How To Augment Your Hunt Experience?
FOR
PARTICIPANTS regularly hunting during 1990’s, they were fairly familiar
with cryptic posers, navigational tulips and hard copy of reference materials.
The need to have knowledge accessible at hand often
led to the presence of books and files in the vehicle. And the practice has
remained relatively unchanged during the turn of millennium.
However with the advent of mobile gadgets and the
boom of internet surfing, the landscape of treasure hunting has significantly
shifted.
With the growing importance of time factor, hunters
constantly resort to speedier methods to tackle the questions; via online
googling, new applications for better search, compilation of treasure database,
etc.
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| 1,400 participants in Augmented Reality Hunt 2014!!! |
Once heralded as the indispensables of treasure
hunts, the thick dictionaries and voluminous encyclopedia have paved way for
smart phones, tablets and laptops, in a manner redolent of black and white TVs
and film photography.
While the methodology of question research may have
evolved, yet the hunt structure has somehow stayed constant over the years,
with typical hard copies of tulips and pages of route questions, treasures and
challenge often disseminated during flag-off.
With a few exceptions of minor changes, COCs are by
and large entrenched in the mainstream way of hunting. So when Youth
Jam 2014 Augmented Reality Hunt came along in September 2014, it was a
pleasant journey of discovery; as well as an eye-opener of modern treasure
hunting.
Augmented Reality (AR) is defined by the view of
the environment being enhanced, modified, or objects appearing with
computer-generated imagery.
Hailed as the biggest gathering of participants for
AR hunt and the first in Southeast Asia, Youth Jam 2014 has given participants
the first experience of AR by combining it into a treasure hunt, hiding nine
clues across Penang that can only be seen with an AR application Wallipop.
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| Top 3 Winners |
“We want to expose youths to the latest technological
trends, and how the knowledge can be equipped to their daily lives. For
example, AR can be used to bring traditional print media to life by capturing
it with a smart phone, how can youths today make this an innovation of
tomorrow,” Zhiee Chan, COO of YouthsToday.com said during an interview.
As displays of technological influence on treasure
hunt go, it would be difficult to top the way the application has redefined
treasure hunts.
Hunters were informed in advance that their smart
phones were a must, with downloaded applications Wallipop, Instagram and
Facebook.
Instead of navigational tulips, hunters were
flagged off with a card, printed with some logos and symbols.
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| Lowering their centre of gravity! |
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| The magic of Wallipop |
Then the participants must race to the location by
walking or boarding a Rapid Penang bus. Upon arrival, they must figure out
their mission.
Unlike typical hunts, the teams were no longer
provided with tasks readily printed on challenge sheets. Again using the
Wallipop app in their smart phones, they must rigorously scan the walls,
signboards and pictures in the area.
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| Selfie before the hunt |
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| Check out the routes first! |
Shell-shocked though they appeared at first by the
seemingly arduous task, the hunters were nonetheless enthralled when the
correct board was chanced upon.
The missions invariably involved the teams in
performing a certain challenge, taking selfies of their accomplishment and
uploading the photos via Instagram and Facebook.
Additional bonus points would be awarded based on
the creativity of the captions of each photo.
The elements of surprise and unpredictability were
exactly what set the adrenalin pumping for them.
During those 8 incredible hours of AR hunt, hunters
have discovered creative ways how treasure hunts can be augmented!
Probably the biggest hurdle against its
implementation in treasure hunts will be the human factor. As the hunt COCs are
cozily entrenched in the time-tested tulips, it will take a Herculean effort
for them to change their paradigm and embrace such creative way of hunting.
Another argument is that the new technology
predictably comes with a cost, which may seem prohibitive. Would most hunt
organizers be willing to pay slightly more for such innovation?
Perhaps those with deep pockets and great sponsors
may seriously consider, but organizing committees with shoestring budgets may
pass the idea.
Make no mistake – it is never the intention of this
writer to be a naysayer of such a wonderful app. The novelty of the idea surely
set the heart of participants beating faster; the grins on their faces simply
conveyed the pure excitement!
