Loading Studios is pleased to announce its seventh game, this time for the Game Boy - Alentejo: Tinto's Law© - following the publication of the critically acclaimed The Fisherman - A Codfish Tale, which took home the "Games for Good" category at the PlayStation© Talent Awards 2023.

While countries like the UK and Germany have thriving retro gaming scenes, Portugal hadn’t explored this space yet. This project started with a conversation at an academic event. During a break at ETIC, two members of the Loading Studios team, Daniel Penão and Vasco Oliveira, began talking about their shared love of nostalgic games and old TV shows. The question popped up almost casually: why hadn’t Portugal ever produced a Game Boy game in the 1990s? That single question sparked an idea that would grow into something much bigger.

How a retro game was born

Shortly after that, the team began tossing around potential concepts, inspired by Portuguese pop culture from the ‘90s. As Vasco Oliveira, Level Designer and Co-founder of Loading Studios told The Portugal News, “We discussed Major Alveja, Claxon and, eventually, ‘Alentejo Sem Lei’. That idea of a spaghetti Western in the 19th century Portugal stuck with us. The next days we continued to discuss how it would be cool to have a historical game about the red wine traffic, contraband, a baron that controls everything and everyone, the local habitats, the Alentejo humour, lost traditions and professions… And soon enough, we decided to develop Alentejo: Tinto’s Law© for the Game Boy”.

What began as a playful brainstorming session quickly developed into a complete production. With the help of Teknamic Software, the team felt it was time for a cartridge version. As Vasco shared, "Surprisingly, the demand and interest haven't decreased in the last few months, quite the contrary, it's always growing”. Featuring a charming 8-bit art style, the game evokes a nostalgic retro feel. Whether you prefer the collectible cartridge edition - playable on classic systems like the Game Boy - or the convenient digital version on your mobile device, Alentejo: Tinto’s Law© offers an unforgettable journey filled with history, adventure, and charm.

From Alentejo’s roots to Game Boy screens

According to the Game Designer, Ivan Barroso, the choice of Alentejo as the game’s setting wasn’t random. Known for its expansive fields, abandoned mines, and slow pace of life, the region felt like Portugal’s answer to the Wild West. Its history of contraband, particularly with red wine, was perfect fodder for a compelling narrative. “One of our team members [Barroso] also had roots in Alentejo and knew the region quite well, which helped in shaping the nostalgic narrative, the gameplay elements and historical features”, the co-founder explained. The team drew inspiration from everything: the arrival of trains to the region, the harsh life of its people, and even its unique sense of humour. These elements were layered into the game, creating a world that felt authentic and alive.

As you play the game, you will be invited to explore mysterious caves, solve rustic puzzles, and cross the border between Spain and Portugal while uncovering fascinating traditions. As Vasco Oliveira further added, “That is why the main antagonist is called Barão Tinto, and the traffic is about red (tinto) wine. The game’s name comes from this, a wordplay between the antagonist's name, the village and the wine. In our Alentejo, the wine is the law and the law is the wine”.

Nostalgia with a modern twist

Alentejo: Tinto’s Law© is a bridge between past and present. The audience for the game is just as diverse as its inspirations. According to the creators, the game appeals to nostalgic adults who grew up with the Game Boy, tech enthusiasts with modern emulators, and collectors looking for a unique addition to their shelves. Alentejo: Tinto’s Law© is available in seven languages, expanding its reach far beyond Portugal.

As Vasco Oliveira disclosed, “We do believe that, historically, here in Portugal, Alentejo: Tinto’s Law© is the first commercial for the original Game Boy, Pocket and Color released in a physical format”. What makes this game so unique is that this is not just another retro game; it’s a statement. Alentejo: Tinto’s Law shows that Portugal’s gaming industry can think outside the box - or in this case, inside a cartridge.

Author

After studying Journalism for five years in the UK and Malta, Sara Durães moved back to Portugal to pursue her passion for writing and connecting with people. A ‘wanderluster’, Sara loves the beach, long walks, and sports. 

Sara J. Durães