29 September 2007

Tourality
real life multiplayer GPS game for mobile phones

A location-based game (or location-enabled game) is one in which the game play somehow evolves and progresses via a player's location. Thus, location-based games almost always support some kind of localization technology, for example by using satellite positioning like GPS.

Tourality is a new type of game for your mobile phone that combines sporty outdoor activity with virtual gaming experience. Its a real life multiplayer GPS game for mobile phones that support Java ME and the connection of a Bluetooth GPS receiver.

In contrast to normal sport simulations, you will face the real challenge of reaching geographically defined spots in reality as fast as possible and before your opponents. Your movement directly influences the gaming progress - because you are the game!

The challenge is to reach geographically defined spots by running, biking or driving before others in real-time. So called 'Spots', 'Points of Interest' and 'Game-Templates' can be created with Google Maps by users in supported areas on the website.

This user generated content is the basis for outdoor games. Tourality offers a single player and two multiplayer (player vs. player and team vs. team) modes. Currently the game is available as a free beta version in Germany and Austria. Support for other countries is planned for the near future.

The Challenge

Equipped with a mobile phone and a Bluetooth GPS receiver your challenge is to reach spots before your opponents. A spot is a certain point on a virtual map that you have to reach in reality.

While you are on your way by foot, on eight rolls, two wheels, or even motorized, your real position is transmitted from the Bluetooth GPS receiver to your mobile phone and is shown on the display. Tourality shows you the position of all participating players as well as the spots to reach on your mobile phone: you will know the spots still to reach and their location, as well as how you assert yourself compared to the other players.

.:[ more info right here ]:.

The 4 Game Modes

Tourality has four different game modes: Singleplayer, Player vs. Player or Team vs. Team - The choice is yours!

You know best which way is the fastest and best between the spots? Then don't prove it only to yourself (Singleplayer) but also to your opponents in a multiplayer game (Player vs. Player). Or show team spirit and compete against up to four other teams (Team vs. Team). Create a multiplayer game yourself or join a game that is currently ongoing in your surroundings!

It is up to you whether you play with your friends or get to know new people in your area as part of a multiplayer game

The requirements

Hardware: Tourality seems like a computer game but it's outdoor and mobile! That's why there are some requirements concerning the hardware: You need a mobile phone that supports Java (MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1) as well as Bluetooth. To get the GPS data on your mobile phone you will further need a Bluetooth GPS receiver.

During playing Tourality, you will need an internet connection (GPRS/UTMS connection) of your mobile network operator. The amount of data transferred for Tourality is generally low (see this FAQ entry).

Nokia 3250, 6110 Navigator, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6682, E50, E65, E90, N70, N71, N72, N73, N75, N76, N77, N91, N92, N93, N95

• Java support (CLDC 1.1, MIDP 2.0, JAR size about 1.4 MB)
• Bluetooth support in Java (Java Bluetooth API, JSR 82)
• Display size 176 x 208, 176 x 220 or 240 x 320 pixels