News

Interactive mall game aims to bring in patrons, get them to stay longer

June 16, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas — At a time when competition for the consumer dollar is fierce and retail traffic has slowed, retail centers are exploring new innovative guest services to attract more shoppers, entice them to stay longer and ensure they leave with smiles on their faces.

BarZ Adventures' interactive multimedia mall game, Ranger Quest, operates through a handheld computer device and encourages shoppers to explore their surroundings, enjoy the retail environment and linger at the shopping center longer. Ranger Quest is a location-based video game that immerses players in a virtual adventure in the mall environment. The game unit is loaded with video, multimedia and animation that lead players on a themed interactive challenge. The choose-your-own-adventure format allows players to make decisions and influence the game play by choosing from a selection of videos, clues, questions and puzzles, resulting in a unique challenge for each user. Multiple endings let players repeat the experience with different outcomes.

Custom-tailored to the specific retail environment, unique characters and a themed storyline can range from international espionage to an alien invasion to a Wild West Whodunit. Players follow video clues to find hidden locations in the mall, collect evidence (and points) and work towards solving the mystery at hand. Location-based clues and mall maps with hotspots offer navigational assistance through the venue while leading players through the action as they explore and play on the palm-sized game device.

Retail locations can be creatively written into the custom-tailored storyline to encourage traffic flow. As shoppers gather clues and solve puzzles, answers could be found in a retailers' offerings, signage or in-store décor. With full-color video and multimedia capabilities, the system's platform supports multiple advertising styles.

The nimble backend software offers retailers the opportunity to quickly update advertisements on sales and special offers, increasing traffic into their establishments. It also provides data for post-game play follow-up opportunities such as auto-generated e-mails with game scores and Web sites with score rankings, to further help increase Web traffic and exposure.