July 12, 2023 ·

Climate Trail: The International LGBTIQ-friendly Video Game

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The logo of the video game Climate Refugees with the planet and 3 women representing its story.

Greetings, fellow refugees! I am Manolo Suarez, a local protector of nature and a sanctuary for every video game lover. Today, I am here to introduce you to a game that has made me proud of my Andalusian roots – Climate Refugees. This game is not just a thrilling choose-your-path video game, but also a profound allegory about the struggles of being a woman and a non-normative person outside of what is typically known as the first world. It’s a game that mirrors the harsh realities of our world, making it a poignant and impactful experience.

The Power of Collaboration: Creating a Masterpiece

An Impressive Multinational Effort

The lead developer of this gaming masterpiece is The University of Malaga (UMA), with the invaluable assistance of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The development of this game was made possible through the financial support of the European Union and a host of different associations, such as Asociación ALOU and Asociación Libero.

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The People Behind That Tragic Experience

Under the leadership of Antonio J. Fernandez Leiva, from the video game developer studio A Bonfire Souls, as producer and Fernando Blasco Campos as the project promoter, Jimena Yisel Caballero Contreras, from the UNAM, was charged with the difficult task of designing and making the narrative for Climate Refugees. Jimena used as reference the experience of a lot of people around the world and their relatives because most of these people faced the tragic endings available in that unbelievably realistic game. Asociación Libero, the publisher for that game on Google Play, works with real people that survive in their cruel reality, like the protagonists from Climate Refugees.

A Bornfire of Souls Studio´s logo, the developers of the video game Climate Refugees, with the logo being three people representing the souls of the developers being forged on the fire of creating video games.

The Game Experience: A Journey into Inclusivity and Diversity, with a Sour Taste

A Wide Array of Playable Characters

The game begins with a broad selection of playable characters. Recently, Nene, a character from Kiribati, an obscure country in a Pacific archipelago, was added to the roster. All the protagonists are women from all around the world that are forced to migrate by the tragic climatic events in their countries. Your decisions will define their story, you can end up being a hand-crafter in a tiny town, fighting for survival, end up being killed by your beloved relatives or even just end up staying where you started, with a hopeless near future. Following, I will tell some stories from Climate Refugees that really touched me.

Rui from the video game Climate Refugee. In game screenshot when playing her tragic story, starting in Old Fangak, Sudan

Nene’s Story: A Struggle for Survival

Nene is a 14-year-old girl originally from La Matanza, Argentina. She must survive in a country that is has a lot of water, yet paradoxically lacks enough clean drinking water. Forced to leave her homeland, she embarks on a journey to find a better place to live. The choices you make as a player will shape her future, just like with the other available characters. Being so young, in most endings, she ends up losing all her family and friends, being forced to raise herself alone in a wide ocean of desperation.

Nene from the video game Climate Refugee. In game screenshot when selecting her story for playing, starting in Kiribati.

Teresa’s Journey: A Quest for Acceptance

Teresa is a 32-year-old trans woman from San Vicente, El Salvador, who is trying to reach the USA, a country that she perceives as more LGBTI-friendly, in hopes of building a good life. It is really hard for her to reach her goal, since most of the people will try to kill her either for being an immigrant or for being a trans woman, and what is even sadder is that in most endings she will end up being killed in the worst way I have seen playing that game when reaching the USA, by the people that she thought would be her saviors.

Teresa from the video game Climate Refugees. In game screenshot when selecting her story for playing, starting in El Salvador

The Harsh Reality: Tragic Destinies and the Impact of Climate Refugees

In the world of Climate Refugees, the harsh reality is that most of your choices will lead to tragic outcomes for these characters. The game does not shy away from the brutal truths of life, instead, it thrusts them into the spotlight, forcing players to confront them head-on. Characters may face murder, violation, and even worse fates. This is not a game that sugarcoats the truth or offers an escape from reality. Instead, it serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by many in our world today.

The game’s narrative is a mirror to the world we live in, reflecting the struggles of those who are forced to leave their homes due to climate change, political unrest, or societal norms. It’s a game that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life, making it a truly unique and impactful experience. Each character’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, but also a heartbreaking reminder of the injustices that many people face every day.

In real life climate refugees migrating for surviving their country´s flooding like Nene from the video game Climate Refugees.

The game’s creators have meticulously researched and crafted each character’s story, drawing on real-world experiences and events. The result is a narrative that feels painfully real, with characters that players can’t help but empathize with. As players navigate through the game, they are forced to make difficult decisions that can have devastating consequences. The game doesn’t offer easy solutions or happy endings, reflecting the often harsh and unforgiving nature of reality.

But amidst the tragedy and hardship, there is also a message of hope. The game encourages players to think critically about the issues it presents and to consider how they can make a difference in their own lives and communities. It challenges players to not just passively consume the narrative, but to actively engage with it, to question it, and to learn from it.

Turn Down The Heat: Why a 4°C warmer world must be avoided

Explore the profound connection between climate change and poverty in this insightful World Bank report. Discover how inclusive, climate-informed development can mitigate future poverty risks. Understand the urgency of the situation and the steps we can take to make a difference. Ready to delve deeper? Download the Full Report and arm yourself with knowledge today.

Where to Download The Climate Trail

Free Download Available for All Platforms:

https://www.theclimatetrail.com/download

Bonus Information:

Player Reactions and Reviews

Since its release, Climate Refugees has garnered a significant amount of attention and praise from players worldwide. Many have expressed how the game has opened their eyes to the struggles faced by marginalized communities and the impact of climate change. One player noted, “This game is a wake-up call. It’s heartbreaking and eye-opening at the same time. It’s more than just a game; it’s a reality check.”

Educational Impact

The educational potential of Climate Refugees has not gone unnoticed. Several schools and community programs have incorporated the game into their curriculum to help students understand the complex issues of climate change, migration, and societal norms. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with educators praising the game’s ability to engage students in these critical topics.

Future Developments

The creators of Climate Refugees are dedicated to continuing the game’s mission of raising awareness and education. Plans are underway to introduce new characters and scenarios that further explore the impact of climate change and societal issues on different parts of the world.

Climate Refugees is more than just a video game. It’s a tool for education, a platform for awareness, and a mirror to our society. It’s a game that challenges us to think, to empathize, and to understand the world from perspectives that are often overlooked. It’s a game that doesn’t just tell a story, but invites players to become a part of it, to experience the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and tragedies, of its characters.

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So, let’s embark on this journey together, and see the world through the eyes of those who are often forgotten.

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