Meetü: Social Networking With Real People

The Social Networking Game was first launched at last year's Imagine RIT festival, and has since gone through some major changes. Abdul Matash, a researcher at the Open Publishing lab is excited at the direction the project has taken, exclaiming that, "the Social Networking Game takes social networking to a whole new level". Today, visitors have the chance to participate in Meetü, the latest version of the game. Revisions to the game facilitate better integration of the game into the rest of the event.

Players will receive gameplay materials, which include a game card as well as a sheet of stickers. Printed on each of the stickers is a 2-D barcode (known as a QR code) with the same unique identifier on each, which will be connected to that player when they register after the event. Game materials in hand, players begin completing either of the two types of missions. The first type is intended to foster social interaction and networking with new people. Upon interaction, there is an exchange of stickers. This verifies completion of a mission and provides players a link to one another once the event has ended (and players have been registered, cards scanned, etc.). The other type of mission directs players towards specific exhibits within the event, allowing them to be actively engaged in both the game and the event simultaneously.

To facilitate the aggregation of data, one of the player’s own stickers is placed in a particular spot on their game card, identifying it as theirs. The other stickers to go on the game card are divided between the two types of missions. Stickers received from booths contain a unique identifier just like that of the individual. When the game cards are scanned, the player’s unique code is associated with the mission stickers on their card, and these pieces of information are compared against a database of its associated content. These connections can then be compiled and published to the web so that players can view the connections and “achievements” they personally made throughout the event.

The game was developed by the Open Publishing Lab at RIT using open source software, which means that it can be easily adapted to be utilized at any event, for any organization. To participate in the game and start making valuable social connections, visit the Open Publishing Lab booth, located in the WOW! Center.