and began a new life in Canada. Then war and state-sanctioned racism changed everything—he became the enemy. Three generations later, his grandson, artist Randall Okita, leads us on an interactive virtual pilgrimage through an emotional geography of immigration and family to recover what was lost.
The Book of Distance blends techniques from mechanical sculpture, film, and stage to redefine personal storytelling in virtual reality. Family archives add a haunting layer of realism. 2D and 3D hand-crafted sets reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints, evocative character design, and seamless choreography combine with surprising moments of interaction to gently whisk us across the ocean and through the years.
Okita invites us to participate in this generous act of imagination: a space of magical theatre and generational echoes. He never strays too far from our side as we move through the story’s darker moments.
The Book of Distance blends techniques from mechanical sculpture, film, and stage to redefine personal storytelling in virtual reality. Family archives add a haunting layer of realism. 2D and 3D hand-crafted sets reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints, evocative character design, and seamless choreography combine with surprising moments of interaction to gently whisk us across the ocean and through the years.
Okita invites us to participate in this generous act of imagination: a space of magical theatre and generational echoes. He never strays too far from our side as we move through the story’s darker moments.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 25, 2026
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