Inside Social Games

Do you recycle? How about biking or walking instead of driving? Maybe you plant trees, or even something more, but if you contribute any of these things to the environment then by Timberland standards, you are an Earthkeeper.

Timberland is looking to educate the masses with simple knowledge that can help them to make a difference in the world. Though many scoff at the thought of doing the small stuff or think “one person won’t make a difference,” the truth is – they do. To this end comes a clean and green branded Facebook game: Earthkeepers Hero: Mission Possible, developed by Changents.

Though it isn’t the first eco-friendly game – Green Patch, WonderHill, and even SGN have done it all as well – this text based game has players taking on a myriad of “missions” that equate to answering environmental trivia questions accompanied by beautifully designed earth-toned landscapes of our planet.

As the player answers questions correctly, they earn points towards a new level. With each new level they get a new mission that focuses on a different eco-friendly topic that will range from recycling to compost or from global warming to fossil fuels. Each mission is presented in a fairly witty (though often cheesy) fashion and never seems to ask the same question twice. Should you answer correctly you earn the maximum points towards your next level and reduced points for each incorrect answer. After each mission, you are also presented with extra fun facts about the environment that most people might be surprised to learn.

“Did you know that one of the benefits of preserving Arctic sea ice is that it is a natural sunlight reflector? It bounces light away from the Earth and protects it from overheating.”

Like other Facebook games, namely the RPGs, higher level missions require what is called “Backers” to be part of your environmental squad. This essentially equates to Facebook friends. Should they accept an invite, the inviter acquires extra points to their level. Points, which in turn, can be spent on new equipment that will allow them to accomplish more missions without as many backers as well as skills that make questions easier.

Earthkeepers Hero is certainly an interesting application for anyone curious about the environment. The trivia is definitely thought-provoking and really shows us some of the simple things we can do to help the world we live in as well as some of the devastating effects much of what we take for granted causes. Currently with 30 missions and 5 members-only missions, this app is a great time killer, and it is unlikely you won’t come away without learning something new.