The Oneida Nation received a health grant from the FDA requiring an "AR food safety experience" but the community envisioned something far more meaningful than compliance training disguised as a game. They needed traditional Oneida foods showcased with dignity, the practice of barter and trade woven into gameplay, and an experience connecting all generations to food systems that sustained their community for centuries. Most importantly, they needed a partner who would keep the community in the driver's seat.
Balance Studios developed MyFarm, a mobile AR application that transforms food safety education into cultural reclamation. Players fish traditional waters, harvest ancestral crops, prepare heritage recipes, and discover how the Oneida Nation connected communities through barter and trade. The application features three distinct gameplay modes: traditional non-AR, full AR, and an industry-first ADA accessible AR mode for wheelchair users- ensuring the complete immersive experience reaches every member of the community.
12 Original Characters:
Grandma Gail guides players through traditional recipes. Strawberry Guy teaches planting and harvesting. Trail Walker shares the patience of tapping maple syrup. All 12 characters were designed by Balance Studios in collaboration with community members, where players see their own families reflected in every interaction.
Cooking Traditional Recipes:
Players prepare heritage dishes like Grandma Gail's famous Poached Fish and Strawberry Drink. Each recipe teaches safe food handling through measuring, cooking, and timing mini-games turning food safety into delicious tradition.
Barter & Trade System:
The Oneida Newspaper connects players to community members requesting specific dishes. Players fulfill requests, receive rewards, and experience how traditional barter systems strengthened Oneida food networks.
ADA-Accessible AR Mode:
Balance Studios engineered an industry-first accessibility mode adjusting camera angles, interaction zones, and gesture requirements for wheelchair users. No other application in this category offers this level of inclusive design.