CRUX

“A Dutch high school student receives around 102 grades per year.”

The Dutch education system is highly addicted to grades. Students learn to define themselves by what’s measurable. Grades, rankings and reports become central, while curiosity, intrinsic motivation and non-measurable talents quietly slip to the sidelines.

Crux is a career guidance game (LOB) developed with and for Dutch secondary school students. It offers a playful and unexpected space for reflection, countering the performance-driven culture of education by helping students reconnect with their intrinsic motivations. Rather than asking “What do you want to become?”, Crux asks: “What moved you, and still does?” The game taps into interests and motivations from childhood that still hold value today. Through this self-exploration, students gain insight into what truly drives them beyond grades, peer pressure and expectations from parents or teachers. Crux invites students to reflect not only on future careers, but on the kind of life they want to build. It helps them make choices rooted in authenticity and inner fulfilment instead of external validation. By making space for curiosity and individuality, Crux encourages students to rediscover their own intrinsic drive, creating new perspectives and possibilities based on their inner drive, rather than what their environment or report card says.