GreenSpace
A social game linking virtual play to real-world reforestation.
GreenSpace is a free-to-play social network game with in-app purchases, designed to encourage environmental awareness. It was created by RocketOwl, Inc. and first became available on December 1, 2011.
Development took place over 2010 and 2011, with a total budget of US$800,000. An open beta began in August 2011, followed by a soft launch on December 1, 2011. A major update was released on August 2, 2012, and the game became available for iPad in September of that year.
In August 2012, RocketOwl partnered with the reforestation group WeForest.org for the Play2Plant initiative. As players hit certain milestones in GreenSpace, WeForest would plant trees to match their progress. That November, RocketOwl pledged to plant a tree for every new player who joined before the end of 2012, resulting in over 10,000 trees being planted.
By November 2012, GreenSpace had reached 80,000 monthly active users. It was also a finalist for Best Social/Casual Game at the 2012 Canadian Videogame Awards.
According to the Ottawa Business Journal in 2012, a sequel called BlueSpace was in development.
- developer
- RocketOwl, Inc.
- launch_date
- December 1, 2011
- field
- Social network game
- platform
- Facebook, iPad
- known_for
- Promoting environmentalism through gameplay and tree-planting partnerships
Lore & Background
GreenSpace cost US$800,000 to develop over 2010 and 2011. It began open beta in August 2011 and soft-launched on December 1, 2011. A major update was released on August 2, 2012, and the game was released for iPad in September 2012.
In August 2012, RocketOwl and reforestation organization WeForest.org announced the Play2Plant partnership, where trees are planted by WeForest as players reach in-game milestones. In November 2012, RocketOwl announced it would plant a tree for every new GreenSpace player until the end of 2012, resulting in more than 10,000 trees planted.
In November 2012, GreenSpace hit a high of 80,000 monthly active users. It was a finalist for Best Social/Casual Game at the Canadian Videogame Awards 2012. The Ottawa Business Journal wrote in 2012 that a sequel called BlueSpace was in production.
Reader's Guide
GreenSpace represents an early example of a social network game designed to integrate environmental activism with gameplay. Its significance lies in the Play2Plant partnership with WeForest.org, which directly linked player achievements to real-world reforestation, resulting in over 10,000 trees planted. The game's development cost of US$800,000 and its peak of 80,000 monthly active users in November 2012 illustrate its modest but notable reach. As a finalist for Best Social/Casual Game at the Canadian Videogame Awards 2012, GreenSpace was recognized within the industry. Its legacy includes the reported production of a sequel, BlueSpace, though no further details are available from the source. The game's model of using in-app purchases to fund free play while supporting environmental causes foreshadowed later trends in cause-related gaming.
Did You Know?
- GreenSpace cost US$800,000 to develop over 2010 and 2011.
- The Play2Plant partnership with WeForest.org planted trees as players reached in-game milestones.
- In November 2012, GreenSpace hit a high of 80,000 monthly active users.
- A sequel called BlueSpace was reported to be in production in 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GreenSpace?
GreenSpace is a free-to-play social network game that uses in-app purchases to support environmental awareness. Developed by RocketOwl, Inc., it encourages ecological responsibility through interactive, community-driven gameplay.
When was GreenSpace released and who made it?
RocketOwl, Inc. built the title across 2010 and 2011 on an $800,000 budget, running an open beta in August 2011 before the official soft launch on December 1, 2011.
What is the Play2Plant initiative in GreenSpace?
In August 2012, RocketOwl partnered with the reforestation group WeForest.org so that in-game milestones translate into real trees being planted on Earth. This collaboration ties virtual player progress directly to tangible ecological impact.
On which platforms can players access GreenSpace?
The game debuted on Facebook as a social network title and later expanded to iPad in September 2012, following a significant update released in August of that year.
Why is GreenSpace considered notable in environmental education gaming?
It stands out for linking casual social gameplay to genuine reforestation through its WeForest.org tree-planting partnership. Rather than treating environmentalism as a surface-level theme, it converts player achievements into actual planted trees.
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