Quack

Let's green our world, tackle Climate Change

Quack is a mobile game aimed at tackling carbon emissions and rising CO2 levels through growing virtual plants. Its aim is to provide a fun and educational platform where players can learn about the environment, and work together with other players to purify and clean their local area.

Quack improvises ways to connect with environment conservation activities. With every good environmental behaviour in the real world, players will receive in-game incentives. To engage players, Quack particularly focuses on the gaming experience, simulating a wonderful world where players can immerse themselves in nature. Players not only uncover beautiful and valuable plants through the game, but they also get a scientific understanding of them.

D&AD BRIEF.

Winner: Dinh Huy
Graphite Pencil
2022

The first stage of my design process was dedicated to understanding the challenge and defining the opportunity space. I began by researching the environmental context, exploring how digital experiences could support climate awareness and behavioural change.

This phase involved analysing user needs, reviewing existing solutions, and identifying gaps where a game like Quack could make a meaningful impact. My goal was to build a strong foundation of insight before moving into ideation and development.

D&AD Brief

Ustwo & Play4thePlanet
New Blood Awards 2022
Dinh Huy

OBSERVATION.

the 1st stage of my design process

2022

lincoln city, united kingdom

In the 2nd stage of my design process "Observation". I focused on understanding the real-world impact of climate change in UK. I explored local environmental issues through field visits, categorised visible problems such as air pollution, urban heat, and waste accumulation, and engaged in conversations with residents to learn how these challenges affect their daily lives.

This empathetic research helped me to gain a deep understanding of  user problems to come up with proper solutions for users.

30%

High Urban Emissions

Dense traffic and reliance on fossil-fuel transport in cities contribute significantly to CO₂ levels and poor air quality

17%

Waste Mismanagement

Inconsistent recycling practices and over-reliance on landfill sites increase methane emissions and environmental degradation

12%

Public Awareness Gaps

While climate change is widely acknowledged, many individuals feel disconnected from its causes and unsure how to act effectively

RESEARCH.

the 2nd stage of my design process

422.8 pmm

global average CO₂ increases 50% since pre-industrial times

34.73 bil tons

The world emits around 34.73 billion tons coming from CO₂

In the 2nd stage of the Quack, I focused on researching the environmental impact of CO₂ emissions. I explored a wide range of sources to understand where CO₂ comes from, how it's distributed across sectors, and its role in accelerating climate change.

By analysing emission proportions and identifying major contributors, such as transport, energy, and waste, I define clearly the problem I am going to solve.

Electricity & heat production – 29.7%
Transportation – 13.7%
Manufacturing & construction – 12.7%

IDEATION.

lincoln city, united kingdom

IDEATION.

the 3Rd stage of my design process

In the ideation stage of the Quack project, I transitioned from research to creative exploration, using insights from environmental studies and user observations to generate potential solutions.

I began by brainstorming a wide range of concepts such as Quack, Dino Rush, and Build Green Spaces... each aimed at engaging users with climate change in an interactive and meaningful way.

To refine these ideas, I organised and facilitated four ideation workshops, where I presented my concepts to professors and creative industry leaders.

Their input helped shape the direction of the project, and by the end of the second workshop, Quack emerged as the chosen concept: a mobile game that educates users about climate change through interactive play.

Key features of Quack include:

Explore a virtual map of the user’s city.
Collect flower seeds by participating in environmental activities or simply walking.
Germinate and nurture seeds into plants.
Learn how each flower helps mitigate CO₂.
Share progress with friends or on social media.

01

Overview of Quack.

quack's concept

  • D&AD New Blood Awards

  • Ustwo - Play4thePlanet

  • Dinh Huy

    2022

Quack is a mobile game aimed at tackling carbon emissions and rising CO2 levels through growing virtual plants. Its aim is to provide a fun and educational platform where players can learn about the environment, and work together with other players to purify and clean their local area.

