This encyclopedia tries to be as complete as possible in the field of location-based games. Ever since location-based services integrated in mobile devices hit the mainstream market (some time around 2008), GPS games and apps crept from obscurity into public awareness. But even though there were some successes, often short-lived, a lot of the apps remained ‘niche’. We try to cover both the experimental projects and the huge hits.

Did we miss something? Mail to info@dasbox.be!

Last updated in February 2016.

Go to: AB C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

7scenes

  • Developer: 7scenes
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

7scenes - location-based game creator

7scenes is a mobile storytelling platform to create location-based, story-driven tours and games. Multiple teams possible. Outdoor and indoor features, using GPS and QR-codes. Mainly used in the NetherCountrys and Belgium.

http://7scenes.com/platform/

Tags: tour, scavenger hunt, qr, creator

 


 

A

 

A Machine to See With

  • Developer: Blast Theory
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD26y4ncDe4

A storytelling game created specifically for Canadian city Banff. Local players got messages on their mobile phones and could respond in a specific way, branching the story.

http://civictripod.com/games/a-machine-to-see-with/

Tags: storytelling, location-specific, art

 

A Tour of Atwater

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

Part of the fAR-Play location-based software platform, developed at the University of Alberta. Makes use of augmented reality and QR codes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-Play

Tags: storytelling, location-specific, QR, AR

 

ActionBound

  • Developer: ActionBound
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

actionbound - location-based scavenger hunt creator

Scavenger hunt and tour creator. A lot of public ‘bounds’ (tours) available, most of them in Germany. Clean browser overview of played bounds.

https://en.actionbound.com/

Tags: tour, scavenger hunt, QR

 

Advocates of Light

  • Developer: Gbanga
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Release year:
  • Platform: iOS, Android, PC/Mac
  • Status: to be released, uncertain

advocates of light - location-based tower defense game

 

Upcoming (?) tower defense game using the real-world map as in-game floor. Players need to defend a lighthouse in the middle of a sector. If one real-world sector is completed, you can move to another.

https://gbanga.com/gameography/advocates-of-light/ https://advocatesoflight.gbanga.com/

Tags: tour, scavenger hunt, QR

 

Android Hunt

  • Developer: 
  • Country: 
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: dead

According to the description, androids attacked you in an open world superimposed on the real world. You could team up with other players.

http://android-hunt.soft112.com/

Tags: MMO, RPG, more info needed

 


 

B

 

Beacon Escape

  • Developer: Locomatrix
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform:
  • Status: unknown

One of the location-based games proposed on the Locomatrix website.

http://www.locomatrix.com/

Tags: more info needed

 

Big Game Huntr

  • Developer: Mobile Radicals
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform:
  • Status: unknown

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X1KjOQqsiwc

Part game, part platform to create a location-based scenario anywhere they like. Early routing app, using pictures and nearby positioning.

http://www.mobileradicals.com/big-game-huntr/

Tag: tour, discovery, creator

 

BotFighters

  • Developer: It's Alive!
  • Country: Sweden
  • Release year: 2001
  • Platform: Nokia, old cellphones
  • Status: discontinued

botfighters - old GPS action game

One of the earliest mobile location-based games. Players needed to find and destroy other human players, represented as bot fighters. The game was continuous and was played out through SMS.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2002/aug/15/electronicgoods.games

Tag: MMO, action, sms, ancient

 

Bumble Bee

  • Developer: Gbanga
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

bumble bee - GPS action game in a small area

Control a bumblebee. Navigate with the device’s compass and accelerometer to move in the virtual world. 2-player multiplayer, played in a 5x5m ‘real’ space.

https://gbanga.com/gameography/bumble-bee/

Tags: action, small space

 

Bunker Buster

  • Developer: Project Zebra
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dead (2014)

bunker buster - location-based turf war game

Build armies to destroy other players’ armies and defend your turf. The game used Foursquare venues as locations to defend.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Zebra

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control, foursquare

 


 

C

 

Campus Mysteries

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

campus mysteries - tour with AR overlay

Part of the fAR-Play software platform, developed at the University of Alberta. Makes use of augmented reality and QR codes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-Play

Tags: storytelling, location-specific, QR, AR

 

Can You See Me Now?

  • Developer: Blast Theory
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2003
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

https://vimeo.com/5489402

Early location-based game in which 100 players could play online against members of Blast Theory, who were running around on the streets. They could hear the real-life players’ audio responses via recorded walkie-talkie streams.

http://www.blasttheory.co.uk/projects/can-you-see-me-now/

Tags: action, art, ancient

 

Cashsquare - Business trading game

  • Developer: Cashsquare
  • Country: Russia
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

cashsquare - property management game

Selling itself as a ‘location-based Monopoly’, this game allows you to buy Foursquare real estate and let visitors pay rent.

http://cashsquare.com/

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control, foursquare

 

City Domination

  • Developer: Mob In Life
  • Country: France
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: dying

city domination - location-based mafia turf war game

Popular MMO strategy game, splitting up the world in ‘zones’. In-app purchase system. The game’s support is on the decline.

https://www.facebook.com/CityDomination

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control

 

City Hunters

  • Developer: 
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2007
  • Platform: Nokia
  • Status: discontinued

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=164rviZdVow

University project. Original game where two players with a GPS connection need to shoot each other, but buildings might get in the way.

Tags: action, GPS

 

CityHunters

  • Developer: CityHunters
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

cityhunters - city rally game

City rally game with multiple options, only available for CityHunters events.

http://www.cityhunters.de/

Tags: scavenger hunt, treasure hunt, tour

 

City Jam

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: dead

cityjam_site

Bookable game for schools to raise awaress of the dangers of traffic. Students needed to form a band by picking up instruments and gathering fans. The location-based phases were interspersed with motion-based minigames.

http://cityjam.be/

Tags: serious game, action, collection, motion

 

City King

  • Developer: Funton
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dead

cityking - nice mix of styles with a GPS game

Original MMO with a colorful art style. You needed to battle for territory in a beat-em up style action scene, unlike most other ‘capture territory’ location-based games. You could also meet up and work together. Got decent reviews at the time.

http://www.148apps.com/reviews/city-king-review/

Tags: MMO, area control, social, action

 

Codecrackers

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2009 / 2013
  • Platform: Symbian / Android
  • Status: alive

codecrackers

Treasure hunt app with a twist. Pick up hints that lead you to a secret location. Steal hints from others. You can only play a ‘guided’ version of this game.

