More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
De
More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

Three Questions to: Explorlings - makers of the child-friendly game "Sheeplings"

The Hamburg-based studio Explorlings has a special mission: developing apps for a responsible and gentle introduction of children to the world of digital devices. Lately, they released their first game "Sheeplings" - we took the opportunity to ask Bernhard Mies, CEO and founder of Explorlings a few questions.

(Bernhard Mies from Explorlings | Photo: © Andrea Lang / fotografiehamburg.de)

In "Sheeplings", kids can take their first steps into the world of games - in a responsible manner, because the app is based on based on media-pedagogical principles to create an age-appropriate setting. Using the app, children can be safely introduced to smartphones and tablets and try out the interaction. At the same time, they learn to put the device down again independently. 

The game lets children experience a day of a lamb and its mother in a blooming meadow. There are no rules, goals or tasks. Kids can observe the lovingly designed and animated animals and discover the interactivity of the medium games with simple touch gestures: The sheep follow the finger or can be stroked. A technically sophisticated simulation makes it a lot of fun to stroke the grass with the fingers. And children who have already tried out the app loved making the colorful flowers literally make a sound.

Bernhard Mies founded the studio Explorlings in 2021, focussing on implementing media education and literacy aspects. With media education advice from Dr. Kerstin Raudonat, Explorlings has developed rules for its products to ensure games without excessive demands and addictive potential: The apps are limited in their interaction possibilities and content. Elements that create (time) pressure to act are avoided, and parents can specify a usage time after which the games come to a comprehensible end. This allows children to gain their first experience with mobile devices in a self-determined way, at their own pace and according to their interests.

Screenshot from sheeplings

What inspired you to found your studio Explorlings and develop your game “Sheeplings”?
Several things came together: The core idea for Sheeplings had already been in my head for a long time. Because of my two kids, I started to take an interest in media education. And at the same time, I experienced young parents who were unsure how to give their children a responsible start in the digital world. In the end, the question for me was: What kind of company would develop apps that address this need?

“Sheeplings” explicitly avoids some mechanics that otherwise would be considered to be crucial parts of a game – like having defined goals a player must reach, creating (positive) stress through time-critical tasks, or making players want to play more and more. How difficult was it for you to rethink game design without such elements?
It was luckily not too difficult. To be honest, after about 20 years of developing games, it was quite a refreshing and deconstructing process. I admire minimalist game design and I had this media pedagogical roadmap to guide all design decisions. Trying the app with children confirmed me in the assumption that in the very beginning it can really be enough for them to experience the interactivity of the medium.

What’s ahead for Explorlings after the release of “Sheeplings”? Can you already give us a teaser whether you have new projects coming up?
Together with media pedagogical experts, I would like to further explore the possibilities for cautious games that are suitable for an introduction to digital devices. The beauty is that this pedagogical framework acts as a catalyst for game ideas. I am currently planning to kick-off two wonderful concepts that take things up a notch. Unfortunately, I can’t share details yet, but I will let you know! 

--

Want to know more about "Sheeplings"? Check out the games' website: https://www.explorlings.com/en/sheeplings
It is also already available on the app stores for Android and Apple devices.

News

Tips and Resources for your Funding Applications

Are you planning to apply for our funding programs and need some information and tips? Here's a short guide for you.

Road to gamescom 2024

For this year's gamescom Gamecity Hamburg again runs the Road to gamescom program: We offer spots at our joint Gamecity Hamburg booth at the Indie Arena Booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until April 21

Road to Nordic Game 2024

Gamecity Hamburg offers a Road to Nordic Game Conference program: We offer spots at our Gamecity Hamburg booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until April 10!

Apply now for Games Germany Steam Sale for games "Made in Germany" 2024

German Developers, studios and publishers with their headquarter in Germany can now apply for the Games Germany Steam Sale for "Games Made in Germany" 2024 until April 18, 2024.

Hamburg Games Conference Lecture Hall in the Altonaer Museum

Recap: Hamburg Games Conference 2024

It’s a wrap! The 15th Hamburg Games Conference (HGC) 2024 brought us two days filled with inspiring talks, panels, discussions and workshops with 42 speakers and 365 guests representing 255 companies from all over the world!

Prototype Funding 2024: Application Phase from March 7 to April 8 with New Diversity Checklist

Applications for Gamecity Hamburg's 2024 prototype funding are open from March 7 to April 8. This year's funding round provides 400,000 euros in total and up to 80,000 euros per accepted application team.

Games Lift: Playtests & Pizza

The Games Lift Incubator has evolved. We have plans for an entire year. That's why we've met with teams, mentors, and alumni months after the end of the workshop schedule.

Everspace Developer ROCKFISH Games Celebrates 10th Anniversary

What began in 2014 with the idea of the two experienced developers Michael Schade and Christian Lohr and an empty office has become a permanent studio fixture in Hamburg 10 years later. ROCKFISH Games now has 25 employees and established itself as an institution in the Hamburg studio landscape.

Successful third Pitch Level Up 2024 in SPACE Hamburg

For the third time, about 80 participants were able to gain valuable expert knowledge from our talks at our Pitch Level Up event and review and optimize their pitch decks and pitches for their game projects in 1:1 feedback sessions. 

Hamburg Games Conference: 5 Things to Do in the City

Are you visiting our beautiful city for the Hamburg Games conference? We recommend to stay a while and explore some of the unique sights Hamburg has to offer. After all, it is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe. Here are five things you should do when travelling to town for the Hamburg Games Conference (besides visiting the conference of course)

Road to Hamburg Games Conference - 7 Hamburg indies present their games

The Hamburg Games Conference is just around the corner - 2 days of expert insights, talks, panels, roundtables and networking from March 5 to 6 at the Altonaer Museum. With our Road to HGC program, we present seven Hamburg indie studios that will showcase their games on the conference expo floor.

Senator's Roundtable 2024 brings industry decision makers and politics together

As in previous years, Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, and Gamecity Hamburg invited executives from the gaming industry to the Senator's Roundtable 2024 to discuss current challenges and topics within the industry.

More News
Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.