Embark on a life-changing journey for clean water in the thought-provoking platformer Ayo: A Rain Tale – launching today on Steam and the Mac App Store. The atmospheric side-scrolling platformer addresses the plight of more than 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Developed by Inkline, Ayo: A Rain Tale explores the psychological impact of trekking across the desert to carry water – revealing the struggles of millions of Sub-Saharan African women and girls. Players take on the role of Ayo, a young girl who is about to leave home alone for the first time to gather water for her family. To do this, Ayo must face the harsh conditions of the Sahelian droughts and overcome her fears without falling victim to her own mind …
After encountering a sudden sandstorm, Ayo loses her path and is lost in the desert. Fortunately, she meets the Asili Twins – who join Ayo on her search for water and provide help along the way. As Ayo continues on her journey, the world around her begins to look mysterious and magical – as if she’s been transported to a new land.
The desert is a dangerous place, and you will face many hardships. Crawl, climb, and jump your way through the Sub-Saharan lands as you solve puzzles, avoid dangerous hazards, and discover hidden paths during scorching days and lonesome nights. Escape from crashing boulders, time your jumps perfectly with moving platforms, and challenge ruthless enemies – all culminating in a climactic encounter with Ja Thunderstorm, a large bull who wants to keep all the water for himself!
If you survive, you must face a harsh reminder of the world we live in during your trek back home, which is grounded in reality.
Sub-Saharan Water Crisis (Statistics)
* 783 million people do not have access to clean and safe water worldwide.
* 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are without access to improved, reliable, drinking water sources
* 1 in 9 people worldwide do not have access to safe and clean drinking water.
* Women and girls are responsible for water collection in seven out of ten households in 45 developing countries.
Sources:
http://www.wssinfo.org
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/wash-documents/wash-coverage/jmp/jmp2015-key-facts.pdf
Available on the Mac App Store and Steam (Windows/Mac), Ayo: A Rain Tale has been featured in a number of outlets – including Hardcore Gamer, Operation Rainfall, IndieGames, Flickering Myth, VentureBeat, and One Angry Gamer.
Read more about Ayo: A Rain Tale and Inkline here.