#naoero

Charlotte Graham-McLay for the AP:

The Pacific Island country of Nauru has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, its president said, matching the spelling and pronunciation in the national language.

The country's international code will change from NRU to NRO and its people will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. Commonly known abroad by the pronunciation of Now-roo, the new name is spoken as Now-ero.

The move would return the remote South Pacific island nation to its traditional name, a statement posted Thursday to the government's Facebook account said. The country became known internationally as Nauru only because its local name was difficult for foreigners to pronounce and was a matter of convenience rather than one of choice, according to an earlier government statement.

#Nauru Game FAQ! As promised!

Q: What is Nauru?

A: Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic located in the South Pacific. One of the least populous and least-visited countries on the planet, it also used to be hugely rich as a result of its phosphate deposits which brought it to independence earlier than most of the other nations of Oceania. Unfortunately, the phosphates ran out and the country went from one of the richest on earth to one of the poorest. Nauru's colonial name was "Pleasant Island", and Nauru is the German rendition of Anaoero / Naoero, roughly "I go to the beach".

Q: Why Nauru?

A: In addition to the sustainability lessons found in its history, I also wanted to make an open-world game for the first time (Nuuk Adventures is mission-based, much like Luigi's Mansion 2, so the world of Nuuk / Greenland in that game is not contingious). What's more, much like in Nuuk, there are many lessons to take from world history if you look at Nauru under the surface.

Q: What languages will the game be available in?

A: English, even if it weren't an international language / my native tongue, would be featured in the game because of the former colonial presence / living in the shadow of Australia. Nauruan is likely as well, but I'll need (1) lessons (I'll get myself a teacher after Nuuk is done) and (2) to alter the fonts in the game so that they account for Nauruan's accented letters seemlessly. Other considerations that may be given later down the line include German (former colonizer alongside Britain), Kiribati / Gilbertese (3rd most commonly spoken language on Nauru), Marshallese or even a Chinese language (I believe Taiwan / the ROC has a robust presence in Nauru for reasons you can imagine). English and Nauruan will definitely be included, though.

Q: I heard about the Australian migrant detention camps on Nauru? Are those going to be in the game?

A: It wouldn't be right for me to completely airbrush away things like that. Suffice it to say that nothing in any Kaverini game gets published without being vetted by people from multiple nationalities. Also I believe they're not functional anymore.

Q: Nuuk Adventures uses Danish kroner / crowns as its currency like real-life Greenland does. Will Nauru Adventures use the Australian dollar (AU$)?

A: Yes.

Q: When will Kaverini Nauru Adventures be released?

A: Too early to say. I am not going to be working on it in earnest until the Nuuk Adventures PC, Mobile and Switch versions are done, as well as all of the IndieGoGo rewards delivered to those who contributed to that campaign. Given that the Mobile and Switch versions are largely ports, it shouldn't take too long.

Q: Is Nauru going to be available on those platforms?

A: That is my plan. In addition to a GameBoy catridge.

Q: Gameboy...?

A: My first video game system was a GameBoy when I was 7. This is what we call a "demake". Even in the Unity version of the game (which is likely to happen because the GameBoy catridge can't support homebrew characters as easily, and I don't think I can sell ROMs on Steam) will be based on the GameBoy version, to be made in GB Studio. The music, sound effects, color palette and character limitations will all fall in line with what is possible on that system, although the Unity version may take liberty with some elements (much like the Shovel Knight series did with its colors, sound effect tracks, etc.)

Q: What about the voice acting and the testing Nuuk Adventures? 

A: Haven't forgotten, I've been polishing and debugging away and I want to get the best version of that game possible before implementing those other elements. This FAQ is about Nauru. Back to the Pacific with us.

Q: Nauru has the highest obesity rates in the world. Will you represent that in the game characters?

A: Again, if it is / was in real life, it goes in the game. No insensitive caricatures, however, and it is hard enough as is to depict such things in 32x32 pixels.

Q: Can I make my own character in Nauru Adventures?

A: In the PC / Unity versions, yes. For the GameBoy one it right now seems unlikely, especially for the cartridge version. But I am considering upping the amount of pre-set characters to make up for it (Nuuk has 20 preset characters).

Q: Pets like in Nuuk?

A: Unlikely in this game given the GB limitations.

Q: Gender options?

A: Nauruan is gender neutral in my experience, much like English is, so you don't even need to choose any gender option at all when you make your character.

Q: What about character diversity?

A: Ethnic Nauruans make up the majority of people on the island, but you'll also find Australians, I-Kiribati, Marshallese, Indians, Chinese and more! In 32x32 pixels, the differences may not be as clear but will be accentuated in other ways (e.g. dialogue, overworld details, etc.)

Q: Will there be Australian Rules Football as a minigame?

A: Too soon for me to say. Would you like that?

Q: Are you writing the music yourself for this game?

A: Yes. But if you know of a Nauruan composer who would be willing to help, get me in touch. It's paid work. The soundtrack is a lot slimmer, though, because GameBoy.

Q: The art style for Nuuk Adventures was influenced by Inuk artwork, will the same be true for Nauru?

A: Yes, but I'll need to soak myself in Nauruan culture more.

Q: In "Geography Now", it was said that there is a unique directional system that can only be used on Nauru. Will that be in the game?

A: Yes. What other game can I use it for? It's a hugely missed opportunity if I don't.

Q: How much will the game cost and where can I buy it?

A: I'm thinking 5 USD ($) on launch. Steam, my personal website, other online stores, possibly even physical copies for multiple gaming systems.

Happy Independence Day, Nauru!  The third smallest state in the world (behind Vatican City and Monaco), Nauru was named Pleasant Island by the first Westerner known to have landed on its shores (the British whale hunter John Fearn) and lies in the Central Pacific, its nearest neighbor being one of the islands of Kiribati.  It was annexed by the German Empire in 1888, was administered by Australia/New Zealand/the United Kingdom post-Great War, was occupied by the Japanese during WWII, passed over to the United Nations after the war, and gained independence on this date in 1968.

Stamp details: Stamp on top: Issued on: September 11, 1988 From: Yaren, Nauru MC #83

Middle stamp: Issued on: September 12, 1988 From: Yaren, Nauru MC #84