Why Red C Copywriter Stuart Clark likes MagiQuest
by Stuart Clark
You, your wand and an adventure. Sounds deeply suspicious. But actually it’s the basic principle of a new live-action role-playing game called MagiQuest.
MagiQuest is your story, your adventure, your imagination brought to life. So says the blurb. It’s certainly unlike anything you’ve encountered before. Playing the part of a ‘Magi’ – kind of like an apprentice wizard – you have to complete quests, find gold and, here’s the really good bit, challenge your mates to wand-to-wand duels.
You can play the game at several venues (known as Kingdoms and Portals) in locations all over America. And people do…in their thousands.
In terms of entertainment-that’ll-keep-your-kids-happy-on-a-wet-Saturday-afternoonver, it’s pretty sophisticated. Beats Wacky Warehouse hands down to be honest – even at eight quid per hour for playing time and a tenner for your wand. And its popularity is no real surprise. It’s like the ultimate thrill-ride for the Harry Potter generation. There are so many similarities.
Harry Potter
Just like the Sorting Hat you get assigned to a clan, either a Majestic, Shadow, Trixter, Warrior or Woodsy. Then there’s your wand which, just as in HP, is personal to you. Essentially it contains a chip which connects you to the MagiQuest server and stores your in-game data for you, which means you can play the game in any MagiQuest venue. It’s pretty simple technology. But in the clammy mitt of its pre-adolescent owner, it’s the key to solving the multitude of puzzles…sorry…quests.
For every quest you complete you are rewarded in gold, experience points and runes. To help you in your quest, you are given the Ancient Book of Wisdom – which offers more detailed clues on how to beat each puzzle – and the Map of Knowing, a guide to MagiQuest’s five realms. Quests take the form of waving your wand at crystals to light them up, solving riddles to open treasure chests and deciphering hieroglyphics. In a way it’s a bit like 80’s children’s telly fave, Knightmare.
Knightmare
Like Knightmare, you’re guided through your various challenges by a dodgy looking bearded bloke, in this case the Dumbledore-alike Quest Master. Also at your disposal are a rag-bag of female (of course!) characters, all Xena-ed up and pretty handy with a sword. It’s just the right mix of ace and bonkers (needless to say it’s big in Japan).
I guess the reason MagiQuest appeals is that it’s like computer games, fantasy novels and your own imagination all rolled into one. Clearly a lot of love and care has gone into the creation of it. Maybe that’s why so many people like it. Including me.
Tags: Harry Potter, Interactive Design, Interactive Marketing, Japan, Knightmare, Magi, Magiquest, Majestic, Manchester Digital Agency, Marketing, Marketing Innovations, Multimedia Advertising, Multimedia Design, PPC Agency, Quest Master, SEO Company, Shadow, Trixter, Unique Advertising Opportunities, Wacky Warehouse, Warrior, Woodsy, Youth Marketing
