Hello everyone! I wanted to invite people to participate in the open Alpha of BitScavenger.net at
http://bitscavenger.net. This is a project that combines my two passions, Bitcoin and QR Codes. Before delving into a description of the project, here are some warnings:
- This game is currently Android only. I am working with someone to make an iPhone client and I hope it passes certification.
- This project is in Alpha. I have done as thorough a job testing this as I can but there may still be bugs or safety features I am missing. Do not place more bitcoin in your account than you are comfortable losing. I have taken every safety precaution I can think of, but stuff happens and you have been warned.
- The URL is bitscavenger.NET. The .com address is a squatter but if they change content don't be fooled. It is not me.
- Things currently look a little rough. I am open to feedback but I am also actively developing and I wanted to get something out there.
- When you create an account make sure that you use an email address you can check. The website is where you can do some of the better stuff like withdrawing your bitcoin and I send a confirmation code to unlock your use of the website.
SO... BitScavenger is a Bitcoin GeoCaching game. You can re-purpose any QR code you see around you to become a bitcoin cache. The game will couple the contents of the QR code with your current location to generate a cache where you can then store bitcoin. At this time it is advisable that you leave a clue about the QR code you scanned because just going off geo location it may still be difficult to find the QR code. The only other option you have is to make the QR cache hidden on the map so it does not show up on the game client map view. You can use this option to leave chains of clues and leave larger amounts of bitcoin in hidden caches.
If you are hunting for bitcoin you will be using the default map view. QR caches that are currently charged with bitcoin will show up as a marker on the map. You can click the marker and it will let you know the bitcoin amount as well as the clue for finding the QR code. You must scan the correct QR code while standing in the correct location to claim the bitcoin to your account. Once you have claimed the bitcoin that cache will disappear.
I am hoping that this game is a tool to introduce a bigger audience into the world of bitcoin. For people who are interested in bitcoin but are not yet part of the community this is a way for them to get a couple thousand Satoshi and have fun doing it. For enthusiasts who want to spread the word you can advertise for m
BTC at a time. I also think that there are really creative puzzles that you can create using the app. My webpage has a QR code generator you can use. Maybe the QR cache has a clue in the contents of the QR code. Or have someone go to a library and enter the clue into a computer to generate the QR version of the clue text. Scan a moving QR code like something on the side of a bus and put the bus schedule in the clue. I think a lot of creative puzzle can be created.
To help out the people charging QR codes with bitcoin, the web tools also provide a way to manage all the QR caches you own. Recharge them without having to go back, redeem them yourself at the click of a button, change the clue, toggle the hidden state.
I love feedback and I would really love if people validated my run at the concept. PM me with comments/suggestion or hit me up at jake (at) bitscavenger -dot- net.
- edit1 -
I should have done this earlier, but I was caught up in ironing out bugs for this launch. I created the first Bitcoin cache in the game. You can find it in my home town of Austin Texas.
