Case study · Financial literacy game

InvestNuts

A free game that shows kids and teens how risk and reward work. With nuts instead of money.

iOS · Android · WebFreeDE
The InvestNuts squirrel in the forest
TOMMI2021
10,000+downloads
4.9 ★on the App Store
5 yearslive, and still maintained
1stTOMMI, Education

Store figures, September 2026. Web players not counted.

The idea

Investing sounds like boring grown-up stuff. Here it is a squirrel planting its forest.

Plant nuts, grow trees, survive the winters. Over ten in-game years, players feel what risk, return and diversification mean. A lexicon explains the terms.

With our game app, we enable children and youths to access the financial world in a playful way.

Dr. Olaf Zeitnitz · Founder & CEO, VisualVest

Spieleratgeber NRW calls the graphics and game principle child-friendly, with a clear focus on the chances and risks of investing.

★★★★★“A huge compliment to the team for the lovingly crafted execution of this game.”aim-at-sky, App Store
Recognition
2021 · 1st placeEducation
Spieleratgeber NRWReviewedchild-friendly
Behind it

Built for VisualVest, still growing

Commissioned by VisualVest, the digital investment brand of Union Investment. Developed by Gonku (now closed), the former studio of Greta Hoffmann and Raphael Martin. Greater Games hosts and maintains it today.

The InvestNuts team as squirrels
The crew

Nine people, nine squirrels.

  • Raphael Martin
  • Greta Hoffmann
  • Karina Renten
  • Lars Matysiak
  • Simon Blasen
  • Marc Bendt
  • Mathilde Hoffmann
  • Felix Barbarino
  • Rico Braun
OriginGameful design prototypefor Union Investment
ReleaseFebruary 2021iOS · Android · Web
TodayHosted by Greater Gameslexicon update 2025
VisualVest

Dry topic? Let us make it playable.