All Will Rise is a narrative-driven deckbuilder that dives deep into the complexities of modern activism through strategic card-based debate. Moving beyond the standard tropes of peaceful protest, the game explores high-stakes themes including environmental destruction, political accountability, and the controversial role of ecoterrorism and violent resistance in protecting the natural world.
Anticipating Western Pushback on Radical Activism
The development team at Speculative Agency is fully aware that their thematic choices may spark controversy. By exploring the ethics of militant action, they are preparing for inevitable friction with players in specific regions.
"I definitely expect some pushback from Western audiences around that topic in particular," says Hugo Bille, the design director for All Will Rise. Bille cites the cultural impact of the 2022 film adaptation of Andreas Malm's How to Blow Up a Pipeline as a primary example. He notes that while the film was well-received, it "stirred up a storm" of criticism from right-wing pundits and drew scrutiny from the FBI regarding real-world inspiration for pipeline attacks.
According to Bille, the game operates on a similar ideological plane by:
- Focusing on activist stories set within high-stakes political conflicts.
- Challenging the "settled notion" that all movements must be strictly pacifist.
- Exploring the necessity of direct action when facing systemic greed.
Challenging the Pacifism Narrative
Narrative director Meghna Jayanth explains that the goal is to engage directly with global conversations surrounding political violence. In many Western contexts, there is a heavy emphasis on non-violent movements—such as Gandhian principles or Extinction Rebellion styles—as the only moral path forward. However, the game suggests this perspective might be a luxury of the "imperial core."
Drawing from her Indian heritage, Jayanth finds inspiration in the struggles of the Adivasi indigenous people. She references author Arundhati Roy, who has faced significant criticism for supporting tribal movements that utilize sabotage and guerrilla tactics.
Jayanth argues that true non-violence often requires a level of visibility that many oppressed groups are denied:
"Well, nonviolence requires an audience. And a lot of these people, their oppression takes place in the forest, away from cameras. If a bunch of cops arrive in the middle of the night to your home and then try to violently displace you, what is the point of asking people who are already hungry to go on hunger strike?"
A World Built on Ideological Debate
While heavily inspired by Indian struggles, All Will Rise takes place in the fictional city of Muziris, a world adjacent to our own. The core gameplay revolves around ideological conflict. Players step into the shoes of Kuyili, a lawyer seeking justice for a murdered river, and must constantly defend their opinions while attempting to sway others through debate.
To ensure players are never too comfortable, the game features diverse and clashing perspectives:
- Kuyili: A legal advocate attempting to navigate existing systems of power.
- Kottavai: A folk performer possessed by a deity representing the murdered river, who champions radical direct action.
Jayanth views these characters as essential components of a necessary coalition, famously noting that "for every Martin Luther King, you need a Malcolm X." By including figures like Kottavai, the game avoids the trope of the "boring" activist in favor of a more visceral struggle. Ultimately, Speculative Agency believes that consensus is a lack of depth; their goal is to spark genuine debate regarding the level of action required to save the planet.
