Brothers Akeem and Tyreik Pennicooke are working on a demo of a video game to be ready for release in the next three to six months for PC and Mac users. The brothers hope the demo will help them raise the additional funds they need to complete the project. They are asking those who want to partner or donate to do so at streetboyja.com.
Titled Street Boy, the game follows Arlinton, a 13-year-old boy who lost his parents in a car accident and now lives with his grandmother, Cherry. Arlinton works odd jobs in his Portland community to help support his household and keep the environment clean while staying out of the clutches of George Campbell, an 18-year old gangster trying to lure youth into a life of crime. Akeem and Tyreik hope the game can become a symbol of pride and inspiration for young Jamaicans who want to pursue a career in the multibillion-dollar gaming industry. “If you keep them (youth) busy and educated, then the violence stays down. We want the game to teach them that there are other ways to express yourself and earn an income,” says Akeem.