| • Developer: Macua Studios |
| • Year(s) Shown: 2017 |
| • Website: https://macuastudios.com |
About Macua Studios Creative Director, Game Designer,Animator, Graphic Designer - Gonzalo Alvarez Programmer, Level Designer - Jon DiGiacomo Project Manager, Game, Level, and Sound Designer - Genaro Vallejo Reyes |
Developer's Artistic Statement Borders is a political art game created not only to exhibit video games as an art form but to portray the dangers Mexican immigrants face in order to give the next generation a better future. Players attempt to cross the border while avoiding La Migra (border patrol) and staying hydrated. The place where every player dies is permanently recorded into the video game’s world, represented by a skeleton. This universal symbol communicates where players should be careful as well as simulates the large death toll claimed by Mexico’s deserts. The game was publicly installed at Lamar University’s Sol Gallery to utilize this feature with the public and make a statement. Gonzalo Alvarez’s parents immigrated over to the US and would tell him stories of their journey that inspired this game. Running away from La Migra, staying hydrated, and avoiding “El Mosquo” the nickname for the helicopter, were all things they had to overcome to give him the opportunity to live in America. This game came to be out of wanting other to realize the dangers immigrants face everyday in trying to give a future generation an opportunity to succeed. The artist is a living testament of that statement. Through an Art Installation created by the artist, BORDERS received coverage in local, national and international media because of its relevant content and themes. This has lead to its invitation to the international documentary film festival Sheffield/Doc Fest, the 3rd largest international documentary film festival in the world, and E3. |
BORDERS is a title featured at IndieCade 2017.
About BORDERS
Borders is a political art game created not only to exhibit video games as an art form but to portray the dangers Mexican immigrants face in order to give the next generation a better future. Players attempt to cross the border while avoiding La Migra (border patrol) and staying hydrated. The place where every player dies is permanently recorded into the video game’s world, represented by a skeleton. This universal symbol communicates where players should be careful as well as simulates the large death toll claimed by Mexico’s deserts.
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