Tech Boosts African Conservation

Harnessing the Power of Games for Conservation in Africa

Two storytellers and a technology specialist are working together to leverage the immersive world of video games and virtual reality to promote environmental awareness and conservation initiatives across Africa. Recognizing the potential of gaming to engage a broad audience, especially younger generations, they are fostering collaboration between creatives, scientists, and developers to create compelling narratives that inspire action.

NEWF and Internet for Elephants: A Collaborative Vision

Nature, Environment, and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) has been instrumental in convening African storytellers and creatives, providing a platform to share conservation narratives through various mediums, including film, photography, and music. Recognizing the burgeoning African gaming market, estimated to encompass 350 million active gamers, NEWF partnered with Internet for Elephants to explore the role of gaming in fostering environmental stewardship.

Internet for Elephants, founded by National Geographic Explorer Gautam Shah, focuses on using technology to share wildlife and conservation stories with a global audience. Their mission centers on engaging the next generation and activating their interest in planetary goals and wildlife biodiversity through interactive digital experiences. They believe that traditional, top-down approaches to conservation are no longer sufficient and that meeting people where they are – in the digital realm – is crucial.

Game Development Lab: Fostering African Storytelling

Together, NEWF and Internet for Elephants are creating opportunities for African creatives to develop games as a powerful storytelling tool to inspire conservation action. As part of this initiative, they organized a six-day game design lab, bringing together storytellers, scientists, and game developers to craft innovative game ideas focused on protecting the natural world.

The lab divided participants into teams, tasking them with designing a proof of concept for a conservation-focused game. By pairing storytellers and scientists with game developers, the lab aimed to rapidly prototype ideas that blend compelling narratives with scientific data. This collaborative approach ensures that the games are not only engaging but also grounded in real-world conservation challenges.

The Importance of African Perspectives

A core principle of this initiative is ensuring that African stories are told by African voices. Africa Refocused, a collaboration between NEWF and the National Geographic Society, actively works to change the narrative by empowering African storytellers. This emphasis on local perspectives is crucial for creating games that resonate with African communities and address their specific conservation needs.

Traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, is also a vital component. The organizers are passionate about incorporating community indigenous knowledge systems into the games, making them more relevant and connected to African cultures.

Data-Driven Storytelling

Data plays a crucial role in creating effective conservation games. Internet for Elephants leverages various datasets, including GPS tracking, caller data, bioacoustic data, camera trap data, and webcam footage. Observational data collected from people in the field is also highly valued, particularly traditional knowledge data.

While data ownership and regulations can vary across countries, there is a growing movement toward greater standardization and open access to data in Africa. The initiative operates within the existing legal and policy frameworks, collaborating with researchers, organizations, governments, and multinational entities to access and utilize relevant data. These collaborations benefit the community by providing data owners with opportunities to extend the impact of their data beyond scientific purposes.

Accessible Technology and Collaboration

The initiative utilizes publicly available technologies and existing expertise to create conservation games. Development platforms like Unity and Unreal, as well as mobile platforms like Google Play and the App Store, and consoles like Xbox and PlayStation are leveraged. The cost to access these technologies is relatively low, making game development more accessible.

Internet of Elephants’ game, ‘Wilderverse,’ exemplifies this approach. Developed in collaboration with organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Borneo, the game utilizes augmented reality technology and the Unity development platform and is available on iOS and Android devices.

Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Reach

Despite challenges such as limited electricity and internet access in remote areas, the initiative is committed to reaching a wide audience with its conservation message. Roadshows are organized to bring communities together and showcase films and games. The program emphasizes the importance of creating new platforms and opportunities to engage audiences in conservation efforts, regardless of these limitations.

The six-day program fosters an environment that encourages innovative and unconventional ideas. Through exercises designed to spark creative thinking, participants explore ways to make conservation fun and engaging, approaching the topic from diverse perspectives. The goal is to shift mindsets and develop unique solutions within a safe and supportive atmosphere.

The program aims for a balance between learning and practical application, with a significant portion of the time dedicated to hands-on game creation. By actively engaging in the development process, participants contribute to building a better future for the planet. The initiative strives to create a network of conservation-minded individuals, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive impactful change.