Harambe the gorilla made headlines after he was killed when a toddler fell into an animal enclosure, and the name has since become an Internet sensation that has fueled many a meme -- including the new 'Harambe vs. Capcom' game. Designed the 'Otaku Gang,' an "underground culture collective," the game features an 8-bit version of the deceased gorilla fighting in the style of classic arcade games.
The story of Harambe vs. Capcom presents a revised history in which Harambe uses his psychic power to convince the media that he died, giving himself cover to escape an extermination team and return to Africa. The silliness of that plot line continues through the freely available video game, as Harambe fights both generic zookeepers and characters from the Capcom universe.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Meme-based Video Games
- Opportunity to create video games that capitalize on popular and viral internet memes like Harambe.
- Underground Culture Collectives
- Potential for the emergence of more underground culture collectives like 'Otaku Gang' to create innovative and alternative forms of entertainment.
- Revived Nostalgia
- Growing demand for retro-styled video games that tap into nostalgia by emulating classic arcade games.
Sectors Adopting This
- Gaming
- The gaming industry can explore opportunities to develop and market meme-inspired video games.
- Entertainment
- The entertainment industry can partner with underground culture collectives to create unique and unconventional forms of media.
- Technology
- The technology industry can leverage nostalgia for classic arcade games to develop innovative gaming experiences.
