Island Saver Launches on Nintendo Switch: Educational Game from NatWest and Stormcloud Games Arrives on eShop
NatWest and Stormcloud Games have partnered to release Island Saver on Nintendo Switch, with the game arriving worldwide on the Nintendo eShop on May 13, 2020.
This innovative title marks the first educational video game from the banking group, aiming to combine engaging gameplay with important lessons about financial responsibility and environmental stewardship. Developed by Scottish indie studio Stormcloud Games, Island Saver invites players to clean up the once-pristine Savvy Islands, which have been overrun with plastic waste and "gloop." Armed with a Trash Blaster, players must remove litter, earn coins, and rescue 42 unique "bankimals"—playful animal characters modeled as living piggy banks that can be ridden and used to discover new areas throughout the islands. The collaboration seeks to leverage the popularity of video games as an effective medium for financial education.
Caroline Edwards, lead for financial capability at RBS Group, who worked closely on the project, explained that NatWest has a long history of providing free financial education in schools over the past 25 years.
Edwards noted that with Island Saver, the goal was to introduce money management skills not just in classrooms, but at home as well.
"A video game is a medium children naturally gravitate towards," she said, "and it gave us the chance to design engaging gameplay that encourages learning through play." Frank Arnott, co-founder of Stormcloud Games, detailed the studio’s creative approach to the project.
According to Arnott, the vision for Island Saver was to offer a robust, family-friendly gaming experience that is entertaining while also serving a purposeful educational role.
"We were inspired to address real-world issues young people care about, such as plastic pollution," Arnott stated.
"By covering the Savvy Islands in gloop and trash, we encourage players to take action and restore the islands to their former beauty—while learning valuable money skills along the way." Island Saver is accessible to a wide audience, available digitally via the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.
The game blends light platforming and cleaning mechanics with financial literacy challenges in a colorful, approachable package.
The release marks a continued commitment from both NatWest and Stormcloud Games to produce content that has a positive impact beyond entertainment, providing practical lessons for young players and families. Island Saver arrives on Nintendo Switch on May 13, 2020, expanding NatWest’s educational outreach through interactive media and reinforcing Nintendo’s vast catalog of innovative games on the platform.
This innovative title marks the first educational video game from the banking group, aiming to combine engaging gameplay with important lessons about financial responsibility and environmental stewardship. Developed by Scottish indie studio Stormcloud Games, Island Saver invites players to clean up the once-pristine Savvy Islands, which have been overrun with plastic waste and "gloop." Armed with a Trash Blaster, players must remove litter, earn coins, and rescue 42 unique "bankimals"—playful animal characters modeled as living piggy banks that can be ridden and used to discover new areas throughout the islands. The collaboration seeks to leverage the popularity of video games as an effective medium for financial education.
Caroline Edwards, lead for financial capability at RBS Group, who worked closely on the project, explained that NatWest has a long history of providing free financial education in schools over the past 25 years.
Edwards noted that with Island Saver, the goal was to introduce money management skills not just in classrooms, but at home as well.
"A video game is a medium children naturally gravitate towards," she said, "and it gave us the chance to design engaging gameplay that encourages learning through play." Frank Arnott, co-founder of Stormcloud Games, detailed the studio’s creative approach to the project.
According to Arnott, the vision for Island Saver was to offer a robust, family-friendly gaming experience that is entertaining while also serving a purposeful educational role.
"We were inspired to address real-world issues young people care about, such as plastic pollution," Arnott stated.
"By covering the Savvy Islands in gloop and trash, we encourage players to take action and restore the islands to their former beauty—while learning valuable money skills along the way." Island Saver is accessible to a wide audience, available digitally via the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.
The game blends light platforming and cleaning mechanics with financial literacy challenges in a colorful, approachable package.
The release marks a continued commitment from both NatWest and Stormcloud Games to produce content that has a positive impact beyond entertainment, providing practical lessons for young players and families. Island Saver arrives on Nintendo Switch on May 13, 2020, expanding NatWest’s educational outreach through interactive media and reinforcing Nintendo’s vast catalog of innovative games on the platform.