Quack improvises ways to connect with environment conservation activities. With every good environmental behaviour in the real world, players will receive in-game incentives. To engage players, Quack particularly focuses on the gaming experience, simulating a wonderful world where players can immerse themselves in nature. Players not only uncover beautiful

Quack is a mobile game that promotes environmental awareness by letting players grow virtual plants to combat carbon emissions. It blends fun and education, rewarding real-world eco-friendly actions with in-game perks. Through immersive gameplay, players explore nature, collaborate to clean their surroundings, and connect with conservation efforts.

platform

Mobile Game

02

Quack's Gameplay.

QUACK'S CONCEPT

  • D&AD New Blood Awards

  • Ustwo - Play4thePlanet

  • Dinh Huy

    2022

Stage 1: Players begin by collecting coins through real-world environmental actions -like walking instead of driving, picking up litter, or joining local eco-activities. These behaviors are tracked and rewarded.

Stage 2: Collected coins can be used to purchase flower seeds, each with a different cost based on its environmental value. Players explore a virtual garden mapped to their city, plant seeds, and begin the journey of nurturing their digital greenery.

Stage 3: As flowers grow, players water and care for them until they bloom. Each flower reveals how much CO₂ it absorbs and its impact on the environment. Players can proudly share their garden with friends, spreading awareness and inspiring collective action.

Stage 1: Earn coins by completing eco-friendly actions like walking, recycling, or joining local green initiatives.

Stage 2: Coins are used to buy seeds which players plant in a city-based virtual garden.

Stage 3: Flowers are nurtured until they bloom, revealing their CO₂ absorption.

03

Impacts Of Quack.

QUACK'S CONCEPT

  • D&AD New Blood Awards

  • Ustwo - Play4thePlanet

  • Dinh Huy

    2022

Quack creates meaningful environmental impact by transforming education into action. Through engaging gameplay, it teaches users how everyday choices (like reducing emissions, conserving resources, and supporting biodiversity) can help tackle climate change.

By rewarding participation in real-world environmental activities, Quack motivates users to actively protect their surroundings, whether by joining clean-up efforts or choosing sustainable habits.

The game also promotes eco-conscious decisions such as using biodegradable packaging over plastic, reinforcing the idea that small changes can lead to a healthier planet.

enviromental activities

Seed Bombing, Net Zero Festival

Quack turns environmental education into action through interactive gameplay. It shows how daily choices-like cutting emissions or conserving resources. By rewarding real-world eco-behaviours, it inspires users to adopt sustainable habits and make small changes that add up to a healthier planet.

04

Character Concept.

QUACK'S CONCEPT

  • D&AD New Blood Awards

  • Ustwo - Play4thePlanet

  • Dinh Huy

    2022

The game character is a central element for engagement and emotional connection. Animal-inspired avatars not only align with the theme of nature and climate awareness, but also appeal to players of all ages through their charm and customizability.

Players can personalize their characters with flexible options—changing feather colors, shapes, eyes, and more. Decorative items and accessories are available for purchase, with select cosmetics linked to environmental charities. When players choose these items, 100% of the proceeds go to a charity of their choice.

Character interactions include

  • Customising appearance

  • Purchasing and decorating with accessories

  • Sharing characters with friends via social media

Quack’s animal-inspired avatars foster emotional connection and align with its eco-friendly theme. Players can customise their characters with colours, shapes, and accessories - some of which support environmental charities, with all proceeds going directly to the chosen cause.

05

Uncover Beautiful Flora.

QUACK'S CONCEPT

  • D&AD New Blood Awards

  • Ustwo - Play4thePlanet

  • Dinh Huy

    2022

In Quack, flowers are at the heart of the experience - each one a gateway to nature’s beauty and knowledge. Players can discover rare and precious plants from around the world, learning fascinating facts such as their native regions, lifespan, size, and ecological value. The game offers a rich, immersive way to connect with the environment through virtual gardening.

Every plant is uniquely tied to its owner, allowing players to interact, exchange insights, and build friendships within the game. The virtual garden becomes a social space where users can showcase their favourite flowers, spark conversations, and celebrate their environmental journey together.

Discover beautiful and precious plants on the earth

Flowers are central to the experience, offering a vibrant way to explore nature. Players discover rare plants, learn about their origins and ecological value, and grow them in a personalised virtual garden.

