‘beLEAF in yourself’ is a game that challenges the idea of a universal narrative or objective truth. The game encourages the player to think about their self-image-building experience, which is subjective and influenced by their relationship with social media.


The player will move through the game, experiencing different viewpoints and perspectives that parallel the different perceptions that exist of ourselves. They will solve puzzles that will lead the player with their ideas of self-identity and how that changes in both the personal and public, digital and real spaces.






🕹 Play | Mac, Window & Android tablet 

Design Process & Postmortem

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For a more thorough understanding of the design process, game mechanics, and level design, please check the links below.


Game Design Process︎︎︎
Game Page itch.io︎︎︎

Research 

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The game's puzzles explore how social media can shape and alter our sense of self-identity, and the impact this has on our perception of reality. Doing so,the game’s focus on the digital and real spaces highlights the postmodern concern with the blurring of boundaries between reality and simulation and the fragmentation of self in social media. 

There is a tendency in postmodernism to question the boundary between the self (our physical, embodied experience) and the digital world (our online presence, social media, virtual reality, etc.). Postmodernism often explores how technology and media have changed our relationship with reality and how we understand ourselves – Self. In particular, the statement suggests that the digital world has become so integrated into our lives that it can be challenging to separate our sense of self from our online presence.

The game acknowledges the role of social media and digital spaces in shaping our self-identity, and how that identity is constructed and presented to the public, questioning boundaries and the relationship between the self and the digital realm.

Research

The blurring of boundaries between reality and simulation in social media is a phenomenon that has been explored in various fields, including sociology, philosophy, and media studies. In social media, users are able to create and curate their own identities, presenting different versions of themselves to different audiences. This can lead to a blurring of boundaries between the user's offline and online selves, as well as between reality and simulation.

One of the ways in which this blurring of boundaries manifests is through the creation of "lifestyle brands" on social media platforms. Lifestyle brands are identities that are constructed around a particular set of values or interests, and are often promoted through curated images and content. These identities can be highly aspirational, presenting an idealized version of the user's life that may not necessarily reflect their offline reality.

Another way in which the blurring of boundaries occurs is through the use of augmented reality filters and other digital enhancements. These filters can be used to alter the user's appearance, surroundings, or even voice, creating a simulation of reality that may be difficult to distinguish from the actual physical world.

In a postmodern context, the blurring of boundaries between reality and simulation can be seen as a challenge to traditional conceptions of reality and authenticity. Postmodernism emphasizes the idea that reality is constructed through language and culture, and that there is no objective truth that exists outside of these constructions. In this sense, the blurring of boundaries between reality and simulation can be seen as a reflection of postmodern ideas, as users are able to construct their own realities through social media.

While social media can provide opportunities for connection and self-expression, it is important to be mindful of the potential negative consequences of constructing individual realities through these platforms.

What are the negative causations generated from constructing realities through social media?

Firstly, social media can contribute to the creation of echo chambers, where users only engage with content and perspectives that confirm their existing beliefs and values. This can lead to a lack of exposure to alternative viewpoints and reinforcement of existing biases, which can contribute to polarization and intolerance in society.

Secondly, social media can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation, despite providing a constant stream of connection and communication. Studies have shown that excessive social media use can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, as users may feel pressure to present a perfect image of themselves online or may compare themselves unfavorably to others.

Thirdly, social media can contribute to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in traditional sources of information. Because users can create and curate their own realities on social media, it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction, and false information can quickly spread through networks of like-minded users.

Finally, the blurring of boundaries between reality and simulation can contribute to a loss of authenticity and a devaluation of genuine human experiences. As users create idealized versions of themselves online, it can be difficult to maintain a sense of what is truly authentic and valuable in the offline world.

The Fragmentation of Self in Social Media refers to the idea that our sense of self has become fragmented or splintered across various online platforms and social media channels.

The fragmentation of narrative and subjective experiences is common under the name of glocalization. This fact appears when people tend to preserve who they are based on their local specificities (where they come from and what they believe in), and at the same time, attempt to commingle in a world web of relations and cultures. Doing both has given leeway to different shapes of identity fragments and paradoxes.

The game emphasizes that our online presence is not a true representation of our physical self, but rather a constructed image mediated by technology and the norms and values of the platform we use. This questioning of boundaries and the relationship between the self and the digital world challenges traditional notions of identity and reality.

Research

The fragmentation of identity in social media refers to the way in which individuals present different aspects of themselves on different social media platforms, leading to a fragmented sense of self. Each social media platform has its own norms, values, and expectations, which can influence how individuals present themselves online. For example, individuals may present a more polished and professional image on LinkedIn, while presenting a more casual and personal image on Instagram.

This fragmentation of identity can be seen as a response to the complex and sometimes contradictory expectations placed on individuals in the digital age. On the one hand, there is pressure to present an authentic and consistent identity online, as social media is often used for self-expression and self-promotion. On the other hand, there is pressure to conform to the norms and expectations of different social media platforms, which can lead to a fragmented sense of self as individuals present different versions of themselves on different platforms.

Moreover, social media platforms often use algorithms to customize the content that individuals see based on their interests, preferences, and behaviors. This can create a filter bubble, where individuals are only exposed to content that reinforces their existing beliefs and preferences. As a result, individuals may present different versions of themselves to different audiences on social media in order to cater to their interests and preferences.

The fragmentation of identity in social media reflects the complex and often contradictory pressures placed on individuals in the digital age, as they navigate multiple social media platforms and try to present a coherent and authentic identity online while conforming to the norms and expectations of different platforms.

Bibliography

Belamghari, M. (2020). The Fragmentation of Identity Formation in the Age of Glocalization. SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020934877

Boellstorff, T. (2015). Coming of age in Second Life: An anthropologist explores the virtually human. Princeton University Press.

Van Dijck, J. (2013). The culture of connectivity: A critical history of social media. Oxford University Press.

Lovink, G. (2017). Social Media Abyss: Critical Internet Cultures and the Force of Negation. John Wiley & Sons.

Rosen, L. D., Whaling, K., Rab, S., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Is Facebook creating “iDisorders”? The link between clinical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and technology use, attitudes and anxiety. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 1243-1254.

Rosen, L. D., Whaling, K., Rab, S., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). Is Facebook creating “iDisorders”? The link between clinical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and technology use, attitudes and anxiety. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 1243-1254.

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497-529.

Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. et al. Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice. J. technol. behav. sci. 5, 245–257 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00134-x

Mahon, C. M. (2019). The Psychology of Social Media. Routledge.