If you are anything like me, you have been avoiding social media for the last couple of weeks, for fear of getting drawn into the very heated conversation that is happening right now in the United States concerning guns and gun rights. I’ve even stopped reading comment sections on stuff like movie reviews and Hollywood gossip, because all it takes is one remark. The entire conversation shifts, and we are off to the races.
The development group Samurai Punk (the team behind Screen Cheat) clearly have no such qualms, because they are dropping their new game The American Dream on all major VR platforms on March 14th. Now, clearly this game was well into development, probably for years, before our current round of animosity geared up. But the timing seems…fortuitous? Unfortunate? Ironic? Hilariously predestined?
The game plays out during a tour through a late 50’s World’s Fair, with players getting lessons from gun manufacturers on how guns can benefit every aspect of their lives. According to the game’s official website, “the world of The American Dream sets its sights on a future where guns are used for all manner of things like eating a meal, driving a car or working to provide for your family.”
Samurai Punk is based in Melbourne, so they are on the outside of our national angst, looking in. While some might consider folks outside of the US unqualified to create satiric content regarding our culture, it is interesting to consider how folks around the world perceive our cultural divide. Regardless of its politics (which maybe shouldn't be taken too seriously), The American Dream looks fun and clever. It will be interesting to see if this game spawns any debate or if The American Dream slides under the radar like so many other VR games.
Either way, we won’t have long to wait. The American Dream will be available for PS VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on Wednesday.