At the very least, it offered a brief glimpse into
the future, how treasure hunts can evolve, how the clues for next sectors can
reside with the boards outside, rather than readily handed out.
And what a difference Wallipop application has
definitely contributed to the realm of treasure hunting!
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Winners
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| 2nd Runner Up |
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| 1st Runner Up |
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| Champion |
Video on AR Hunt!
A superb video on Youth Jam 2014 - South East Asia's Largest AR Hunt.
Check it out, by clicking this pic below!!!
Extracted from The Star (17th September 2014)
Fair with a green message
Meanwhile in another part of the Esplanade on the same day, some 1,500 people were gathering for Youth Jam ‘14, known as South-East Asia’s largest augmented reality (AR) hunt, another event held in conjunction with the green carnival.
The treasure hunt, combined with AR, involved nine hidden ‘clues’ across Penang that could only be seen with an AR application called Wallipop.
Organised by YouthsToday.com in collaboration with DiGi, Rapid Penang and Tourism Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, the event was also partnered with universities from the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.
Engineers Ewe Tek Bee and Ribben Yeap, both 26, emerged winners for the treasure hunt, taking home two Fujifilm Instax cameras and RM2,500 cash.
“We did not expect to win as we only wanted to have fun. This event is definitely a great get-together for youths.
“It is not just a competition, it is a platform for us to interact with each other,” said Yeap.
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SOUTH EAST ASIA LARGEST AUGMENTED REALITY HUNT AT THE ESPLANADE, PENANG
In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, the event was officiated by the Director of Communications and Publicity Division of Tourism Malaysia Mohmed Razip Hasan, accompanied by ADUN Pulau Tikus Yap Soo Huey. It aims to promote Penang as an exciting tourist destination among the younger generation through sophisticated telecommunication technology.
Augmented Reality (AR) is defined by the view of the environment being enhanced, modified, or objects appearing with computer-generated imagery. This year, the theme of Youth Jam is to combine the treasure hunting with AR, making it the first in Southeast Asia.
YouthsToday.com is looking to give participants the first experience of AR by combining it into a treasure hunt, hiding nine hidden clues across Penang that can only be seen with an AR application Wallipop.
“We want to expose youths to the latest technological trends, and how the knowledge can be equipped to their daily lives. For example, AR can be used to bring traditional print media to life by capturing it with a smart phone, how can youths today make this an innovation of tomorrow,” Zhiee Chan, COO of YouthsToday.com said during an interview.
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| Making sure that the apps work! |
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| Crew busy at Registration Counter |
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| Find the hidden location with Wallipop |
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| Unveil secret mission with Wallipop |
The locations of the clues include the Esplanade, Fort Cornwallis, Chew Jetty, Armenian Street, Beach Street, Camera Museum, KOMTAR, Gurney Paragon, Gurney Drive and the Escape Theme Park. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have also been used to promote and publicise the event.
It attracted a total of 1,400 participants (in 700 groups), who paid RM100 for each group (2 persons). The participants were from Penang, Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak. Besides that, the event also attracted international participants from Singapore and Indonesia, with ten groups from each country.
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| Great time at Chatime! |
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| We care for the cats! |
The smart partnership between Tourism Malaysia and DiGi is seen as a pioneering effort in using mobile app to search for tourism information. In line with this effort, Tourism Malaysia has also introduced ‘Tourism Malaysia Brochure App’ to disseminate its domestic tourism brochures throughout the country.
In collaboration with Rapid Penang, YouthsToday.com has also provided the participants with DIGI’s “Internet For All” packs and free ‘hop on, hop off’ across Penang to reach different checkpoints as an initiative to introduce the convenience of public transportation.
Participants will also receive exclusive Youth Jam T-shirts and RM100 worth of YouthsToday reward vouchers with total prizes worth up to RM50,000 contributed by Digi, Fujifilm, RedBox, Chatime, Rapid Penang, KFC Events and Himalaya.
