We Become What We Behold

We Become What We Behold is a short, memorable point-and-click experience about how “the news” is made. You play as a photographer documenting the daily life of simple shapes—Squares and Circles—and your job is to decide what becomes a headline. In only a few minutes, the game shows how selective framing can turn harmless moments into fear, outrage, and group conflict.

Instead of long tutorials or complex controls, the game focuses on one idea: what you choose to capture (and what you ignore) changes what people notice, talk about, and eventually do. It’s a compact story game with a clear message about media, attention, and the feedback loop of social platforms.

How the camera changes the world

Your camera is the main tool and the main “power.” You move the viewfinder around the scene and take photos when something interesting happens. After you publish an image, the crowd reacts—often strongly—and that reaction creates new situations worth photographing. This creates a cycle where the environment becomes shaped by what you repeatedly highlight.

• Move the camera by dragging the viewfinder to follow characters and moments.
• Take a photo with a click/tap when a scene is framed the way you want.
• Look for unique events—the game rewards you for capturing moments that stand out.

Early on, you’ll see small misunderstandings between a Circle and a Square. If you repeatedly spotlight certain kinds of moments, tension rises across the whole crowd. The point isn’t speed or high score—it’s watching cause and effect play out in real time.

What makes it different

Even though it’s simple to play, We Become What We Behold has several design choices that make it feel sharp and personal:

• Point-and-click storytelling: You don’t control the characters directly; you influence them through attention.
• Framing as a mechanic: The “news” is whatever fits in your lens, which makes your choices feel responsible.
• Fast, focused pacing: The full arc is built for a single sitting, making the message hit without filler.
• Social commentary: The game reflects how sensational stories can magnify minor differences into hostility.
• Simple visuals, big reactions: Minimalist shapes communicate surprisingly complex emotions and group behavior.

Tips to get better photos (and see more outcomes)

• Follow movement patterns: If you keep an eye on the crowd flow, you’ll be ready when unusual interactions start.
• Wait for a clear moment: A photo works best when the event is obvious and centered in the frame.
• Seek variety: Capturing different situations helps push the story forward instead of repeating the same beat.
• Watch how people respond: The crowd’s reaction is your clue for what will happen next—and what the game is trying to teach.
• Experiment with your focus: Try highlighting different kinds of scenes in different playthroughs to feel how quickly the mood can shift.

Platform and controls

FAQ

Is We Become What We Behold a horror game?

It isn’t traditional horror, but it can feel disturbing because it shows how quickly a community can spiral into fear and aggression.

How long does it take to finish?

Most players complete it in around five minutes, making it ideal for a single quick session.

Do my choices actually change what happens?

Yes. The moments you photograph influence the crowd’s behavior and escalate (or shape) the tone of the story.

Is it hard to play?

No. The controls are simple point-and-click, and the challenge is more about observation and decision-making than reflexes.

Who created the game?

The game was created by Nicky Case, known for interactive stories and games that explore social systems and behavior.