09/29/23 Devlog 1: 

Hello, 

This is a devlog about a little game called “The Puddle Jumpers Gazette”. It's a game that teaches about the dissemination and consequences of fake news through the lens of an elementary school newspaper. This first devlog isn't much of a comment on the progress of the game, but more about how it came to be and why I wish it didn’t. 

In one of our classes we were told to make a topic of societal importance (cyber security, social media, AI, etc.) into a meaningful game. Stuff like, “We become what we behold”, and practically the entire Nicky Case games library. I decided to do fake news. Not too sure why. I think I just searched up: 

“Problems with social media”

and picked one that I thought had some JUICE. Regardless, after doing some research on the topic, I realized how edgy and overserious it was. The threats to democracy and the effects on society… Every game idea I came up with was depressing and a bit cringe. Plus, I don't think the players would find much interest in playing anything that was just another “society sucks” simulator. There had to be something special that pulled away from the overdone “Papers Please” copies (not saying PP is a bad game, it’s just been replicated thousands of times). An idea had been circulating in my head because of another project and I thought about the innocence of children (not weird). Everyone can relate to being a kid. Especially the “being bullied” and “gossip” of it all. So I formulated an idea that's main pillar was gossip, which is essentially fake news on a much sillier level. 

"It's the last week before school ends. You have been the lead editor (and only member) of “The Puddle Jumpers Gazette”. Over the course of the year, your paper has reported on big time events such as the talent show, book fair, class president runnings, as well as other elementary school gossip that reaches your ears. With the year coming to a close, it's your goal to have “The Puddle Jumpers Gazette” reach the ranks of godhood and solidify itself for eternity on the “Star Students Showcase” wall. 

In this final 5 day stretch, you want to pump the newspaper ratings through the roof by meticulously choosing what news stories the world (Ms.Pignetti's elementary class) wants to hear. School crushes, friendship squabbles, rumors and gossip. Whether it’s truthful or not, your goal is to entertain! Pick and choose what story you want to headline, make a compelling title, decorate with stickers and glitter (because it's cute), and watch the chaos unfold. This “Choices Matter” game displays the effects disinformation has on the public presented within the context of an elementary school environment. "

That was my game spiel.

Anyway, a team was formulated and we had a team meeting. In the meeting we discussed which game we wanted to pick and a majority of the team thought mine was pretty good. This however, means that I am responsible for it's success. Well... just as much as my other team members are. We did have a bit of a stumble though because one of our team members didn't want to make a super narrative heavy game. Which I completely agree with. If I see another twine game I may explode into a bajillion pieces. 

After the meeting, me and my roommate's, who are also a majority of my team members, discussed how we could make the game more appealing to more gamers. Nothing yet, but surely at some point we will encounter something.