The internet must have an inferiority complex by now. Everyone keeps calling it ugly.
Advertisers and editorial producers alike keep making references to “beautifying” the web these days, and Microsoft Canada is taking things a step further.
Microsoft has developed a video game called “The Battle for Beauty” in which players take on bad guys named “Peeping Tom,” “Mr. Clutter” and “Eternal Loadworm.” The characters embody the viruses and some of the other “ugly” downsides of the web.
The game, which will be available at BattleForBeauty.ca from June 10 until the end of the month, is meant to inform people about how Internet Explorer 9, the newest version of Microsoft’s web browser, protects users from these pesky online problems.
There’s also an option for those who want to take part in this gaming experience in the real world (and it’ll appeal to a wider demo than kids who geek out with role playing games in the park). Microsoft Canada is holding an on-location installation in Toronto where participants can toss a ball at the evil characters on an interactive light wall to, as Microsoft Canada puts it, “help Beauty win the day on the web.”
The ball-tossing fests take place June 10 and 11 from 9 pm until midnight near the intersection of Richmond and John Street. (And considering that’s in Toronto’s club district, a light wall is a fitting match to the ‘lit’ passerby that time of night.)
Check out the making of the video game here.
