Description:

"In My Yard" aims to inspire a new generation of environmentalists passionate about preserving Aotearoa, New Zealand's beauty and diversity. By immersing players in virtual scenarios that mirror real-world conservation challenges, the game instils a sense of responsibility and stewardship for the natural world, inspiring players to participate actively in community conservation efforts.

‘In My Yard’ integrates educational elements into its mechanics, offering players a fun and interactive platform to learn about ecological practices and their implications. A key feature of the game is its open-ended gameplay. Players unleash their creativity to design and customise virtual backyard habitats. From selecting native flora to crafting intricate birdhouses, players shape their digital green spaces while attracting diverse bird species to visit and inhabit their yards.

Players embark on a captivating narrative journey guided by charming characters, both bird and human. Through engaging storytelling and interactive quests, players learn about the unique behaviours and ecological roles of New Zealand's native birds and gain insights into the challenges conservationists face in the ever-changing urban development landscape. "In My Yard" is not just a game; it's a learning experience that empowers players to make informed decisions and take action to protect our environment.

From childhood, New Zealanders are encouraged to familiarise themselves with native bird species and learn about conservation's crucial role. As urban development encroaches further into green spaces, educating the populace on caring for and preserving these creatures that have inhabited the land long before us becomes increasingly crucial. "In My Yard" serves as a platform for entertainment and instils a sense of responsibility towards our natural heritage, fostering a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
"In My Yard" is rooted in inclusivity and accessibility, focusing on female gamers' preferences and interests. In 2021, women comprised 48% of Aotearoa's gaming population, representing a significant market opportunity for mobile gaming. Recognising the presence of women in the gaming community, the game adopts a female-centric approach to its core loop and gameplay mechanics. These key motivations include design (customisation/expression), fantasy (exploring other identities/places), completion (achieving goals/stars/levels), and aesthetically pleasing visuals.

The game's core progression features a narrative-driven quest system, where players receive captivating tasks from native birds they encounter. This progression style is well-suited for teaching dynamic and intricate systems such as conservation biology. Players are rewarded with prizes as they complete quests, from Nectar (currency) to exotic plants, unhatched eggs, and other animals such as bees and lizards. Nectar can be used to acquire and customise other game items, fulfil more quests, and build up their backyard.

Early in the game, players are presented with two "meta-quests": cultivating their backyard through customisation and design and aiding the native birds through storytelling and fantasy elements. Both quests act as ongoing goals as they curate and customise their backyard, serving as tangible measures of progression in the game. Players can use their hard-earned rewards (nectar) to unleash their creativity in building and customising an exceptional backyard, including terrain layout, decoration, landscaping, and birdhouses.