the infinite game | Persona- New

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The Infinite Game: Research and Proof of Concept

From April to November 2024, Rocío Ayllón, Artistic Director of Persona Collective, led a research project funded by Arts Council England’s DYCP programme, in collaboration with creative technologist Sami Sabik (The LEGO Group). The project explored merging immersive theatre with video game mechanics, focusing on storytelling and audience engagement.

In early November, they showcased The Infinite Game, a multi-location proof of concept in an East London industrial estate. The performance blended gameplay and live theatre, allowing audiences to interact with NPCs, use actionable props, and influence key scenes. An interactive website introduced the story and let audiences select their skills before the show.

The Infinite Game brings the audience inside a distorted reality born from a 1969 experiment gone wrong. Across a malfunctioning industrial estate, characters navigate time loops and psychological manipulation, blurring the lines between simulation and reality. As time, memory, and identity fracture, the audience becomes part of the unfolding mystery.

"...I felt like a kid in a playground. The performance-game offered endless possibilities, inviting me to uncover new characters, hidden clues, and unexpected twists at every turn. It was a world of constant discovery, with each moment revealing something fresh and exciting. The story and the NPCs drew me in, and what stood out most was the strong, compelling narrative that anchored it all. This is definitely YOUR WORK'S SIGNATURE!..."

- Juan Sanchez Plaza

"...The moment I left the first part, after I left the bouncer and the street opened up to reveal the dice-players in the foreground and NPC’s wandering around down the street ahead, gave me a sense of exploration and what was to come. Felt like the classic moment in RPG games where you leave the tutorial area, a dark dungeon or cave, and see the big open world stretched ahead of you. Referencing Oblivion, Elden Ring etc..."

- Sam Harding

"Persona Collective immersive theatre shows, are the most prolific and ambitious projects I have come across in the past few years. 'The Village' , 'The Halfway House' & 'The Candidate' are undeniably pushing the boundaries of experimentation, constantly questioning what live performance means today. Their scenarios are visually and conceptually curated to the minimum detail, and yet they leave space to the audiences to be part of it. I truly believe Persona Collective artistic research will have a big impact on the theatre community and beyond." - Marcela Iriarte Villa Lobos (Curator at Venice Biennale)

"...The scene in the warehouse factory, when the two NPC's investigate a player was fantastic!. It reminded me of the onboarding in 'Far Cry 2', This scene shifted me from everyday thinking to fully immersing in the game. I loved it!..."

- Regan Petrie

"...Receiving quests in letters and engaging with other players trying to figure out what to do next was definitely the highlight of getting immersed in the game..."

- Karolina Burlicowska

"...I felt empowered and free to explore. I felt wonder at the amazing location, the NPC's were incredible. I loved the interactive props, specially the moment I had a conversation with a retro machine!, really would have loved it to go further."

- Brian Schwab

"...The Infinite Game is unlike anything I’ve experienced. As a fan of immersive theatre, it stands out. The characters felt like real video game charcaters The atmosphere was reminiscent of 'Fallout', but with the unique twist of being fully inside that world. I can't wait to see where it goes!..."

- Olivia Rook

Exploring the Intersection of Interactive Storytelling: Video Games and Immersive Theatre.

Picture 1 – 'The Control Room'

Picture 2 - Video Game Intro

Picture 1 – The Control Room at The Infinite Game. "Players" engage in conversations with machines, to uncover new elements of the unfolding narrative.

Picture 2 - Video Game Intro before the performance.

Video 1 - 'Dream-walking scene', audience members with the skill 'Electro-sleep machine' find themselves in a 1960s lab, taking part as scientists in a simulation experiment.

Pick your skill.

Before the performance, the audience receives an introductory video game through a retro-futuristic terminal. A summary of past interactions is given, followed by a dice roll granting each person a skill "super-power" to help them navigate The Infinite Game.

You will need a torch

Video 2 - 'Dream-walking scene'

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"While writing The Infinite Game, I became immersed in the industrial estate environment. As I wandered its streets, capturing images and observing daily life, I noticed a blend of the familiar and the imagined. The industrial sounds, cracked pavement, distant traffic, and trains all revealed new layers of reality, as if the landscape itself invited me to uncover alternate worlds."

- Rocio Ayllon, Artistic Director

Persona Collective seeks to involve local communities, including both amateur and professional performers, in co-creating its shows, while also using buildings and spaces that are either overlooked or at risk of slipping from living memory. Shows and performances are developed using ‘devised theatre’ techniques.