VR Treasure Hunt
Having been forced by COVID to cancel a big conference in Istanbul, Spotify needed a fun way to bring global teams together at a virtual event.
Working with the marketing team and event agency, we built a custom interactive VR treasure hunt. Approximately 400 guests were sent a VR headset with branded instructions so they could be split into teams to play along from home.
Players embark on a journey through three levels of immersive 360-degree scenes (with sound effects) across 14 strategically significant countries. In each one, players hunt for clues, discuss solutions with their team, and submit their answers to win prizes.
The game was extremely well-received and is now being used by other teams at their virtual events.
Spotify’s conference was planned on Zoom with various webinars and breakout sessions for delegates to join. However, the organisers wanted to create a moment during the day where everybody came together, as they would have at the in-person event. This moment also needed to be fun and engaging – a break from the corporate and commercial discussions of the rest of the day.
To acknowledge their global reach and celebrate their entrance into expanding markets, a VR treasure hunt was created. Hosted online, the VR treasure hunt takes place over these locations. Each delegate is put into a team and they work together to hunt for clues hidden in the virtual environment. With the ability to speak with each other throughout, they can split up to tackle multiple locations at the same time, or all work together on a single scene.
There are three levels within each of the 14 countries, and the graphical icons that represent the clues are unique. For example, in Japan the users have to hunt for miniature hand fans, while in the desert, tiny cactuses need to be found. The players use their mouse to explore and click on the clues while the game keeps score of those found.
When a level is complete, a music track plays that goes towards solving the final puzzle, a phrase. Whichever team gets the phrase first wins a prize.
We face several challenges in creating and delivering a successful project. Firstly, we sent 400 phone-based VR headsets to Spotify employees around the world to ensure they could all take part.
Secondly, we had to ensure that the instructions were written in a way that they could be easily translated across multiple languages. We also had to create a game that was difficult enough to be challenging, but not so hard that people lose interest. To make sure we got it right, we tested it multiple times with real users, adjusting it based on feedback.
Finally, the infrastructure and bandwidth had to cope with 400 people joining and using the app at the same time. Fortunately, our thorough planning and testing ensured the event went without a hitch.
Spotify“Amazing work! Thanks again for all your help with making this happen!”
Did you know, Spotify has nearly 10,000 global employees? That’s a lot of people to cater for. Virtual events have provided a perfect solution for gathering employees together. Regardless of size.
CIRCUS’s Creative Director Jay says:
“Internal virtual events can significantly contribute to staff retention and engagement. They transcend physical boundaries, enabling companies to connect dispersed teams and foster a sense of employee community and belonging.
By facilitating engaging workshops, team-building activities, and learning sessions through virtual platforms, HR and wider departments create opportunities for interaction and collaboration.
Additionally, virtual events offer a platform for recognition and celebration, acknowledging employees’ achievements and milestones.”
Have you ever considered a virtual event for your teams? Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
