phonetag

Recently I wrote about StreetWars: Killer, the large scale hide-and-seek “assassin” game that’s taken Los Angeles by storm. Next up in the manhunt game category is PhoneTag, a game in which players track each other down using a GPS-enabled map on their phone’s screen. The goal of the game is to find and capture your target, all without physical contact. Instead, you send them a text message when you’re within a few yards or so---all while you’re also being hunted by another player. Like in StreetWars, the last player standing wins.

Depending on the reach of the game, the marketing potential of PhoneTag may be enticing to brands. Utilizing the game’s real maps, retailers could be integrated into the game by serving as “safe zones” or by offering perks whereby purchases could offer player benefits. Store icons will be able to appear on the game’s maps (for a fee, of course) and brands could also have the opportunity to host their own tournaments, gaining access to the game’s database of registered players.

PhoneTag is scheduled to launch through Amp’d Mobile in the third quarter. Stay tuned to see if the game finds an audience.