We Become What We BeholdPlay We Become What We Behold online. Snap photos for the news and watch how your sensationalized stories shape the crowd in this short, clever game.
We Become What We Behold
We Become What We Behold is a short, impactful point-and-click game created by Nicky Case about the news cycle and how media shapes society. You play as a photographer tasked with capturing moments among a crowd of simple characters (circles and squares). The photos you take are broadcast on a central TV screen, which immediately influences how the characters behave and treat each other.
The game plays out over a quick five-minute session. You start by snapping pictures of harmless trends, like a character wearing a stylish hat, which prompts others to wear hats too. However, you’ll quickly realize that peace and quiet don’t make for good television. To keep the viewers engaged, you must focus your lens on conflict, fear, and anger, watching as your sensationalized news stories spiral into a cycle of hostility among the crowd.
Controls
The game is fully controlled with the mouse:
- Move Mouse: Aim the camera viewfinder.
- Left Click: Snap a picture of a subject within the frame.
Tips for Playing
- Look for the unusual: The television screen wants unique behaviors. Watch the crowd closely for characters doing something different, like a square acting aggressively or someone wearing a hat.
- Follow the crickets: If you take pictures of normal, boring moments, crickets will chirp. This is your cue to look for more dramatic or divisive actions to broadcast.
- It’s about the cycle: Remember that what you broadcast becomes the new normal. If you highlight fear or anger, expect the crowd to adopt those emotions, which will give you even more extreme moments to capture next.