The critically-acclaimed side-scrolling platformer Ayo: A Rain Tale – created by Lebanese studio Inkline – has launched on the App Store and Google Play.
Shedding light on the hardship of more than 319 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, Ayo: A Rain Tale explores the psychological impact of trekking across the desert to carry water – revealing the struggles of millions of Sahelian women and girls.
Players take on the role of Ayo, who’s about to leave home alone for the first time to gather water for her family. To complete her mission, Ayo must face the harsh conditions of the Sahelian droughts and overcome her fears without falling victim to her own mind …
The desert is a dangerous place, and Ayo will face many obstacles throughout her journey. Crawl, climb, and jump your way through the sub-Saharan lands as you solve puzzles, avoid dangerous hazards, and discover hidden paths during the 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.
Statistics: Sub-Saharan Water Crisis
* 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.
Available on iOS and Android (and already released on Steam), Ayo: A Rain Tale has been featured in a number of outlets – including Hardcore Gamer, Operation Rainfall, IndieGames, Geeks Under Grace, VentureBeat, and One Angry Gamer.
Read more about Ayo: A Rain Tale and Inkline here.