The Planet Earthlings project is merging the functionality of a 3d Virtual World and a Social Network into a gamified educational destination with the central goal of empowering young people. It’s called “Zarbul,” the intergalactic word for the universe. Zarbul is space themed and has an overall story to excite and reward players giving them an opportunity to have fun while learning.
Here is the first short video of the multiplayer platform: https://goo.gl/bwG4Ed
Players will create an alien avatar, assemble a spaceship and set down on their own planet ready build their own civilization, explore the universe and save Earth. Planets will include multimedia content, educational mini-games, user created content and offline activities to encourage real world experiences which can then be shared in the online world.
In the first version of the universe we are integrating creative commons content from Khan Academy. Players can create virtual study groups, watch videos together and through chat help each other learn. They will also be able to access a tutor database to expand educational opportunities both individually and using the system in schools. Collecting commissions for tutoring charges is the first of our three main revenue streams for the virtual world.
Each planet will also include educational mini-games. These games will be expanded into premium mobile games for Android and iOS for our second revenue stream. This model allows the virtual world to promote the mobile games and vice-versa. We can also partner with 3rd party game developers to create games for the universe on a revenue sharing basis.
The universe will expand both through various phases of core development and by an open source system which will allow others with compatible content to collaborate and create their own worlds. We see this as a third revenue stream with both organizations and companies paying to being part of Zarbul. For example MIT might create a programming planet revolving around their open source Scratch platform or Unity3D could create a game development planet.
Jumping into their spaceship young explorers set down on different planets and encounter four major activities:
- Educational Content – text, images, animation and video content will connect all activities so they can learn about anything wherever they are.
- Cooperative Gaming – multi-player games will unite kids to help each overcome challenges, learn and grow.
- Collaborative Apps – bringing groups of users together to create art, stories, music, movies, animation, apps, games, and more.
- Community Tools – to help everyone communicate, learn about each other, make friends and take part in real-life community activities.
The virtual world MVP is ready and we plan on beginning testing with a limited group of individual players and some local schools in November 2017.
We have also created the innovative mobile game “Acting Kindly” for Android and iOS. It encourages players to practice random acts of kindness and playful deeds to bring joy to others. In “Quest Mode” solo users can draw cards from different decks and put each mission in their quest list to share with friends and report back when they are completed.
“Game Mode” is a unique multiplayer, cooperative, experience played out in public spreading joy and immediately making the world a happier place. It can be played at school, neighborhoods, events or any public venue. Here’s a video of the mobile app/game: http://www.planetearthlings.org/acting-kindly-mobile/acting-kindly-mobile-demo/
Links to get the app/game:
Google Play Store – Android
Apple App Store – iOS
We’re currently working on a printed card version called “Acting Kindly in School” which will be ready soon. Globally there are problems in many schools dealing with bullying. We believe this is a great opportunity for immediate social impact and a great source of income both for sale directly to schools and to individuals distributed to toy stores and bookstores. This will probably be the first significant income source for the company. Videos about the card game:
Promo: http://www.planetearthlings.org/acting-kindly-video/
YUVA Unstoppable Playing Acting Kindly: http://www.planetearthlings.org/videos/yuva-unstoppable-play-acting-kindly/
Finally, we’ve created the prototype “Save Da Aliens” a fast action arcade game with a twist. Instead of shooting aliens, you’re rescuing them and helping them to come to Earth. It’s lots of fun with some educational parts learning about the universe and the advantages of kindness and diversity. The game has already received a Steam Green Light to be sold on the world’s biggest desktop game distribution platform. Here’s a promo video of the game:
http://www.planetearthlings.org/save-da-aliens/