There's no denying that bullying is a rather large and long-lasting problem. It is quite possible that will never be solved--but that doesn't stop some brave people from get up and try.
One such group is a Sydney-based global development studio called TAPRR, and the method has the potential to accomplish much. The team is making a game called SumoBoy--on the surface, a fun adventure game about a boy rescuing a magical world, but dig a little deeper and the game will deliver, the team hopes, a powerful anti-bullying message, with the help of anti-bullying advocates as spoken-word poet Shane Koyczan, who has written and voice narration of the game, and anti-bullying organization Angels purpose.
"The whole team of TAPRR have been victims of bullying (including myself) and something that is only just beginning to happen in video games now is that games developers as a tool used to send a message; think the last one of us with a female (Ellie) is the main character, "producer Rob Salha told CNET. "We wanted to do the same thing (a positive signal) and not only produce a fun game but a game that made you think after you had put down the controller."
The game, which has been in development for a year, centers around Oji, a floating boy who routinely bullied in school, but still manages to remain friendly and compassionate. One day he discovers that his mother is the Princess of the elements, Kesa, from the magical land of Seishin-and that his homeland is in danger. KESA has kidnapped and held captive by Kurai Kami, and it's up to Oji rescue Seishin using his powers Sumo and his Blade of balance.
It is a well known story for video games--well, it works--and the style is a rather richly colored isometric world, but it's not, Salha clarified, your standard hack-n-slash, instead it is rooted in the personal experiences of the team of bullying, such as those of the game lead designer, Henry Walsh.
"It's stories like this that really fuel us to try to give people a voice, as cliché as that sounds," said Salha. "Also, we know how sensitive now bullying is and it is a great challenge to this topic in a video game ... balance but it is a challenge that we are willing to accept. We know that we're going to spark debate and that is a good thing. Even reading some of the comments sections of where our article was posted, there seems to be a misunderstanding of what bullying really is. "
And that is what SumoBoy wants to change--although one could argue that a video game that involves the use of violence to defeat enemies may not be the best way to send that message.
The team, however, has thought of that too.
"The game Is the message that fighting back the solution to bullying is? In a short answer, no, "Salha explained."However by the game, Oji enemies fight, not one of the ' bullies ' in the game is actually defeated by the fighting. There seems to be a misconception regarding the trailer and the scene of the bullies run in demons. In the game, then he does not fight the bullies demons that Oji. Oji travels to the spirit world in the game and fight evil spirits. Without too much away, the monstrous bullies in the trailer are part of an illusion, like a dream sequence. "
TAPRR
In fact, Salha, worked out, not a single one of the game's boss bullies can be extracted by the fighting.
"An enemy, for example, in the realm of Water is a giant catfish spirit, the spirit is creating earthquakes that threaten a village," he said. "This boss can not be overcome by force. It is too big and too powerful. Instead, Oji must find another way, and he learns that the "Bully" actually causes problems because Kurai Kami's henchmen have taken over her nest. This is a metaphor indicating that sometimes bullies not bad people, they are problems and only lashing out. "
And the star of the game, while Oji Kickstarter campaign, the game will have much more to offer, with Salha hinting at, but does not confirm, cooperative multiplayer.
"We really had to hold ourselves back with our trailer," he said. "We have so much more to say and show, but we wanted to introduce Oji first."
You can support the project and a copy of the game for PC, Mac, Linux and mobile for a minimum commitment of AU $ 12 on kickstarter. Head over to the SumoBoy Kickstarter campaign to check it out.
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