‘Animal Town’ influences kids to save Philippine biodiversity through gaming
A new Philippine government-initiated mobile game highlights local biodiversity in an engaging, interactive way while raising funds to support nature conservation efforts in the country.
From kids jumping up and down with joy as they get their first console, to adults feeling a sense of nostalgia as they pick up the latest release from a long-standing franchise—video games have long provided fun and comfort to people of all ages.
Beyond entertainment, these games can also be designed as powerful educational tools. One prime example is Animal Town. A new Philippine government-initiated mobile game, it highlights local biodiversity in an engaging, interactive way while raising funds to support nature conservation efforts in the country.
Heralded by Conservation International as the “hottest of biodiversity hotspots,” the Philippines is home to over 50,000 plant and 100,000 animal species—equivalent to an astounding 70% to 80% of the known species of flora and fauna across the globe. With this rich landscape, it ranks fifth in the world for plant species diversity and critically holds 5% of the world’s total plant coverage.
Biodiversity is essential to human communities, intertwined across aspects of food, water, health, and climate, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga.
However, increasing human activity throughout the years has pushed much of the country and the globe’s ecosystems to the brink of collapse. Several endemic species, which can uniquely be found in the Philippines, face massive threats to their survival, as they are currently left with only four percent of their natural forest habitat. At sea, unsustainable fishing practices have severely reduced fish populations, endangering marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them. The country’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are globally recognized as important regions for preserving species survival and maintaining healthy ecosystems, yet only 37.5% of these sites are protected by law.
“The Philippines is a biodiversity powerhouse with some of the world’s most unique species. [Our wildlife] is under increasing threat, but we can do something about it,” says Loyzaga.
Indeed, raising awareness about protecting the country’s natural treasures is extremely vital and urgent. To this end, the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau—in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative and the Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP)—designed and launched Animal Town to promote appreciation of Philippine wildlife and ecosystems among the general public
At its core, it is a simulation game where players manage a town of animals, collecting resources, developing characters, and completing quests. “The game also serves as an educational tool to learn about the challenges and solutions to protect Philippine biodiversity,” shares its developer, Lord Gosingtian. As players progress, they encounter interactive trivia questions and complete informative quests that not only reward them with in-game bonuses but more importantly, can help expand their knowledge about local biodiversity—all while meeting a diverse cast of animal villager characters, inspired by various species endemic to the Philippines.
Importantly, a portion of the proceeds from in-game advertisements and purchases is directed toward funding conservation projects in the country. Funds generated through Animal Town will be managed by FFP and allocated to biodiversity projects identified by DENR. “We will exercise prudent stewardship over the funds generated by Animal Town,” assures FFP Executive Director Atty. Jose Andres Canivel. “We will ensure they are directed toward conserving our natural resources in line with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.”
With the game only being launched early this year, however, reports on the game’s effectiveness in actualizing its advocacy are yet to be released.
Given that there are over 40 million mobile app users in the Philippines, Loyzaga highlights that garnering even a small percentage of these users to regularly play and potentially pay for the game could lead to significant benefits for local biodiversity and sustainability initiatives. “As we [unveil] a game that transcends entertainment, [it will serve] as a powerful tool not only to raise awareness and appreciation of nature conservation but also to mobilize finances for nature in the Philippines,” she emphasizes.
By inspiring greater environmental awareness, Animal Town encourages players to take action beyond their screens. Whether you’re a kid at heart or a young gamer, exploring the world of Animal Town can represent a small but meaningful step toward protecting the Philippines’ extraordinary biodiversity.