http://lamoscagames.com/games/codecrackers/

Tags: treasure hunt

 

CodeRunner

  • Developer: RocketChicken Interactive
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6cK0r9rVyo

Immersive location-based single-player game. You need to complete objectives and spy on virtual characters at real locations. Make puzzles for other agents to solve.

http://www.coderunnergame.com/

Tags: single player, spy, storytelling, sports

 

Colors

  • Developer: Indie Studios
  • Country: Sweden
  • Release year: 2006
  • Platform: Gizmondo
  • Status: cancelled, possibly revived

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlgPCgCxG1w

Touted as the ‘first GPS video game’, Colors was never officially released, since the company behind the short-lived Gizmondo system went bankrupt. There are plans to re-release the game in the near future, however. Gameplay was GTA-style, but used your real-life location and movements to determine the world layout and your attack patterns.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_(video_game)

Tags: action, single-player, cancelled, ancient

 

Comics Arts Capture Challenge

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

Part of the fAR-Play software platform, developed at the University of Alberta. Makes use of augmented reality and QR codes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-Play

Tags: storytelling, location-specific, QR, AR

 

Commons

  • Developer:
  • Country: US
  • Release year:
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

commons - location-based serious game

This app aimed to engage people in acts of kindness and to help them solve (social) problems in the city.

http://civictripod.com/games/commons/

Tags: location-specific, serious game, social

 

CYA Claim Your Area

  • Developer: Conny Svahn
  • Country: Sweden
  • Release year:
  • Platform: Android, Facebook
  • Status: discontinued (2012)

claim your area - location-based turf war citygame

Strategy game which combined both Android and Facebook interfaces. You needed to deploy and move droids to harvest areas. Some actions could only be done if you were there, others did not require your location. Still on the Play Store, but won’t boot.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=wOd.View

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control

 


 

D

 

DarkCity 2029

  • Developer: Jihad Games
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: Android, Facebook
  • Status: dead (2012)

dark city 2029 - hardcore location-based MMORPG

Hardcore MMO game where it was all about planting and defusing explosives. In-app purchases and decent art for a small-scale location-based game.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1260886

Tags: MMO, strategy

 

Day Of The Figurines

  • Developer: Blast Theory
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2005
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

https://vimeo.com/5490913

One-time, story-driven SMS game which featured a model city with figurines. Players needed to find out why they were in the game. They also had to choose their own figurine, which moved around the model time during their own play time.

http://www.blasttheory.co.uk/projects/day-of-the-figurines/

Tags: one-time, art, SMS, ancient

 

De Spion

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

despion_site

 

Belgian location-based action game in which a WWI spy has to do sabotage actions at various locations in Kortrijk, while remaining unseen by the German police.

http://www.kortrijkbezet14-18.be/stadsspel

Tags: action, location-specific, hunt

 

Dimension

  • Developer: Erik Melkersson
  • Country: Sweden
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: discontinued (2014)

dimension - coder art location-based exploration game

One-man homecrafts project with unknown gameplay. “A geolocation multiuser online game. Explore and build your world in other dimensions but still on your real location”.

http://someapk.com/Dimension-Dimension_Erik%20Melkersson.html

Tags: MMO, strategy

 

Dokobots

  • Developer: Dokogeo, inc.
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued (2013)

dokobots - social location-based game

Location-based multiplayer game in which you receive a Dokobot. You can give it a name and function. It then keeps a photo journal of your surroundings, using your camera and an overlay image of the robot. You can get new bots by walking around, however. Then you’ll drop your old robot. This game had to shut down because it violated the Privacy Act and collected the information of children under 13.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380748,00.asp http://www.bna.com/mobile-app-developer-n17179880410/

Tags: MMO, collection, social, discovery

 


 

E

 

eevoo

  • Developer: eelusion
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYpl8hSc-s8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFVFoDVKuQ

Eevoo was an ambitious game, layering its high quality graphics on a ‘real world’ map. The game offered AR functionality. Slick presentation, but ultimately abandoned.

http://playeevoo.com/en/

Tags: MMO, builder, AR

 

eevoo II

  • Developer: eelusion
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive, uncertain

eevoo II - slick GPS game

Just like its predecessor, eevoo II is a building game layered on top of a GPS map. It offers location-based missions and a more streamlined AR mode.

http://playeevoo.com/en/

Tags: MMO, builder, AR

 

Endgame: Proving Ground / The Calling

  • Developer: Niantic Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: beta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3hsKPYGA5A

A more story-driven Ingress, even more focused on the real world. It accompanies the book Endgame: The Calling, the first in a trilogy. People help one of the 12 ancient societies by defending Keypoints. Both AI and player opponents battle against you. The game has some RPG elements, like upgrading throughout equipment. If you can ‘solve’ the story in each of the books, you can win $500,000. The first has been solved, unlocking the second book in the series: Sky Key.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endgame:_Proving_Ground

Tags: MMO, treasure hunt, strategy, storytelling, AR

 

Enklave

  • Developer: Enklave
  • Country: Romania
  • Release year:
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: in production, funding unsuccessful

https://ksr-video.imgix.net/assets/003/041/494/c74970a94fec23449fd1600411e739f1_h264_high.mp4

This upcoming Ingress clone puts you in one of 3 factions who attempt to capture all territory in the real world. Contrary to Ingress, you battle other players directly, create a ‘home base’ and have some building options. It is uncertain whether this location-based game will be released.

http://www.enklave-mobile.com/ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enklave/enklave-mobile-augmented-reality-game

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy, discovery

 

Eventzee

  • Developer: Munzee, inc.
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

eventzee - for scavenger hunts and events

From the creators of Munzee, this GPS game creator has generally the same features as the others, but has one advantage: it can use its Munzee codes and interface as gameplay elements. It can hardly be called the most popular kid in school, though.

https://www.eventzeeapp.com/

Tags: scavenger hunt, qr, creator

 

Explosive Chickens

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: alive

explosivechickens

Location-based action game in which players run around a field with a tablet. They need to pick up eggs. With these eggs, they have to shoot down angry explosive chickens. This game was made to encourage cooperation among vulnerable children.

http://www.stafort.be/en/content/explosive-chickens

Tags: action, small space, serious game

 


 

F

 

Flykk: Contact / Big Adventures / ...

