We’re loving the migration of alternate reality games into the mainstream, from their murky past as the property of a geeky and highly obsessive few. Brands are now producing some really exciting work – just have a look at ARG forum unfiction.com to follow the discussion around Guinness’ Tipping Point for proof (featured in Contagious 13).
Nintendo is the latest to step up, creating an online / offline mixed reality treasure hunt on the Island of Enoshima, near Tokyo, for the DS handheld console, with the help of treasure hunt planners, Rush, Japan. ‘Treasure Quest: Enoshima – treasure of the Dragon’ requires players to use their Nintendo DS to follow clues around the island, hunting for a mystery hidden treasure. Neatly showing off the console’s wi-fi capabilities, the game relies on players finding clues and then matching their on-screen location with their real world position – players know they’re in the right place when the graphics shown on screen match the real world. To win, all the missing clues must be found, and then processed to solve the mystery and claim the treasure.
An additional bonus for the gamers is the interaction and group collaboration that the game brings about, in the style of team-building assault courses, allowing Nintendo to build connections and a community of people who’ve actually met. Pretty novel compared to other friends in social networking worlds. The game’s friendly start comes from creators Rush Japan, specialists in creating treasure hunts to stimulate tourism, who hope that the ARG will allow the gamers to integrate with the Island’s inhabitants and will be enjoyed by both visitors and locals.
The game is running until Feb 19th, is free to play, and accessible to all ages. All you need is to download a free piece of software to the DS and you’re away. Register at http://akai-tori.com/quest if you’re in the area and have got a DS handy.
Happy hunting!
Via www.pinktentacle.com/2008/02/nintendo-ds-mixed-reality-treasure-hunt/
www.psfk.com/2008/02/mixed-reality-treasure-hunt-nintendo-ds-required.html
http://akai-tori.com/quest
source :Contagious Magazine
