(Update: now available!) Cloud Chasers: a moving game that tackles issues with immigration while staying fun

Original post (10/14): There’s plenty of time-killers out there, but very few games manage to spark emotion like the upcoming Cloud Chasers – A Journey of Hope title will. This game comes from Blindflug Studios, which is also responsible for First Strike, a title which encompasses the problems with nuclear warfare. The team is not short on social issues, and this time around they are targeting immigration.

This is an issue that affects plenty of countries and communities, but the topic really hits close to home to us United States residents. Especially for those of us who live along the border, where struggle, laws and sometimes even death are part of the harsh reality we must face on the daily. It’s not an easy conversation… ever. But Cloud Chasers manages to bring consciousness in a very light-hearted manner, and we have to give them props for that.

Cloud Chasers – A Journey of Hope tells the story of Francisco and his daughter Amelia, a couple of immigrants in search of a better life beyond the desert, in a world above the clouds where the privileged live. Of course, just like in real life, this promised land is not easy to reach. There are robots guarding the desert and trying to stop you from reaching their cities. Users must also worry about survival and collect water in order to keep moving. You will depend on Amelia’s fun glider to accomplish that.

Guide a small family through five deadly deserts to reach the gateway to the world above the clouds. It’s a dangerous journey filled with a multitude of unique narrative encounters. Make your decisions wisely, manage your resources, use equipment to your advantage and fill up your precious water reserves by flying through the clouds with your trusty glider.

Explore a randomly generated steampunk world that will not only tell you the story of a wondrous desert planet and its inhabitants, but also show the topic of migration from a completely new perspective.

The game accomplishes a fun experience while keeping a heart-warming story, artistic visuals and engrossing music. It will tingle your senses, make you smile and sometimes even squeeze your heart a little.

Now, let’s get to the real question – when can we get Cloud Chasers? I will be downloading it as soon as it hits the Google Play Store, which will be this Thursday (October 15). You can also get it from the Amazon App Store and the Apple App Store (just in case you are into that kind of stuff).

We haven’t gotten any details on pricing yet, but First Strike is worth $3.99. We assume Cloud Chasers will cost about the same. I say it’s worth the price for such a well elaborated game, though. You will also feel better knowing they will donate a share of the revenue to the MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station).

Who else is downloading Cloud Chasers?!