All Rise channels Ace Attorney, Disco Elysium and Slay the Spire in a courtroom card 1 - battle to save the planet

A forthcoming video game named "All Rise" is setting its sights on more than just virtual victories. It seeks to contribute to environmental conservation efforts by raising funds for real-world eco-friendly initiatives. Created by a team boasting credentials from high-profile projects like Horizon Forbidden West, Thirsty Suitors, League of Legends, and Paradise Killer, alongside climate specialists, the game draws inspiration from actual legal battles waged by environmental activists.

At the heart of "All Rise" is the pioneering effort by Dutch environmental group Fossielvrij, which translates to 'Fossil Free'. In 2021, the group prepared to legally challenge the pension fund behemoth ABP to divest its €15 billion fossil fuel investments. During the preparation phase, Fossielvrij toyed with the concept of a climate law-themed video game as a method to drum up broader support for their cause.

Although ABP eventually relinquished its fossil fuel investments without a court case, the concept of a game remained with Fossielvrij. Drawing inspiration from the Ace Attorney series, the game was conceived to allow players to champion environmental causes in a legal setting. To bring this vision to life, Fossielvrij enlisted an impressive team. Notables among them include Horizon Forbidden West producer Niels Monshouwer, 80 Days writer Meghna Jayanth, and artists who have worked on Thirsty Suitors, League of Legends, and Paradise Killer. The team also features sustainable fashion designer Meghna Nayak, whose dedication to recycled fabrics has influenced the character designs within the game, plus a group of environmental researchers.

Fossielvrij’s Dr. Joost Vervoort described "All Rise" as an innovative blend, marrying the comedic legal jousts of Phoenix Wright, the deep narrative immersion of Disco Elysium, and the strategic deckbuilding mechanics found in Slay the Spire.

The gameplay consists of players allocating team members to various missions to gather evidence and strengthen their legal case. The missions' outcomes, influenced by the team members chosen, add new cards to the player's deck, which are instrumental for progress. Engaging with characters both inside and outside the courtroom transforms into card-based duels, where cards wield powers appealing to one's sense of justice, empathy, logic, or the absurd.

The game spans several chapters, with each focusing on different global regions. It begins with "The Murdered River" set in Kerala, India, where players follow lawyer Kuyili’s endeavor to press charges against those responsible for the ecological degradation of the Muziris river. The game's narrative allows for the corporate executive Rishabh to evolve from a potential adversary to an ally, depending on the player's decisions.

Currently in development, "All Rise" is in search of financial backing from both game publishers and philanthropic entities, complementing existing support from the Dutch government's creative industry fund. The development team envisions a series of chapters, each introducing new characters and locales while considering expansions in the card set for future gameplay.

The ultimate goal of "All Rise" is to channel funds and awareness generated by the game into supporting actual legal actions against corporations detrimental to the environment. This approach not only promises an engaging experience for gamers but also extends the impact of their play into tangible environmental advocacy and action.