All Will Rise Devs Expect Western Backlash Over Ecoterrorism Plot

Key Takeaways

• All Will Rise is a narrative deckbuilder that explores violent resistance and ecoterrorism as responses to environmental destruction
• Developers expect pushback from Western audiences similar to reactions to the 2022 film How to Blow Up a Pipeline
• The game draws inspiration from Indian indigenous movements and challenges Western notions of pacifism-only activism

All Will Rise is not a game about polite protest. The upcoming narrative deckbuilder from Speculative Agency puts players in the middle of debates about violent resistance, ecoterrorism, and holding the powerful accountable through more than just legal channels. Its developers know that's going to ruffle feathers.

"I definitely expect some pushback from Western audiences around that topic in particular," says design director Hugo Bille.

Following a Controversial Trail

Bille draws a direct comparison to the 2022 film adaptation of Andreas Malm's non-fiction book How to Blow Up a Pipeline. That film explored the climate crisis and the ethics of terrorism. While critics received it well, it also sparked controversy. Right-wing commentators condemned what they saw as promotion of terrorism. The FBI expressed concern it could inspire attacks on North American pipelines.

“And we're in the same vein as that in many ways, in that we are an activist story that deals with these topics.”

— Hugo Bille, Design Director at Speculative Agency

The game centers on the murder of a river and the activism that follows. Players engage with ideas through debate mechanics, unlocking and upgrading cards that represent different arguments and approaches. Some of those approaches involve violence and sabotage.

Challenging Western Assumptions

Narrative director Meghna Jayanth says the team wants to dig into "the conversation" about violence in climate and activist movements. She points to what she sees as settled assumptions in Western activism.

“I think here in the West, there's maybe a little bit of a settled notion around like the Extinction Rebellion approach, the Roger Hallam approach of pacifism is the only way, we're gonna be Gandhian about it. These are core moral principles, right?”

— Meghna Jayanth, Narrative Director at Speculative Agency

The game is set in Muziris, a fictional city in a world adjacent to our own, with India serving as inspiration. That setting is deliberate. Jayanth draws from her Indian background to bring different perspectives on resistance.

Drawing From Indigenous Struggles

Jayanth specifically references the struggles of Adivasis, India's indigenous people, and the debates around Naxalite movements. These movements have deployed guerrilla tactics, sabotage, and violence. She cites author Arundhati Roy, who has defended her support for Adivasi and tribal movements despite their use of tactics that go beyond peaceful protest.

The timing adds weight to the game's themes. In the UK, even non-violent activists face increasing government crackdowns. They risk their freedom fighting climate change or voicing support for causes like Palestine. In the US, violent participants in the January 6 insurrection received pardons from Donald Trump.

The rules about acceptable activism appear to be shifting, depending on who's doing the activism and why.

A Deckbuilder With a Point of View

All Will Rise uses its deckbuilding mechanics to make players engage with these debates directly. Cards represent arguments and ideas. Upgrading them means committing to certain positions. The gameplay becomes a way to explore moral questions without offering easy answers.

This is not the first game to tackle political themes, but few have been this explicit about expecting controversy. The developers are walking into the backlash with their eyes open.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is All Will Rise about?

All Will Rise is a narrative deckbuilder about the murder of a river, activism, and holding the powerful accountable through both legal means and violent resistance including ecoterrorism.

Who is developing All Will Rise?

Speculative Agency is developing the game, with Hugo Bille as design director and Meghna Jayanth as narrative director.

Why do the developers expect backlash?

The game explores ecoterrorism and violent resistance as potentially legitimate responses to environmental destruction, themes that generated significant controversy when the 2022 film How to Blow Up a Pipeline covered similar ground.

Where is All Will Rise set?

The game takes place in Muziris, a fictional city in a world adjacent to our own, with India serving as the primary inspiration for its setting and themes.

Source: PCGamer latest