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| Esplanade photo! |
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| Bruce Lee pose! |
Extracted from Bulletin Mutiara (1st-15th August 2014)  |
| Hunters on Rapid Penang bus |
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| Having fun at AR hunt! |
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SEA's Largest Reality Hunt coming up
MALAYSIA's largest sponsorship platform, YouthsToday.com, is taking a giant leap in organizing Youth Jam 2014, also known as "South East Asia's LARGEST Augmented Reality Hunt" in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014 supported by Tourism Malaysia, and partnering with universities of Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.
It is happening on Sept 14 at Esplanade, from 8am, till 6pm.
Augmented Reality (AR) is defined by the view of the environment being enhanced, modified, or objects appearing with computer-generated imagery.
This year, the theme of Youth Jam is to combine the treasure hunting with AR, making it the first in Southeast Asia!
YouthsToday.com is looking to give participants the first experience of AR by combining it into a treasure hunt, hiding nine hidden clues" across Penang that can only be seen with an AR application Wallipop.
"We want to expose youths to the latest technological trends, and how the knowledge can be equipped to their daily lives. For example, AR can be used to bring traditional print media to life by capturing it with a smart phone, how can youths today make this an innovation of tomorrow," Zhiee Chan, COO of YouthsToday.com said during an interview.
In collaboration with Rapid Penang, YouthsToday.com has also provided the participants with DIGI's "Internet For All" packs and free 'hop on, hop off' across Penang to reach different checkpoints as an initiative to introduce the convenience of public transportation.
Participants will also receive exclusive Youth Jam T-shirts and RM100 worth of YouthsToday reward vouchers with total prizes worth up to RM50,000 contributed by Digi, Fujifilm, RedBox, Chatime, Rapid Penang, KFC Events and Himalaya.
Youth Jam is expecting 1,000 teams with two players in a team to participate in this competition.
Till now, 200 teams have registered.
The registration fee for a team is RM100 and open to Southeast Asian countries as well.
Register at: www.youthstoday.com/youthjam before Sept 1.
For more information regarding participating, volunteering and sponsorship, do contact Adrian at adrian@youthstoday.com or log on to www.youthstoday.com/youthjam .
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Augmented reality treasure hunt to hit Penang
THE first and largest augmented reality (AR) hunt in South-East Asia called 'Youth Jam 2014' will be held at the Esplanade in Penang on Sept 14.
Organised by YouthsToday.com as part of Visit Malaysia 2014, the event is supported by Tourism Malaysia and universities from the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.
YouthsToday.com chief operating officer Zhiee Chan defined AR as an environment being enhanced or modified with computer-generated imagery.
“The theme of Youth Jam this year is to combine treasure hunting with AR, making it the first in South-East Asia,” said Chan.
The treasure hunt will involve nine hidden ‘clues’ across Penang that can only be seen with an AR application called Wallipop.
Chan said that DiGi and Rapid Penang would be collaborative partners for the event.
“Participants will have to ‘hop on, hop off’ across Penang to reach certain checkpoints for free as an initiative to encourage people to use public transportation.”
DiGi ‘Internet for All’ SIM packs would also be distributed to participants to ensure they have data coverage throughout their journey.
She added that participants would also receive exclusive Youth Jam T-shirts and RM100 worth of YouthsToday reward vouchers.
The total prizes up for grabs are worth up to RM50,000 including contributions from DiGi, Fujifilm, Redbox, Chatime, Rapid Penang, KFC Events and Himalaya.
YouthsToday was founded as a youth development platform in 2013 to build young individuals by supporting and funding their ideas, and making them into projects or events.
It is currently active in 50 public and private universities in the country with 19,000 active youth powering the first and largest sponsorship platform in Malaysia.
State Youth and Sports, Women and Community Development committee chairman Chong Eng, who was present, said the event was timely with the steps taken by the state government to promote Penang as the most Liveable International City.
“I would like to commend YouthsToday which has successfully combined all elements into one event which is the South-East Asia’s Largest AR hunt,” added Chong.
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