Kinder World, the first game from the female-founded studio Lumi Interactive, is all about nourishment. Nourishing your plant so it can flourish, but also nourishing yourself through kindness and self-reflection.

Its premise is simple: your pot plant needs you. Watering it twice a day keeps it smiling and unlocks new rooms that require your decorating expertise. You’re also rewarded for participating in kindness activities, such as sending words of encouragement to your fellow players.

Lauren Clinnick and Christina Chen, Lumi’s co-founders, labelled this kindness exchange “crowdhealing”. Clinnick explains, “When you and the other players have shared goals and are wishing each other well, that’s a great environment to do some of your own mental wellbeing work.”

In the midst of the pandemic lockdown in Melbourne, Australia, Clinnick and Chen felt “so beaten down by everything”. This low point actually helped them identify a gap in the mobile games market: a casual game with a mental-health focus.

Kinder World now sits snugly in that gap. And among the first to say “yes please!” was the LGBTQ+ community. “Many people have taken a lot of damage over the pandemic,” says Clinnick. “And a lot of us in the queer community are really open about struggling and the need for mental-health resources.”

The Kinder World community is highly active on TikTok and Discord, and has played a big role in shaping the game. Clinnick adds, “For the queer community, a lot of us fantasise about feeling safe, or just having a moment of peace. So a lot of those values are reflected in the game. Plus, we’re all so into houseplants!”

Throughout Kinder World, you’re introduced to a cast of adorable animal characters, including Quilliam, the socially awkward hedgehog, and Samy, the non-binary dog. They help you navigate the game and brighten your day by sending heartfelt letters.

“A lot of players really love that Samy is non-binary,” says Clinnick. “Some have told us they’ve come out as non-binary to this dog when they haven’t told anyone else yet. It’s so amazing and really special to us.”

Clinnick adds that being a team made up largely of women and queer folks adds authenticity to LGBTQ+ storylines such as Samy’s. “We’re just our whole authentic selves and it means a lot to the players. And the themes that come through are of softness and self-care, along with acceptance of difficulty and struggle.”

The success of Kinder World helped Lumi grow from a tiny studio of three people to 20 in just one year. Clinnick hints at exciting additions to the game in 2023, such as new characters, collectible items for WorldPride 2023 and more opportunities for community participation, backed by the studio’s full-time wellbeing researcher.

She adds, “The vision is to be a part of every woman and queer person’s day. To offer this really personalised, nourishing and social wellbeing experience that just feels so good.”

Kinder World: Cozy Plant Game

Grow a cute garden and relax

View

The artwork was created in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta artist ENOKi.

Apple acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past present and emerging.