Catyobi Studio

why I made this

It started as a gardening project. It became a story about empathy.

Spring in a Box Farm is inspired by my real farm in South Florida and the animals who became part of my life. Many of the characters are based on real rescue animals, and many of the scenarios come from real experiences — moments when an animal needed help, someone arrived unexpectedly, or we had to decide what to do.

What started as a gardening project slowly became a story about empathy, responsibility, and connection — a digital world built from real memories, with the hope of helping children care for plants, animals, and the living world around them.

meet your helpers

The cast is real. Every character is someone I love.

Catalina is me. The rest are my pets — most of them rescues — and the people who help on the farm.

main · the farmerCatalinaCurious, creative, resilient. Guides the player through the farm world.Based on me.

farm leaderÉclairStrong-willed. Knows ASL commands, knocks on doors, and pretends not to hear when she disagrees.The alpha — in real life too.

princess helperCrème BrûléeElegant, mysterious, deeply loyal. Sleeps close to those she trusts.True princess energy.

guardian helperBrieGentle and protective. Éclair's "ears." Helped during a heat-stress episode.The one who notices.

adventure helperMr. StrayArrived after the July 4th fireworks. Took weeks to trust anyone.A real rescue. Real healing.

chaos helperCroque MadameSilly, playful, unstoppable. Chews everything. Escapes with Mr. Stray.Makes everyone tired.

memory guardian ✦OliverMy first rescue. No longer with us, but in the game he remains as a gentle spirit and guide.Loved for many years.

mischief helperGratinClassic orange-cat chaos. Opens drawers, steals food, hides objects.A tiny troublemaker.

creative helperSandraArtistic, imaginative, supportive. Brings art and creativity into the farm world.My sister. The other half.

garden helperJacintoHardworking and deeply connected to the land. Represents the hands behind the farm.The hands behind the harvest.

the real ones

Before they were characters, they were just my pets. Every helper is inspired by a real animal from the farm — the resemblance was intentional.

The real rescue animals behind the characters — Éclair, Brie, Crème Brûlée, Oliver, Croque Madame, Mr. Stray, and Gratin

from story to gameplay

The farm becomes playable.

Players explore the farm, unlock helpers, make choices, and grow their world through empathy.

01Enter

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02Learn

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03Explore

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04Meet

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05Choose

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06Grow

Main Menu — wooden signpost buttons: Start Game, Continue, Meet Your Helpers, How to Play, Settings, Credits — main menu — wooden signpost navigation

Meet Your Helpers — a grid of character portraits, some locked until you grow — meet your helpers — unlock the cast as you grow

how it teaches empathy

Players don't get a quiz. They get a moment.

iReal stories become gameplayMr. Stray's arrival inspired a game event — a frightened dog appears after a storm, and the player chooses what to do.

iiThere are no perfect answersPlayers learn that kindness, responsibility, and care often require real choices.

iiiThe helpers rememberAnimals and characters return later. Care grows over time — just like on a real farm.

where it is & where it's going

A working prototype, still growing.

Right now

→Platform: iOS · SwiftUI
→Status: working prototype, not yet on the App Store
→Developed during iOS App Development coursework
→Created by Catalina & Sandra Obando

What's next

→New scenarios from real farm life — animals, gardening, weather, hurricanes, South Florida
→Expand the helper system and unlockable stories
→Playtest with children, families, gardeners, and educators
→Keep refining the prototype for future testing

explore another project

Spring in a Box The real farm the game grew from. Agroecology Board Game The farm's lessons, playable around a table. Growing Guides Short, friendly books about growing food where it's hot.

Have an idea like this one?

→ tell me about it