Golden Tours, a UK-based sightseeing company, has partnered with amusement experience designer Holovis to create an augmented-reality treasure hunt game around London.
Downloadable to the player’s smartphone, the experience begins when boarding a Golden Tours open-top bus. The explorer is given a paper map that, once scanned through the app, has enhanced usage through augmented reality. The app will show the route they have boarded with a virtual bus circulating along the road with key sites jumping out in 3D.
The explorer must then complete a series of London related questions and visit the city's historical landmarks in order to save the queen’s jewels, collect rewards and unlock a finale experience.
The app uses location settings to pinpoint the explorer’s position, presenting users with information on local points of interest, complementing the on-board audio guide with a visual counterpart.
Mikesh Palan, managing director of Golden Tours, said: “The Hop-on Hop-off Treasure Hunt app is a great way to expand our offering on our open top buses and enhance the customer experience beyond your standard bus tour. The great use of gamification bringing London to life for customers of all ages matched with the fact-finding mission is perfect for everyone – whether they’re a visitor to London or local.”
The app is available for download from November 1.
