# Ecological Disaster Distractions The Controversial Blopster Puts the 'Ill' Into 'BP Oil Spill' By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-07-21 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blopster References: [kotaku](http://kotaku.com/5822863/is-it-wrong-this-game-makes-the-bp-oil-spill-enjoyable/gallery/6) Forgoing subtlety in the name of fun, Blopster is an [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/after-inc-game) game which lets you take control of the eponymous character, an oil-eating bacterium, as he cleans up the disastrous spill caused by an unscrupulous corporation named [BP](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pick-n-pay-1) (the initials stand for 'Big and Powerful'). Oil-drenched creatures and radioactive materials will prevent Blopster from reaching his goal of a clean, unpolluted gulf. But what makes this iPhone application so enticing isn't necessarily its gameplay, but its message. Unlike commercially produced titles, indie games often enjoy relatively short development cycles -- this allows them to be topical with respect to emerging news stories. Although Blopster may seem like a quirky, unique game (which it undoubtedly is), [iPhone games and apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizzaslice) have begun to reflect and comment on news developments with greater frequency. Soon enough, you may not get your news analysis from a reporter, but from an iPhone app developer! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 6% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Indie News Games:** Short development cycles for indie games allow them to be topical with respect to emerging news stories. - **Message-driven Apps:** Apps have begun to reflect and comment on news developments with greater frequency. - **Environmental Gaming:** Gaming is being used to raise awareness about environmental disasters and their consequences. ### Where This Applies - **Mobile App Development:** Mobile app developers could explore creating more message-driven apps that reflect and comment on current events. - **Indie Game Development:** Indie game developers could further explore the intersection of gaming and social/environmental issues. - **Media and Journalism:** Media companies and journalists could collaborate with app developers to create engaging and informative news apps and games. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Addictive Puzzle Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-of-splash.md) - [Cartoon Summer Game Crossovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spongebob-crossovers.md) - [Eco-Conscious Puzzle Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kwalee.md) - [Debris-Reporting Wildlife Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/debrireporting-wildlife-app.md) - [Civilization Rebuilding App Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/after-inc-game.md) - [Gaming Ads-Inspired Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/those-games.md) - [In-Game Tree-Planting Initatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/match-masters.md) - [Gamified Sustainability Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-carbon-games.md) - [Spatial Bubble Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bubbles-everywhere.md)