A bilingual video game created by Victor Payan and Pocha Peña promotes voting

Award-winning artists Victor Payan and Pocha Peña have now included video game developers in their long list of accomplishments. They recently launched VOTOS LOCOS, a free bilingual online video game designed to promote voting among first-timers.

The game leads viewers through four main objectives, such as registering to vote, attending a rally, blockwalking with a candidate and even casting a ballot, all while being challenged by tricky internet trolls, Russian AI bots, cyber Ninjas, a bare-chested Putin and other characters drawn from today’s surreal political landscape.

“We created adversaries based on actual threats to the voting process and educate voters how to defeat them,” says Pocha. “We also wanted them to be more transparent and to make the process cathartic and fun. At every step, players can expect surprising encounters with comedic subtext. We have lowriders, tacos, ninjas and even lizard people. It’s loco!”

Payan and Pocha, who love humor, pop culture, and political advocacy, are also co-founders of Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA), which operates TVGB Digital Maker Space and MASARTE Gallery in Santa Ana. VOTOS LOCOS is part of their national Dreamocracy in America project, which was awarded the prestigious Creative Capital grant.

With the help of video game developers from the Orange County Indies, Payan and Pocha designed a fantastically political video game that turns voting and political engagement into a thrilling adventure. “It’s so diverse, it’s woketastic!” says Payan.

VOTOS LOCOS allows players to pick their own avatars, with choices for hairstyle, skin color, head type and more. Players can choose to be a Mexican wrestler, skateboarder, be in a wheelchair and even play as Steamboat Willie, the Disney character that went into the public domain this year. The number of choices and ability to randomize characters has resulted in what may be the most diverse player universe ever created in a video game.

Video game developers Brian Dizon and Tilted Shed Studios helped make VOTOS LOCOS a reality. Artist David Kavika Pursley and musician Moises Vazquez were enlisted to create dynamic artwork and retro digital music for the game. "We united Art & Tech by working with Orange County's best game designers to make the game homegrown and also nationally appealing," said Pocha. "It's a mix of tacos & technology!"

The artists also partnered with local non-profit The Suavecito Foundation’s Youth and Government group to beta test the game. The Suavecito Foundation empowers local youth and is the legacy of local business legends Suavecito Pomade.

Even though VOTOS LOCOS is designed to be fun and engaging, Pocha and Payan are aware of the importance of this year's elections, not just at the presidential level but in all the down-ballot races. This game aims to increase voter turnout across all communities, including new Americans, first-time voters, disenfranchised voters, and even procrastinators, which is central to the game’s purpose.

“We have an era-defining election coming up with so much at stake, and the number one threat to democracy right now is voter apathy,” adds Payan. “People are angry and frustrated by how crazy things are, so we created a game that is fun and even more loco than the real election to punch through that fog of negativity and inspire people to register and get out to vote.”

“If people want to save democracy, they have to vote,” says Payan. 

The free online VOTOS LOCOS game will be available to play on computers, smartphones and tablets at votoslocosgame.com and dreamocracyinamerica.org.