Rovio, the makers of popular gaming series Angry Birds, announced in a press release statement on 17 April that it will partner with Earth Day Network to include information about environmental issues in a new Angry Birds game.
The game will be called “Champions for Earth”, and will be available in September.
Details about how teachable environmental messages will be included has not been released yet, but it will “allow millions of players around the world to interact with information related to the conservation, protection, enhancement and support of nature and our natural resources”, the release said.
“For years, many of our games have supported initiatives regarding earth sustainability, climate change and preservation. It is a real privilege to work with Earth Day Network on an Angry Birds gaming experience to raise awareness of climate change. It’s a cause that really matters to us both and to Angry Birds fans as well. Stay tuned. This will be fun,” said Patrick Liu, Rovio Creative Director.
Earth Day falls on 22 April, where methods of participating include planting trees and making digitalised earth-related art. It shouldn’t be confused with Earth Hour (28 March), where participants switch off the lights in their homes for an hour.
Trouble In Paradise
Angry Birds is the most downloaded mobile game globally. However, Rovio’s sales and downloads have been declining. Last December, the company announced that it was cutting up to 110 jobs, or 14 percent of its workforce.
The announcement for a partnership to educate the public on environmental consciousness — a major problem that has gained more traction in recent years, and most recently caused huge changes to the seventh largest economy in the world — comes days after another announcement by Rovio to bring Angry Birds to the sky. The company said that it is going to work with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. to make Angry Birds available on Inflight entertainment systems.
But will this environmentally-friendly move help bring Angry Birds’ popularity and sales back up? Perhaps. With the expertise that Rovio has gathered from the Angry Birds’ golden age, Earth Day’s message encapsulated in game form may make a difference in spreading the message. Just as long as those pesky birds aren’t tearing down buildings again.