Tag: gamification

This use of quick response code technology was demonstrated by way of the Munzee scavenger hunt game.

Barrett Park in Leominster, Massachusetts was the location of an interesting demonstration of the use of tracking by way of QR codes, recently, when it hosted a version of the worldwide scavenger hunt game that is known as Munzee.

The quick response codes were attached to trees, service poles, and other locations, allowing participants to play.

The game isn’t quite as obvious as one might think, as the QR codes are quite small, and they could be found virtually anywhere, regardless of whether you are hiking along a trail or strolling down the street. For example, Laurie Maldari, who already enjoys another mobile friendly hobby that is similar to scavenger hunting, called geocaching, was out doing just that when she came across her first Munzee QRcode. “I just stumbled upon one by accident,” she said.

This version of scavenger hunting, using QR codes, is somewhat different from geocaching.

Geocaching has been around for about a decade and a half and it requires a participant to use some form of mobile GPS device to be able to spot “caches” that contain small items that are typically stored in some kind of waterproof container. The participant then “proves” that they made the find by signing his or her name to a notebook that is found within that cache.

The concept of the Munzee QRcode game is comparable in certain ways, except that instead of signing a notepad, the participant uses a free mobile app and a smartphone to pinpoint his or her specific location and prove that the barcode was, indeed, found. As a reward, that person then receives points for each barcode that is scanned.

Maldari has since become quite involved in Munzee (and is now the player with the 20th place in the world) and has demonstrated how to play at Barrett Park in order to encourage more people to join in. The event was free to all who wished to attend.

This game based on QR codes originated in 2011 in Texas. That said, while it was popular there in its home state, it wasn’t until it made its way to California and Germany that it truly took off. Now, enthusiastic players are hoping that they will be able to spread the game to their own corners of the world, to encourage greater participation and to boost their opportunity to earn points – and bragging rights.

BI Intelligence releases new report concerning retail industry and mobile consumers

As consumers become more reliant on their mobile devices, retailers are looking for new ways to engage these people. Mobile commerce is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to engage mobile consumers, largely because of the interest these consumers have for making purchases through their mobile device. A recent report from BI Intelligence, a research group associated with Business Insider, examines the ways retailers are working to engage mobile consumers through commerce and other initiatives.

Retailers looking for new ways to engage consumers

The advent of mobile technology has lead to a shift in the way consumers shop and pay for products. For instance, a practice known as “showrooming” allows consumers to use their smart phones to find products they are interested in while avoiding mark-ups from retailers. Typically, consumers can find better deals throughout online e-commerce platforms than from traditional retail stores, which presents a particularly problem for retailers still working to attract consumers to physical stores.

Mobile commerce growing in US and Europe

According to the BI Intelligence report, 29% of all U.S. mobile consumers already use their mobile device to participate in mobile commerce. This trend is expected to continue and spread to Europe through 2015, creating a promising opportunity for retailers to engage a wide audience. The report also notes that location targeting and mobile marketing efforts are becoming ideal ways for retailers to engage consumers in a way they are becoming increasingly responsive to.

Gamification quickly becoming a powerful tool for retailers

Gamification is a relatively new trend that is emerging in the retail industry, according to the BI Intelligence report. This is the practice of introducing game elements into shopping, marketing, and other fields of retail. Through gamification, retailers can make mundane tasks seem more exciting by providing consumers with rewards for completing these tasks. BI Intelligence suggests that gamification may be an effective way to ensure the loyalty of mobile consumers.