AU2016101835A4

AU2016101835A4 - Online and geographically based treasure hunt game

Info

Publication number: AU2016101835A4
Application number: AU2016101835A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gareth Beall; Ayrial Mammino
Original assignee: Hog And Mole Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Hog And Mole Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-20
Publication date: 2016-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-20

Abstract

A bst r act An online and geographical location based treasure hunt played by registered members of the public. Participants have to decipher narrative and word based clues as well as observational clues at geographical locations within a named geographical area. Participants must collect photographs of themselves at each geographical location to prove participation should they solve the clues first and wish to win the prize.

Description

Titles Online and geographical location based treasure hunt game.

Field: [001] This innovation relates to the use of a website, www.findthetreasure.com.au, to allow participants to register for an online and geographical based treasure hunt. In particular, registered players must unravel clues online, hidden within a narrative story and then seek out and uncover further clues hidden at various locations within a set perimeter area.

Background: [002] A treasure hunt traditionally refers to a game in which the participant must solve a trail of clues placed at various geographical locations, with each successive clue leading to the location of the next clue and the final clue leading to the treasure/prize.

[003] More specifically the present invention includes an interactive treasure hunt game that is accessible via the internet in all its' mediums (website, mobile phone application, social media platforms and downloadable documents). By creating an online and geographical location treasure hunt the scope of the target audience is more widespread.

[004] The present invention involves participants playing the online game and traveling to geographical locations set out by the inventors of the game. These geographical locations are restricted to a named geographical region. I.e. they could be anywhere and include anywhere, as long as it is within the named region. Participants may also be asked to take a photograph of themselves at the different geographical locations to prove participation should they be the first to solve all clues.

[005] One aim of the invention is to get participants to appreciate the geographical location that the treasure hunt is based around. In line with this is that the invention involves leading participants to public locations but unlike a scavenger hunt it does not involve participants taking anything physical from said locations, other than a photograph of themselves at the location. Rather, the clues ask participants to notice something at the locations and this leads them to the next clue and so on and so forth. In this manner there is to be no disruption/vandalism to the locations included in the treasure hunt.

[006] Traditional treasure hunts are usually a privately organized, one time event. The present invention is an event run by a private company but is expected to be run multiple times, at different locations worldwide.

[007] Finally, in accordance with traditional treasure hunts, the person or persons who solve all of the clues first win a treasure/prize which is a monetary incentive to participate. The present invention however requires the participant to prove they have been to each geographical location by taking photographs of themselves at each location. The present invention does not limit prize winning to the participant(s) who solve all of the clues first. There are other means for participants to win prize money.

Summary: [008] Traditional treasure hunts involve clues that are either written or easily accessible to people outside of the treasure hunt. With this in mind, often traditional treasure hunts can be played by unintended participants who may diminish the fun for actual intended participants.

[009] As registered participants are purchasing a ticket to be able to play the online geographical treasure hunt the present invention recognizes the desirability of participants having exclusivity to the clues and narrative. The present invention requires participants to register online to receive parts of a narrative which include the clues. These clues are only able to be viewed by registered players and each clue can only be solved when the answer to the previous clue is used as a password to download the subsequent clue. In this manner no person outside of the registered players of the online geographical treasure hunt are able to participate in it. Clues at geographical locations do not involve objects or landscape that is likely to be removed or changed whilst the treasure is running. In this manner, all participants have equal opportunity deciphering clues.

[010] The nature and distribution of the clues is unique to the online geographical treasure hunt in that the clues may be "paired". The first part of the clue is provided in the form of a narrative and may require the participant to solve a riddle, word search, crossword, code, word or number puzzle or any other sort of interactive task or mind game. The answer to the first clue then leads the participant to a geographical location where they need to find or notice something to solve the second part of the clue. What they need to find or notice is advised within the narrative.

[011] Social media will be the main marketing platform but also the main platform through which outsiders and participants can observe progress of participants.

[012] Unlike traditional treasure hunts, simply solving all of the clues first does not equate to the participant winning. Due to the nature of treasure hunts and participants cheating, to win, each participant must take a photograph of themselves at each geographical location to be able to prove participation should they solve all of the clues first.

Description of Embodiments [012] Overview [013] The present invention includes a large-scale online and geographical location treasure hunt. The preferred embodiment is in the form of an online membership which allows registered members to participate by having access to clues that lead them to geographical locations where the answers to further clues are found. The first participant(s) to solve all clues and who can prove participation by photographs of themselves at each location is awarded the main prize. Other prizes may be awarded to participants for other reasons, including but not limited to: best fancy dress, participation (random), best effort etc).

