TreesPlease Takes on Climate Change with Innovative Approach

A newly unveiled development studio, TreesPlease, is dedicated to inspiring players to take action against climate change. Founded in 2019 by CEO Laura Carter, the studio has officially launched alongside its debut game, Longleaf Valley, and an $8 million seed investment round. Carter, who previously worked as general manager on CSR2 at NaturalMotion, has been passionate about environmental concerns since childhood. The idea for TreesPlease was conceived long before the studio's establishment, driven by Carter's motivation to make a positive impact. The studio's goals are exemplified by Longleaf Valley, a free-to-play casual merge game where players earn 'tree tokens' that can be used to donate to the Eden Reforestation Project, planting trees in the real world. Soft-launched in selected markets last year, Longleaf Valley has already led to over 350,000 trees being planted, with the studio aiming to reach one million trees by the end of 2023. The game's success has attracted significant investment, including a seed round led by Lakestar and March Gaming, with notable angel investors such as Unity co-founder David Helgason. The studio plans to use the investment to further grow the game and the company, which currently consists of 15 people with plans to expand to 20 by the end of the year. Carter emphasizes the importance of assembling a team with experience in free-to-play and casual games to reach a mass audience and increase the chances of making an impact on climate change awareness. The studio's projects will be built around three core pillars: awareness, real-world change, and 'purposeful play.' Carter highlights the need to encourage players to think about climate change and consider how they can help, stressing that corporations and governments won't alter their choices until there is consumer demand or behavior shift. The studio aims to make a difference through its games, with Longleaf Valley demonstrating a compelling story that highlights the causes and impact of climate change in a casual and light-hearted way. TreesPlease's goal is for players to come away from playing Longleaf Valley feeling proud of the trees they've planted and their achievements, without guilt or buyer's remorse. The studio wants to help players make environmentally conscious choices outside the game, such as supporting companies with sustainable practices and using renewable energy. Carter notes that the games industry has a habit of limited-time activism, which can deflate the impact of its messages, and urges companies to maintain a higher standard of accountability regarding their carbon footprint and to make long-term commitments to conservation efforts. When asked for advice, Carter recommends surrounding oneself with people who share the same ambition and maintaining energy around the mission. She also encourages developers to not be afraid of doing something different and to make games that keep players engaged, allowing for bigger risks and learning what resonates with players.