Emily Zhou

An interactive building toy designed to introduce users to systems thinking in ecologies.

Zobits is a game comprised of a mobile app, a 4-slot play pad, and a set of 16 Zobits figurines that each represent a different organism and ecological player. These range from taxonomies like carnivores and omnivores to grass, lichen, and fungi. Players can select up to 4 Zobits to place on the play pad, which will develop into a virtual ecosystem on their device over the course of a day. By experimenting with various combinations, players gain insights into the factors necessary to balance and sustain an ecosystem.

Collaborators: Swan Carpenter, Alyssa Lee

Funded by: SURG/CW and FRFAF grant programs at Carnegie Mellon University.

Awards: Henry Armero Award for Creative Inclusivity, 2021