Great Big Kentucky Adventure
Don't just visit Kentucky – play it! Experience the state's top landmarks in a whole new way with an iconic video game.
Video Game Unlocks Kentucky's Hidden Secrets
We all know how much kids love video games, and let‘s face it, it‘s tough to tear them away from their screens. Kentucky Tourism, along with Coomer agency, have a solution to keep both kids and parents happy – Great Big Kentucky Adventure! This innovative video game transforms twelve major landmarks in the Bluegrass State into an exciting, side-scrolling gaming experience. Conquer each level in the game and in real life.
Coomer Agency wanted to capture the essence of Kentucky’s iconic landmarks in a fun and nostalgic way and partnered with Weirdo Works to bring the game to life with a nod to classic 16-bit game systems like Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. We created custom pixel art, animation, and AI-assisted illustrated game levels and promotional artwork to attract families to explore and experience Kentucky landmarks like never before!
Client
Agency
Art Direction, Character Design, Illustration, and Animation
Justin Gammon
Marketing Design Support
Bennie Wells
Developer
Denys Chebotaiev
Great Big Kentucky Adventure | Pixel Art and Gameplay Showcase
Turn Your Family Vacation into a Gaming Getaway!
Retro Gaming Reinvented
Coomer and Kentucky Tourism have teamed up with an incredible idea that turns screen time on its head! Instead of just letting kids zone out on their devices, why not engage them with a game featuring captivating levels that are fun, intriguing, and visually appealing? The game aims to entice kids and their parents to visit these same places in real life. Once this exciting concept was developed, Coomer enlisted Weirdo Works for their branding and art direction expertise. We designed character models, custom pixel art, and animations for child heroes, villains, and collectibles across 12 levels. In addition to the graphics, Weirdo Works also helped select the music and sound effects to enhance the gaming experience. Embracing a 16-bit retro style, the art direction is a nod to the past that parents would love, while resonating with the pixelated charm of Minecraft, a favorite among kids.
Kentucky Counties Collaborate for an Epic Adventure
Beyond Screen Time!
As travel and tourism pick up steam in a post-Covid world, it’s crucial for destinations to stand out in the crowded market. That’s why Kentucky tourism organizations are getting creative with their marketing. Twelve counties are collaborating on “Great Big Kentucky Adventure,” a 12-level video game. This game is super easy for parents to pull up on a mobile device during a road trip, giving kids a fun sneak peek of their destination and building excitement and familiarity before they even arrive.
Great Big Kentucky Adventure | Mobile Game
Great Big Kentucky Adventure | Forest Giants Attraction-to-Illustration
The Art of Blending AI and Game Design
Pixelated Postcards
One of the main challenges in developing “Great Big Kentucky Adventure” was striking the right balance between accurately depicting each Kentucky tourist destination and simplifying or stylizing it to make it visually distinct, appealing, and fun. Creating 12 unique levels from scratch within a limited time and budget pushed Weirdo Works to get creative by integrating AI-generated imagery. These AI-created elements were then retouched and remixed to bring the vision of each level to life. Collaborating closely with each county to ensure their satisfaction with the depictions was integral to the process, resulting in a fun and visually captivating version of Kentucky for all to enjoy.
Tiny But Mighty Pixel Art Heroes
The main playable characters in “Great Big Kentucky Adventure” consist of a diverse cast of 10 children, representing various races and genders to ensure every kid can find a hero they relate to. Among these human characters, there are a couple of standout special kids. One is a playful pancake kid, a fun nod to Hopkinsville, KY – the batter capital of the world, and another is an adventurous alien boy who’s not just from out of town—he’s from another planet entirely and is excited to explore Kentucky’s tourist attractions.
Additionally, each character was custom-illustrated and animated pixel-by-pixel. While most characters are generic kids, one notable star is Zaza, a young Kentucky influencer. Zaza is accurately depicted in the game wearing her leather jacket, trucker cap, and shiny boots and featured prominently in promotional imagery, online ads, and as a selectable character in the game’s roster.
The Battle Against Boredom Begins in Kentucky
Monsters of Monotony
Every good hero needs a compelling villain, and “Great Big Kentucky Adventure” delivers with four unique monsters symbolizing boredom. These villains, with their oafish, overweight looks, slug-like appearances, and jittery, hyperactive motions, embody the fight against monotony. Players are tasked with squashing these creatures of boredom to bring excitement and fun while exploring Kentucky’s tourist attractions. It’s your mission to squash boredom and make the most of your adventure in “Great Big Kentucky Adventure.”
Great Big Kentucky Adventure | Postcard Billboards and Promo Stickers
Kentucky Tourism Gets Playful
Beyond the Screen
Kentucky Tourism and Coomer took “Great Big Kentucky Adventure” into the real world with oversized postcard photo selfie spots that replicate the game’s opening screen. These eye-catching installations were placed in public parks across Indianapolis, St. Louis, Nashville, and other regional cities, inviting people to engage with the game. The game’s graphics and character artwork were also featured on promotional stickers, tourism rack cards, and social media posts to entice users into embarking on this virtual adventure, ultimately leading them to explore Kentucky’s attractions in real life. Additionally, Weirdo Works created a series of animated GIF stickers using in-game artwork for integration into Instagram, TikTok, and other social channels, maximizing the game’s reach and engagement.