Connect4Climate is partnering with Cube VR, an AR/VR design studio and strategic consultancy, to produce a multiplatform gaming experience entitled, “Guardians of Gaia”. The game, which will leverage AR and geo-location technologies, is slated to launch in Washington D.C. on Earth Day 2018 and continue at selected World Bank events through 2020 in what aims to be the first ongoing, multiplatform eco-game of its kind.

 

The concept was unveiled at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany by Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network and James Close, Director of Global Climate Change Operations at the World Bank Group.

 

 

 

James Close, Director of Global Climate Change Operations at the World Bank Group

 

As a keystone to the gaming experience, Cube VR will produce an interactive digital photo and film exhibit titled, “Journey to Gaia,” which will be directed and curated by Patricia Lanza, former Director of the Annenberg Space for Photography. Most recently, Patricia Lanza was nominated for Curator of the Year in 2015 by The Lucy Foundation for the acclaimed “Refugee” exhibit. In 2011, Lanza also oversaw creative direction for Exhibition of the Year-winner “Beauty Culture,” the documentary of which was also nominated for an Academy Award.

 

Cube VR partners, Larry Rosenthal and Blu Topalli, have developed and executed branded narrative experiences leveraging AR/VR, mobile platforms and other emerging technologies for clients including Apple, Sony, NBC Universal, and Hasbro Inc. This will be their first project for Connect4Climate, the World Bank Group’s global partnership program for the advancement of climate change awareness and the encouragement of climate solutions.

 

In 2015, Connect4Climate most notably coordinated the creative partnership to present Fiat Lux, a first of its kind projection-mapping experience utilizing the surface of the Vatican itself to bring climate issues to 100,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and an estimated global reach of more than 4.4 billion viewers.

“We are thrilled to be working with Cube VR on this ambitious launch at Earth Day 2018,” says Connect4Climate’s Max Edkins, “and look forward to creating a narrative experience that spurs real climate action through 2020 and beyond. Cube VR’s history of tackling large challenges with flexible designs and multi-platform experience strategies dovetails perfectly with our aim of adding real meaning to climate action amongst our global community.”

 

 

Max Edkins, Acting Manager, Climate Change Expert, Connect4Climate