If you’re a game developer you’ve heard of Unity for sure, it’s one of the most popular (if not #1) multi-platform game development engine. They have several programs that help developers advance in game development (i.e. educational, support, giveaway), but one of the most popular one is their Unity for Humanity Grant.

The Unity for Humanity grant is a program that provides funding and support to creators who use Unity’s real-time 3D technology for social good.

Each year several recipients are chosen and they all split a pool of funds as well as getting access to Unity’s resources and expertise. The program is part of Unity’s broader Social Impact program, which includes initiatives to support education, diversity, and other areas. In essence, the Unity for Humanity Grant offers this:

  • Funds. Unity provides financial support to chosen creators. Each year the funding is different, this year it was $500,000.
  • Mentorship. They offer winners mentorship sessions to help them with technical challenges in using their technology.
  • Education. They organize a summit showing creators how to use real-time 3D for good.
  • Amplification. Winners get promoted through social media and other channels.

If you’re a game dev you can sign-up for next year’s grant and receive notifications about it here: Unity for Humanity.

2023 Unity for Humanity Grant Winners

I’m saying next year because they’ve already picked the winning projects for this year. There were almost 500 projects competing for the grant, and the main condition for participating was to use real-time 3D to drive change in innovative ways.

Projects were judged based on vision, impact, inclusion, and viability. These are the 2023 Unity for Humanity grant winners:

X-Ray Fashion

X-Ray Fashion is a virtual reality (VR) documentary created by the Denmark-based XR studio MANND. The project aims to educate viewers about the negative impacts of the fashion industry, which is the third-largest polluter in the world (after food & construction). Yes, you didn’t know it, but the fashion industry accounts for 10% of all global carbon emissions. 60% of textiles are thrown away within one year of being made and on top of that, a single pair of denim jeans requires 10,000 liters of water to make.

The documentary takes viewers through the various stages of a typical garment’s production process, from sweatshops to the catwalk, using VR technology and physical elements to create an immersive and sensory experience. The project’s goal is to change consumer behavior by encouraging viewers to make lifestyle changes such as buying second-hand garments, taking better care of what they already own, and minimizing their overall fashion consumption.

SoulPaint

SoulPaint is a virtual reality project created by experience designer Niki Smit and Sarah Ticho to help people express their inner world through art. The project enables participants to create artwork on an avatar using color, shapes, movement, and imagery to represent their emotions and mental state. The purpose of SoulPaint is to transform the way people communicate their emotions, remove the stigma around mental health, and trigger impactful conversations by creating a shared exhibition experience in public spaces worldwide.

The project also aims to provide a tool for patients to improve communication with healthcare professionals and reduce medical errors caused by miscommunication.

Quantum’s Pursuit

Quantum’s Pursuit is a game developed by Limbitless Solutions that enables children with bionic limbs to play as the grandchildren of Dr. Quantum, a tech genius who has developed renewable energy. In the game, Dr. Quantum has been kidnapped by evil Galacdorks, and the player’s goal is to save him by journeying through levels, defeating the boss, and using their bionic limbs to interact with the game.

The game provides a fun and engaging way for children to learn how to use their new bionic limbs, and hospitals can use it to gain insight into the needs of each child based on their muscle strength. Limbitless Solutions provides free bionic arms, training, and travel costs for patients and their families, making the project an incredible tool to improve the quality of life for children with limb differences.

Follow the Investigation: Inside the ICC

“Follow the Investigation: Inside the ICC” is a VR project that showcases International Criminal Court (ICC) cases at different stages of the judicial process. Through the experience, viewers gain insight into how the ICC system works to bring those responsible for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide to justice. The project enables viewers to witness testimonies from survivors of past ICC cases, visit field investigation sites, process evidence in ICC forensic labs, and observe courtroom proceedings from infamous global cases.

The purpose of the project is to raise awareness of atrocities, educate viewers on the process of seeking justice, and offer victims of horrific crimes an impactful way to understand the legal processes related to their cases.

World Reborn

World Reborn is a mobile AR game that combines real-world actions with virtual choices to encourage players to make a difference in both worlds. The game aims to empower young people by teaching them Common Ground Activism skills, which allows them to address global issues and drive change through incremental steps in the real world. The goal is to help players feel empowered and capable of making a difference, while also raising awareness of important issues such as climate change, mental health, and racial injustice.

A Week at Belisamas Lake

Team Gramps created A Week at Belisamas Lake, a narrative-based mobile fishing game that follows young Lotus and their grandmother Pearl as they recover 21st-century trash from a local lake in a future where humanity has overcome the climate crisis. The game aims to highlight the possibility of a future society in a post-climate change world and examines how meaningful climate action will ultimately change us. The game uses gyroscopic controls to fish for items, inspect them, and listen as Pearl sheds light on relics of the past.

Year of the Cicadas

The virtual reality experience, “Year of the Cicadas,” follows a mother’s journey through grief after the loss of her son. It uses the symbolism of the Brood X cicadas’ 17-year life cycle to explore passing time and the power of finding meaning in tragedy. The experience aims to provide insight into the lifelong journey of meaning-making after child loss for those who may work with bereaved parents and family members.

Patito

The mobile game Patito is designed to educate parents and children about sexual abuse and consent. Through minigames, the game aims to provide a sensitive approach to teach children to identify and communicate about abuse. The game is created by Pink Bear Games to raise awareness about the issue and help prevent future cases by providing the app for free.

Congrats to the winners and the participants, we all know there’s a lot of work involved in creating and publishing games. If you’re a game dev be sure to check Unity for Humanity’s section to learn more and sign-up for next year’s grant awards.