Multiplayer: Everyone Plays. Everyone Matters.
Every player sees different clues on the phone.
This means everyone in the team has a role to play. Everyone stays actively involved, and to finish the game. It creates a real team feeling.
Story in the app, physical pieces in the real world
The physical pieces turn the city into a real game board. The app connects the experience through the story. Both elements together create an immersive urban adventure.
Why multiplayer matters
There are three ways to give player clues and information: - One phone for the group - One phone for each with the same information - Different information for each player. We tested the three approaches and it is clear: Giving each player different clues is the only way to immerse everyone in the game.
One phone for the group: One or two people are playing
This doesn not work well. Only the person holding the phone can really see, the others have to lean over, and you constantly need to scroll or pass the phone around. It is uncomfortable and frustrating and eventually they will not feel part of the game.
One phone for each player: Everybody plays alone
Sounds fair, but it creates another problem: one player can solve the puzzles completely alone. Experienced players will just solve it and wait for the rest of the team. There is no collaboration and the teamwork disappears.
Gold standard: Everybody sees different clues
This is the best solution. Each player has unique information, and no one can solve the puzzles on their own. The group has to talk, share, and combine what they see. This keeps everyone involved and makes the experience truly cooperative.