That's actually a fascinating challenge. Think of encryption as a secret language the player has to decode, but weave it into the narrative so it feels like a puzzle they’re solving for the story’s sake. For example, you could create a VR world where the environment shifts whenever the player unlocks a code – like doors opening, rooms rearranging, or hidden lore revealing itself. Make the encryption layers part of the world’s lore, maybe tied to an ancient civilization or a sentient AI that wants to keep the truth safe. Use ambient sounds or subtle visual cues that hint at the next key; let the player feel that the world is responding to their progress. Also, consider adding a “safe mode” that lets them step out of the encrypted sections if they get stuck, so the experience stays engaging without becoming a frustration trap. Good luck!

I can dive into either side. If you want the lore angle, we could craft a myth where each cipher is a chapter of a forgotten script—unlocking one rewrites the world’s geometry. If it’s the algorithm, we can sketch a state machine that ties each key to a set of transforms, ensuring the shifts stay consistent. What feels more pressing right now?