Buglife, a leading invertebrate conservation organisation, and Slug Disco Studios, the creators of the popular ant colony simulation game “Empires of the Undergrowth,” are thrilled to announce the successful continuation of their partnership for a second year.
The collaboration, which began during the Steam Earth Appreciation Festival in April 2023, has proven to be a resounding success, raising awareness about the importance of invertebrate conservation and inspiring gamers to explore the fascinating world of insects and other small creatures.
During the festival, Slug Disco Studios and their publishing partner Hooded Horse pledged to donate 10% of their sales revenue from “Empires of the Undergrowth” to Buglife, surpassing their expectations by raising an incredible £2,224. This amount was then doubled to £4,448 through Buglife’s “No Insectinction” campaign, which aims to ensure that insects and other invertebrates have the space and resources to thrive.
“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Slug Disco Studios,” said Paul Hetherington, Buglife Director of Fundraising and Communications “Their commitment to promoting invertebrate education and conservation through their game has been truly inspiring. This collaboration has not only raised valuable funds for our work but has also helped to engage a new generation of bug enthusiasts.”
The success of the partnership has extended beyond fundraising, with Slug Disco Studios reporting that many of their players, including young people and their parents, have developed a newfound fascination for insects and even pursued further studies in entomology.
“We hope that the themes of ecology and interconnectedness in the natural world that are central to ‘Empires of the Undergrowth’ will continue to bring more awareness to the work of Buglife,” said Mike Connor, Slug Disco Studios Community Manager . “It’s a topic that’s important to us all, as we cannot look after ourselves without also looking after our miniature neighbours on this planet.”
As the partnership enters its second year, Buglife and Slug Disco Studios remain committed to raising awareness and promoting the conservation of invertebrates through innovative and engaging initiatives.
The Earth Appreciation Festival 2024 launches on Earth Day (April 22) and lasts for one week, during this time Slug Disco Studios have committed, once again, to donating 10% of their revenue from Empires of the Undergrowth to Buglife.
For more information about the work of Buglife, visit buglife.org.uk.
To learn more about Slug Disco Studios and “Empires of the Undergrowth,” visit slugdisco.com.
