NAIROBI, Kenya – Fallohide Africa, in collaboration with WWF-Kenya and the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE), has announced the launch of ARGO, Africa’s first public environmental augmented reality (AR) game.
Created by Kenyan extended reality (XR) artist and game developer Joanna Oluoch and produced by Fallohide Africa, ARGO offers players a story-driven, immersive journey through forest trails, blending African folklore with conservation science to promote environmental awareness and action, especially among young people.
Set within the forest trails of Oloolua, ARGO transforms a nature walk into an interactive digital experience. Using mobile devices, players engage with animated forest guardians Ruki, Popo, Hariri, and Lulu, the Spirit of Oloolua, as they learn about biodiversity, pollution, and restoration.
The game will be digitally accessible to all visitors at the Oloolua Forest as durable augmented reality (AR) markers will be put on nature trail signages for the public to immerse themselves as they walk along the trail.
Why ARGO is an effective tool
ARGO’s storytelling is grounded in the principle of “urgency without despair”, a creative approach designed to counteract public fatigue and environmental desensitisation. Instead of overwhelming audiences with statistics and crisis language, ARGO invites players into a mythic world of guardianship and renewal, fostering empathy for nature through hopeful, locally resonant narratives. In doing so, it becomes an effective tool to shift perception, reawaken concern, and re-engage the public, particularly the youth, with conservation.
Joanna Oluoch, creator of ARGO, shared:
“I grew up in Oloolua Forest, and even after all these years, it still feels like home. ARGO is my way of sharing the adventures I experienced there, using technology to connect young people to the forest and let them feel the wonder of nature for themselves.”
Walid Kilonzi, XR producer and founder of Fallohide Africa, said:
“At Fallohide, we believe technology can tell Africa’s stories in ways that empower and uplift. Through Joanna’s vision and our XR expertise, ARGO stands as a testament to how digital creativity can serve conservation, education, and environmental awareness.”
Why digital games are essential in storytelling
Fallohide Africa is redefining digital storytelling and revolutionising the marketing landscape through cutting-edge technology, meeting the ever-evolving needs of governments and enterprises. The organisation crafts bespoke creative solutions that immerse audiences in powerful extended reality (XR) experiences.
Dr. Yussuf Wato—Manager, Biodiversity, Research, and Innovation Programme:
“Technology is a powerful tool for nature conservation. WWF-Kenya is proud to collaborate with partners in creating innovative platforms like ARGO that inspire people, especially the youth, to connect with, appreciate, and protect our natural world. Through digital games that provide immersive experiences rooted in African storytelling, we can trigger people’s interest and deepen their understanding of vital ecosystems like forests and the urgent need for their restoration.”
ARGO was produced by Fallohide Africa and made possible through the support of Electric South, the National Film and Video Foundation (SA), the Ford Foundation, and the Kenya Institute of Primate Research.
The launch of ARGO was funded by WWF-Kenya, an organisation committed to the conservation of nature and education. The World Wide Fund for Nature-Kenya (WWF-Kenya). An independent, locally registered, non-governmental conservation organisation and an affiliate of WWF International.
What is the mandate of WWF-Kenya
For over 60 years, WWF-Kenya has been collaborating with communities, the government, civil society, and the private sector to create a healthy natural environment supporting people and sustainable development in Kenya – our shared vision.
Its global mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
On the other hand, KIPRE is a government semi-autonomous agency (SAGA) in the Ministry of Health and is located in Oloolua Forest, where it has opened a nature walk to the public. The legal notice that formed KIPRE has mandated the institution to undertake primatology, biodiversity, conservation, and ecosystem health.
KIPRE is now part of ARGO, an innovative conservation-themed video game designed to inspire, educate, and engage audiences of all ages on the importance of protecting Oloolua forest and biodiversity at large.
In today’s fast-changing world, environmental challenges are growing more urgent, and so is the need for creative, accessible tools that can raise awareness and spark action on how to connect people of all ages with conservation issues through interactive digital experiences like ARGO.
