Daijiworld Media Network
Mangaluru, Sep 21: Mangaluru-based Accolade Tech Solutions is all set to launch an app ‘Rise Up Game’ (RUG), which works on the reverse principles of the Blue Whale Challenge.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Harish Neermarga, CEO, Accolade Tech Solutions says that he was shocked on the influence exerted by the Blue Whale Challenge on vulnerable teens.
“Reports of teenagers committing suicide is on news every other day. When I discussed the same with SDM College Professor Dawn Prakash, he stressed the need of an application that spreads positivity in the society. It was here the concept of Rise Up Game was born,” he reveals.
While the Blue Whale Challenge is destructive, isolating teenagers who ultimately kill themselves in the final challenge, the Rise up Game is constructive and will benefit the players as well as the society.
App Screenshot
Harish Neermarga
The work on the app began during the end of August and is currently in the testing phase. The team plans a grand launch on September 30.
Harish reveals that the game has 30 challenges which are spread out across 30 days. The challenges will include tasks such as visiting orphanages, planting trees, uploading videos about the nice things one has in the city, watching motivational videos, tasks that uphold patriotic feelings and also tasks that strengthen family bonds.
Players need to upload proof to show that they have completed the tasks after which they get the next task, he says.
While the 50th task in Blue Whale is always suicide, Harish says he does not want to reveal the final task in Rise Up Game as it will end the curiosity of the players. However, the final task is sure to bring about a lasting positive impact. There are chances that the last task may unite the players of the game, he adds.
Harish informs that people can also submit positive challenges, which will be scrutinised by the admins and if accepted will be included in the game by giving due credit to the contributor.
The app has categories which are based on age and professions. The 30 tasks are spread across three levels, which also include lifelines.
Harish, an alumni of Manipal Institute of Technology, is an entrepreneur. He started Accolade Tech Solutions in 2011. His company creates apps, websites and applications for TV channels. "Rise Up Game is a Corporate Social Responsibility contribution of our company. The game is free to download and the company does not generate any profit because of the app," says Harish.
While the Centre and State Governments are taking steps to tackle the Blue Whale Challenge in India, Harish’s team has sent a draft about the Rise up Game to the PMO and hopes that the government too understands the gravity of the issue and takes steps to make the society positive.