We Become What We Behold
We Become What We Behold is a short but powerful indie game that explores how media influences society. With simple point-and-click mechanics, the game delivers a deep message about attention, behavior, and the consequences of what we choose to highlight.
WHAT IS WE BECOME WHAT WE BEHOLD?
Released in 2016 by indie developer Nicky Case, We Become What We Behold is a browser-based game that can be completed in just a few minutes. Despite its short length, it leaves a lasting impression by showing how small moments can spiral into larger social reactions.
Players take on the role of a photographer observing a small world populated by simple characters—mainly circles and squares. Your job is to capture “newsworthy” moments and decide what gets shown to everyone else.
GAMEPLAY: CAPTURE, INFLUENCE, AND WATCH THE CHAOS
The core gameplay of We Become What We Behold revolves around a single tool: a camera. You move it around the screen and take photos of different events happening in the crowd.
Each photo you take is instantly broadcast to all characters, influencing how they behave next.
- Capture peaceful moments → the world remains calm
- Capture conflict or unusual behavior → tension begins to grow
- Focus on negativity → chaos spreads rapidly
Over time, your choices create a chain reaction. Small misunderstandings can escalate into widespread fear, hostility, and eventually complete disorder.
The game has no traditional scoring system or levels. Instead, it focuses entirely on cause and effect, showing how repeated exposure to certain “news” shapes collective behavior.
Game Controls
- Mouse Movement: Move the camera
- Left Click: Take a photo
- Click Prompts: Continue the story
Core Message of The Game
We Become What We Behold is not just a game—it’s a reflection of how media works. It demonstrates how focusing on dramatic or negative events can amplify division and create harmful cycles.
The famous line from the game sums it up perfectly:
“We become what we behold. We shape our tools, and then our tools shape us.”
TIPS FOR PLAYERS
- Pay attention to subtle details: Small actions or unusual interactions between characters can have a big impact on how the situation develops.
- Vary the moments you capture: Don’t focus on just one type of scene. Mix between calm, neutral, and chaotic situations to see how each affects the crowd differently.
- Understand the consequences of each photo: Every image you take influences behavior. Tense or negative moments can escalate conflict, while lighter moments may slow things down.
- Think before you click: Timing matters. Waiting for a meaningful or impactful moment can create stronger reactions across the environment.
- Experiment with different approaches: Since the game is short, replay it multiple times and try different strategies to discover new outcomes and reactions.
- Track how the world changes: Observe how earlier choices influence later behavior. The game’s progression is shaped by a chain reaction of your decisions.
- Reflect on the bigger message: Consider how your choices shape what others see and believe—this is key to understanding the deeper meaning behind the game.
