In Gamechurch [Cycle I], artist Joscha Steffen delves into the cultural phenomenon of gaming as a platform for connection, collective belief, and transformation. At its core is 2081, a speculative film imagining a future where gaming transcends entertainment, evolving into a central force in society— a shared mythology and a pathway to salvation.

Inspired by the grassroots online movement Gamechurch, while also drawing on the aesthetics of highly acclaimed games like The Legend of Zelda, the work envisions a world where avatars have replaced human identities, and virtual quests dictate the rhythms of existence. Shot during a three-day LARP event in Alsace, France, the film fuses 360-degree visuals with cinematic storytelling, capturing the surreal immersion of living inside a game. It follows three elves and a fortune-teller on a mystical journey to recover sacred objects and avert the collapse of their pixelated utopia.

Steffens’ multimedia installation probes the devotional aspects of gaming culture, likening its rituals and communities to religious movements. Through this lens, Gamechurch [Cycle I] explores how games forge bonds, provide purpose, and cultivate shared values, highlighting the power of gaming not just as a form of play, but as a profound cultural force capable of shaping identity, building solidarity, and offering new narratives for the future.

Text: Elisa Giuliano