Untitled Goose Game - Chaos/Respect
The story around the Goose Game is almost as, if not more, intoxicating than the game itself. It’s a tale of a tiny game made by a tiny team called House House in Melbourne, Australia, that sold over a million copies in three months. It exploded into the public consciousness in ways few games manage, even grabbing Australian National News attention (one of the few times the news channel has diverted from Fortnite). It sits alongside Zelda: BOTW, God of War and Overwatch as a DICE Awards GOTY winner. It was even the center of contrarian piece lamenting how not playing The Goose Game is the best way to experience The Goose Game.
In hindsight, it makes all the sense in the world that The Goose Game would spread like wildfire. The goose is heavily memeworthy - the art and animation are spot on, simple and elegant in execution. It passes the five second check - simply watching a gif of the game piques interest. The very premise sparks that mischievousness in all of us - spend a few hours playing a purely chaotic being, perpetrating mildly annoying acitons against the townspeople of a quaint english village, for no reason other than your own amusement? Sign me up.
The game itself surely is a hell of a time (and a hell of a laugh), which makes it all the more remarkable how respectful the game, and by extension House House, is regarding the land on which it was created.
In certain situations in Australia - such as when courts are in session, or during an awards ceremony - there sometimes is an Acknowledgement of Country by the speaker of the Traditional Owners of the land. This acknowledgement is a simple statement designed as a symbol of respect, as well as a reminder of the rich and diverse culture and history of the country. While this style acknowledgement has been around since at least the 80s, it wasn’t until 2008 that the Australian Parliament introduced the notion to its own proceedings.
Untitled Goose Game is made in Melbourne, which is built on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I’ve been to Melbourne many times in my life already, but had never even thought about the history which the land this city lays is a part of. At least until the credits House House’s latest were rolling.
To compliment this, House House have chosen to play their part in the Pay The Rent initiative, in which they forward at least 1% of their income to support local indigenous groups. The Pay The Rent movement is a form of reparations for indigenous communities due to Australia’s centuries long history of injustices toward First Nations people.
As many of the comments to this action’s announcement show, there are those that oppose the idea. This is a common refrain all around the world when it comes to the topic, and while I definitely don’t have the knowledge or understanding to really dive in to the idea, I can say this: House House, through The Goose Game, have found themselves in a place of privilege - and they trying to use that privilege in a way that benefits others. That, I most certainly applaud.
The Goose has no qualms with being mildly annoying to the humans that exist near it, but other than that, it has no cares for the world around it. Yet the Goose represents a product that can be more than just a fun plaything, or even something worthy of awards - it can be all that and be a force for justice, for good. It can use it’s position to help those wronged, and those in in need. And that’s pretty great.