British General Election Goes Digital: Roblox and BBC Team Up to Bring Larry the Cat to the Polls
This week, the United Kingdom is gearing up for its General Election, and technology is playing a significant role in the campaign. In a unique partnership, gaming platform Roblox and the BBC are joining forces to bring election content to users. At the heart of the project is Larry the Downing Street Cat, the iconic Chief Mouser and pet-in-residence at 10 Downing Street.
Larry will be joining digital avatars of BBC presenters Laura Kuenssberg, Clive Myrie, and Jeremy Vine in a special game on Roblox. Players will be tasked with tracking down ballot boxes outside 10 Downing Street, and if they collect enough, Larry will become their new pet. Along the way, they’ll also learn interesting facts about the UK’s election process.
The game is part of the BBC’s Wonder Chase experience, which launched on Roblox in April. This free experience is dedicated to BBC shows like Doctor Who, EastEnders, and The Next Step. According to Kuenssberg, being a gaming character has been a new experience for her, saying, “like never before, in 2024 the BBC’s coverage of the election really IS getting everywhere.”
Fiona Campbell, controller of youth audience for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, believes that the game is an engaging and fun way to educate users about the election process while interacting with top political experts.
The UK’s General Election is scheduled to take place on July 4, with millions of people expected to head to the polls despite reported “mass apathy” towards the presiding political parties. This innovative collaboration between Roblox and the BBC aims to educate and entertain users, making the election more accessible and interactive for all.
