THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS BEHIND KERB KIDS


Kerb Kids began as a project for the States of Jersey Police, aiming to gamify the respected Kerb-craft road safety teaching method. Due to funding constraints, it could not proceed internally and instead became an independent project. Paul Arnold, Managing Director of Lapin Logic, picks up the story


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n 2013, I brought together two university friends, Gaz Thomas (Head Designer) and James Hair (Programmer), to help develop the game, Kerb Kids. We chose the Unity engine and set out to


gamify the respected Kerb-craft road safety teaching method, widely used across the UK and Europe. Translating this structured manual into an engaging game was a significant challenge. For inspiration, we studied successful titles such as Lego City


Undercover. We adopted a charming, cartoony aesthetic, initially to ensure the game ran smoothly on low-spec school PCs and tablets. The style proved appealing, so we retained it. The game uses a simple point-and-click interface to keep it


accessible across devices. It is structured across a seven-day format, with each day featuring tasks that involve crossing roads safely. Players guide a character through street scenarios, learning to identify safe crossings, read traffic, and apply Green Cross Code principles in a safe environment. Complexity increases throughout the week, introducing busier roads, parked vehicles, and hazards such as rain and dusk. We originally featured a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic,”


but licensing issues led us to replace it with an original track inspired by Belle and Sebastian. A narrator has also been added, voiced by a well-known personality whose identity remains confidential.


THE COMMERCIAL AND CREATIVE CHALLENGES Funding Kerb Kids has been a major challenge. I have primarily self- funded the project, with support from my parents. More recently, I secured investment from IT consultant Paul Kayley, whose backing has been instrumental. Total development costs are now approximately £35,000. The game is fully playable on PC,


tablet, and mobile, and is ready to be presented to publishers. We are currently seeking a partner to support a commercial release targeted for late 2026. Educational games present unique commercial challenges. Publishers often


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view them as higher risk compared to mainstream titles, which can limit opportunities. However, some in the industry have expressed frustration with this risk-averse approach. I believe the landscape may be shifting, and projects like Kerb Kids can help demonstrate demand for meaningful, socially beneficial games. Creatively, the biggest challenge was balancing education with


enjoyable gameplay. Early testing in Jersey schools has been very positive, with both pupils and teachers engaging well. Teachers have noted that children naturally interact with the game and apply what they learn in real-world situations.


THE EXPANDING ROLE OF GAME STUDIOS Although educational games are no longer as commercially dominant as they were during the era of publishers like Broderbund in the 1980s and 1990s, their value remains significant. Developers in this space often find the work highly rewarding, particularly when it benefits children and supports public safety. Projects like Kerb Kids demonstrate that game studios can play a


broader role beyond entertainment. By contributing to education and social impact, the industry has the potential to create meaningful change. We are currently in discussions with potential publishing partners


and welcome interest from organisations looking to bring Kerb Kids to a wider audience. Paul Arnold can be contacted at paul@lapinlogic. com or via www.lapinlogic.com. Going forward, we plan to expand content with additional scenarios covering rural roads, night- time travel, and cyclist awareness. We also aim to integrate teacher dashboards for progress tracking and classroom use. These enhancements will strengthen both educational impact and long-term engagement, ensuring Kerb Kids remains relevant as technology and road safety needs evolve over time for future learners everywhere worldwide.


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