Game Changers
Pioneering Climate Activism Through Immersive Storytelling
Introduction
Game Changers was an ambitious, free-to-play interactive show that merged extended reality (XR), live theatre, and gaming to spark collective action around the climate crisis. Produced in collaboration with Megaverse, UKRI, and XR Stories, this ground breaking project invited online audiences into the fictional town of Greenview, where three activists and their AI robot companion, ECO, worked to combat the devastating effects of climate change.
By blending cutting-edge game engine technology, real-time motion capture, and live broadcast techniques, Game Changers redefined immersive entertainment—empowering audiences to shape the narrative and engage directly with characters through chat-based interactions. This initiative not only entertained but also educated and inspired meaningful conversations about sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Project Overview
Concept: A live, interactive performance that combined XR, gaming mechanics, and live theatre to explore themes of climate activism.
Execution: Audiences joined the story as data points for ECO, the AI robot, influencing critical decisions and guiding the activists’ journey.
Technology: Real-time motion capture, 3D environments, and custom virtual camera systems created a cinematic experience streamed directly to viewers.
Impact: Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Game Changers set a new standard for converging theatre, film, and gaming in an immersive format.
Key Features
Interactive Storytelling:
Online audiences played an active role in shaping the narrative, making decisions through live chat that influenced the outcome of the story.
ECO, the AI robot, served as both guide and collaborator, displaying audience input on-screen within the game engine.
Motion Capture Technology:
Actors were fully motion-captured from head to toe, enabling seamless integration of live performances into the digital world of Greenview.
Custom Virtual Camera Systems:
Developed a low-latency virtual camera monitor system, allowing operators to zoom, focus, and switch between multiple viewpoints in real time.
Provided directors with tools like lens data and story steps to deliver a visually dynamic cinematic experience.
Immersive World-Building:
Designed and built 15 unique 3D environments to bring the fictional town of Greenview to life, immersing audiences in a richly detailed world.
Live Broadcast Integration:
The broadcast director could seamlessly switch between seven different viewpoints, ensuring a fluid and engaging visual experience for viewers.
Outcomes & Impact
Audience Engagement: Successfully engaged global audiences in real-time decision-making, fostering a sense of agency and connection to the story.
Climate Conversations: Sparked discussions about climate activism, encouraging participants to reflect on their role in addressing the climate crisis.
Technological Innovation: Demonstrated the potential of XR and live theatre convergence, setting a precedent for future projects in the sector.
Replay Accessibility: Available for replay at playgamechangers.com , extending its reach beyond the initial live event.
Team Behind the Vision
We gave early consultation on integrating XR with live theatre, leveraging expertise in transmedia solutions and immersive experiences.
John Ingle, Toki Allison, Ben Carlin, Emma Nuttall, Hetty Hodgson, Dr. Lynda Dunlop, Zoyander Street: Core team members driving creative and technical innovation.
Collaborators: Partnerships with University of Leeds, AMP Proto, and Pitstop Productions ensured multidisciplinary excellence across sectors.