Planet announced that the data from a new survey involved called Play2ct has shown evidence that the game has the potential to encourage greener habits among players.
The survey revealed that 79% of respondents who had played games with green messages or environmental content said they had made at least a positive behavior change after playing these games.
Among these players, 47% report that the reduction in their environmental impact by energy consumption or public transport, while 34% declare that they are making greener consumption choices.
Launched in September 2024, Play2Act is a survey integrated into popular games, designed to explore the role of games in the fight against climate and nature attacks. The initiative was developed by Planetplay, a non-profit platform that contributes to environmental action through games, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
More than 181,000 players from 189 countries, including 70 least developed countries or developing states of small islands, have answered a series of Play2Act survey questions placed in 24 popular games such as Subway Surfers, Beattar, Pokemon Go! And Avakin Life, among others.
The survey took advantage of the scope of the participating games of 80 million players per week. The questions aimed to collect the perspectives of players on their experiences with green games, and their impact on behavior and feeling towards climate and environmental action.
20 studios and game platforms participated in the Play2Act initiative, notably Actrio, Bandai Namco, CM Games, E-Line Media, Futurevision, Funplus, Hutch, Jagex, Lockwood, Microsoft / Xbox Insider, Niantic, Outplay, Reliance, Rovio, Space Ape Games, Square Games, Trailmix, Tripledot and Unity.
“Games are only placed to start a vast and diversified audience on environmental issues. See so many players adopting greener habits after committing to green content is a powerful testimony of the impact that games can have to shape a more sustainable future,” said Rhea Loucas, CEO of Planetplay, in a press release. “The Play2Act results prove that when sustainability is integrated into the gameplay, it does not inform it – it inspires real action.”
“With our game metro surfers reaching a vast world audience, we have an opportunity and enormous responsibility to understand the opinions of players on climate and nature. We are committed to supporting efforts to protect our planet, ensuring that everyone has a voice in this case. Games can be a powerful tool for amplifying climate and environmental action, which is why we are actively participating in initiatives like Play2CT, “added Matthias Gredal Norvig, CNEO, in an element.
The Play2Act survey also contributes to ‘Games achieving an effective and emotional transformation (super)“Project, funded by the European Union Horizon and research and innovation of the United Kingdom (UKRI). It aims to hire the game community – games and studios – by approaching the climate and crises of nature by exploring how games can stimulate social engagement and trigger new dialogues for a positive change.
While participating game studios will analyze Play2ac Survey data in more detail to promote measures and actions within the industry, the UNDP aims to use aggregate results to better understand global opinion on climate and nature action, with a particular interest in the younger generations and the world South.
“It is necessary to do more to strengthen awareness of climate and nature crises. We must use each tool at our disposal to stimulate a significant change, and this effort should involve each segment of the company, including the private sector and the game industry, “said Cassie Flynn, World Director of Climate Change at UNDP, in a press release. “The Play2Act initiative shows the potential of games – not only as an entertainment tool, but also as platforms to gather information and engage with individuals, especially young, on a large scale.”
Planetplay is a non-profit platform that allows players from around the world to contribute to environmental action thanks to gameplay purchases and gameplay with our affiliated game studios. In addition to the market of games at the pioneering eco-conscient, it is also a movement designed to inspire, educate and mobilize players to support our planet and its rich diversity of life.
