The USA Network's popular series Mr. Robot tells the story of a hacker and a giant, shady corporation called 'E-Corp.' So, being hesitant to download a piece of software called "Mr. Robot:1.51exfiltratiOn.apk" would be understandable for fans of the show. There's nothing to fear, however, as the suspiciously titled file is actually a smartphone game made to promote the series' second season.
The game takes on the appearance of an internal message app for the fictional E-Corp, and, in the narrative, the user finds a phone on the ground that turns out to belong to one of the most nefarious black hat hackers in the world. Using the E-Corp messaging system, players navigate the "technological minefield" of the cybersecurity world.
The game is available on iOS and Android.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Cybersecurity Gaming
- There is a trend of developing cybersecurity games as a form of edutainment.
- Branded Entertainment Apps
- Brands are leveraging the popularity of entertainment franchises to create engaging mobile apps and games.
- Interactive Narrative Games
- Narrative-driven games that immerse the player in a fictional storyline are on the rise.
Where This Applies
- Entertainment
- The entertainment industry can further leverage their franchises to create engaging apps that promote their content.
- Cybersecurity
- Developing engaging cybersecurity games can help educate people on the importance of cybersecurity practices.
- Mobile Gaming
- There is an opportunity for more engaging and immersive storytelling in mobile gaming.