[014] Geographical location [015] The preferred embodiment is that of an online and geographical based treasure hunt for a particular named location. The embodiment could be any location and could extend worldwide, as long as this is made clear to participants, i.e. as long as the region is stipulated to participants.

[016] Online format [017] The preferred embodiment is that of an online treasure hunt utilising all forms of online technology; including but not limited to: websites, mobile applications, downloadable images/diagrams/documents/audio as well as all social media platforms.

[018] Clue format [019] The preferred embodiment for the clue is that whereby clues are included in a narrative but could also simply be in the form of clues with little to no story line provided.

[020] The preferred embodiment is for the clues to be a combination of written decipherable clues and location/object based clues. Written clues may include but are not limited to: riddles, word searches, crosswords, codes, word or number puzzles or any other sort of interactive task or mind games. Location/object based clues may include but are not limited to: counting certain objects, using a compass to find landmarks/objects, taking a certain number of paces to find landmarks/objects, taking note of a specific animal/plant species rare/abundant to an area or any other clue where observation of surrounds is required.

[021] Sponsors [022] The preferred embodiment is that of limited or no sponsors other than the inventors however the online geographical treasure hunt may include a series of sponsors including but not limited to: small to large businesses, companies, corporations, councils, foundations and individuals.

[023] Sponsors may elect to donate prizes to be awarded to contestants. They may elect to pay to be a registered participant. Sponsors may also elect to "purchase" an answer to a clue or number of clues and provide the answers to struggling participants, either through social media platforms, radio, television, internet or even personally to special participants.

[024] Sponsors may elect to advertise by traditional means; incorporation of their logo on the online geographical treasure website, through social media, radio or any other means that they see fit, subject to approval from the inventors/administrators.

[025] Participants and Prizes [026] Participants may include anyone in the general public however only participants of a certain age are able to be awarded prizes. Due to the nature of some of the geographical locations, some members of the general public may not be able to participate in certain segments of the treasure hunt.

[027] The main prize is awarded to the participant(s) who solves all of the clues first. Other prizes may be awarded for various other reasons including but not limited to: solving certain clues e.g. the first clue or a particularly hard clue, for participating, for best attempt or for best dressed. The awarding of prizes is not limited to those outlined above and is subject to discretion by the inventors/administrators.

[028] Running of the treasure hunt [029] The embodiment is that the treasure hunt may be run as many times and in as many locations as the inventors/administrators wish.

[030] Revenue [031] The embodiment is that revenue is mostly generated by registration sales. Other means of generating revenue may be by merchandise, sponsorship, advertising and donations.

[032] Revenue may be used at inventor/administrator discretion and may on occasion be used partially for donation to organizations stipulated by the inventors/administrators.

Claims

Claims

1. An online and geographical treasure hunt comprising: - The use of online technology including but not limited to: websites, mobile applications, downloadable images/diagrams/documents/audio as well as all social media platforms. - Online registration for participants giving them exclusivity to clues over members of the general public - A plurality of clue forms including word, puzzle and location/observation type clues - The use of geographical locations within a named region to form and provide answers to clues in order to solve the treasure hunt and win a prize - The collection of photographs of the participant at certain locations as proof of playing should that participant go on to win the treasure hunt
2. The online and geographical treasure hunt of claim 1, further including a map of the region where the treasure hunt is to be played
3. The online and geographical treasure hunt of claim 1, to include an original narrative delineating clues to the participants
4. The online and geographical treasure hunt of claim 1, wherein at least one of the interactive clues consists of using a compass (mobile application or original hand held compass).
5. The online and geographical treasure hunt of claim 1, wherein at least one of the interactive clues consists of using night vision (mobile application or original hand held compass).
6. The online and geographical treasure hunt of claim 1, wherein at least one of the interactive clues involves solving mind games including but not limited to: a riddle, word search, crossword, code, word or number puzzle or any other sort of interactive task.
7. A method of playing the online and geographical treasure hunt comprising of the steps of: - Obtaining registration/membership online - Reading the narrative/deciphering word based clues - Finding or observing certain structures, landmarks or objects at a specific location outlined in the word based clues - Claiming a prize after solving all of the clues first and only if a photograph of the participant has been taken at clue locations
8. The method of playing the online and geographical treasure hunt outlined in claim 7, wherein said clues revealed by narrative/word based clues comprise instructions for progressing to another clue (word or location based).
9. The method of playing the online and geographical treasure hunt outlined in claim 7, wherein answers to said clues are entered into the online website as a password to download subsequent clues.