Credit: Ludo StudioTo say that a certain cartoon dog from Australia has become a cult sensation would be an understatement, but how does Bluey’s latest adventure sit with her ever-growing fanbase? After years of success, the beloved blue heeler might have just faced its first snag.
Brought to fans by creator Joe Brumm, Ludo, and BBC Studios, Bluey is one of the most cherished animated series to grace our screens in the past decade. As the Bluey bug has joyously bitten millions of fans, the cuddly blue canine and all her friends have leaped from the screen to the stage to books and beyond, but her latest endeavor might be hurting her biggest fans.
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Although the show’s intended audience is primarily those still in kindergarten (Kindy to you Bluey-watchers), it’s remarkable how many parents and grownups find themselves under the Heelers’ intoxicating spell. It’s safe to say that the number of adult viewers far outweighs the kids in front of the screen, so why have the creators left them out of the newest Bluey development?
Bluey Neglects Adult Fanbase with New Game
Bluey: The Video Game just hit stores and streaming right before the Christmas rush, and thousands of players are already getting in on the action with this simple and sweet sandbox adventure. Choosing from Bluey, Bingo, Chili, or Bandit, players embark on a quest (sans curry) to find all the pieces of Bandit’s lost treasure map.
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The game essentially puts players in the shoes of their favorite characters to star in their own episode of Bluey, but the developers went beyond just a simple tie-in game to an already successful TV show. The project is fully voice-acted by the show’s cast, features nearly all locations seen in the canine-inhabited version of Brisbane, and is stuffed to the gills with easter eggs and even a longdog or two.
With a $40 price tag, fans and gamers alike expect the best Bluey can offer. Considering the average video game consumer is well above the show’s intended age range, it feels like Bluey’s creative team and developers would have done more for both kids and adults playing the game While Bluey is typically well-received, fans of the show have been responsive with criticism.
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A critique from Nintendo World Report shared this criticism likely felt by a majority of adult Bluey fans,
“The reality is, for better or worse, as a game for adults, this is light, frivolous, and boring. But Bluey is aimed at an audience of children. To that end, it’s ideal. Full voice-acting means the game is approachable for a kid who can’t read yet (or well).”
That all being said, it’s a bit silly to expect something primarily directed at adults from a children’s game. However, as much as the show and its creators commit to creating something primarily for the adults and parents in the room, the same dedication wasn’t shown for perhaps one of Bluey’s biggest projects.
Gaming together as a family is a surefire way to create lasting bonds, as the Heeler family does practically every episode, but this doesn’t match the energy previously shown by the show’s creators. Since it’s no secret that adults enjoy Bluey too, shouldn’t Ludo have committed to keeping them involved?
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Yes, Bluey: The Video Game is intended for a very young audience, and to criticize it for being anything other than just that is ridiculous. However, shouldn’t the game replicate that same level of dedication if the show is willing to design so much with an adult viewer in mind? Perhaps the game will get a grown-up-mode expansion pack with future updates.
Did Bluey miss the mark with its video game adaptation? Tell Inside the Magic what you think in the comments below!