# Please, Touch The Artwork

> 2022 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q112409167](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112409167)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/please-touch-the-artwork

## Summary
**Please, Touch The Artwork** is a 2022 indie art game developed and published by Thomas Waterzooi. Centered on the abstract works of Piet Mondrian, the game translates fine art into an interactive single-player puzzle experience.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** January 26, 2022
- **Developer & Publisher:** Thomas Waterzooi
- **Main Subject:** Piet Mondrian
- **Genre:** Art game, Indie game
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS
- **Software Engine:** Unity (Q63966)
- **Critical Reception:** 82/100 OpenCritic Top Critic Average (as of December 2022)
- **Country of Origin:** Belgium
- **Game Mode:** Single-player

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary objective of Please, Touch The Artwork?
A: It is an art-focused puzzle game where players interact with the abstract paintings of Piet Mondrian. Unlike traditional galleries where touching art is forbidden, the game requires players to "touch" and manipulate the artwork to progress.

### Q: What platforms support the game?
A: The game is available on desktop via Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is also available on mobile and tablet devices through iOS and iPadOS.

### Q: Has the game won any awards?
A: The game was a finalist for the **Apple Design Award for Delight and Fun** in 2022. It also maintains high critical standing with a 77% "Critics Recommend" rating on OpenCritic.

### Q: Who developed the game?
A: The game was created by Belgian developer Thomas Waterzooi. It was produced as an indie project and is distributed digitally across several storefronts.

## Why It Matters
*Please, Touch The Artwork* serves as a significant intersection between art history and interactive entertainment. By utilizing the works of Piet Mondrian as its core subject, it introduces abstract modern art to a gaming audience through tactile, logic-based puzzles. The project is notable for its high production standards in the indie space, earning a nomination for the 2022 Apple Design Awards. 

The game’s existence highlights a growing trend of "art games" that prioritize aesthetic education and relaxation over traditional high-intensity gameplay. Its availability in ten different languages—including English, Japanese, and Dutch—and its support for five distinct operating systems demonstrate a commitment to broad accessibility for a global audience.

## Notable For
- **Artistic Subject Matter:** Specifically focuses on the geometric and abstract style of Piet Mondrian.
- **Award Recognition:** Nominated for the Apple Design Award for Delight and Fun (2022).
- **Broad Language Support:** Localized into 10 languages, including French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** Distributed across major digital platforms including Steam, itch.io, the Apple App Store, and Google Play.

## Body

### Development and Technical Profile
*Please, Touch The Artwork* was developed in Belgium by Thomas Waterzooi using the Unity software engine. The game was released on January 26, 2022. It is designed as a single-player experience and is classified under the "art game" and "indie game" genres.

### Platform Availability
The game supports a wide range of operating systems:
- **Desktop:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- **Mobile/Tablet:** iOS and iPadOS (which branched from iOS in 2019).
Digital distribution is handled through Steam (App ID: 1097100), itch.io, the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store.

### Critical Reception
As of late 2022, the game received positive critical feedback:
- **OpenCritic Top Critic Average:** 82/100.
- **Critics Recommend:** 77%.
- **Review Count:** Data based on 14 critic reviews.

### Subject and Legacy
The game's main subject is the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, known for his contribution to abstract art. The game is followed by a sequel, *Please, Touch The Artwork 2*, which continues the developer's exploration of interactive art history.

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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "VideoGame",
  "name": "Please, Touch The Artwork",
  "description": "A 2022 art-focused puzzle game centered on the works of Piet Mondrian.",
  "url": "https://www.studiowaterzooi.com",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112409167"],
  "gamePlatform": [
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  "author": {
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  "genre": "art game",
  "datePublished": "2022-01-26",
  "gameItem": "single-player video game"
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## References

1. Steam
2. [James Ensors meesterwerken nu ook als videogame. Krant van West-Vlaanderen. 2024](https://kw.be/nieuws/cultuur/james-ensors-meesterwerken-nu-ook-als-videogame/)
3. Mod DB
4. OpenCritic
5. [Apple Announces Apple Design Awards Finalists Ahead of WWDC 2022. 2022](https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/31/apple-design-award-finalists-wwdc-2022/)
6. RAWG
7. GameSpot