(Above and left) BarZ’s
Ranger Quest turns
venues into themed
adventures; (right)
OOKL allows students
to view photos and text
about objects
custom-themed adventures. First launched at the International where guests look for clues and crack codes to complete a mis-
Spy Museum in Washington DC, US, in June 2009, Ranger Quest, sion, using the city of Washington as the game board. As users
which runs on BarZ’s GPS Ranger multimedia guide, turns the approach landmarks around the city, clues and information in a
venue into a game board. Visitors become the game pieces in a wide range of media can be downloaded, including messages by
choose-your-own-adventure-style scenario with puzzles, quizzes, fi lmed characters, documents, codes and photos.
and clues leading to scavenger hunt items. “We developed Ranger In conjunction with themed entertainment consulting fi rm
Quest after observing several new trends in the market,” says BarZ Smithink, BarZ has since developed a Ranger Quest game con-
founder and CEO Lee Little. “It’s clear we’re continuing to see cept for zoos called Safari Quest, challenging younger players to
increased use of technology in all our daily activities. We’re also explore the zoo while locating animals, solving riddles and collect-
seeing game play increasingly becoming a family activity. At the ing information, earning as many points as possible in a timed race.
suggestion of one of our customers, we developed Ranger Quest
to address these two trends,” he continues. “It’s a natural extension ENGAGING ONLINE
for theme parks and attractions – it links a venue with technology OOKL, a handheld multimedia guide developed by Science
to create an immersive, entertaining experience for all visitors.” Ecology Art Limited (the SEA), is also taking interactivity in an
The game uses GPS technology, and the software framework interesting new direction. The guide, currently in use at UK-based
and Adobe Flash-based graphics allow themes and storylines to be venues including Whipsnade Zoo, the National Maritime Museum
easily adapted to different venues. The International Spy Museum and Kew Gardens, acts as a virtual note-taking device aimed at
in Washington has a version, called Spy in the City, which has been school groups. Using a Nokia smartphone, students can view
adapted into a self-guided outdoor city tour for ages 12 and above, photos and text about a venue’s objects, as well as listen to audio.
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