Bluey embodies the talent, heart and character of Australia\u2019s creative industries. But unfortunately, until now, the beloved franchise\u2019s video games had a track record spottier than her friend Chloe the dalmatian.<\/p>\n
Some parents<\/a> treated Budge Studios\u2019 2023 mobile game Bluey: Let\u2019s Play! with caution, with its $9.99 monthly subscription and persistent adverts for Budge\u2019s other licensed games. Later that same year, Artax Games\u2019 Bluey: The Videogame was widely criticised on release for its barely two-hour run time, technical problems and $60 price tag. In his review, Australian game critic Luke Plunkett called it \u201ca slapdash cash grab that does the bare minimum\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n And released in August this year, StoryToys\u2019s mobile game Lego Bluey offers block-building, minigames and another subscription \u2013 this one cheaper and less aggressively advertised. All three games were commissioned by BBC Studios, which co-commissions the show with ABC and handles all of Bluey\u2019s international merchandising and licensing.<\/p>\n But Bluey\u2019s Quest for the Gold Pen<\/a> is the first to live up to the standards that made Bluey one of the most-watched shows in the world. Also commissioned by BBC Studios, it was made in Brisbane by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and Halfbrick Studios of Fruit Ninja fame, making it the first Bluey game made in Australia, the first to involve Bluey\u2019s creator and the last original Bluey story we\u2019re likely to get from Brumm until the 2027 movie.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n After playing the opening levels of Halfbrick\u2019s take on Bluey, I can say it feels like an actual game; the studio has said it should take about 10 hours to complete, which feels accurate. It is essentially a classic adventure game in which Bluey and Bingo chase their impish dad, Bandit, through a series of magical artworks after he pinches their pen. The game\u2019s design rewards curiosity, exploration and the liberal use of Bluey\u2019s magic wand. Meanwhile, Brumm\u2019s script gets Chilli and Bandit debating how to avoid lawnmower parenting while they concoct the game\u2019s next level.<\/p>\n Bluey is so daggy; it\u2019s very Brisbane \u2026 you can only truly replicate and extend into the games world if you really understand those nuances.Joey Egger, head of games at Screen Australia<\/p>\n Halfbrick Studio\u2019s chief executive, Shainiel Deo, was always a strong contender to win Bluey\u2019s video game rights. Hundreds of millions around the world have played Halfbrick games and he and Brumm have been friends since they worked on the game for Brumm\u2019s Dan the Man series in 2016.<\/p>\n When Brumm suggested Deo should pitch BBC Studios, other Bluey games were already under way. \u201cIt definitely should have gone to an Australian developer first,\u201d says Deo; still, he understands why the BBC went with developers they had worked with before.<\/p>\n From the start, doing Bluey proud was Halfbrick\u2019s primary concern. \u201cThis game will be ready when it\u2019s ready,\u201d Deo remembers telling BBC decision-makers. \u201cWe took on all the risks in terms of funding it, that was on our coin, but I wanted to make a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n In the game, Bluey and Bingo chase their impish dad, Bandit, through a series of magical artworks after he pinches their pen. Photograph: Halfbrick Studios<\/p>\n Deo insisted on an uncertain timeline to allow for exploration and prototyping. Despite footing the bill for delays, Deo feels the process worked thanks to a team driven by passion for their homegrown hero, Bluey, and a deep connection to the Heelers\u2019 contemporary Brisbane lifestyle. \u201cThey take a lot of pride in being the first Australian team to work on a Bluey game,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n