Play as the cat belonging to Iran's first democratically elected Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh. Guide him back through key life events from the 1953 CIA-engineered coup by knocking items off shelves, scattering papers, and scratching him. This free-to-play indie title draws from Persian miniature art and Cold War foreign policy.
The game explores ties between Western players and Iranian history, mirroring U.S.-Iran relations. It prompts reflection on spotting threats to democracy. Cat owners and history enthusiasts drawn to playful, interactive storytelling will enjoy coaxing events forward this way.
In The Cat and the Coup, you play the cat of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran. During the summer of 1953, the CIA engineered a coup to bring about his downfall. As a player, you coax Mossadegh back through significant events of his life by knocking objects off shelves, scattering his papers, and scratching him.
The game, situated within the traditions of Persian miniature art form and cold war foreign policy, asks players to consider their connection to Iranian history. The Cat and the Coup is both about the relationship between the Western video game player and Mossadegh and, by extension, the United States and Iran. It lays a foundation for today’s critical question -- how do the people know when their democracy is threatened?
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