Blurring the lines between real and virtual
Gaming is big business and the figures are only set to rise with the implementation of new technologies, such as VR and AI, taking the user experience to new heights. In the case of strategic video games, experiential gaming is taking centre stage, especially if being played with a headset where the player can be transported to an entirely fictional, virtual world. Likewise, they are quickly brought back to the real world upon removing the headset and the difference between real and virtual remains distinct.
Sam Hill, Co-Founder at Run An Empire, has found a way to merge running- an activity some may regard as tedious — with gaming, in a unique app with experiential at its heart combining both real and virtual worlds. In a bid to target a younger audience who wouldn’t normally engage with running, players compete against each other to capture ‘territory’ in their local area, by running around it. Once captured, runners can defend their territory by running around it several times.
By taking the strategic thinking required for traditional video games and building a virtual world where adding in real-world actions make a difference, Run An Empire has allowed runners, no matter what level or experience, to truly embrace a running culture in a personalised, interactive manner.
Hear from Co-Founder Sam Hill below, on what inspired him to create the game.
