The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is making its foray into the gaming world with Lili, a video game adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth unlike anything you’ve ever played. In collaboration with New York indie game studio iNK Stories, known for narrative-heavy experiences like Revolution: Black Friday, the RSC is stepping into uncharted territory: blending the Bard’s timeless words with the interactive, cinematic storytelling of modern gaming.
At the heart of this project is Lady Macbeth—here reimagined as “Lili” and played by French-Iranian actress Zar Amir (Holy Spider). Set against the oppressive backdrop of modern Iran, Lili is a noir thriller that weaves Shakespeare’s themes of ambition, morality, and power into a story that feels eerily contemporary. As players, you’ll guide Lady Macbeth’s decisions in a tense environment shaped by authoritarian rule and gender oppression. The witches, some of the most iconic figures from Macbeth, are given a futuristic twist as hackers, adding an innovative layer to this already ambitious reimagining.
The game combines cinematic live-action footage with point-and-click mechanics, a stylistic choice that gives it the feel of an interactive movie. While we know Lili is deep in development with a planned 2025 release, specific platforms remain a mystery. What’s certain is that this isn’t just a game; it’s a bold new way to engage with Shakespeare’s legacy.
Vassiliki Khonsari, co-founder of iNK Stories, described the project as “an inflection point in the depth of expression within commercial video games.” She continued, “Lili transforms one of literature’s darkest and most compelling tales—centered on gender, ambition, fate, and morality—into an immersive, interactive experience.”
This isn’t the first time Shakespeare’s works have crossed into gaming. The documentary Grand Theft Hamlet famously brought the Bard to Grand Theft Auto Online, showcasing how modern media can reimagine centuries-old stories. However, Lili marks the first official video game project by the RSC, an organisation with a rich history of bringing Macbeth to life on stage.
The development team includes some heavy hitters, like Emma Smith, an Oxford Shakespeare academic and RSC board member, who’s guiding the adaptation to ensure the game’s text respects the play’s essence. Meanwhile, RSC co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey explained how centring the story on Lady Macbeth reframes the narrative. “It turns the play’s questions around gender, identity, and power inside out,” they said, adding that gaming has the potential to offer a personal yet communal storytelling experience, much like theatre itself.
With Lili, the RSC isn’t just creating a game; they’re pushing the boundaries of storytelling, proving that Shakespeare’s works are as relevant and adaptable as ever.
FAQs:
Q1: What is Lili, the new video game by the Royal Shakespeare Company?
A: Lili is an interactive thriller noir game inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, centring on Lady Macbeth in a modern Iranian setting.
Q2: Who is developing Lili?
A: The game is a collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company and iNK Stories, an indie studio known for narrative-driven experiences.
Q3: When will Lili be released?
A: The game is currently in development and scheduled for release in 2025, though exact platforms are yet to be announced.
Q4: What makes Lili different from other Shakespeare adaptations?
A: Lili reframes the story by focusing on Lady Macbeth in a contemporary setting, addressing themes of gender, identity, and power through interactive gameplay.
Q5: Who plays Lady Macbeth in Lili?
A: French-Iranian actress Zar Amir (Holy Spider) stars as Lady Macbeth, or “Lili,” in this modern reimagining.
