It Begins with Kudos
It starts with the concept of a strawberry, which represents kudos on our site. Kudos, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as “praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved.” The question is then: how do we make a game that teaches kids to grab kudos in life? I went straight to the primary source - kids themselves. Interviewing my nephew, he suggested a gameplay where Jack, a hippo, would jump from platform to platform to reach for the strawberry kudos!
Picking an Enemy
Learning to judge character is a vital lesson for kids. While they are learning to grab kudos in life, besides obstacles that they would overcome, they would want to learn to decipher the wolves from the lambs. The rhino beetle is thus born. While Jack is enjoying his basket of fruits of delightfully delicious apples, bananas and strawberries, the rhino beetle flew in and took Jack’s basket of fruits. In the game, Jack then battles against the rhino beetle, grabbing as much kudos as he can.
Scrappy, Facts and Social Consciousness
We consciously thrive to create a new game, one that is different from the rest of the world, one that we could call our own. First, our characters are scrappy. Jack, the rhino beetle, the strawberries, apples and bananas all have a white edge around them, as if they were just torn from paper.
Secondly, although it seems a hippo and rhino beetle would not cross paths, facts prove otherwise. Both Jack and the rhino beetle are herbivores and eat mostly grasses and fruit. Also, hippos are known to be fast despite their weight. And most amazingly, a rhino beetle can lift objects 850 times their weight and thus, it is not far fetched for a rhino beetle to lift a basket of fruits.
Finally, Jack Kudos is a socially conscious game for kids. Unlike games designed to boost self esteem, this game is designed to help kids to make a decision of getting up and working when faced with an obstacle.
A Team of Character, Leadership
During our Indiegogo campaign at igg.me/at/JACKKUDOS, the team leaves crumbs of character and leadership. For instance, our intern Owen (who is still in high school) provided feedback about the game with his honest thoughts about the background, which he wanted to be more refined. Our designer Lou listened with an open mind and is now researching the many leaves of the forrest, hoping to find the perfect foliage. Owen also provided me with a few links on YouTube, including Game Theorist’s video called “Game Theory: Gamers, You’re Getting Played.” We hope to challenge the concept that we need to have violence, women and guns in our game in order to obtain coverage and be popular.
Gratefulness for the Love
Ever since we launched our Indiegogo campaign on September 22, we have received support and love from people all over the world. And we hope we have provided value not only by making the game but by creating awesome perks and sharing things we have learned that would make your life just a little bit better. You can see our campaign on igg.me/at/JACKKUDOS.
Michelle is the CEO of BondsWell. She started a movement to change the way we see ourselves - to feel whole within and to grab kudos for glory.
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