The indie studio Speculative Agency is reshaping how games can inspire social change with All Will Rise, a unique card game centred on activism and environmental justice. By combining storytelling, strategy, and real-world issues such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change, the game empowers players to engage with activism in a meaningful way.
A Game Rooted in Activism and Justice
The game’s opening chapter introduces Kuyili, a lawyer who successfully argues that a river in the fictional city of Muziris should have the same rights as a person. This victory is short-lived, however, when the river is struck by an oil spill, leading to catastrophic pollution.
Players must then gather evidence, build arguments, and use cards representing different claims and emotions to hold corporations accountable. Each decision mirrors the emotional and physical toll of real-world activism, making All Will Rise both challenging and deeply impactful.
How the Deck-Building System Works
- Information Gathering: Send characters to the community to collect facts and stories.
- Building Arguments: Use claims cards that appeal to emotions such as empathy, anger, or justice.
- Emotional Energy: Balance resources as activism requires persistence, energy, and resilience.
This unique mechanic not only tests strategic thinking but also highlights the emotional cost of activism, echoing the struggles real activists face.
Tackling Global Environmental Challenges
While the first chapter focuses on corporate pollution in India, future chapters will spotlight different parts of the world, including:
- Puerto Rico – resilience in the face of natural disasters.
- The Netherlands – rising sea levels and biodiversity loss.
- Nigeria – environmental destruction linked to oil exploitation.
This global scope emphasises that climate change and environmental crises are shared struggles requiring collective solutions.
A Joyful Yet Powerful Narrative
Despite heavy themes, the developers describe the game as “inappropriately joyful.” Narrative director Meghna Jayanth explains that joy and hope are essential for transformation. The balance of rage, resilience, and optimism makes the game stand out from typical “toxic wasteland” or oversimplified “green god” climate games.
Instead of presenting players as lone heroes, All Will Rise highlights community-driven change, showing how collaboration is the most powerful tool against systemic problems.
Backed by Research and Authenticity
The game is guided by Joost Vervoort, science and impact director at Speculative Agency and professor at Utrecht University. His research group Anticiplay explores the role of games in sustainability, ensuring All Will Rise integrates real-life facts, authentic narratives, and actionable lessons.
Why All Will Rise Matters
- Encourages activism beyond protests—through community, research, and collaboration.
- Bridges entertainment with education, showing how games can inspire real-world change.
- Raises awareness of pressing global issues such as pollution, climate change, and corporate exploitation.
Conclusion
All Will Rise is more than just a game—it’s an invitation to reflect, organise, and take part in building a better world. By blending storytelling, activism, and interactive gameplay, it gives players both hope and tools for real-world impact.
As Speculative Agency prepares for its Kickstarter campaign, All Will Rise is poised to become a landmark in climate-conscious gaming—proving that joy, hope, and activism can all rise together.