  • Developer: Future Industries
  • Country: Estonia
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: beta, support stopped (2015)

flykk - platform for location-based tours and adventures

Short-lived platform for location-based tours and experiences, focusing on storytelling and social interaction. In order to make a story, you need to be invited, but this feature seems to be abandoned.

http://www.flykk.com/

Tags: storytelling, tour

 

foursqWAR

  • Developer: Project Zebra
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: unknown

foursqwar - turf war GPS citygame

Like all Project Zebra games, the app uses Foursquare locations in a city to determine buildings in the war zone. You need to attack and defend them. Very similar to Bunker Buster.

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2010/12/07/foursqwar-turns-foursquare-into-a-turf-war/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy, foursquare

 

Free Londons Monsters / Magic Monstervision Machine

  • Developer: Mobile Radicals
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: unknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9t9aNRcdfU

Early experimental app that combines GPS coordinates with simple augmented reality. Got a visual upgrade as Magic Monstervision Machine.

Tags: AR, discovery, experiment

 

Friendly Fire

  • Developer: Red Robot Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CzatyBWvCQ

Friendly Fire uses real streets to map in-game roads. Along these roads, you can build towers and fortifications to defend yourself from attacks. Neat, colorful art style and relatively high production values. Got great reviews until support was stopped shortly, only to be ‘revived’ again.

http://redrobot.com/games/friendly-fire/

Tags: strategy, tower defense, action

 


 

G

 

Gbanga Famiglia

  • Developer: Gbanga
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued (2014)

gbanga famiglia - location-based mobster game

 

An early example of a well-executed ‘mafia’ MMO GPS game. Received a Best Outdoor Game award.

https://gbanga.com/gameography/famiglia/ http://www.srf.ch/play/tv/einstein/video/mafia-game-erobert-zuerich?id=85c9ea9b-82dd-4ac1-a2f9-140caf6edc1d

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control

 

Geko Smak

  • Developer: Garmin
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2004
  • Platform: Garmin Geko 201
  • Status: discontinued

geko smak - old GPS action game

Cute, simple game for the Garmin Geko 201 GPS device. The players needs to ‘smack’ as many geckos as possible by walking around. In fact, it’s a GPS version of whack-a-mole.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/olaf/puzzlemint/gps/geko201.html

Tags: GPS, action, small space, ancient

 

Gent Undercover

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: alive

https://vimeo.com/61511536

GPS city game in Ghent. Solve missions in the historical and arts quarter in the city using tools like a scanner and a radar tracker.

https://itunes.apple.com/be/app/gent-undercover/id605771967

Tags: tours, routing, location-specific

 

Gentrification: The Game!

  • Developer: Atmosphere Industries
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: unknown

gentrification - serious game

Transmedia game used to transform the neighborhood. Has been featured on events and festivals. Teams need to collect properties, but need to negotiate with other teams.

http://atmosphereindustries.com/gentrification/

Tags: location-specific, serious game, social

 

GeoBoxes

  • Developer: Ministry of Software Ltd.
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: support discontinued (2013)

geoboxes - location-based area control game

Social multiplayer GPS game in which you needed to claim ‘boxes’, rectangular areas evenly divided across the globe. You could create a ‘clan’ for your family or friends and assign a color to your clan. The game was never really popular.

http://www.geoboxes.com/

Tags: MMO, area control

 

Geocrash

  • Developer: Locomatrix
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: unknown

geocrash - location-based game aimed at museums

Treasure-hunt style game aimed at children. You need to sign up to ‘get a game for free’ and receive a handbook. Game scenarios are upcoming, but info is sparse.

http://geos.locomatrix.com/

Tags: treasure hunt, children

 

Geodashing

  • Developer: GPSgames.org
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2001
  • Platform: GPS, browser
  • Status: alive

geodashing - browser-based alternative geocashing game

A form of geocaching in which you first select a randomly positioned ‘dashpoint’ on a map, and then try to visit it in the real world using a GPS. Players need to report their visit with a photograph or a detailed description. Dashpoints change and expire after a set time. The website started in 2001 and is still active after 15 years (!).

http://geodashing.gpsgames.org/

Tags: browser, GPS, discovery, geocaching, ancient

 

GeoEmpires

  • Developer: GeoEmpires
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: GPS, browser
  • Status: dead (2014)

geoempires - medieval style location-based turf war

Medieval-style ‘capture territories’ game using a player’s GPS location. You can take over any square in the world and expand your kingdom.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/geoempires-a-location-based-game-that-lets-you-conquer-real-territories/ https://www.facebook.com/GeoEmpires/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 

GeoLotto

  • Developer: Geo24
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2008
  • Platform: browser
  • Status: alive

geolotto - location-based lottery

British lottery construction in which the UK is divided in squares, and you need to guess which square has treasure. No real treasure is buried, sadly.

https://www.bootypirates.com/geolotto

Tags: lottery, treasure hunt

 

Giselle Ever After

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

Part of the fAR-Play software platform, developed at the University of Alberta. Makes use of augmented reality and QR codes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-Play

Tags: storytelling, location-specific, QR, AR

 

Global Outbreak

  • Developer: Red Robot Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform:
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEUpzWQx9Ps

globaloutbreak_site

Slick crossover between a mission-based top-down shooter and a tactical RTS game. The location-awareness aspect is minimal, though. As a reviewer notes: “Even though the game is supposed to offer some sort of real-world interaction that bases things on a player’s real-life location, I hardly see any evidence of it, nor did I care”.

http://redrobot.com/games/global-outbreak/

Tags: MMO, strategy, action

 

GoCrossCampus

  • Developer: GXStudios
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2007
  • Platform: browser
  • Status: discontinued (2010)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbH7M9oinNk

Risk-like game, developed by Yale students. Long-time rival of Turf, a way-too-similar game developed at Yale. The game was not truly ‘location-based’, but rather used real locations as a virtual battleground.

http://www.gocrosscampus.com/ http://techcrunch.com/2008/03/21/two-startups-battle-over-who-invented-risk-like-war-game-first/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy, browser, location-specific

 

Goosechase

  • Developer: GooseChase
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

goosechase - treasure and scavenger hunt creator

Your standard Treasure and Scavenger Hunt app. Has an elaborate news feed and the option to post captions to your missions.

http://www.goosechase.com

Tags: treasure hunt, scavenger hunt, creator

 

Gowalla

  • Developer: Gowalla, inc.
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2007
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: dead (2012)

gowalla - foursquare-like location-based app

Foursquare clone, but with ‘items’ as a unique feature. You could acquire, drop and swap items at spots. Later updates downplayed the role of these items. You could also link spots to make ‘trips’. Facebook acquired the app and shut it down almost immediately.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gowalla

Tags: social

 

GPS Mission

  • Developer: Orbster
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2008
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
  • Status: dead (2012)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TohZfmFpznE

gpsmission_site2

Early mission-based GPS game in which players (or teams) needed to pick up gold along with solving riddles and complete challenges. A browser-based creator was available.

http://civictripod.com/games/gps-mission/

Tags: tour, scavenger hunt, creator

 

GPS Tycoon Game

  • Developer: Rasiel Suarez
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: dying

gpstycoon

Another indie GPS game where it’s all about controlling areas and earning money. The latest version got bad reviews because of login issues.

https://www.facebook.com/gpstycoon https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gpstycoon

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 

Gross. Stadt. Jagd.

