Reborn creates ‘Habitatland’ – a virtual community building game fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity

The virtual community-building game is a first for not-for-profit organisations in Australia and has been developed by Sydney digital agency Reborn, who provided much of their time for free, and supported by major sponsor Domain.com.au. 

The new fundraising initiative is part of its biggest campaign to date: “1,000 Homes for Hope” appeal with a target of building homes and transforming the lives of 1,000 of the poorest families in Australia and Asia by 2013.

Visitors to Habitatland log-in via Facebook and are given a number of free credits with which they can buy a plot of land and start building a house. They then have the option to purchase additional credits to personalise their house.  For example, they can make improvements such as changing the style of the house, its colour, the type of roofing, fencing, the garden and even add pets.  One hundred per cent of the money raised through the game will help Habitat build homes for families in need, and Domain.com.au will match all funds raised dollar for dollar (up to $100,000).

Now live , the virtual world is a radical change to its approach to fundraising for Habitat for Humanity Australia.

“What’s great about Habitatland is it is very accessible and people can participate and donate as much as they like or can afford.  Moreover it’s a really fun pastime and encourages people to build homes in a virtual world and make a big difference in the real world.”

Reborn initially pitched the concept to Habitat for Humanity Australia early this year.

“The concept of home and community is such a powerful one, and we know that Australians will respond very well to a game where they can not only develop this sense of community but also help a worthy cause at the same time.”

How Habitatland works:

·      Once users have signed up, bought a plot of land and built their basic home with the free credits allocated, they can then purchase further credits with money or earn them through taking part in community chores and activities or games.

·      A user’s level in the game is determined by how many “ambassador points” they have, based on the amount of community tasks completed.  Users can earn points through community work such as repairing a friend’s window, doing some work at the local museum or playing games.  

·      Players can find out about what community work needs to be completed by clicking on buildings within their neighbourhood.  The tasks appear in the form of a pop up alert such as, “There is a great exhibition going on at the local museum but they need help with guided tours, how about it?”    

·      Users can invite their Facebook friends to join Habitatland and can see all of their friends’ homes, allowing them to keep track of one another’s progress. Users can also reserve plots of land next to their homes for friends and family, and choose what neighbourhood they would like to ‘live’ in.  

·      Players will have to maintain the appearance of their homes and their engagement within their community to do well in Habitatland and have their community prosper.

·      Donors will be able to purchase credits in amounts ranging from 500 to 12,000, with 500 credits costing five dollars.  And they will be able to use these credits to purchase items such as a premium eco home for 500 credits, a premium garden for 200 credits or even a pet dog for 100 credits.

Habitatland is accessible via this link