ItвЂ™s not only influencers one gets in touch with, as there are other contacts, the most important one being detective Murilo from the Department of Obscure Phenomena (short: D.O.O.P.) who helps out in the investigation. As browsing through social media channels with new posts and comments is sometimes crucial to discovering clues, one soon understands how these people work in the influencer scene/business, making them memorable and annoying at the same time. Unfortunately, the focus on the вЂњsocial media/influencers are badвЂќ idea becomes rather preachy and tiresome after a while.

Even personal life stories turn out to be fabrications to sell more, as being online 24/7 and coping with the pressure of meeting expectations of fans has an effect on each influencerвЂ™s psyche and private life. With people buying products or attending motivational seminars becoming sick or losing money, itвЂ™s a tough business. Making people buy in vegan life styles, promoting cosmetics, or giving motivational speeches are all ways for them to stay relevant in the ever-changing world of social media where likes and followers can turn into haters and trolls. The sequel takes this one step further by showing a world in which Maya was part of a group of influencers who all have their agendas: Some are in it for money, while others want to express their feelings or crave for acceptance and recognition. The first game already dealt with social media in the way how people present themselves and how they interact, questioning the way how trustworthy these virtual personas are.

(Malaysia 2017, developer/publisher: Kaigan Games, platforms: PC, iOS, Android)ДЄ reporter/rookie detective is given the smartphone of influencer Maya Crane who died a mysterious death, only to find out that thereвЂ™s much more at stake in the social media world than likes and followers. Kaigan GamesвЂ narrative thriller Simulacra 2 brings even more social media horror in smartphone form.

Different endings for simulacra 2