Replica of the injector device from the Metro 2033 game (Exodus DLC)
This project is a pneumatic injector inspired by a key moment in Metro Exodus, where survival depends on a single, decisive dose. It was built as an in-world medical device for the StAlkErS live-action roleplay event, designed to sit naturally alongside the decontamination pods and radiation mechanics already in play.
The injector serves a clear gameplay purpose. Players who fail decontamination are not removed from play but restored through a short, physical interaction. A medic applies the injector, a pneumatic whoosh is triggered, LEDs animate the transfer of serum, and the player is returned to full health at a cost. The device becomes a ritual, not a reset button.
From a build perspective, the injector is a hybrid of CAD-designed parts and reclaimed components from earlier projects. An Arduino Nano, DFPlayer, vape battery, NeoPixels, and aluminium tubing were reused to create a compact, self-contained prop that prioritised reliability and speed of construction.
The green serum vials were an experiment in suspended glow-in-the-dark resin, based on in-game references. While visually striking, this proved unnecessary for a daylight environment and introduced long-term material issues, reinforcing a familiar lesson. Effects only matter if players can perceive them.
Despite minor failures, player reception was strong. The injector added authority, tension, and immersion, exactly where it mattered.
A replica of the watch featured in the Metro 2033 video game, created using donor watch and electronics.
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