  • Developer: Gbanga, JEFF
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYhbiExE670

grossstadtjagd_site

Huge one-time chase game in Zurich as a promotion for Mercedes. Participants needed to escape a car with a certain ‘kill radius’. The last man standing won the car.

https://www.gross-stadt-jagd.ch/ https://gbanga.com/2015/05/12/city-wide-tag-game-with-gross-stadt-jagd-app/

Tags: location-specific, action, one-time, promo

 


 

H

 

Hadur

  • Developer: Synthesis-NET
  • Country: Hungary
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
  • Status: dying

hadur_site

The title is Hungarian for ‘warlord’. No wonder that this Turf-like GPS game has been developed in Hungary. It still has some players in Budapest, but it’s more or less dead in all other places in the world. Major downside: you have to check in manually at every place.

http://hadur.eu/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 

Huntzz

  • Developer: Huntzz
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp5kWIJ1BFY

Visually distinct treasure and scavenger hunt app, also used for city tours. You can create your own huntzz in the app using a guide on the website. The developers can also create a hunt for you.

http://www.huntzz.com/

Tags: scavenger hunt, treasure hunt, tour, creator

 


 

I

 

Indeterminate Hikes +

  • Developer: EcoArtTech
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Windows
  • Status: dying

indeterminatehikes_site

According to its description, Indeterminate Hikes + “re-appropriates smartphones, which are generally used for rapid communication and consumerism, and turns them into tools of environmental imagination and meditative wonder, renewing awareness of biological, cultural, and media ecologies and slowing participants down at the same time”. In short: it makes you do things in the city you would normally only do out in the country. A deliciously hipster approach to GPS walking apps.

http://www.ecoarttech.net/recenthikes/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.ecoarttech.ihplus

Tags: tour, arty, discovery, social

 

Ingress

  • Developer: Niantic
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

bekijk de video

Reigning king of the location-based MMOs. Two factions, the Enlightened and the Resitance, battle for Earth’s future. They do this by capturing portals and linking them together (creating fields). More than 7 million players are registered, and a large chunk of them still plays the game regularly (even on Antarctica). Partly because of its complex back story and extensive fanservice (events all over the world, special badges), Ingress spawned an entire subculture of travel-crazy ‘frogs’ and ‘smurfs’ who get together to concoct meticulously organized attack plans.

http://ingress.com

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control, discovery, storytelling, social

 

Invisible Buildings

  • Developer: Locomatrix
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: unknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUtOA_5fRTI

Small-scale GPS game aimed at children and meant to be played at a museum or archeological site. Players need to stake out an area and dig up certain objects.

http://www.locomatrix.com/

Tags: action, small space, treasure hunt, children

 

Itography

  • Developer: Itography
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: dying

itography_site

Original variation on the location-based MMO theme. People can pick up items on Foursquare venues all over the world and drop them off somewhere else, much like traveling pants. A website keeps track of travel distances and the number of owners. These items are as random as it can get, but are part of a collection that you can complete. Nowadays, the game’s active population is approaching zero.

http://www.itography.com

Tags: MMO, collection, tracking, discovery, foursquare

 

iTycoon

  • Developer: iTycoon
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: never released

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFJGMMzx6M

Has this game ever existed, or did it remain in the conceptual phase?

Slideshare

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 


 

J

 


 

K

 

Konugo

  • Developer: Larry Aasen
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued (2015)

konugo_site

“Foursquare meets Monopoly”. Indeed, checking in gives you points and the opportunity to buy the property. Unlike Monopoly, it didn’t take long before the game was abandoned.

https://twitter.com/konugo

Tags:  MMO, strategy, area control, foursquare

 


 

L

 

Countrylord / Countrylord: Tycoon

  • Developer: Reality Games
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6V-9Mikgzs

Typical property-buying GPS game tied to check-in locations. You get money if someone checks in at a property you own. Got renamed as Landlord Tycoon, and still has its fair share of users.

http://www.Countrylordgame.com/

Tag: MMO, strategy, area control, foursquare

 

Let’s Attack

  • Developer: Box of Robots / Red Robot Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year:
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: in production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IausG9qxDvM

Real-time strategy / tower defense hybrid game, to be played on a real-world map. It’s unclear whether the attack units will strictly follow the map, or if you really need to move out to play the game. Last game update was in 2014 – let’s hope Let’s Attack will make it to the App Store.

http://redrobot.com/games/lets-attack/

Tags: RTS, tower defense, single player

 

LevelHead

  • Developer: Julian Oliver
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Release year: 2008
  • Platform: Linux desktop, custom
  • Status: unknown

Unique ‘space-based’ puzzle game using physical objects and augmented reality. Players must navigate a nameless man through plastic cubes. In order to do this, they have to tilt and rotate the cubes or connect them together. The project uses a camera and desktop monitor, but could possibly be remade for mobile phones. Created by artist Julian Oliver.

https://julianoliver.com/levelhead/

Tags: kleine ruimte, puzzel, AR, locatiespecifiek

 

Life Is Crime

  • Developer: Red Robot Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued (2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO8GZU6aXqs

Fairly hardcore location-based role-playing game where players are gangsters trying to control a virtual city placed on a real world game map. Split up in gangs, people could fight each other. The game featured a live chat and was heavily customizable.

http://redrobot.com/games/life-is-crime/

Tags: MMO, RPG, strategy

 

Life Is Magic

  • Developer: Red Robot Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued (2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxKYWM7fdKo

Even more ambitious than Life Is Crime, this RPG superimposed a whole fantasy world on real-world maps. The game had impressive graphics and an original combat style with spells.

