WE BECOME WHAT WE BEHOLD

We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games

About We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games

The human experience is intrinsically linked to the narratives and interactive experiences we engage with. Games, in particular, offer a potent lens through which we perceive the world, shape our understanding of complex systems, and cultivate specific cognitive and emotional responses. We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games, a digital endeavor born from the collaborative spirit of GitLab's open-source community, explores this very concept through an engaging and thought-provoking interactive medium.

The project builds upon the premise of the original "We Become What We Behold," a game designed by Nicky Case. This adaptation leverages the collaborative power of GitLab, allowing developers and enthusiasts to contribute to the game's evolution, offering a testament to the potential of open-source projects to foster creativity, exploration, and social commentary.

Core Gameplay Mechanics and Narrative Structure

At its heart, the gameplay centers on observation and cause-and-effect. Players assume the role of a camera, capturing images of individuals and interactions within a dynamic environment. The captured images are then broadcasted, and the audience reacts, often mirroring the initial observed behaviors, escalating to more intense, and sometimes destructive, interactions. The game's mechanics are deceptively simple, but this simplicity allows for profound exploration of human behaviors, societal dynamics, and the ramifications of information dissemination.

The narrative unfolds organically through the players’ observations and subsequent actions. The game doesn't offer an explicit narrative arc; rather, it presents a series of escalating events triggered by the player's choices of what to record and display. This approach invites critical reflection on how media can shape public perception and influence collective actions. The lack of predetermined storytelling allows for a more visceral and personal experience, where the player becomes an active participant in creating the narrative through their in-game choices.

The Collaborative Development Process and GitLab's Role

The beauty of We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games lies not only in its core gameplay but also in its development process. The project's utilization of GitLab’s platform allows for open collaboration, version control, and continuous integration, fostering a decentralized community where developers and enthusiasts can contribute their skills and ideas.

• Open Source Principles: The very foundation rests upon the principles of open-source software, encouraging transparency, community involvement, and shared ownership.
• Iterative Development: The team uses an agile and iterative development methodology, allowing for continuous refinements and enhancements based on community feedback and user insights.
• Community Contributions: GitLab’s platform allows for individuals to contribute with code, design, and even narrative enhancements, fostering a true collaborative environment.

GitLab's comprehensive suite of tools further enhances the development process, which is essential for maintaining a robust and collaborative environment. From issue tracking and merge requests to version control, GitLab enables seamless collaboration and streamlines the workflow. The platform's integrated CI/CD pipelines enable automated testing and deployment, ensuring that new features are implemented efficiently and reliably.

Exploring Themes of Media, Society, and Human Behavior

The game's central theme revolves around the power of media and its influence on society. By allowing the player to capture and broadcast images, the game directly confronts the player with the role that news, social media, and other communication platforms play in shaping public perception and influencing collective behaviors.

The Cycle of Information:

The cyclical nature of the gameplay directly reflects the cycle of information and its impact on human interactions. Initially, observations start with a neutral behavior, but as the player broadcasts images, the behavior and reactions escalate. This cyclical pattern underscores the power of media to shape narratives, influence public opinion, and potentially amplify societal divisions.

Social Commentary:

We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games serves as a subtle commentary on various societal issues. These include the proliferation of misinformation, the echo chambers created by social media algorithms, and the impact of instant communication on empathy and understanding.

Technical Aspects and Implementation Details

The project implements various programming languages, libraries, and tools to deliver its interactive experience. These elements are essential for creating the gameplay and its functionality.

Programming Languages and Libraries:

• JavaScript: Forms the bedrock of the game's interactive elements, user interface, and animation.
• HTML/CSS: These markup languages are fundamental for designing the game's structure, visual presentation, and user experience.
• Game Engines: The specific game engine utilized can vary, although it's likely that a cross-platform engine would be used to enable play across different devices and platforms.

GitLab CI/CD Pipeline:

The continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline ensures that code changes are regularly integrated, tested, and deployed. This iterative system permits developers to work together more effectively and maintain a stable codebase. The GitLab platform's built-in CI/CD tools permit automating the build, testing, and deployment phases.

Comparisons and Contrasts with the Original Game

The GitLab Games adaptation offers some distinctions from the original "We Become What We Behold." These differences contribute to a fresh approach and improved potential for interaction and community involvement.

Collaborative Development:

The open-source environment of GitLab brings an innovative dimension to development, enabling broad participation by both game developers and enthusiasts. This collaborative atmosphere promotes the incorporation of fresh ideas, game features, and design elements, resulting in a product developed by a larger group.

Open-Source Model:

The original game had a single author, whilst the GitLab version thrives on the open-source ethos. The transparency and cooperation improve the project's growth and adaptability, allowing the project to be improved with contributions from a wide range of individuals.

Interactive Community:

GitLab fosters a robust community where players and developers can engage directly, giving feedback, reporting issues, and suggesting improvements. This interaction fosters a deeper connection between the game and its player base.

The Broader Impact and Future Development

We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games is more than just a digital entertainment experience; it is an example of the potential of open-source projects to tackle creative and insightful concepts. It promotes a variety of educational and cultural advantages.

Educational Value:

The game's exploration of the media's function in society encourages critical thinking and media literacy. It enables players to think critically about the information they consume and the impact it has on their behavior.

Cultural Significance:

The project contributes to a larger conversation on media, society, and human interactions, serving as a thought-provoking piece of digital art. It provokes discussion and reflection on complex societal issues through an interactive medium.

Future Developments:

With the game's open-source architecture, the future is bright. Community members may continue to contribute new content, features, and levels, thereby expanding the game's scope and continuing its evolution. Updates might add new features, improve gameplay, and incorporate even more social commentary.

Conclusion: The Power of Observation and Collective Action

We Become What We Behold - GitLab Games delivers a powerful and insightful experience, inviting players to contemplate the influence of media and its ramifications on society. Through its unique gameplay and open-source collaboration, the project provides an engaging and thought-provoking platform for exploring the complexities of human interactions. The project not only reflects on the world around us but also demonstrates the potential of technology and community to inspire change.