Last night, the computer games developer launched the butterfly-inspired game, Flutter, created for Dunedin-based television company NHNZ as part of its new gaming division, Runaway.
"I am not that nervous," he said at the launch at the Otago Museum last night.
The game, which is designed for use on the social networking site Facebook, allows users to experience the life of a butterfly in the Amazon rainforest.
Since the site went live a fortnight ago, more than 3500 people were exploring the forest, with 20% of those playing the game every day.
While the site could be played at no cost, the company could earn money by an estimated 10% of players purchasing premium upgrading options.
Mr Nixon said while Flutter was designed to be a niche game which appealed to a target market of 18- to 30-year-olds, its potential was enormous with fellow social networking site, Farmville, played by more than 80 million people.
"Our goal is for Flutter to be a self-sustaining entity."
The Runaway team of five full-timers and two interns spent time at the Otago Museum Tropical Forest to capture the authenticity of the butterflies, with the tropical temperatures an added perk over a Dunedin winter, he said.
NHNZ was continuing its involvement with the museum, with the first 2000 people visiting the Tropical Forest from today receiving a voucher to redeem a special butterfly for the game.
NHNZ general manager John Crawford said the move into games was a natural progression for the company.
"Gaming is a major growth sector in the entertainment industry. With worldwide video gaming revenues of around $80 billion annually, it offers NHNZ a great new business opportunity."
Over the next couple of weeks, the company will announce a collaboration with a conservation organisation working in the Amazon area, he said.
The gaming division was also working on a game inspired by a recent NHNZ production for the National Geographic Channel.
