New video game raising funds for Great Barrier Reef

• Innovative new video game converts points into cash for the Great Barrier Reef.
• Play for free and help raise $1.5m to restore critical Reef habitats and protect endangered species.
• Download free from the GooglePlay and App Store.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has partnered with international gaming-for-good leaders Sankari Studios to launch a new video game so anyone with a smartphone can help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The game is free to download and play. Players earn points by exploring underwater ecosystems, managing resources, completing quests and combating threats. The game also acts as an educational tool, providing insights to players about the threats facing the Reef as they conquer various levels.

Philanthropists convert in-game points into real-world funding that goes directly towards the Foundation’s work to regenerate 250 hectares of critical seagrass meadows on the Reef. The more people play, the more funding goes to helping the Reef survive the impacts of climate change.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said now everyone can play an important part in protecting our Reef and the incredible marine life that calls it home.

“Seagrass meadows are a critical habitat on our Reef. They provide food, shelter and breeding grounds to threatened species including turtles and dugongs, they filter pollutants from the water and they remove carbon from our atmosphere,” Ms Marsden said.

“Like the rest of the Reef ecosystem, they are coming under threat from the impacts of climate change. Already we’ve suffered extensive losses of seagrass meadows. It’s not too late to save them, but time is running out.

“We’re excited to partner with Sankari Studios on KATOA Ocean so that all Australians, and Reef-lovers around the world, can help secure a better future for our Reef.”

Sankari Studios founder Rex Martin said KATOA Ocean allows players to direct sponsorship and philanthropy funding to causes they care about, such as saving the Great Barrier Reef.

KATOA Ocean launches worldwide this Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in partnership with EarthDay.org. It’s available for download from the GooglePlay and App Store.

ABOUT KATOA OCEAN

The mission is straight-forward: “Play the Game. Save the World.”

Start your adventure in the ocean depths, exploring true-to-life 3D worlds that span the globe, manage resources, complete quests, and combat the toxic ‘blight’ to create thriving natural ‘havens’ that wildlife will flock to. 

KATOA Ocean’s giving modality is supported by sponsorship and philanthropy dollars. Sankari Studios allocates 10% of all its in-app purchases in addition to that funding. The more players, the more funding, and the closer to changing the planet’s trajectory.

THE SANKARI STUDIOS TEAM

Sankari’s team is comprised of seasoned experts in gaming and content creation. Prior games developed and managed by Sankari’s team include Call of Duty, Marvel / The Amazing Spiderman, James Bond, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.