The game for the exhibition “We Capitalists” at the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn was integrated from the very beginning into the exhibition concept and curation. Together with the curator team, Playersjourney developed a physical-digital exhibition game that enabled social interactions and experiences throughout the entire visit.

Initially, we designed so-called “ATMs” that matched the theme of the exhibition, where visitors could recharge their handed-out game devices - in exchange for selling their emotions. An AI system recognized the degree of facially expressed emotions and converted it into a digital “value”. Thus, live-style capitalism, as celebrated on social media, was not only explained but also directly felt.

The received evaluation in the form of the currency “Egos” could now be used at twelve exhibition stations to engage in conversations digitally, make decisions, and thereby obtain a personal, individual capitalist profile. This profile was made tangible at the end of the exhibition in a special VR station, where one's own capitalist spirit was made apparent according to their selection and gameplay behavior during the exhibition.

The overall concept of the game was designed not only to explain but to experience - and to create a lively relationship between the exhibits. In parallel, numerous data related to visitor research were collected, which could be evaluated at the end.

The game was a complete success - despite launching at the beginning of the pandemic - and recorded over 10,000 games played, which translates to at least 15,000 players.