When Horizon Forbidden West launched, Sony embarked on an environmentalist project to match the game’s themes. Recently, we got an update concerning what the project has achieved.
Aloy’s Forest is part of Sony’s commitment to the UN’s Playing for the Planet alliance which seeks to plant 1 million trees in conjunction with the gaming industry. The gaming industry has overshot this goal, and by 2022, 2.5 million trees had been planted globally.
As part of the project, Sony challenged Horizon Forbidden West players to unlock the “Reached the Daunt” trophy, and for every player who achieved this, a tree would be planted. So far, over 600,000 trees have been planted thanksseveralr of initiatives Sony has taken part in, including the following:
- Arbor Day Foundation collaboration – this is the aforementioned “Reached the Daunt” trophy challenge, and it has resulted in 288,000 trees being planted. This aids in reforestation projects in California, Wisconsin, and Florida.
- Brazil – there are plans to plant 333,000 trees in the Brazilian Amazon before year-end. The aim is to restore 946 acres of indigenous lands.
- The Eden Project – the project has led to the creation of a wildflower habitat in Morecambe, Lancashire in the United Kingdom.
- Forest & Bird – Sony worked with Forest & Bird to plant 1,000 trees at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi.
- Stiftung “Wir helfen dem Wald” – As part of a project initiated by Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald in Bavaria, 3,000 trees were planted.
- WWF Canada – proceeds from Horizon Forbidden West were donated to WWF Canada to help restore 1 km2 of coastal habitat in British Columbia.
- MyTree – In France, one tree was planted for every five players who unlocked the “Reached the Daunt” trophy. As a result, 10,000 trees were planted.
This isn’t the end of Sony’s plans, and it intends to continue to work with its partners for environmental causes.
The natural world of Horizon Forbidden West
As part of the announcement, we were also given a peek into how the world of Horizon Forbidden West was formed and what developers used for inspiration. Artists turned to our world which has plenty of natural beauty if you’re willing to look.
A lot of inspiration was drawn from the West Coast of the USA which has varied, luscious environments. For vegetation, creators were inspired by real-world plants, with a focus on some of the smaller details that make nature so beautiful.
You see the gorgeous side of nature on display in Horizon Forbidden West and its DLC, Burning Shores which brings you white shorelines, red volcanoes, and green jungles. Jump into Call of the Mountain, and you can drink in the sights in VR.
