Earth Day was marked by the video game industry this week with the launch of a ground-breaking new platform that will enable both studios and players around the world to make real-world environmental impact simply by playing.
Called Make Green Tuesday Moves, the concept will introduce a new ‘green’ item (or bundle of items) to be purchased within a slate of partner games on the first Tuesday of every month. Through the industry non-profit, Planet Play, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these items will be invested into sustainability projects around the world.
Adopting the #PassiveActivism approach, the concept allows players and studios to engage with conservation efforts while playing their favourite video games.
Make Green Tuesday Moves launched this week with a brace of partners, including SYBO Games, the team behind the massively popular Subway Surfers franchise.
Other partner studios include Lockwood Publishing and CM Games, the teams responsible for Avakin Life and Nitro Nation, respectively.
Each ‘green’ item launched through the platform will be exclusive to the Make Green Moves Tuesday movement and will remain live only until the next item begins. The first drop will take place on June 4th this year.
In game items can span things like characters, costumes, and objects. The first wave of MGTM partner studios participating in the initiative boast more than 36 million daily players and games that have been played over 4 billion times.
Sustainability causes receiving funding through the platform include Planet Play’s flagship Hongera Project which aims to help families in Kenya improve their living conditions by manufacturing and distributing clean cookstoves to local communities, resulting in around 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions saved.
Rhea Loucas, founder and ceo of Planet Play, said: “The need for climate action is more pressing than ever and the games industry is one of the most powerful agents to spark real-world change. Our founding MGTM partners boast some of the most popular games in the world right now, enabling us to collectively engage with global fanbases to help raise environmental awareness and fund great sustainability causes.”
Mathias Gredal Nørvig, ceo of SYBO, added: “Make Green Tuesday Moves is a testament to what is possible when creativity, technology, and passion for the planet come together – we are proud supporters of all those things here at SYBO.
“Planet Play’s initiatives, including within our own Subway Surfers, have not only elevated the player experience, but have also inspired others in the industry to follow suit, proving that games can be a powerful force for positive environmental change. I’m so excited about what we can achieve with MGTM.”
