Christophe De bont 
20/05/2021What would the world look like without bees? Chances are you’ve not given this much thought, and you’re not alone. That’s a problem, because the decline of biodiversity poses a real and urgent threat to ecosystems that are vital to the survival of mankind. In order to enlighten people about this issue and show them the dire consequences, our proud member Poppins & Wayne created a wonderful VR experience about a dark future. Welcome to Pollinator Park.
Taking place in 2050, a series of ecological crises has turned the world into a dystopian landscape. Somewhere in this wasteland, there’s a shining beacon of hope in the form of Dr. Beatrice Kukac’s Pollinator Park. Visitors of this futuristic farm will get to unravel the story of its founder, try their hand at pollination, shop for groceries in a pollinator-deprived world and rediscover nature’s perfection. Last but not least, the experience will also teach you how you can help protect the real world from turning into a future hellscape.
A crossover between a zoo, theme park, an interactive museum and a crystal ball, Pollinator Park aims to be both fun, educational and emotionally engaging. It’s a project that fits the team like a glove. Using the power of technology with the magic of storytelling is the baseline on which former FLEGA chairman Wim Wouters and partner Yasmin Van de Werf have built their new studio. Also known as the driving creative force behind the ill-fated Woolfe: The Red Hood Diaries, they refocused their energy and came out the other side of that dark chapter better than ever.
Their talent to seamlessly marry story and technology was already apparent in their debut project Peacecraft. In Pollinator Park, they’ve taken it up a few notches. The beautiful sciencefiction-like aesthetic combined with the imminent warning about a dark future feels very Black Mirror. There’s no murderous swarm of mechanical bees, but a single look at the dying outside world while you’re surrounded by the colour and sound of life is all the motivation you need to pay attention during the 30 minute tour.
Previously, the experience was only available in English, but for the occasion of World Bee Day the team has equipped the park guides with four more languages (Dutch, Spanish, French and German). To communicate this important message beyond the reach of VR adepts, you can not only experience Pollinator Park on Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift, but are also able to visit the park in-browser. There’s really no reason not to spend some time in this wonderful universe. So next time you teach your kid not to swing at bees because they sting, take them on this magical tour to give them a better reason not to harm our precious pollinators.
