Goliath: Playing with Reality

About

Release date

September 9, 2021

Publisher

Anagram, Floréal

Through mind-bending animation, GOLIATH: PLAYING WITH REALITY explores the limits of reality and a true story of so-called ‘schizophrenia’ and the power of gaming communities. Echo (Tilda Swinton) guides you through the many realities of Goliath, a man who spent years isolated in psychiatric institutions but finds connection in multiplayer games. Combining heartfelt dialogue, mesmerising visuals and symbolic interactions, weave through multiple worlds to uncover Goliath’s poignant story.

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Work at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and nominated for an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Interactive Media Innovation category.

Created by the award-winning creative studio Anagram.

*Please note, you will be required to use your microphone during this experience.

**For users who have trouble leaving the room in the sequences on the arcade machine, please use the thumb-stick to move out the door. The door is not visible when seated.

UPDATE (SEPT 2024) 🚀

Impulse, Playing with Reality, the second instalment of the Playing with Reality collection and winner of Venice Achievement Prize at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024), is available on the Meta Quest store—search 'Impulse' or visit: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/impulse-playing-with-reality/6468391126573976/

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Ratings & reviews

4.35

1,003 ratings

Oculus rating

Updates

If you liked Goliath, we'd love for you to experience the next instalment: Impulse: Playing with Reality!

September 10, 2024

Hello Goliath gang—we have some news! Three years ago, we introduced you to Goliath, the first installment of the Playing with Reality collection. Since then, we’ve taken it on a global tour and thoroughly enjoyed all of your comments, both online and offline. Now, we’re excited for you to take a…

Player reviews

AtherisMessorem

February 4, 2022

5/5

Great game, just pay attention.

I went into this experience completely blind because it was free and I thought the title looked nice. However once I was actually in the game I experienced something I never really thought I wanted. It is a truly wonderful experience and I would recommend it to anyone. The only caution I give is that when you’re playing this experience you should play it when you actually have time to ‘PLAY’ it. There a lots of small details that I’m sure many people wouldn’t mind missing, but I do think many people would enjoy to find. You should also make sure to pay attention to the story as the actual story itself is (and not to sound like a broken record here) a really really good and compelling story. TLDR story is really compelling and good but you need to pay attention in order to not miss things.

1303 found this helpful

Sukisue

November 17, 2021

5/5

Epic!

Anyone working in the Medical Industry, Mental Health or as a Support Worker should watch this. The concept of playing a game within a film is just brilliant. The film captures your heart, it’s a roller coaster of emotion encapsulated in a kaleidoscope of colour. I can hear the VR world clapping, and see the salutes as I am reading the comments. More please ❤️💫

168 found this helpful

schizofilmic

September 14, 2021

5/5

Mind-Blowing schizophrenia experience!

As a paranoid schizophrenic it's like you took the game right out of my mind. Thank you Oculus for the experience that you have given the game players on Oculus for them to have more sympathy and understanding towards schizophrenics. As for me it can be hard to see people are good because it seems like they are showing me a double-blinded schizophrenia message, "The child received two opposing messages from the parent and, thus, was in a double-blind. For example, a parent might say, 'come here and give me a hug' and, when the child responded, the parent would push the child away. The child would then feel that pleasing the parent was an impossible 'no-win' situation and would develop schizophrenia in response to psychological blind" (ref. Movies & Mental Illness' book on page 130 that pertains to SCHIZOPHRENIA & DELUSIONAL DISORDER). Yet, gaming on Oculus has really made a difference to help me connect with people and the world that's a challenge for me to face as a result of the illness as this app will open also help others who are suffering with the illness to rediscover themselves and ways to recover and walk in victory over it. I love the app and it's worth a more than once play. THANK YOU OCULUS AND MY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU FOR DOING MUCH GOOD WITH OCULUS!!!!

141 found this helpful

sqsqs

January 10, 2022

4/5

Interesting

It's an interesting experience, glad I did it. But one thing could use a tweak. I nearly missed out because I said no/remember to the perm for record audio - at that point the game completely locked up even after restart. I took the effort to turn it back on in settings but most wouldn't - suggest a prompt if denied with the option to just use some generic audio instead.

98 found this helpful

ImLagg

May 9, 2022

5/5

A new form of art

Going into this I had a vague idea of what was in store, but the experience was beyond what I had expected. I won't spoil it for those who read reviews before getting something (even if it is free), but this is one of the best things I have experienced. Feeling the emotion in his voice and seeing everything as he did was instantly impactful. I honestly cried

79 found this helpful

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