Trees Against the Wind

TATW entices players to observe the farmland that is in distress, and take action. The client wanted to elicit curiosity in the player, having them first identify and engage with a problem, before then engaging with the game and devising their own solution.
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A windbreak is a row or group of trees, shrubs, or structural elements that are used to block and direct the wind. Players are challenged to create, position & orient their own windbreak, they can engage in play or for experimentation, or have the expressed goal of directly solving one or more of the problems on the map.

Supports 8 - 10 players max, they are free to build individual windbreaks and attempt to solve any of the problems. Players are free to discuss and collaborate, or even compete with a total of 20 simultaneous touches possible on the touchscreen.

Players observe a top down map of farmland. A number of issues such as dry soil, signs of erosion are visible. It is made clear that strong prevailing winds are the cause of these problems.

Players use a combination of shrubs and trees to create a shelterbelt that offers various levels of all-year protection.

The height and shape of trees used in a shelterbelt can determine how effective the shelterbelt will be in reducing wind speed.

TATW's natural windbreaks are based on real plants and trees that are native to the Great Plains region.