‘1979 Revolution’ proceeds to be donated to ACLU.
1979 Revolution: Black Friday is a game that puts players in the role of a photojournalist during the uprising against the Shah of Iran. It mixes gameplay and real-life events to immerse players in an actual revolution. Described as a “cinematic adventure game,” its playstyle is similar to recent entries from Telltale Games. 1979 Revolution has won numerous awards, been praised by UNESCO, banned in Iran because it “poisons the minds of the youth and young adults”, and now helps fund the ACLU during a time of political turmoil here in America.
Is the truth a weapon?
Players take on the role of Reza, a journalist who has recently returned to Iran and witnesses the uprising against the Shah of Iran. Player-driven choices impact the story of Reza and those around him. Through exploration, players learn about the history of the revolution through the lens of those that lived through it. It’s an eye-opening journey through an event that many Westerners are probably unaware of.
Personally, I spent close to an hour playing 1979 Revolution on the floor at PAX West 2016. It was an immediate purchase after the convention. I actively recommend it to people that enjoy narrative-focused games where choices matter. Adding the backdrop of a real historical event makes it that much more engaging. The focus on peaceful problem solving during a time of chaos and upheaval is especially relevant today.
In a press release earlier this week, iNK Stories stated that they strongly oppose “the divisive rhetoric and current immigration ban put in effect by Trump Administration.” iNK Stories, a New York based indie game studio, says they firmly believe “it’s the responsibility of the larger art and entertainment community to unite in solidarity against policies that are inhumane, unjust and un-American.” They go on to say their “industry has tremendously benefited from the ability of people to cross borders. Immigration has been a source of creativity and strength for this country throughout its history—and we oppose the ban and the dangerous precedent it sets.”
1979 Revolution: Black Friday is acclaimed by UNESCO for its empathy-driven gameplay, bridging cultures and advancing peaceful conflict resolution. The current political messaging, which fosters fear, misinformation and xenophobia, are what iNK Stories will stand against. By donating sales proceeds, iNK Stories endorses the work of the ACLU in hopes of supporting immigrants and refugees rights, by countering the grave and damaging rulings.
The iNK Stories team contains a diverse mix of ethnicities, nationalities, and religions; a majority of them are Iranian-born US or Canadian residents and citizens, and some came to the US as refugees fleeing conflict. A significant number, including Iranian-born founder and creator Navid Khonsari, are directly impacted by Trump’s recent executive order.
Statement from Creator Navid Khonsari:
“This is deeply personal, as my family made the hard decision to leave Iran after the revolution, to come to the West, which was the land of inclusion. Today, I feel like I am reliving history. While it’s easy to be immobilized by hurt and hopelessness, I believe that now more than ever we are confronted with an obligation, where we must dig in, resist and unite. Silence is not an option—so I commend those in our community who are taking action and hope that other game developers and publishers will join in, as we partake in this crucial movement—coming from all religious, national, ethnic and generational backgrounds to denounce the ban—and stand with humanity, by saying that this is not right, willing to rise up against the injustice.”
I definitely recommend playing 1979 Revolution and the proceeds from sales through February 10th are going to a good cause. It’s available in seven languages on Steam, GOG, Humble Store, Amazon, iOS, and Android.
