It isn’t exactly fancy, but, hey, it’s a start.
Atari has launched Pridefest, an original social-sim game said to be inspired by the LGBTQ community. Available now on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as on Google Play for Android devices, Pridefest is a free-to-play game “designed to emulate the colorful atmosphere and inclusive spirit of the hundreds of real-world Pride parades held annually around the world.”
“Pride is only one small portion of the diverse LGBTQ culture and community, but it is one centered on freedom of expression, the pursuit of equality, and shared celebration. Pridefest was designed to celebrate progress the LGBTQ community has made toward equality while working to emulate the spirited and celebratory atmosphere of today’s real-world parades,” said Fred Chesnais, Atari CEO. “It was that spirited atmosphere that especially drew us to the idea of Pride as an overarching theme and parades as the core gameplay mechanic.”
As the new mayor of a city that has seemingly lost its fun and color overnight, Pridefest players are tasked with bringing the city back to its former glory. The mayor must transform buildings from dull to bright by spreading joy throughout the city, acting as the Grand Marshal and restoring pride throughout the city, neighborhood by neighborhood. Players can showcase their personality by customizing avatars, shops and storefronts, and pride flotillas while following an engaging storyline through more than 40 quests to unlock new content. Fill the “Fun Meter” to achieve the city’s optimal happiness and make the citizens cheerful again.
Pridefest boasts one-to-one chat functionality, options to visit and run pride parades in far-off cities created by other Pridefest players, as well as a “club” system that allows the formation of in-game groups. The various social features can be turned on or off, based on the preferences of players.
Also essential to the Pridefest experience is the level of personalization, which is incorporated throughout the game. Avatar customization gives players the choice of dozens of body types, hairstyles, clothing, and accessories to personalize. Pride flotillas provide another opportunity for customization, with various themes, mascots, decorations, and more available to incorporate into each parade.
This is Atari’s first game developed in support of the LGBTQ community.
Pridefest was developed in partnership with Mad Marshmallow.
To download on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch: http://bit.ly/PridefestAppStoreUS
To download on Google Play for Android devices: http://bit.ly/PridefestGooglePlay
