We need trees. They’re good for climbing, for preventing erosion, and for providing me with delicious oxygen so I can breathe properly when I’m not smoking cigarettes. But the deforestation monster continues to have its way with mother Earth, adding two billion tons of excess carbon dioxide each year. But there’s a way that you can help with the problem without getting out of your chair.
Speaking at the Games for Change Festival, indie games studio Talkie challenged players to plant 25,000 trees in their eco friendly social game, Ecotopia, in 25 days or less. If the challenge is met, Talkie promises to plant 25,000 real trees in Brazil. These “real” trees will feature detailed textures that will make Skyrim’s forests look like shit with an ultra realistic real-world physics engine that will allow for each individual leaf to move independently each time the wind blows. Also, don’t even get me started on the bloom effects you’ll see on these gorgeous, real-life sprouts as light bounces off of them.
“Our goal for Ecotopia is to create awareness, engagement and activism within our community and beyond,” said Talkie CEO Chris Swain. “People need nature to thrive, and collaborating with Talkie on Ecotopia provides a great opportunity to engage a wide audience to help protect the ecosystems that sustain us all,” said Conservation International’s senior VP Mark Phillips.
Ectopia is a free-to-play Facebook game described as having a “social conscience,” which makes me want to hate it. But if Talkie is willing to serve some real world improvements to accompany the game’s somewhat high-handed edutainment message, we’re all for it!
So far, Talkie’s “Plant a Real Forest Challenge” has been met with great success. Over 1,000 trees were planted in-game on the first day, with more added towards the challenge’s target goal of 25,000 each day. To join the challenge, play Ecotopia on Facebook to get your Johnny Appleseed on. The challenge will be open till July 15.
Jun 23, 2011
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