D&AD

TESTIMONIALS

01

Judge 1

"Quack is a brilliant idea to protect our environment. Together with Lovely Concept, fantastic gameplay, and real-world linking... Quack is promised to create significant impacts on our society and nature."

02

Judge 2

"The designer has expressed his wonderful & brilliant design skills such as colour harmony, drawing, painting... More importantly, his innovation is literally out of the box."

Quack was proudly awarded a Graphite Pencil (Silver Win) at the D&AD New Blood Awards 2022, recognising its creative excellence and impact in tackling climate change through game design.

MORE ABOUT QUACK.

Quack is a mobile game aimed at tackling carbon emissions and rising CO2 levels across the UK. Its aim is to provide a fun and educational platform where players can learn about emission levels, and work together with other players to purify and clean their local area. Starting on a virtual level will hopefully take real-world effect and encourage players to be more conscious of the environment, whilst picking up new habits from the game, and implementing them into the real world, hence making for a more clean and healthy environment.

The original idea of Quack comes from observations of the environment and scientific research on Climate Change, especially the Carbon Dioxide Map of The UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI). One of the biggest problems we are facing nowadays is Carbon Dioxide emitting from vehicles and manufacturers and how it is negatively affecting the environment. This is one of the central causes of Global Warming that leads to horrible Climate Change over the world. Nevertheless, plants are nature’s treasure that helps us to mitigate air pollution and tackle Global Warming efficiently. According to research, a mature tree absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 pounds per year. In one year, an acre of forest can absorb twice the CO2 produced by the average car's annual mileage.

The gameplay of Quack focuses on tackling Climate Change by growing plants in the virtual world. In Quack’s World, the responsibility of players is to collect coins by completing environmental protection tasks. With collected coins, players can exchange plants from Quack’s shop. In the game, plants take an important role in purifying and cleaning players' local area by absorbing a certain Carbon Dioxide day by day. When a new level is achieved, players will get rewards correspondingly.

To catalyze positive changes in the real world, Quack is improvising many ways to educate people about the real environment surrounding them.

In-game, players get a reward for their positive environmental behaviour such as “Pick up litter”, and “1000 steps challenge”... These tasks are aiming to educate players and gradually build good habits as well. Furthermore, by incorporating the Carbon Dioxide Map from NAEI, players can have a big picture of the environmental problems happening in their local areas.

In reality, Quack is considered a bridge between the virtual and real worlds. With every good behaviour in the real world, players will receive in-game incentives.

In detail, Quack proposes some eco-friendly activities, such as “using biodegradable packaging instead of plastic”, and “participating in real eco-protection activities to get in-game rewards”.

All activities are listed in the Quack Event section, along with detailed instructions so that players may quickly find them and register.

To engage players, Quack particularly focuses on the gaming experience, simulating a wonderful world where players can immerse themselves in nature. Through the game, players not only discover beautiful and precious plants but also obtain scientific knowledge about them as well. Some examples of the information include, where it is commonly found, life span, the size, and other interesting facts. Furthermore, players can meet others in the virtual world, have a conversation, or showcase their favourite things.

In conclusion, Quack is not only an educational game but also a tool to catalyze positive change for people, society, and nature. Quack promises to have a good impact on nature through in-game education, creating awareness, and taking realistic actions to conserve the real environment in players' local areas.  

Let’s give a hand to tackling Climate Change!

Quack is a mobile game designed to raise awareness and drive action against carbon emissions across the UK. By blending education with gameplay, it encourages players to complete eco-friendly tasks—like picking up litter or walking challenges—to earn rewards and grow virtual plants that absorb CO₂. Inspired by scientific data from the UK’s National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, Quack mirrors real-world environmental issues and offers players a visual map of local pollution levels. Through immersive experiences, social interaction, and real-world incentives, Quack bridges the gap between virtual play and environmental impact, helping users build sustainable habits and contribute to a cleaner future.

Let’s green Our World, tackle Climate Change!

Contact

Let’s Talk & Collaborate

I’m always excited to collaborate and exchange ideas! If you're passionate about design and eager to connect, feel free to reach out.

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(+44)-749-864-8205 or (+84)-363-720-448
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