Bluey's Golden Adventure: A Quest for Excellence
In a world where video games often fall short of their potential, Bluey's journey to find the perfect gaming experience has been a challenging one. But now, after some disappointing attempts, we finally have a Bluey game that lives up to its name and the beloved franchise's reputation.
Bluey, an iconic representation of Australia's creative spirit, has unfortunately had a rocky road when it comes to video games. Until recently, the games associated with this beloved franchise have been, well, a bit of a letdown.
Some parents were rightfully cautious about Budge Studios' 2023 mobile game, Bluey: Let's Play!, with its monthly subscription and persistent ads. Later that year, Artax Games' Bluey: The Videogame faced widespread criticism for its short runtime, technical issues, and steep price. Australian game critic Luke Plunkett described it as "a slapdash cash grab."
StoryToys' Lego Bluey, released this August, offered some improvements with its block-building and minigames, but it still came with a subscription model.
But Here's Where It Gets Interesting...
Enter Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen, a game that truly embodies the spirit of Bluey and its global success. This game, also commissioned by BBC Studios, was developed in Brisbane by none other than Bluey's creator, Joe Brumm, and the talented team at Halfbrick Studios. It's the first Bluey game developed in Australia, involving its creator, and likely the last original Bluey story from Brumm until the 2027 movie.
After playing the initial levels, it's clear that Halfbrick has created an actual game, not just a cash grab. The studio estimates a completion time of around 10 hours, and it feels like an accurate assessment. Bluey's Quest is an adventure game where Bluey and Bingo chase their mischievous dad, Bandit, through magical artworks, all because he took their pen.
The game rewards curiosity and exploration, encouraging players to use Bluey's magic wand liberally. Meanwhile, Brumm's script adds depth, with Chilli and Bandit discussing parenting styles while creating the next level.
A Win for Australian Gaming
Halfbrick Studios' CEO, Shainiel Deo, was the perfect choice to bring Bluey to life in video game form. With hundreds of millions of players worldwide enjoying Halfbrick's games, and Deo's friendship with Brumm, it was a match made in gaming heaven.
Despite other Bluey games already in development, Deo believes an Australian developer should have been given the first shot. "It should have gone to an Australian developer first," he says, understanding the BBC's decision to work with familiar developers.
From the get-go, Halfbrick's primary goal was to do justice to Bluey. Deo recalls telling BBC decision-makers, "This game will be ready when it's ready." Halfbrick took on the funding risks, but Deo wanted to ensure a great experience.
Deo allowed for an uncertain timeline, prioritizing exploration and prototyping. Despite delays and financial burdens, the team's passion for Bluey and their connection to the Heeler family's Brisbane lifestyle made the process worthwhile. "They take pride in being the first Australian team on a Bluey game," Deo says.
This success story comes at a time when the Australian games industry is celebrating another win with the immense popularity of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which crashed global storefronts in September.
Fellow Australian developer, Jason Imms, believes that utilizing local talent to bring Bluey to life was a no-brainer. "The BBC owed nothing to Australia, but taking advantage of the local talent that created Bluey was an obvious choice."
Joey Egger, head of games at Screen Australia, is thrilled that Halfbrick got to showcase Bluey's unique Australian charm. "It's so Brisbane. It captures all the nuances. It's something that can only be truly replicated and extended into the gaming world by those who understand these nuances."
Working on beloved homegrown franchises is a point of immense pride for developers, says Egger, who previously produced Wiggles games. Today's youth consume content across various platforms, and Bluey's reach extends beyond television.
A Matter of Ethics and Quality
The quality of a Bluey game isn't just about national pride; it's about treating children with respect and avoiding manipulative business models. Halfbrick has experience with "freemium" and subscription games, but neither seemed suitable for Bluey's young audience.
Deo decided to return to the one-time-purchase "premium" model, similar to the studio's games in the 2000s before mobile games became the norm. "We don't want to put people on a treadmill where they have to keep grinding or pay. Ethics is important to me," Deo explains.
Imms, whose kids quickly lost interest in Bluey: The Videogame, believes developers owe kids more, not less. "Do kids deserve better? Absolutely. They're still growing, shaping their understanding of the world. Stories that teach kindness, love, and hardship, like Bluey does, are beneficial for their development."
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is now available on iOS and Android, with PC and console releases later in 2026.
So, what do you think? Is Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen a step in the right direction for children's gaming? Do you think developers should prioritize ethics and quality over profit when it comes to games for young audiences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
