A previously unknown British political faction, UJIP, have claimed responsibility for a recent break-in at the campaign headquarters of time-traveling rabbit and London mayoral candidate BunnyLord. In addition to the theft of sensitive campaign information, the political group has also posted a cracked, defaced version of BunnyLord’s upcoming videogame, Not A Hero. This illegally distributed version of the game contains strong anti-BunnyLord imagery and sentiments and is freely available on the UJIP's website and – inexplicably – on Steam. Even in Australia.
Also, the Steam page was defaced so maybe this is a marketing stunt. Suspicious to say the least as the politically motivated developers at Roll7 and the policy-wielding executives at Devolver Digital have opened preorders for Not A Hero which yields a 10% off discount and a free download of Roll7’s award-winning skateboarding opus, OlliOlli.
Not a Hero features a time-travelling purple rabbit attempting to become elected mayor, and has received considerable backlash for its criticism of political systems and its satirical take of democratic elections in the Great Britain. An unrepeatable Google search unveils that the UJIP has been campaigning to have the game banned and recently staged a sit-in at the various global offices of Devolver Digital, Not A Hero's publisher.
"We’re pretty used to dealing with activist groups that have a bone to pick with a Devolver Digital game," said Devolver CFO Fork Parker. “Don’t get me started on the battles with People for the Ethical Treatment of Skateboards when we launched OlliOlli.”
While incidents such as these are often a distraction for game developers, many see these discussions as a proof point that games are becoming a medium that can raise its voice and become parts of larger, more meaningful political discussions.
"If there is one thing Not A Hero will be remembered for it’s a brilliant cover-based combat mechanic and its deep and thoughtful commentary on the lack of true democracy in so-called democratic elections held in modern Western societies," noted Roll7 Political Strategist Simon Bennett. “I guess that’s two things. Can you not print one of them? Please stop typing.”
More information on Not A Hero can be found at NotAHe.Ro and by following @Roll_7, @VoteBunnyLord and @DevolverDigital on the Twitter.
