Bluey’s Pursuit of the Golden Pen Marks a Turning Point: the first game to truly reflect what makes the beloved series special has finally arrived. But here’s where it gets controversial—many Bluey fans have been disappointed by previous attempts, which often felt more like quick cash grabs than genuine extensions of the show. Now, after some rocky launches, a new title aims to set the record straight.
Bluey is a shining example of Australia’s creative brilliance, radiating talent, warmth, and a distinctive character that has captured audiences worldwide. Yet, sadly, the quality of its video game adaptations has historically fallen short, often being criticized more than celebrated. Some parents, for instance, approached the 2023 mobile game Bluey: Let’s Play! with caution, due to its hefty $9.99 monthly subscription fee and the persistent advertisements promoting other paid games by Budge Studios. Later that year, Artax Games released Bluey: The Videogame, which was widely panned at launch because of its surprisingly short gameplay—lasting less than two hours—along with technical glitches and an asking price of $60. Australian game critic Luke Plunkett described it as “a slapdash cash grab that does the bare minimum,” highlighting how disappointing it was for fans eager to see Bluey brought to life properly.
Adding to the trend, in August 2025, StoryToys launched its mobile version—Lego Bluey—which offered block-building activities, mini-games, and a somewhat milder subscription model. All three titles were developed under the oversight of BBC Studios, which handles much of Bluey’s international licensing and merchandise, highlighting how one of Australia’s most beloved franchises has struggled with its gaming adaptations.
But here’s where it gets interesting… Amidst this patchy history, Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen emerges as the first game that genuinely lives up to the high standards that made the series a global phenomenon. Also commissioned by BBC Studios, this game was crafted right in Brisbane by Bluey’s creator Joe Brumm and the renowned Halfbrick Studios—famous for Fruit Ninja. This makes it the first Bluey game developed in Australia and the first to involve Brumm directly in its creation. It also represents the last original Bluey story we’re likely to see from Brumm until the planned 2027 movie.
After dipping into the opening levels of Halfbrick’s Bluey adventure, I can confidently say that it feels like a real, well-made game—not just a quick promotional piece. The studio estimates players will need around 10 hours to complete it, which matches my experience. Essentially, it’s a classic adventure game where Bluey and Bingo chase their mischievous dad, Bandit, through enchanting scenes that resemble magical artworks—pursuing him after he steals their pen. The game encourages curiosity, exploration, and imaginative use of Bluey’s magical wand. Meanwhile, Brumm’s witty script features the characters debating how to avoid overly helicopter parenting while creatively designing new levels.
Halfbrick’s CEO, Shainiel Deo, had always been a prime candidate to develop a Bluey game, given Halfbrick’s global success with millions of players and his long-standing friendship with Brumm, dating back to their work together on the Dan the Man series in 2016. When Brumm suggested Deo pitch BBC Studios, there were already other Bluey games in development, but Deo notes, “It definitely should have gone to an Australian developer first.” Still, he understands why the BBC opted for trusted international partners.
From the outset, Halfbrick prioritized doing Bluey justice. Deo recalls telling BBC decision-makers, “This game will be ready when it’s ready,” emphasizing quality over speed. His team took on the financial risks, investing their own resources, all driven by a desire to create something truly special. The development process was intentionally flexible, allowing plenty of room for experimentation and refinement, despite delays and funding concerns. Deo strongly feels that this approach paid off, thanks to a passionate team that takes immense pride in employing their local Brisbane environment as inspiration—making them the first Australian team to work on an official Bluey project.
This achievement adds another milestone for Australia’s gaming scene — just months after the massive success of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which crashed servers worldwide due to overwhelming demand. Australian developers, who often face setbacks like layoffs and limited opportunities, finally see their talent and local culture showcased on a significant international stage. It’s a stark contrast to the fact that no Australian studio has released a Mad Max game, or even a Neighbours-themed racing game—even though these franchises are synonymous with Australian culture.
Jason Imms, head of quality assurance at Keywords Studios, remarks that while BBC might not owe anything to Australia, it was a clear choice to leverage local talent like Halfbrick to bring Bluey’s world to life. “We have so few homegrown franchises and opportunities to showcase Australian intellectual property in games,” he says. “Bluey is a treasure that resonates globally, and it really reflects genuine Australian identity—something other Australian media haven’t quite achieved on the same scale.”
Joey Egger, who heads game development at Screen Australia, emphasizes how vital it is that Halfbrick could spotlight Bluey’s distinctly Australian flavor. “It’s authentically ‘daggy,’ full of subtle nuances—all the Brisbane charm. To translate that into games, you need a deep understanding of the culture,” Egger explains. He sees this project as a source of immense pride—paradoxically, because while reproducing the show’s ethos on screen is challenging enough, capturing its very essence in a game requires nuanced craftsmanship.
Beyond pride, the discussion of game quality raises important questions about the ethics of game design, especially when it comes to children. Kids are often considered the most impressionable audience, easily dazzled and vulnerable to manipulative monetization tactics. Halfbrick acknowledges this, choosing to avoid “freemium” models—free-to-play with ads or optional purchases—that can incentivize endless grinding or spending. Instead, Deo reverted to a straightforward, one-time purchase system—the premium model popular in the early 2000s—designed to respect young players and their families. “We don’t want to create a treadmill where kids feel pressured to keep paying,” he stresses, emphasizing ethical considerations.
Imms reflects that while his own children quickly lost interest in other Bluey games, children in general deserve better: stories that teach kindness, patience, and love, rather than ones that manipulate them into spending more money. “Kids are still growing; they’re still learning about the world,” he points out. “They need stories that promote positive values, and Bluey has always been a stellar example of that.”
Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen is now available on iOS and Android, with a scheduled release on PC and consoles later in 2026. Clearly, this game is more than just a new chapter for Bluey—it’s a testament to what Australian developers can achieve when given the opportunity. And for fans, the question remains: is this the start of a new era of quality and integrity in licensed children's games—or is it just a rare bright spot in a sometimes murky industry? Feel free to voice your opinions below!
