JOYity takes Android gamers on the road
Three GPS-based games for Google's OS handsets
Combining mobile gaming and GPS holds enormous promise, but has seldom been exploited by developers. German mobile marketing start-up, Zelfi, has been looking for ways to use the new Android system for location-based gaming, however, and it's come up with three GPS-powered games.
JOYity consists of three variations on the location-based theme; YouCatch, Roads of San Francisco and City Race Munic. YouCatch is a multiplayer manhunt, assigning each player a 'kill' and a 'killer'. When you get within 25 feet of your victim, pressing a button on the handset does them in, but also shows off your location on the map. Roads of San Francisco is more of a treasure hunt game, sending you messages and clues when you reach certain destinations in the city. Details on City Race Munic are still a little sparse, though we suspect the name is pretty descriptive.
What's more intriguing is that you're able to design your own games, limited only by the number of willing participants you can gather together (with their Android-equipped handsets, of course). This essentially makes JOYity more of a framework than a game in itself, but will hopefully make the move toward GPS-gaming a little more accessible.
Below is a demo video put together by AppVee of YouCatch being played in Madison Square Park, New York City. Looks pretty entertaining, although exercise generally isn't something gamers cherise. Maybe JOYity can change all that?
