Avian
Avian is a cooperative multiplayer game with collaboration, conservation, and altruism at its core. Engage in multiple modes of play such as a negotiation puzzler and a fast-paced race as you help your community thrive.
Explore the unique world of Avian by gliding through its vibrant floating islands and savouring its natural landscape inspired by birds. Large landmasses levitate across the sky, surrounded by clouds. Once a colourful paradise filled with numerous species of animals and vegetation, the floating islands of Avian have been nearly destroyed and left in a state of decay. Take on the role of a conservationist whose mission is to undo the damage and reintroduce flora and fauna to the islands, transforming them into a safe haven for all.
Whether it’s flying through the skies to help pollinate tall mountains or negotiating with neighbouring islands to share a common resource, each mode of gameplay in Avian contributes to the overarching idea of growth and repair. Designed with touch screens in mind, Avian’s mechanics have been created with an easy to pick up, but difficult to master approach.
Building a Community
Avian features a central Island, which functions as your home and your very own customisable space. From there, you can access a series of mini-games, which earn you different resources and rewards. You can then use those rewards to upgrade and improve your island by expanding it and discovering more of its potential. Through your interactions, you will continuously observe the positive effects you are having on the world.
You will also have the option to visit your friend’s islands and help them grow their worlds. Avian is all about rebuilding nature, so the design team felt it was crucial for players to be able to do that together. The long-term vision for Avian includes players helping build each other’s islands up, going on adventures together, and nurturing the world through cooperation. These altruistic acts would help cultivate the natural environment, while also strengthening the relationships between players in the game.
Background and Achievements
Avian originated from a novel mathematical formula, which generates unique game scenarios that can support up to 30 players. The scenarios involve different cities, which must establish connections between each other at a reasonable cost. The team took the mathematical problem from its paper form and aimed to make a digital version, to be used for university-level education on game theory. We applied for funding of an MVP and that led to our first major success. We were awarded the maximum amount possible by the committee, which kickstarted our journey. The MVP was completed within a couple of months by a team of two.
The team then went onto another round of funding to keep developing the project and accomplish our long-term vision. This marked our second major success, as we were awarded the maximum possible funding to increase the size of the team and push the work further. The project was praised as innovative and exiting, while the team was referred to as conscientious and professional. That leaves us here, with development of Avian still ongoing. The whole team is incredibly excited for what the future holds as we dig deeper into the themes of altruism and conservation.
