PlanetPlay, the non-profit games marketplace, has unveiled Battle for the Habitats, a biodiversity campaign bringing studios, publishers and players together for the largest collective environmental activation the games industry has ever delivered.
Launching on Earth Day (April 22) and running until World Environment Day (June 5), Battle for the Habitats will be a fun, collaborative global games event across 100+ PC, console and mobile games, supported by major streamers and platforms, with a shared goal to raise $1 million in support of two leading environmental organisations: the Rainforest Alliance and Oceana.
PlanetPlay is now inviting studios, publishers and platforms to Make Green Moves and join Battle for the Habitats ahead of its April 22 Earth Day launch.
How It Will Work
Battle for the Habitats will enlist players, studios and publishers take part in a mass-participation games event by choosing a virtual hero, then joining the fight for nature to take on the real-world forces harming our planet through community activations, in-game DLC, challenges, side quests and live ops.
Studios and publishers can choose a level of support to suit their resources – from sharing the campaign via social media, marketing and PR; to using provided art assets in-game; to selling in-game content and items to raise money. Participation is designed to be plug-and-play, making the campaign accessible to indie developers and global publishers alike.
The two-month Battle for the Habitats campaign will commence on Earth Day (April 22) when two opposing teams, each led by a top creator captain and representing a hero animal, will start going head-to-head on a virtual Two Teams, One Planet leaderboard, driving global engagement while showcasing how games can mobilise streamers and players to protect biodiversity and restore habitats.
Games that continue participating in Battle of the Habitats with content live in their games on World Environment Day (June 5) can connect their work to Playing for the Planet’s Green Game Jam (GGJ) for some extra kudos and the chance to win awards.
The group said 100% of net profits generated through the campaign will be directed to supporting the work of Rainforest Alliance and Oceana, helping to protect and restore vital rainforest ecosystems, defend marine habitats, safeguard endangered species and support communities on the frontlines of climate and biodiversity challenges.
Battle for the Habitats builds on growing evidence that players are keen to engage with green-themed content when it is integrated in an entertaining and authentic way.
PlanetPlay’s global Play2Act research initiative, developed with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has shown that 79% of players exposed to environmental content in games went on to make greener lifestyle choices.
Powering Up the Planet with Play
With over 350,000 registered users, PlanetPlay’s unique marketplace already offers more than 4,000 PC games. Every time a player adds a game to their library, they’re not just boosting their collection; they’re helping to fund projects that protect the planet.
Rhea Loucas, CEO of PlanetPlay, said in a statement, “Games have an unmatched ability to bring people together around shared goals. Battle for the Habitats is about making environmental action accessible, collaborative and genuinely impactful – and giving studios a way to engage players around purpose without friction.”
Victoria Cordi, director of strategic partnerships at Rainforest Alliance, said in a statement, “Earth Day is a reminder that environmental progress depends on participation at every level. Biodiversity loss and climate change are already affecting farmers and forest communities around the world. Partnerships like this help turn global energy into practical solutions on the ground, from restoring degraded landscapes to supporting sustainable livelihoods. When industries use their platforms to mobilise people at scale, the impact can be transformative, accelerating forest protection and strengthening livelihoods in the places that need it most.”
Jon Frank, Director, global corporate & celebrity partnerships at Oceana, said in a statement, “The oceans cover more than 70% of the globe and they are as important to us as they are vast. It’s wonderful to see the gaming community come together to protect our planet’s precious habitat. With their support, Oceana will continue campaigning – and winning – policy victories that will benefit the health of the oceans and the livelihoods of countless people around the world.”
PlanetPlay is empowers gamers worldwide to contribute to environmental action through in-game purchases and gameplay with our affiliated game studios. Alongside the pioneering eco-conscious games marketplace, it is also a movement designed to inspire, educate, and mobilize players to support the planet and its rich diversity of life. In its first year, PlanetPlay has driven over $2.2 million in funding for environmental and nature projects.