http://redrobot.com/games/life-is-magic/

Tag: MMO, RPG, strategy

 

Loquiz

  • Developer: Loquiz
  • Country: EstCountry
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

loquiz_site

Location-based game creator with a lot of options and flexibility. With the web-based interface, you can create treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, quizzes, tours, and hybrid games. On top of that, it offers an extensive question and mission database. The app itself looks a little plain, though.

http://loquiz.com/

Tags: creator, treasure hunt, scavenger hunt, tour

 


 

M

 

MapAttack

  • Developer: Geoloqi / Esri (remake)
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: in production

mapattack_site

 

Pac-Man-like GPS game developed by Geoloqi, who was developing a geolocation software platform at the time. After Geoloqi was acquired by Esri, they are remaking it once more (MapAttack was in fact already a remake of PacManhattan).

http://civictripod.com/games/mapattack/ http://mapattack.org/

Tags: pac-man, action

 

 

MapDash

  • Developer: Flock and Swarm
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

mapdash_site

Scavenger hunt app, free for personal use. Professionals can use the extensive Mapdash-teams creator. Includes custom skinning for events.

http://mapdash.com/

Tags: creator, scavenger hunt, tour

 

Meatspace Invasion

  • Developer: Mekensleep / C4M
  • Country: France
  • Release year:
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued (2012)

https://vimeo.com/45257467

Original game concept in which players needed to run to get energy. They could then use this energy as a weapon to kill monsters (who slowly wandered into the city). Killing monsters upped a player’s rank and unlocked more weapons. Although the game concept and design looked promising, the game was discontinued after a year and a half. Won the Best Real World Award.

https://www.facebook.com/meatspaceinvasion/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye40_UXBkA0

Tags: RTS, MMO, action, co-op

 

MegaBits

  • Developer: AlphaLab
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dead (2015)

megabits - location-based monster hunter

Pokémon/Monster Hunter-inspired (some would say: plagiarizing) app where you can catch monsters ‘in the real world’. Your location, weather conditions and time affected the game world and its monsters (MegaBits). You needed to walk around for random encounters with MegaBits. Website went offline after a few months.

http://megabitsapp.com

Tags: RPG, collection, social

 

Memory Race

  • Developer: Garmin
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2004
  • Platform: Garmin Geko 202
  • Status: discontinued

memoryrace_site

Simple GPS memory game. To turn around tiles you needed to walk to it. Not only memory was the key, but speed as well.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/olaf/puzzlemint/gps/geko201.html

Tags: GPS, puzzle, small space, ancient

 

Merchant

  • Developer: Oberon Interactive BV / Chillingo Ltd.
  • Country: Netherlands / UK
  • Release year: 2010 / 2014 (remake)
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

merchantoriginal_site

Establish a virtual settlement where you live in the real world, and create trade routes to places where others live. This Dutch innovative GPS game got revived in 2014 (images below) and is getting an Android version.

merchant

http://www.iphoned.nl/apps/aankondiging-merchant/ https://www.facebook.com/merchantthegame/

Tags: MMO, city builder, strategy, discovery

 

Merchant Kingdom / My Kingdom

  • Developer: Oberon Interactive BV / Chillingo Ltd.
  • Country: Netherlands / UK
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dying

merchantkingdom_site

After Merchant and before the Merchant remake, Merchant Kingdom was Oberon’s flagship location-based strategy game. Players needed to create empires, choose their ruling style, trade commodities and explore the world. Nowadays, they stopped support to focus on the Merchant remake, and support for the game is dwindling.

http://www.merchantkingdomgame.com/ https://www.facebook.com/merchantkingdom

Tags: MMO, city builder, strategy, discovery

 

MobHunt

  • Developer: Mobile Radicals
  • Country: UK
  • Release year:
  • Platform:
  • Status: dead

Mobile treasure hunt.

 

Mogi

  • Developer: Newt Games
  • Country: France
  • Release year: 2003
  • Platform: KDDI
  • Status: dead

mogi - collect things with GPS

Multiplayer collection game launched in Tokyo. Mogi more or less ‘randomizes’ trips, since you need to visit places off the beaten track to collect items.

http://thefeaturearchives.com/100501.html

Tags: MMO, collection, location-specific, ancient

 

Monopoly City Streets

  • Developer: Tribal DDB / Hasbro
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform: browser
  • Status: discontinued (2009)

Ambitious rendition of the board game on the real world. Although Google maps were used for the visual style, OpenStreetMaps was the backbone of the game’s maps. The game only lasted for three months, but it was ridiculously popular. Quote from an avid player: “I haven’t left my flat for 4 days. I’m sitting in my uinderpants. But I own more of New York than Trump. It’s sad. I know. But I rock.”

http://gizmodo.com/5354503/google-maps-giant-game-of-monopoly-begins-tomorrow http://monopolyhq.com/2009/12/breaking-news-the-game-ends-in-one-week/

Tags: MMO, city builder, area control, one-time

 

Munzee

  • Developer: Munzee
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
  • Status: alive

 

Fairly popular, geocaching-like concept where players need to find hidden QR codes in the public space, called ‘munzees’. Creating your own Munzees is encouraged. Effects from a scanned munzee vary – there are Business Munzees, for instance, where stores can reward their valued customers if they scan the Munzee. As of early 2016, there are 4 million Munzees in almost all countries in the world.

www.munzee.com

Tags: discovery, collection, scavenger hunt, QR

 

MyTown / MyTown 2 / MyTown 2: Getaways

  • Developer: Booyah
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2009 / 2011 / 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued (2014)

mytown - location-based city builder

Virtual property-buying game MyTown used a Foursquare-like checkin system, and was bigger than Foursquare at a certain point (and reached more than 3 million registered users). Players could buy real-world buildings and earn money for every check-in. Multiple players could own the same building, though. The MyTown series was discontinued after Booyah went bankrupt.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MyTown_(video_game)

Tags: city builder, foursquare

 


 

N

 

NavBall

  • Developer: The Saints
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Release year: 2007
  • Platform: Symbian
  • Status: discontinued

navball_site

Early experimental GPS game played by 2 teams of 11 players in the city of Amsterdam. It’s essentially a city-sized soccer game with a virtual ball. Players needed to run towards the ‘ball’ and they would kick it away from them.

https://navball.wordpress.com/

Tags: GPS, action, sports, location-specific

 

Nibbons

  • Developer: Garmin
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2004
  • Platform: Geko 201
  • Status: discontinued

nibbons - location-based snake

GPS version of Snake. Walk around to pick up the numbered goodies, but don’t bump into your ‘tail’!

