Black Americans touch many facets of entertainment, but when it comes to video games, they are more often consumers than creators, promoters, or distributors of the products.
Nationwide — As large as the video game industry is, it is not as diverse as you would think. 83% of minority teens play video games, and less than 3% make them. For this reason, Owen Ratliff and Jesse Wright have come together to create a Black-owned video game franchise called Black Salt Coreuption bringing diversity to the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.Owen says that their game, which launches soon on the Nintendo Switch and PC, has been often called the Black Panther of video games to help bring more diversity and inclusion into the game industry.
Black Salt Coreuption is a one-on-one 3D arena fighting game that allows complete freedom of movement around the arena rather than 3D characters doing combat on a 2D plane. The Black Salt Coreuption 3D arena fighting game series is a combination of two comic book universes that collide to bring Black Salt Vs COREUPT, much like Marvel vs. Capcom. Ratti Entertainment, LLC created the Black Salt brand that started out as a comic book series that evolved into a film that received a deal from HBO and now into a fighting game for the Nintendo Switch and PC.
Jesse, who is a co-creator of the game, is bringing the popular world of the transmedia IP Black Salt to the world of mobile and console gaming with the game, Black Salt Coreuption, a mix of espionage and ancient martial arts. Helping Jesse see his vision through to the end is his mentor, Owen, creator of the Black Salt franchise who has been there for every step of the creative process.
Heading for a career in the NFL, Jesse had a promising future. After a near-fatal heart condition, Jesse turned to his true passion, gaming! Having been an avid game player for years, he worked in retail and distribution with GameStop.
Owen and Jesse believe it is important to showcase the diversity and empowerment of creating intellectual properties such as Black Salt Coreuption to young minority children so they can be encouraged to achieve these types of amazing accomplishments themselves. Esports is a dynamically growing industry that can provide college scholarships, educational enrichment, and a vast array of positive social, cognitive, and developmental STEM skills for children.
Black Salt Coreuption has created a 100% tax-deductible Special Black Salt Restricted Use Fund within The Varsity Esports 501(c)(3) Foundation to offer grants for students and schools in low income and disenfranchised communities to provide STEM learning through gaming.
Owen comments, “If the gaming industry can begin to truly tackle diversity issues, they could create content that appeals to a wider audience and better reflect the audiences that play their games. Therefore, it is important for everyone to join the diversity & inclusion moment in gaming.”
For more details about the game and their company, visit BlackSaltCoreuption.com
Exclusive content:
YouTube.com/watch?v=f2HnQIjWHDQ
Teaser trailer:
YouTube.com/watch?v=404ms27NIRU
About Ratti Entertainment LLC
Ratti Entertainment LLC is the production company for the Black Salt and Get Up Joe feature film franchise. The company specializes in taking independent comic book projects and turning them into transmedia intellectual properties.
For press inquiries, contact Owen Ratliff at 702-350-6583 or owen.ratliff@gmail.com