The line between gaming and live performance art was blurred in an immersive, crowd-sourced experience at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre. Asses.Masses, a thought-provoking game that explores themes of collective action, industrialisation, and labour politics, transformed the traditional video game experience into a captivating performance art event.
By combining elements of gameplay with audience participation and social interaction, this unique piece of interactive storytelling created an unforgettable atmosphere in which 70 people engaged for over eight hours. The live setting added depth to the game's narrative and challenges, heightening the emotional stakes and fostering connections among players.
The game's creators cleverly designed the experience so that each participant became the avatar of the crowd, leading to diverse perspectives and a collective sense of accomplishment. Players had to work together to progress through 10 chapters, each tackling complex issues in an entertaining manner. While some participants found it overwhelming at times, the experience ultimately offered a cathartic release.
A key aspect of Asses.Masses was its ability to bring people together in a shared space. This collective participation elevated the game from a solo experience into something more profound and meaningful. As the audience shouted advice, debated ideas, and laughed, the sense of camaraderie grew stronger with each passing hour.
The performance also drew parallels with real-life union or labour organiser struggles where group decisions can be challenging to make due to diverse opinions. This resonated deeply with some participants who likened it to managing a large membership base.
However, there were instances when the game felt more like a live Twitch stream than an active collective experience. Despite this, Asses.Masses demonstrated that video games can indeed become pieces of performance art when combined with mass participation and crowd dynamics – a phenomenon familiar in multiplayer games but less so among traditional theatre performances.
Overall, this innovative project has proven that video games can be reimagined as powerful tools for sparking conversation and fostering connections.
By combining elements of gameplay with audience participation and social interaction, this unique piece of interactive storytelling created an unforgettable atmosphere in which 70 people engaged for over eight hours. The live setting added depth to the game's narrative and challenges, heightening the emotional stakes and fostering connections among players.
The game's creators cleverly designed the experience so that each participant became the avatar of the crowd, leading to diverse perspectives and a collective sense of accomplishment. Players had to work together to progress through 10 chapters, each tackling complex issues in an entertaining manner. While some participants found it overwhelming at times, the experience ultimately offered a cathartic release.
A key aspect of Asses.Masses was its ability to bring people together in a shared space. This collective participation elevated the game from a solo experience into something more profound and meaningful. As the audience shouted advice, debated ideas, and laughed, the sense of camaraderie grew stronger with each passing hour.
The performance also drew parallels with real-life union or labour organiser struggles where group decisions can be challenging to make due to diverse opinions. This resonated deeply with some participants who likened it to managing a large membership base.
However, there were instances when the game felt more like a live Twitch stream than an active collective experience. Despite this, Asses.Masses demonstrated that video games can indeed become pieces of performance art when combined with mass participation and crowd dynamics – a phenomenon familiar in multiplayer games but less so among traditional theatre performances.
Overall, this innovative project has proven that video games can be reimagined as powerful tools for sparking conversation and fostering connections.
I mean, 70 people playing a game for 8 hours? That's commitment! But for real though, it just goes to show how far gaming has come. It's no longer just about solo play, but about creating experiences that bring people together. The fact that the game tackles tough issues like industrialisation and labour politics is really cool, but what I love is how it makes you think about collective action 