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/olaf/puzzlemint/gps/geko201.html

Tags: GPS, action, small space, ancient

 

No Zombies Allowed

  • Developer: Booyah
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued (2013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWtE2PbOu_8

Short-lived side-scrolling city builder with the twist that your city occasionally gets invaded by zombies. Resources to fend them off can be found in real-world locations. Defunct since Booyah went bankrupt.

http://nozombiesallowed.wikia.com/wiki/Home

Tags: city builder, action, sidescrolling

 


 

O

 

Ojoo

  • Developer: Games with Attitude
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHWOyv320H8

Freemium location-based tour and treasure hunt creator. Highly customizable. You can also freely play existing tours.

Ojoo

Tags: creator, tours, treasure hunt

 

Operation Freddy

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

operationfreddy_site

Multiplayer scavenger hunt app. Optionally, a game master can be hired to rate the missions and follow the game. Teams can battle against each other to get bonus points (in an earlier version, they could shoot each other).

http://lamoscagames.com/games/operation-freddy/

Tags: scavenger hunt

 

Outbout

  • Developer: Planetboard
  • Country: Finland
  • Release year:
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: never released (2013)

outbout_site

This GPS battle game was announced but never released.

http://www.planetboard.fi/

Tags: action

 

Outcatch

  • Developer: Planetboard
  • Country: Finland
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Wq5QALbww&feature=youtu.be

Treasure hunt app borrowing its terminology from geocaching and ‘inspired by an old Finnish board game called Great Star of Africa‘. You can hide or seek caches. It divides the world in squares to visualize your distance to a cache.

http://outcatch.net/

Tags: treasure hunt, creator

 

Own This World

  • Developer: Big Nerds in Disguise
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
  • Status: discontinued (2014)

own this world - location-based turf war

Capture territories and try to become the world’s leader in terms of virtual color-coded territories!

https://www.facebook.com/ownthisworld

Tags: MMO, area control, tracking

 


 

P

 

PAC-LAN

  • Developer: Mobile Radicals
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2005
  • Platform:
  • Status: dead

paclan_site

Old real-life Pac-Man game using beacons.

http://www.pac-lan.com/

Tags: pac-man, action, ancient

 

Pacmanhattan

  • Developer: NYU
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2004
  • Platform: browser, custom
  • Status: dead

pacmanhattan_site

The original location-based game in the streets of Manhattan. One player has to run around and eat dots while trying to outsmart his pursuers. Made with custom technology and funny costumes.

http://www.pacmanhattan.com

Tags: pac-man, action, ancient

 

PacMap

  • Developer:
  • Country:
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: unknown

pacmap_site

Another version of real-life Pac-Man. Not much is known about this one.

http://www.androidfreeware.net/download-pacmap.html

Tags: pac-man

 

Parallel Kingdom

  • Developer: PerBlue
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: support discontinued (2014)

parallelkingdom - location-based fantasy builder

Once hugely popular, this medieval-themed strategy game required players to walk around in the real world to collect resources and fight virtual enemies.

http://www.parallelkingdom.com/

Tags: MMO, strategy, city builder

 

Parallel Mafia

  • Developer: PerBlue
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: support discontinued (2014)

parallel mafia - location-based turf war

More focused on area control than Parallel Kingdom, but with a similar concept: players walk around on a real-life map to fight virtual enemies (and other players!)

http://parallelmafia.com/

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control

 

Parallel Zombies

  • Developer: PerBlue
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: dead

parallel zombies - location-based zombie apocalypse

More action-based than Parallel Kingdom and Parallel Mafia.

https://www.facebook.com/ParallelZombies/

Tags: MMO, strategy, action

 

Pioneering Edmonton

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: dead

Tags:

 

Playground Maker

  • Developer:
  • Country: France
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

playgroundmaker_site

App that let you create missions in the real world.

http://civictripod.com/games/playground-maker/

Tags: creator

 

Please Stay Calm

  • Developer: Massive Damage
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

pleasestaycalm_site

 

Hardcore MMORPG about monsters and zombies overrunning the world.

http://pleasestaycalm.com/

Tags: MMO, RPG, storytelling

 

Pokémon GO

  • Developer: Niantic Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2016
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

pokemon go - location-based pokémon catching

Upcoming Pokémon game as a collaboration between Niantic, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, in which players can capture and battle Pokémon in the real world. An optional wristband notifies a player if a Pokémon is nearby.

http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-go/

Tags: MMO, RPG, discovery, collection

 

PotaToss

  • Developer: Saborstudio
  • Country: Costa Rica
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued (2013)

potatoss - angry birds style

Angry Birds-style game from Costa Rica, with a location-based gimmick: The level’s backdrops are based on the country or city you’re currently in.

http://potatoss.com

Tags: action

 


 

Q

 

QONQR

  • Developer: QONQR
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Windows Phone
  • Status: alive; qommnd offline

qonqr - turf war

Relatively popular location-based multiplayer strategy game. The story and premise is strikingly similar to that of Ingress: three factions battle against each other to either stop or facilitate an AI called QONQR. “3 million battle zones in 250 countries”, even though there are less than 200 countries in the world.

http://qonqr.com/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 

QONQR Blue

  • Developer: QONQR
  • Country: US
  • Release year:
  • Platform:
  • Status: in production

http://qonqr.com/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 

 


 

R

 

Repudo

  • Developer: Repudo
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: support discontinued (2013)

repudo - location-based media transmitter

Repudo allows you to drop and pick up multimedia ‘messages’ all over the world. These could be used for a location-based game, or for a campaign created by a company or institution.

http://www.repudo.com/

Tags: MMO, discovery, social

 

Rescue Rush

  • Developer: Supermono Studios / Red Robot Labs
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: support discontinued (2015)

rescue rush - location-based pac-man

 

A pac-man like game with levels based on map tiles around the world. If you complete a ‘map tile’, an adjacent one is unlocked. That way, the game offers over a million potential levels.

http://www.supermono-studios.com/rescue-rush/

Tags: Pac-Man, action

 

RiderState

  • Developer: RiderState
  • Country: Spain
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued (2015)

https://vimeo.com/92719727

Spanish MMO area control game designed specifically for bicycles. Featured on the Bilbao International Bike Exhibition.

