Gaming app on Dravidian principles launched at Comic Con ahead of Lok Sabha polls

A game which allows players to learn about “Dravidian principles” was launched at the Chennai Comic Con on Saturday ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The game named ‘Makkalin Mudhalvar’ was launched by Populus Empowerment Network (PEN) and was designed to allow players to enter a simulation where they become the chief minister. The game is made to showcase the complexities of governing a state and behind-the-scenes on electoral dynamics.

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It rewards players when they make decisions that align with Dravidian principles. The game is available in Tamil and English and was designed to make people aged between 16 and 25 learn about the “Dravidian model”.

The game’s name — Makkalin Mudhalvar — translates to ‘people’s chief minister’. It echoes the Tamil Nadu government’s ‘Makkaludan Mudhalvar’ scheme which aims to resolve people’s grievances within 30 days of filing an application.

Pooja Pradeep, a program manager, explained the mechanism behind the ‘Makkalin Mudhalvar’ game and said it is aimed at making young people understand “Dravidian ideology”.

“We want them to understand the Dravidian model of governance when they come to vote. The popularity has been great and nearly 1,500 individuals have already installed the game.

The game is simple with a set of questions. There are no wrong answers, but for each choice, the point will be calculated accordingly. Each decision about rationalism, cultural ethos and women empowerment will project your long-term vision”, said Pooja Pradeep.

The team which designed the game said that as the chief minister of the state, the player would be responsible for upholding the “core values of Dravidian ideology – equality, empowerment and secularism”. They will also discover how the Dravidian parties have “championed these values”, added the team.

“It is not just a game, it is a reflection of the founder, Mr Sabarisan Vedamurthy’s vision of using new age media to reach out to the youth to showcase what the Dravidian Model means for the state of Tamil Nadu. Sabarisan’s support and encouragement has been key in setting new standards for what is possible in the world of interactive entertainment”, said Pooja Pradeep.

The game is currently available on the Google Play Store for Android users.