Over the last 2 months, the interns at Arts4Refugees have created 19 minigames focusing on the stories of artists from refugee backgrounds using Rosebud AI Game Creator.
Their aim is to provide a deeper understanding of who refugees are by crafting interactive experiences centered around characters like Freddie Mercury, Bob Marley, K’naan, and many more.
These games not only highlight how refugees contribute to society, but also help counter fake news related to refugee issues in an engaging and educational way.
Even though the interns at Arts4Refugees didn’t have game dev skills, their interactions with Rosie, the AI from Rosebud AI, have enabled them to learn about game development in a quick and iterative way.
They've been able to experiment continuously, picking up valuable knowledge and skills along the way.
What is Art4sRefugees?
Arts4Refugees is a Gen Z-focused brand dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and post-conflict regions through engaging and thought-provoking content.
They co-create articles, podcasts, and now AI games, highlighting important issues in a way that Gen Z can quickly process. Their goal is to inform and inspire action while balancing seriousness and approachability. They also support up-and-coming Gen Z talent in building their vocational skills.
“We decided to include video games in our content offerings because we recognized the unique power of interactive storytelling”, explains Zulfiqar Deo, Co-Founder at Arts4Refugee.
“Video games can immerse players in the experiences of refugees and those living in post-conflict areas, fostering empathy and understanding in a way that traditional media sometimes cannot”, he adds.
Cloning Creativity: Making Games Without Game Dev Experience
Among the games created by the interns at Arts4Refugees are Norbert Brainin’s Song Wheel, a memory game featuring Wassily Kandinsky’s paintings, and an interactive experience about Bob Marley’s life and music.
Many of these were made possible thanks to the Clone feature offered by Rosebud AI, which allows non-developers to easily get started and familiarize themselves with coding, how it works, and how to interact with our AI.
“I particularly like the game Help the Famous Refugees Pack, which I cloned from The Baby Monkey Saga”, says Victoria, an intern at Arts4Refugees.
“The high-quality images, simplicity of the game, and the ease and speed with which I could clone and modify it made this game stand out for me. I plan to use it as an introductory project when supporting new interns”.
Translating Immigration Stories into Games
Although AI has made game development much easier, reflecting the experiences of migrant lives comes with its own set of challenges.
“The biggest challenge in translating immigration issues into game mechanics has been balancing fun with sensitivity”, Victoria explains.
“Immigration is a complex and often deeply personal subject, and capturing it in a fun way that is respectful and informative without trivializing the experiences of real people is difficult.”
However, Zulfiqar remains optimistic: "We believe these games have the potential to change people's perspectives on immigration. Interactive storytelling can be a powerful tool for breaking down stereotypes and encouraging more informed and compassionate viewpoints”.
No Coding Skills Needed
One of the remarkable aspects of the Arts4Refugees games is that they were made by interns with no game development experience. Their journey with Rosebud AI has been nothing short of transformative.
“I didn't have prior knowledge of game development when I started”, an intern explains. “I had completed a web development bootcamp, so I knew basic coding skills but wasn't proficient. Aside from a brief introduction to Scratch while teaching in schools, gaming was completely new to me”.
For A4R interns, their journey with Rosebud AI and its community has been an incredible learning experience. “Rosie often impresses me with her speed in finding solutions, though occasionally there are misunderstandings. Fortunately, with the support of the Discord community and the expertise of its members, help is always readily available”.
If you’re inspired by the stories of Arts4Refugees and want to start your own journey in game development, join our Discord community today.
Connect with other creators, get support from experienced members, and see how Rosebud AI can transform your creative ideas into reality.
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