LIKE
Like is an experimental video game merging documentary live footage and a playable, digital environment. The installation includes an embroidered couch, keyboard, and gamepad. Its narrative world emerges from Basically, focusing on the “coming-of-age” years and the educational institution; the ecstasy of exercising our agency and the horrors of self-consciousness, self-criticality, and navigating social expectations.
The game touches on a shared, yet unromanticized nostalgia, the grit and the mania; the desperate acts of teen survival; an assertion of self through play, both mean and harmless. The intention of this work is to incorporate the visitor into shared reflection through game play.
The viewer / player follows six characters that are the digital twins of the real-life performers through non-linear, interactive storytelling that alternates live-action footage, dialogue, voice-over, mini-games and exploration. As they are watching the characters move through different actions including dance phrases, guitar compositions, napping, snacking, dealing cards, and conversing, the viewer can experience a switch and be dropped into the playable, 3D landscape. Here they can navigate the Basically world and shape the unfolding of the story by taking the role of one of the characters through an avatar and influencing their decision making.
Credits
End credits
Created by Nikima Jagudajev Producer Salomon Leonard Poutsma Technical director Julie Kern Donck Cast Amina Szecsödy, Laura Stellacci, Lester St. Louis, Louise Trueheart, Samuel Baidoo and Yoh Morishita The Dealer Yevheniya Kravets (Євгенія Кравець) Supporting cast Maria Muehombo, Salomon Leonard Poutsma, Lara Dâmaso, nick von kleist, Matilda Cobanli, Mona Namér, Camilla Schielin, Ama Kyei, Martín Zícari, Shelmith Øseth, Ezra Fieremans, Lucas Lopes Pereira, Jordan Balaber, Emmanuel Edoror, Ellen Söderhult, Vilja Mihalovsky and Ashley Morgan
Game development
Director Nikima Jagudajev Technical director Julie Kern Donck Digital artist Joanna Zabielska Game design Nikima Jagudajev and Julie Kern Donck Lead developer Pepijn Willekens 3D Character modelling Julie Kern Donck, Stéphane Martin and Joanna Zabielska Narrative design Nikima Jagudajev UI design Julie Kern Donck Additional technical artist Ricardo Gomes Choreography Nikima Jagudajev Sound design & game mix Salomon Leonard Poutsma Score Jordan Balaber, Maria Muehombo and Lester St. Louis Score mix Chris Pawlusek
Live action episodes
Director of photography Nikima Jagudajev and Salomon Leonard Poutsma Additional camera operators Yevheniya Kravets (Євгенія Кравець) and Yoh Morishita Additional photography Matti Aikio Supervising editor & conform Salomon Leonard Poutsma Editor “Samuel” Judy Landkammer Editor “Amina” Omar Chowdhury Editor “Lester” Saye Oyama Editor “Louise” Shaina Lee Yang (楊力璇) Editor “Yoh” Aay Liparoto Editor “Laura” Thea Mendez Okkelmo Colorist & Master Lennert De Taeye Re-recording mixer Yves De Mey Additional score Maria Muehombo, Jordan Balaber, Lester St. Louis, Salomon Leonard Poutsma and Nikima Jagudajev Original score mix & master Chris Pawlusek End credits animator Janne Eldegard
Production
Produced by Scuola Piccola Zattere and Hiros vzw Supporting producer Escautville
Special thanks to
The curators of Basically : Martín Zícari, Marianne Dobner and mumok (2024), Helena Kritis and WIELS (2023), Michelangelo Miccolis and Shedhalle (2021-22), Theresa Roessler and Westfälischer Kunstverein (2025), Scott Elliott and Bergen Kunsthall (2020-21), Richard Julin, Therese Kellner and Stockholm University-Accelerator (2024), Diana Campbell and Dhaka Art Summit (2023), Lisa Wiegel and De Brakke Grond (2024), Irene Calderoni and Scuola Piccola Zattere (2025), Jonna Strandberg and Kiasma (2025), Irene Campolmi and Enter Art Fair (2023), workspacebrussels and Games.brussels
Sébastien Le Touze, Bård Aarvik, Laurel Atwell, Emmanuel Diela Nkita, Nimia Gracious, Minna Kaaronen, Julie Silset, Magnus Håland Sunde, Gry Tingskog, Alexandra Tveit, Marie Ursin, Nikoline Ursin Erichsen, Amalia Wiatr Lewis, June Jenkins, Zöe Field, Ayomoy Arrono, Sanne Dodier, Nina Emge, Olivia Erlanger, Che Go Eun, Polina Filipova, Padyn Humble, Melanie Matthieu, Abigail McNamara, Hana Miletić, Ra Tack, Wes Taylor, Maïra Villena, Petra Webb, Marcella Ruiz Cruz, Stine Sampers and Thomas Waterzooi
Based on Basically by Nikima Jagudajev