http://www.riderstate.com/

Tags: sports, MMO, area control, strategy, tracking

 

Rise and Fall

  • Developer: Gbanga
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Release year:
  • Platform:
  • Status: on hold (failed indiegogo campaign)

rise and fall - unreleased location-based mafia game

Follow-up to Gbanga Famiglia. After an unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign, the location-based game was put on hold.

https://gbanga.com/gameography/rise-and-fall/

Tags:

 


 

S

 

Scavify

  • Developer: Asbury Mobile
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

scavify - scavenger hunts

Sleek app specifically designed for scavenger hunts. There is a heavy emphasis on the social aspect (photostream, likes, messages).

www.scavify.com

Tags: scavenger hunt, social, creator

 

Scramboo/Playmaker

  • Developer: Maha Ventures
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

scrambooplaymaker_site

Treasure and scavenger hunt creator, accompanied with a simple location-based app.

http://scramboo.com/

Tags: scavenger hunt, treasure hunt, creator

 

SCVNGR

  • Developer: SCVNGR
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued (2012)

scvngr_site

Popular tour and scavenger hunt creator, using check-ins. You can chat with your friends and earn location-based promotional items if you complete certain challenges in the proximity of a participating real-world shop or venue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCVNGR

Tags: scavenger hunt, social, creator

 

Serendipitor

  • Developer: Mark Shepard
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued

serendipitor - arty GPS navigator

This GPS navigator is also an art project: it deliberately does not choose the fastest or shortest route but instead takes a longer, alternative route towards your goal. Alon. Op je route krijg je dan poëtische of compleet van de pot gerukte opdrachten voorgeschoteld.

http://serendipitor.net/

Tags: routing, storytelling, discovery

 

Shadow Cities

  • Developer: Grey Area
  • Country: Finland
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dead (2013)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMBvInCvEjM

shadow cities - location-based app that influenced Ingress

A predecessor to Ingress with fairly similar gameplay. Some even go as far as saying that Ingress has plagiarized Shadow Cities. The game is more focused on short-term campaigns that determine a weekly winner.

http://shadowcities.wikia.com/wiki/Shadow_Cities_Wiki

Tags: MMO, strategy, area control

 

Shadow Wars

  • Developer: Massive Damage
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: dead

shadowwars_site

Action RPG game in which the world is built up using data from your own location.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/18/shadow-wars-creative-and-fun-but-needs-some-kinks-worked-out/?__lsa=c4ef-0f9f

Tags: strategy, action

 

Situationist

  • Developer: Benrik / Turned On Digital
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: banned from store

situationist - location-based truth or dare app

 

Scavenger hunt game focusing on ‘truth-or-dare’ style tasks. From the creators of Wreck this Journal.

http://situationistapp.com/

Tags: social

 

SlashWars

  • Developer: SlashingTeam
  • Country: France
  • Release year: 2008
  • Platform:
  • Status: canceled after beta

slashwars_site

Obscure location-based action game prototype.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knqa5yw_FIU&list=PL90DCF0F89567CD02&index=2

Tags: action

 

Social Scavenger

  • Developer: Mandown Group
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

social scavenger - location-based scavenger hunt app

Fairly standard scavenger hunt and touring app. You can download ‘sticker packs’ (AR overlays) on their web site.

http://www.socialscavenger.com/

Tags: creator, scavenger hunt, tours, AR

 

Spy Am I

  • Developer: Going AFK Games
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: canceled after beta

spy am i - part spy game, part checkin app

Spy game mixed with a location-based checkin game. Never officially released.

http://going-afk-games.pr.co/29471-spy-am-i-the-future-of-social-gaming-on-mobile

Tags: MMO, area control

 

Squack

  • Developer: Tomasz Cernecki
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dead

squack - location-based tracking app

In the location-based app Squack, people needed to walk to a certain tile (representing a piece of the world) in order to color it red. That way, you could slowly cover the whole world and track your journeys.

http://geoawesomeness.com/squack-must-have-tracking-app-for-every-geogeek/

Tags: tracking

 

Strut

  • Developer: Thickpolicy LLC
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2013
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: alive

strut - location-based tracking app

The inverse of Squack: unlock tiles of the world by visiting them. This app is much more popular than Squack, and still alive.

http://strutapp.com/

Tags: discovery, tracking

 


 

T

 

Takeover

  • Developer:
  • Country:
  • Release year:
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: unknown

takeover_site

http://m.downloadatoz.com/apps/com.tabdev.takeover,511975.html

 

TF3 Battle Zone

  • Developer: Project Zebra
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: dead (2014)

tf3 battlezone - location-based war game

Promotional game for Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon. Very similar to Project Zebra’s other location-based game Bunker Buster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Zebra

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy, promo

 

The Great Country Grab

  • Developer: TGLG / Deep Plaid Games
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: support discontinued

the great Country grab - location-based property game

Old-fashioned area control GPS game with a weird sense of humor. Every piece of land has a certain value that may change. Buy and sell land.

http://thegreatCountrygrab.com/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 

The Intelliphone Challenge

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: dead

theintelliphonechallenge_site

Location-based, interactive tours.

http://interactives.artsrn.ualberta.ca/?page_id=436

Tags: tour, treasure hunt

 

The Journey / The Journey II

  • Developer: Andreas Jakl
  • Country: Austria
  • Release year: 2004
  • Platform: Symbian
  • Status: support discontinued

the journey - early location-based story

One of the oldest known location-based games, The Journey is a story-driven adventure with some LBG aspects. The game is meticulously documented by its creator on the website.

http://journey.andreasjakl.com/

Tags: adventure, storytelling, ancient

 

The Target

  • Developer: La mosca
  • Country: Belgium
  • Release year: 2007 / 2012 / 2015
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

the target - location-based hunt

Location-based cop vs. gangster game. A gangster tries to commit crimes in the city. Police teams try to stop him. Since 2015 available on the App and Play Store.

https://dasbox.be/boxen/super-cops

Tags: action, hunt

 

 

The Walk

  • Developer: Six to Start
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

thewalk - walking app with narrative

Created for people who prefer walking instead of running, this narrative-driven follow-up to Zombies, Run! was created with the support of the National Health Service.

www.thewalkgame.com

Tags: sports, storytelling

 

They Howl

  • Developer: Mobile Radicals
  • Country: UK
  • Release year:
  • Platform:
  • Status: unknown

 

Thought Hub

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: dead

 

Tiny Tycoons (TapCity 1 & 2)

