You have probably noticed QR Codes on newspapers, magazines, and product packaging. But did you know game developers also add QR Codes in games? This is done to add an angle of mobile engagement.
Gamers will have to use their smartphones to engage with the QR Codes – either in-game or out-of-game – to view reveal secret information, earn points or weapons, or unlock goodies. For gamers, its like finding Easter eggs.
Gamer developers leverage QR Code technology to enhance the ‘hunt and gather’ thrill in games.
QR Codes can be categorised into two ways depending on how they are used in the game:
1. In-game QR Codes
Virtual QR Codes that appear within PC/console games fall under this category. Game such as Homefront and Watch Dogs.
a. Homefront
Homefront, a popular FPS game, has 10 QR Codes scattered across the game story. When scanned using a smartphone, the QR Codes reveal exclusive content on the Homefront world and backstory.
b. Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs, a third-person shooter game, allows games to collect items by scanning QR Code placed on 16 different locations in the game.
2. Printed QR Codes
Physical QR Codes that appear in the real world and are part of the gaming experience fall under this category.
a. QR Code Scavenger Hunts
QR Codes are now a common addition to scavenger hunts to hide digital clues. Munzee, a global scavenger hunt, has scattered ~4.2 million QR Codes across the world. Participants of the game are required to find and scan these QR Codes to earn points.
b. Borderlands 2
Borderlands, an FPS game, allows users to scan real-life UPC barcodes and QR Codes on everyday items using the LootTheWorld app. Some of these codes will earn gamers weapons.
c. Nintendo 3DS games
In Nintendo 3DS games like Tomodachi Life and Animal Crossing, gamers can add avatars by scanning Mii QR Codes. A Mii is a free-form digital avatar which can be created using the Mii Maker on the 3DS or the Mii Channel on the Wii.
Each Mii comes with a QR Code to allows gamers to share Miis between them.
Nintendo’s Mini-NES, launched in July 2016 comes with a set of 30 games. The list includes games like- Doctor Mario, Double Dragon 2- the revenge, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros. (1-3).
Each game comes with a unique QR Code on the screen. When scanned, it will lead the player to copies of original instruction books for each game.
Also, in 2016, UK’s Camelot added QR Codes on its lottery tickets. On scanning this QR Code, one can check if she has won or not.
If you’ve developed a game and want to create in-app QR Codes in real-time, you can use QR Code generation API.
Know a game that uses QR Codes? Mention it in the comments section below and we’ll add it to our list.
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