As a digital storyteller and UX researcher, I’ve been drawn to the quiet power of nonverbal expression in games. In this piece, I explore how even a simple animated pig character can carry emotional weight—revealing deeper truths about design ethics, player vulnerability, and the hidden labor behind 'happy' interfaces. Through personal reflection and critical analysis, I ask: who really benefits when we’re told to ‘just enjoy the ride’? Let’s dig beneath the glitter.