  • Developer: The Tap Lab
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: discontinued

tinytycoons_site

You can buy anything in the world, ranging from property in your own neighborhood to world famous landmarks.

http://thetaplab.com/press/sheet.php?p=tiny_tycoons

Tags: city builder

 

Tourality

  • Developer: creative workline
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Symbian, Blackberry
  • Status: support discontinued

tourality - location-based races and hunts

App designed for city rallies and speedruns around the city. Depending on the tour, players needed to visit all indicated spots as fast as possible, or visit them in any order to ‘flip’ them in their team color. Other game modes were available.

http://www.tourality.com/how-to-play/challenges/

Tags: discovery, tours, scavenger hunt, creator

 

TrailHit - return of the light

  • Developer: F5 tbl.
  • Country:
  • Release year: 2011
  • Platform: Android
  • Status: support discontinued (2014)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8AtZXwszpc

GPS game with a weird sense of production design and a vague story. The game is centered around discovery and encourages the player to walk around and find ‘scrolls’.

http://trailhit.com/ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.f5tbl.trailhit

Tags: discovery, storytelling

 

TreasureMachine

  • Developer: Unwired Factory
  • Country: Denmark
  • Release year: 2001
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

treasuremachine

Antieke schattenjacht ‘app’ met sms’jes.

Tags: treasure hunt, ancient

 

Tripventure: Inspector Tripton / Fall of the Wall / ...

  • Developer: Sprylab Technologies
  • Country: Germany
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued

tripventure - location-based tours

Location-specific tours laced with riddles and questions.

https://www.tripventure.net

Tags: tours

 

Troovie

  • Developer: Troovie
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34y-pgycdkY

Dutch location-based app aimed at children. In a colorful style and two distinct themes, children go on a short treasure hunt-like tour, using AR overlays, a compass, and more. Parents can lay out a tour at specific places, but they cannot change the content.

http://www.troovie.nl/

Tags: tours, children, AR, creator

 

Turf

  • Developer: Andrimon
  • Country: Sweden
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

turf - location-based swedish app

Six years after its release, this game is still fairly popular in its home country, Sweden. Players need to check-in and control a ‘turf’ (a small zone, indicated in yellow or red on the map).

https://turfgame.com/

Tags: MMO, area control

 

Turf Geography Club

  • Developer: Michael Tseng
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2012
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued (2013)

turf geography club - arty foursquare game

Beautifully crafted check-in game with vintage pixel art and colorful characters. Got funded by Kickstarter and other means, but was discontinued because ‘the game didn’t get enough traction’, according to the creator.

http://pando.com/2013/02/21/gaming-app-developers-beware-heres-why-turf-geography-club-failed/

Tags: MMO, area control, discovery

 

Turf Wars

  • Developer: MeanFreePath
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2009
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

location-based evergreen turf war

 

Also known as GPS War. Still alive and kicking after so many years, this location-based game offers the simplicity that some similar apps sometimes forget.

https://turfwarsapp.com/

Tags: MMO, area control, strategy

 


 

U

 

Uncle Roy All Around You

  • Developer: Blast Theory
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2003
  • Platform:
  • Status: alive

location-based social art project

Players in the city have to meet Uncle Roy in 60 minutes. Meanwhile, online players have to navigate through the city virtually. This game did not use GPS technology, but PDAs without GPS: the game “infers players’ positions based on which part of the map they are looking at on their PDA”

http://www.blasttheory.co.uk/projects/uncle-roy-all-around-you/

Tags: ancient, storytelling, art, social

 


 

V

 

Virtua Maze

  • Developer: Garmin
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2004
  • Platform: Geko 201
  • Status: discontinued

old GPS maze game

In this simple GPS game, you need to walk to the goals without bumping into the walls.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/olaf/puzzlemint/gps/geko201.html

Tags: GPS, action

 


 

W

 

Wend

  • Developer: alternabus
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2014
  • Platform: iOS
  • Status: beta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev69PcY1ljg

Interface for building action-oriented location-based games and GPS city games. Still in beta.

http://wend.io/#

Tags: creator, actions/events

 

Wherigo

  • Developer: Groundspeak
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2008
  • Platform: GPS receivers, iOS, Android
  • Status: beta

location-based adventures creator

System to create and load GPS-based adventure games and treasure hunts on a GPS or smartphone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wherigo

Tags: geocaching, storytelling, tours

 

Wifi Army

  • Developer: W2Pi Entertainment
  • Country: US
  • Release year: 2008
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: dead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=BE&v=_8M-jUr23qc

In this location-based first-person shooter you needed to shoot down others who were nearby for points.

http://gizmodo.com/336152/wifi-army-game-under-development-for-android-seems-awkward

Tags: FPS, MMO

 


 

X

 

X-Fire

  • Developer: It’s Alive!
  • Country: Sweden
  • Release year: 2001
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: discontinued

GPS shooting game made as a promotion stunt for Swedish paintball game show X-Fire.

http://news.cision.com/its-alive-mobile-games/r/it-s-alive-and-channel-4-launch-mobile-action-game-to–x-fire–tv-show-in-the-uk,c50116

Tags: ancient, tv show, promo

 


 

Y

 


 

Z

 

Zombie Zone

  • Developer: Mob In Life
  • Country: France
  • Release year: 2015
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kSbxqJzLvU

Strategical builder with zombies, superimposed on a map of where you live.

https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/zombie-zone-world-domination/id992470375

Tags: MMO, strategy, exploration

 

Zombies ate my Campus

  • Developer: University of Alberta
  • Country: Canada
  • Release year: 2010
  • Platform:
  • Status: dead

zombiesatemycampus_site

Zombie-themed, RPG-influenced tour around the campus.

https://shanericzu.wordpress.com/zombies-ate-my-campus/

Tags: tour

 

Zombies, Run! / Zombies, Run! 2 / Zombies, Run! 3

  • Developer: Six to Start
  • Country: UK
  • Release year: 2012 / 2013 / 2014
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Status: alive

zombiesrun_site

Popular running app series in which you are chased by a virtual zombie horde. As you run further, the narrative continues, and you pick up goodies along the way.

https://www.zombiesrungame.com/

Tags: sports, storytelling

 

ZoneMaster

  • Developer: Unwired Factory
  • Country: Denemarken
  • Release year: 2001
  • Platform:
  • Status: discontinued

ZoneMaster

One of the earliest ‘area control’ type games.

Tags: ancient, area control