Why Nēnē?

First, we want to be very clear about one thing: we are not Hawaiians. Unfortunately.

During a four-week intensive stay on the Hawaiian Islands in 2024, however, we fell deeply in love with this archipelago — its nature, its landscapes, and its culture. With great respect for Polynesian traditions, and with a clear awareness that tourism itself is part of the problem, we want to use our work as independent game designers to draw attention to the protection of the Nēnē.

No other animal represents the dramatic history of Hawaiʻi quite like the Nēnē. Since the 1950s, the island chain has been part of the United States — and at that time, the Nēnē was on the brink of extinction. With only a few dozen individuals left in the wild, its fate seemed all but sealed.

Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of committed citizens, conservationists, and local initiatives, the population has slowly recovered. Today, around 4,000 Nēnē live on three of the eight main Hawaiian Islands.

The Nēnē is an extraordinary bird — and we were fortunate enough to observe it in the wild ourselves. It is gentle and trusting, elegant and highly adaptable. With its keen eyesight and remarkable resilience, the Nēnē has come to symbolize the revival of Hawaiian nature and culture like few other animals.

We have committed to donating every third euro of our Patreon income to local organizations dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Nēnē (e.g. the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park).

We will publish a monthly donation report to ensure full transparency for our supporters.