“Virtual Footprints” is a collaborative, mixed reality location-based experience that uses play to raise awareness of conservation, biodiversity, and care of Australia’s unique plant life, specific to the chosen region. It educates players about the impact of human interaction with nature by allowing participants to virtually sow, grow and nurture plants in a collaborative virtual garden.

How players engage or interact with the virtual plants and seeds will impact the overall health of the environment. Making harmful choices, like introducing invasive species, will increase a player’s carbon footprint and the garden will suffer; make positive, mindful choices to lower the carbon footprint score and the garden will thrive.

Successfully showcased at Curiocity Brisbane, the app was well-received. The OrCha Collective has acquired an additional grant from the City of Melbourne and is currently developing a Victoria version of the app, Virtual Footprints – Victoria. It is set to showcase in October 2021 independently and as part of Playable Cities during the Melbourne Games week.

UPDATE

OrCha Collective was successful in securing an arts grant from the City of Melbourne and developed a version specific to the Victorian ecosystem. Virtual Footprints: Victoria is now live and free to play on both Google Playstore and Apple store. It was successfully showcased during Playable City Melbourne and is set to be shown over other future events.