We Become What We Behold
We Become What We Behold is a five-minute point-and-click game that puts you behind a news camera. A peaceful town square is filled with Circles and Squares. You choose what to photograph. Whatever you broadcast on the central TV shapes what happens next.
Created by Nicky Case and released entirely free under a public domain licence, the game is a sharp, darkly funny commentary on how media and attention cycles turn small differences into full-blown conflict. It has been rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by over 8,000 players on itch.io.
Nicky Case makes all their games free, you can support their work on Patreon.
About
We Become What We Behold is a short experimental HTML5 game created by Nicky Case in 2016. Built in two months, it explores how media and news cycles amplify conflict and shape the way people behave. Nicky Case released the game and all its art and code into the public domain under a Creative Commons Zero licence, meaning it can be freely shared and remixed by anyone.
How to Play
You are a news camera pointed at a town square full of Circles and Squares going about their day. Click to photograph moments and your pictures appear on the central TV screen for everyone to see. Whatever you choose to broadcast influences how all the characters behave. Photograph something calm and life stays peaceful; photograph anger or fear and it begins to spread. You must capture specific moments to advance the story. The whole experience takes around five minutes.
Game details
Tips
- The feedback loop is the game: the more conflict you photograph, the more conflict erupts. Experiment by shooting calm, ordinary moments first to see the difference.
- If the story feels stuck, scan for anything unusual: a new expression, a character behaving differently, or someone wearing something odd. That is usually your next required shot.
- There is only one ending. The game is a piece of commentary, not a puzzle to be optimised. Let it play out and sit with what it shows you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who made We Become What We Behold?
- The game was made by Nicky Case, an independent developer known for free, thought-provoking interactive experiences such as The Evolution of Trust and Adventures with Anxiety. We Become What We Behold was released in 2016.
- How long does it take to finish?
- The game is designed to be completed in around five minutes. It is a short, narrative-driven experience rather than an open-ended game.
- Is We Become What We Behold free to play?
- Yes it is completely free to play in your browser with no download, login, or payment required. Nicky Case released the game and all its assets into the public domain.
- Does the game have multiple endings?
- No. We Become What We Behold has a single scripted ending. The experience is not about choosing an outcome but watching a commentary on a media cycle unfold.
- Can I play on mobile?
- Yes this version of the game has been specially adapted by FreeGames.org to work on mobile under Creative Commons Licensing. Unlike the version widlely distributed around the internet which is playable on PC only.
- What is the message of the game?
- The game is a commentary on how news media and social feedback loops amplify conflict. By choosing what to photograph and broadcast, you shape how an entire society behaves — illustrating the idea that 'we become what we behold'. It is inspired by concepts like yellow journalism and Marshall McLuhan's thinking on media influence.
- Is We Become What We Behold free to play?
- Yes, We Become What We Behold is completely free to play in your browser. No downloads, no sign-up, and no video ads interrupting your game.
- Does We Become What We Behold work on mobile?
- Yes, We Become What We Behold works on desktop, tablet and mobile. Just open it in your browser and play instantly.
- Where can I play We Become What We Behold?
- Right here on FreeGames.org. No installation required, just click play.
- Who made We Become What We Behold?
- We Become What We Behold was developed by Nicky Case and first released in 2016.
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