I was spell bound at Paulo’s passion when I caught up with him over at GDC. It was a time when I was at personal crossroads, dealing with a 3rd grader obsessed with Robux, the need for which seemed to define his identity across social spaces. I typically choose to influence my kids, helping come up with options and optionalities, in ways that ultimately drive them to make their own choices — not enforce it on them. Here I was trying to come up with ways to share the importance of mindfulness in gaming and cultivate the much needed break to play such games that fueled creativity in a calm, relaxing environment. I was failing in my efforts, as screen time data showed a very different picture.
Paulo’s SuperHeart aims to tackle this exact problem. He sees gaming evolve to a state in ways that foster meaningful and equitable communities. Our conversation took an interesting turn as we dove deeper in to the “what” and the “why” when it comes to building engaging communities. Particularly, the building blocks of meaningful interactions.
Mission. The core that connects us all. Every technological advancement, through history, was born out of a mission that bore the goodwill of the community. Humankind has managed to pull through incredible periods of growth and sustenance — periods that had a mission to drive change for the better. Each mission had a set of pivotal moments that accelerated change through improvisation and experimentation. And with each incremental point of inflection, the community stood by, partaking and celebrating those key moments with pride, ownership and agency.
The ecosystem that is gaming is changing..for the good. We are at the cusp of seeing games-as-apps to games-as-content. Content that is driven through stories, built for communities by communities.
Superheart’s flagship game, Tap Reef, is going through some final revisions. When they return on the store, I can’t wait to share some exciting updates fueled by powerful stories through 1H. Coming soon..
Meanwhile, I’ll leave you guys with this poetic story. One that touched my heart as I’m sure will move yours.
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Tilly, a curious and adventurous turtle of the sea, found a hidden cave, beneath the coral reef’s beauty. A world of wonder and magic, in the darkness did she see, and her heart quickened, for she knew not what would be.
The walls of the cave, covered in ancient murals, whispered stories of the reef and its creatures so noble. The air thick with the scent of salt and seaweed, and Tilly’s heart pounding, with an unknown need.
As she ventured deeper, she heard an ominous sound. The echo of a creature, who lurked beneath the ground. With courage in her heart, Tilly stood her ground. Ready to face the unknown, and whatever it might have found.
But to her surprise, the creature spoke. Revealing its purpose, as the reef’s ancient and sacred cloak. The guardian of the reef, protector of its secrets so rare, entrusting Tilly with knowledge and magic, beyond compare.
With newfound purpose, Tilly emerged from the cave. A beacon of hope, for the creatures of the reef, to save, spreading the message of love, respect, and conservation, for the reef’s beauty and magic.
And so, Tilly became a legend of the reef so grand, a hero of the deep, to protect and understand. For the reef was not just a place to live, but a home, worth preserving, for all creatures, to forever roam.
