Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen: A New Chapter in Gaming

Bluey represents the essence of Australia’s creative industries, bringing talents and heartfelt storytelling to life. However, until recently, the franchise’s video games struggled to capture the magic that made Bluey a beloved character among fans.

Concerns Over Previous Game Releases

Many parents approached Budge Studios’ 2023 mobile release, Bluey: Let’s Play!, with skepticism due to its $9.99 monthly subscription and pervasive ads for other licensed games. Later that year, Artax Games’ Bluey: The Videogame faced backlash for its short two-hour runtime, technical glitches, and a steep $60 price tag, with Australian critic Luke Plunkett branding it as “a slapdash cash grab.”

New Titles in the Franchise

August brought the release of StoryToys’s mobile game Lego Bluey, which features block-building and mini-games, along with a more reasonably priced subscription option. All three titles were commissioned by BBC Studios, which collaborates with ABC on the show and oversees Bluey’s international merchandising.

Introducing Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen

Unlike its predecessors, Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen promises to live up to the high standards of the show. Created in Brisbane by Bluey’s creator Joe Brumm and Halfbrick Studios, known for Fruit Ninja, this is the first game developed in Australia that involves the original creator. It represents the final original Bluey story from Brumm until the anticipated 2027 movie.

An Engaging Gameplay Experience

Having played the game’s opening levels, I can confirm it feels genuinely engaging. Halfbrick estimates a gameplay duration of about 10 hours, featuring an adventure where Bluey and Bingo chase their mischievous dad, Bandit, through enchanting artworks. The game’s design encourages exploration, curiosity, and creative use of Bluey’s magic wand.

Developer Commitment and Community Pride

Halfbrick’s CEO, Shainiel Deo, was a prime candidate for acquiring Bluey’s gaming rights. His long-standing friendship with Brumm, stemming from their collaboration on the Dan the Man series, underscored their shared vision. Despite competition from other developers, Deo emphasized the importance of allowing time for exploration and creativity in the game’s development.

Ethics in Gaming for Children

With a focus on delivering quality content, Halfbrick opted for a one-time purchase model instead of subscriptions or freemium options. Deo expressed the importance of ethical considerations in gaming, particularly for children, ensuring that they receive enriching experiences instead of exploitative models. As Jason Imms from Keywords Studios noted, children deserve games that promote kindness and valuable life lessons, a sentiment core to Bluey’s essence.

Conclusion: Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen marks a new milestone in the franchise, showcasing the creativity and storytelling prowess of its Australian developers. As it provides an engaging experience for fans of all ages, it also reinforces the importance of ethical practices in video game development, especially for younger audiences.