Expanding on the "city-building" model of popular games like SimCity and FarmVille, Ecotopia is the first free-to-play game with conservation at its heart.

The goal is to transform dirty, uninhabitable environments into pleasant, sustainable landscapes. It includes built-in ways in which players can connect with their friends. And in a first for social gaming, players are encouraged and empowered to do environmental good in the real world — and get rewarded in the world of Ecotopia.

In fact, we'd say Ecotopia is more than a game. It's a tool that can reach millions, spreading messages about finding environmental solutions that work for the well-being of everyone, everywhere.

But don't get us wrong: It's a game, too. One that might be more addicting than one would think.

• Future Ecotopia levels will be set in locations around the world where CI is protecting nature, so players can do their part to protect nature worldwide.
• Ecotopia players will be presented with CI videos and imagery that explain the connections between ecosystem health and human well-being.

Learn more about CI through our mission CI believes every person on Earth deserves a healthy environment and the fundamental benefits that nature provides.

Discover CI's work through our six initiatives CI's science, policy and field work focuses on protecting and maintaining the health of the species, habitats and ecosystems that are the building blocks of a healthy planet.

Learn how you can live more sustainably Living green means knowing, acting, and sharing. To make responsible choices, you have to know about your impact. Then you can start making positive changes in your lifestyle. Take our ecofootprint quiz »

Talkie is an independent studio creating a new breed of highly engaging cinematic, story-driven social games.

Founded in 2010 by CEO Chris Swain, a gaming industry pioneer, professor at University of Southern California and co-founder of the university's Electronic Arts Gaming Innovation Lab, Talkie's games feature state-of-the-art illustration and design and industry-leading gameplay mechanics designed to work across multiple social networks for a flexible, scalable gameplay experience.

Talkie both creates its own games and licenses its technology platform to content owners world-wide, enabling the creation of branded social games based on original IP as well as existing entertainment properties.

WEBSITE: Talkie

PRESS RELEASE: 'Ecotopia', a New Facebook Game to Battle Environmental Degradation