TreesPlease Tackles Climate Change, Breaking Industry Norms

A newly launched development studio, TreesPlease, has emerged with a mission to inspire players to take action against climate change. Founded in 2019, the studio has officially unveiled its debut game, Longleaf Valley, and secured $8 million in seed funding. CEO Laura Carter, a seasoned gaming industry professional, co-founded TreesPlease with a passion for environmental concerns. Her vision for the studio is to create games that not only entertain but also promote positive change. Longleaf Valley, a free-to-play casual merge game, demonstrates the studio's goals. Players earn "tree tokens" by completing in-game tasks, which can be used to donate to the Eden Reforestation Project, planting trees in the real world. The game has already led to the planting of over 350,000 trees and is on track to reach one million by the end of 2023. Carter emphasizes the importance of creating games that are both fun and impactful. TreesPlease's projects are built around three core pillars: awareness, real-world change, and "purposeful play." The studio aims to encourage players to think about climate change and take action, while also providing an enjoyable gaming experience. The studio has raised $8 million in funding, with investors including Unity co-founder David Helgason and Activision's Chris Lee. The team consists of 15 experienced developers, with plans to expand to 20 by the end of the year. Carter stresses the need for the gaming industry to move beyond "limited-time activism" and make long-term commitments to creating positive change. She urges developers to surround themselves with like-minded individuals, maintain energy around their mission, and keep their impact front and center with players and teams. TreesPlease is not the first studio to focus on "games for good," but Carter believes that the industry can do more to address climate change. She calls for companies to prioritize carbon offsetting and maintain accountability for their carbon footprint. Ultimately, TreesPlease aims to create games that inspire players to make a positive difference in the world. By combining engaging gameplay with real-world impact, the studio hopes to set a new standard for the gaming industry and encourage others to follow suit.