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A video game set in Milwaukee's east side? It began with Rocky Horror.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • • science
Key Points:
- Rich Altenbach is developing "Cream City Chaos: Origins," a video game that meticulously recreates Milwaukee's east side as it was in 1994, serving as a nostalgic time capsule of the neighborhood's defunct businesses and landmarks.
- Altenbach’s personal connection to the east side began with attending midnight screenings of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Oriental Theatre in the early 1990s, which profoundly influenced his life and social circle, including meeting his wife there.
- The game features missions inspired by Altenbach’s teenage experiences and local culture, such as skateboarding challenges, psychedelic trips, and visits to iconic spots like Ma Fischer's and the Oriental Theatre.
- Altenbach is developing the game solo alongside his full-time job and band commitments, relying on personal memory, historical research, and community input to ensure accuracy and authenticity, aiming for a 2027 release.
- The project preserves a version of the east side that has drastically changed due to gentrification and redevelopment, offering players a chance to experience the vibrant, diverse neighborhood Altenbach remembers.
