SciTech

It’s a different Bard game

This one pours romance into virtual play. Online Shakespeare game based on Romeo and Juliet has become an internet hit, drawing 22 million players worldwide

Posted On Monday, February 08, 2010 at 12:46:46 AM

Romeo wherefore art thou sees web users take on the role of one of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, as he collects flowers for Juliet. As he travels through the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, he tries to avoid a number of wild boars, thorny bushes and skeletons.

Initially commissioned by Shakespeare Country tourist site, the game has become a surprise hit with a third of the amount of the UK’s population said to have played it.

The aim is to collect enough roses for your sweetheart Juliet, and with Valentine’s Day drawing closer, is proving a fitting game for wannabe Romeos.

Even the Bard appears in the game, telling Romeo to move on to the next level, or act, reports telegraph.co.uk. Phil Hackett, chief executive of Shakespeare Country, said, “I wanted to do a viral campaign, but only estimated about 2.5 million would play it.

The programmers have done a great job. Although they are characters they are instantly recognisable and the environment has all the major landmarks — you get to pass the theatre, his birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. It really goes bring Shakespeare back to life.”

He added, “Since its launch last May, it has generated more than a quarter of a million unique visitors to our website every month and a percentage of people are now thinking the Shakespeare Country is an enjoyable and fun place to come and visit.”

He said the game had taken off mainly through viral marketing, from users passing on the link to friends and family, although some people had also come directly via the Shakespeare Country website too.

Stu Howarth, director of kokodigital that created the game, said, “It’s the most popular game we have ever made. We used Romeo as he is probably the most widely known Shakespeare character and the game is loosely set on Mario, which is accessible for everyone.

We weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel — just make a fun attractive platform game that is the most accessible to the widest audience.”

Other Shakespeare organisations also welcomed the game, as a means of prompting the county. A spokesperson for the Royal Shakespeare Company said, “The idea behind the game is to entice people to come visit Shakespeare Country. So we think its a good idea.

Although its not entirely representative of the way we perform the play, it’s a good hook to get people interested in Romeo and Juliet.

Its proved very successful with 22 million people world wide playing the game — but I can’t imagine that many people visiting.”

The Shakespeare Country is a non-profit partnership between Stratford and Warwick district councils and the private sector.

	Mail this article Print this article Translate this article	Rate me....
	Share Share Share Share

Contribute/ Share your Opinion

SciTech

It’s a different Bard game

Contribute/ Share your Opinion

More