Chao Bing: A Read-Only Memory Experience

Play on itch.io

Chao Bing: A Read-Only Memory Experience is an interactive memoir in the style of a 90s CD-ROM storybook game.

The game features narrated storybook scenes and mini-games based on moments from my childhood to tell a larger story about time, memory, and transformation. Chao Bing is a game––and also about the performative and poetic act of making a game.

This project currently takes place as a web-based game in the form of an in-progress demo on itch.io, but also has been presented in a exhibition format, and later as a live-performance.

I'm looking to share this work in more settings and formats–via gallery installations, game fairs, writing and publication, artist talks, or live-performance readings and more. If this interests you, please reach out!

Gameplay

Exhibition

I exhibited Chao Bing as part of the Art & Code group exhibition at Dunkunsthalle (an art gallery out of a former Dunkin Donuts) during NEW INC's DEMO2023 Festival. To adapt the game to be suitable for exhibition, I displayed a playable demo of the game in a Raspberry Pi computer in kiosk mode and connected it to an early 2000s monitor--all within my "childhood bedroom".

Photography by Isaiah Winters

Acknowledgements

I'm so thankful for the friends and mentors who have seen me through making this piece and/or given me critical feedback and support. Special thanks to NEW INC for supporting this project!