PLAYBACK

Awarded SwkGDC Game Jam 2026 - Most Memorable Game

What came before becomes what comes next.

PLAYBACK is a short experimental game about the roots of video games. Starting from the simple mechanics of classic arcade games, you’ll journey through different generations of play as each game transforms into the next.

Break bricks.

Defend against invaders.

Grow your snake.

But there’s a catch:

The games don’t simply end. They evolve.

Mechanics, movement, visuals, sound, and even the shape of the screen are carried forward and transformed as you progress. What begins as a simple arcade experience gradually becomes something new — while leaving traces of what came before.

PLAYBACK is our interpretation of the theme “Roots”: not just looking at where video games came from, but exploring how the ideas behind them can grow into something new.

How far can one game evolve?

Controls

Left & Right Arrows

Developed by Pawse

Lead Programmer: Yendhi

Programmer: Arvind

Artist : Maegan