Exploration
Players explore a place and answer what they discover there. A text-style type that pairs naturally with GPS proximity activation.
Exploration challenges are about getting somewhere: a courtyard, a viewpoint, a back street. The answer proves the team actually went. Mechanically it is a text-style type — it shares the exact answer flow described on the Riddle page; the type only changes the "Exploration Challenge" label and the map icon.
What players experience
The shared challenge screen: dark header with the name and "Exploration Challenge", the Clue as rich text, difficulty badge, {points} pts chip, optional audio narration, and the speed-bonus line when configured. The input follows the Answer Type — a multiline "Your Answer" box for Text, True / False buttons, a "Select your answer" choice list, or a single-line "Fill in the blank" field.
Exploration challenges are commonly gated: with GPS proximity activation, the screen shows You're about {m} m away — get within {radius} m to activate. until the team is in range, then "You're in range" with a "Start challenge" button. Hints, access codes, the confetti "Challenge Complete!" modal, the "Not Quite!" retry modal, and unlimited retries all work as on every text-style type.
Scoring & answers
- Valid answer types: Text (default), True / False, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank.
- Text comparison is case-insensitive against Answer plus comma-separated Alternate Answers; matching is exact, so cover plural/singular and abbreviation variants.
- Hint Cost is deducted from the award when the hint was revealed (award never below 0); Speed Bonus tiers reward the first non-staff finishers; Max Completing Teams can retire the challenge after N teams.
- Retries: unlimited until the team's first correct submission.
Configuring in the admin
| Section | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge Details | Name, Type (Exploration), Difficulty, Points, Answer Type | Points default 100 |
| Content | Clue, Answer, Alternate Answers, Hint, Hint Cost | Choice-based answer types swap in Correct Answer buttons or Answer Choices |
| Location | Zone, Latitude / Longitude, map picker | The heart of an exploration challenge — place the pin exactly where the answer is visible. Library adds Greater Area; event adds Map Icon Color / Custom Map Icon |
| Media | Challenge Image, Challenge Video | A teaser image of the destination sets the mood without giving it away |
| Access Code | Code, Prompt message, Access Code QR | Useful when the destination has a posted code |
| Gameplay (event only) | Activation ("GPS proximity — team must be within the radius" + Activation radius (meters)), Max Completing Teams, Speed Bonus | See Activation & Beacons |
Tips
- Pair with GPS proximity activation. The clue and answer form stay hidden until the team is within the Activation radius — the server re-checks distance, so spoofed taps from across town are rejected.
- Ask about something only visible on site (a plaque date, a mural detail) so the answer itself proves presence even without an activation gate.
- Mind the radius. The default is 50 m; urban canyons degrade GPS, so a too-tight radius strands teams at the door. Facilitators can always Force activate a stuck team from the event's team page.