We Become What We Behold

Social Influence in We Become What We Behold

Observe the powerful cycles of media and public opinion in We Become What We Behold, a highly acclaimed social simulation game created by Nicky Case. The player operates a camera lens, photographing the interactions of simple square and circle characters roaming the screen. By choosing which trends, arguments, or interactions to broadcast on the central television screen, you directly shape the fears, fashion, and future of the society. Anyone looking for a thought-provoking Strateji game will find this short, impactful narrative puzzle to be an unforgettable experience.

Nicky Case's Social Commentary

Released in 2016, We Become What We Behold is a non-partisan critique of news media and viral culture. Nicky Case designed the game as a playable essay, showing how media can amplify division and sensationalism. The game is licensed under CC0 (Creative Commons Zero), making it completely public domain and free to share, embed, and study. Its unique hand-drawn stick-figure art style, combined with dark humor and dynamic feedback, has made it a classic of modern browser-based storytelling.

Camera Mechanics & Cycle Rules

The gameplay is simple yet deep. A crowd of "peeps" (squares and circles) walk around randomly. Some wear hats, some argue, some fall in love. You click and drag to aim your camera, and click to take a photo. If you capture a unique event (like a square shouting at a circle), the photo is displayed on the TV screen. The crowd watches the screen, and their behavior changes based on what they see. Over time, capturing conflict causes the crowd to become suspicious of each other, leading to a dramatic narrative climax.

Symmetrical Story Progression

• Find the Odd One Out: Look for characters who behave differently from the crowd (e.g., a circle wearing a red hat) to spark a new trend.
• Capture Conflict: To progress the story, photograph interactions that involve shouting or arguments. These generate the highest "ratings."
• Watch the Reactions: Pay attention to how the crowd changes their appearance and posture after a photo is broadcasted.
• Follow the Narrative Loop: The game has a fixed path. Focus on capturing the changing social trends to advance the story to its end.

Camera Controls

• Mouse Move / Touch Drag: Pan the camera viewfinder across the screen.
• Left-Click / Tap: Take a photo of the area inside the viewfinder.

Key Game Aspects

• Beautiful hand-drawn minimalist graphics with animated characters.
• Engaging narrative that functions as an interactive essay on media cycles.
• CC0 public domain license, allowing unrestricted embedding and sharing.
• Zero lag, running smoothly in any web browser on desktop and mobile.