47 Countries Playing Our New Game Within a Week!

SMPIA Announces Augmented Reality Game Results

SMPIA, in partnership with Saskatchewan's Talking Dog Studios is happy to announce that Trilight Entertainment is the winner of Multi-PlatFORUM - The Game, an augmented reality mobile experience launched at the Multi-PlatFORUM conference on April 14th in Regina. Playable on either Android phones or the iPhone, the game superimposed a constantly changing random selection of the logos of all the companies and associations participating in the Multi-PlatFORUM event onto the phone's camera view so that it appeared as if the logos are really floating in space around the player. Within 6 hours of launch the game was being played in 26 countries. To date, over 10,000 logos have been displayed in 47 countries around the world.

The contest finished at 8 am (CST) this morning. While players will continue to be able to play for fun, Trilight Entertainment of Regina, SK had collected 615 logos by contest close to claim the first prize Augmented Reality package worth $500 from Talking Dog Studios.

Talking Dog Studios president Rob Bryanton had this to say about the game: "When we saw that people all over the world were playing, it really opened up the possibility that the winner was going to be from the other side of the planet! But Trilight took the bull by the horns, they grabbed the lead early and managed to outwit their competition all week. Way to go Trilight, we're looking forward to seeing how you want to use your prize."

"We are excited to explore the potential of using Augmented Reality and Digital Media to compliment the Film projects we have in development, "said Trilight Entertainment's Shayne Putzlocher upon learning of his win, "and we had a lot of fun participating in the game".

SMPIA Digital Media Initiative Manager Nova Alberts was thrilled with the response to the game. "This was a wonderful way to demonstrate the speed and reach of digital media when you engage your audience. And I love that we were able to put Saskatchewan and Canadian logos in front of so many international players."

Just a reminder, the game can still be played by using the browser on your iPhone or Android phone to go to this link: http://www.bit.ly/multiplatforum. An added feature is that all companies and sponsors participating in the event will now have a fixed logo floating at their business location.

Find the Love in ScavengAR Hunt

It's almost that time of year again where we show the people we love just how much they mean to us. Here comes Valentine's Day!! And it looks like little winged cupid has aimed an arrow straight at our developers' behinds because they are so overflowing with love and appreciation for our ScavengARs that they couldn't resist giving them the best gift of all....AR CHOCOLATE!!!

However, these just aren't any chocolates like the kind you buy last minute at the gas station on your way home because you forgot it was Valentine's Day. No, no, no, these are chocolates filled with love...and points! Up until midnight on Valentine's Day, you'll be able to find individual chocolates worth 5 points each. How's that for love?

What? You want more? Because we love you THAT MUCH, we're also including an elusive Box o' Chocolate worth MEGA points. Not only do you get mucho amor when you find this pretty box, but look inside and BOOM! More chocolate!! And you guessed it, more points.

See, we really really do love you! So much so, that we're trying to help you make it to the top of the Leader Board.

So get scavenging and find that sweet, sweet chocolate! If you're new to our game, go to scavengarhunt.com to learn how to start playing!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Talking Dog AR Team

Pirate Attack: Talking Dog takes ScavengAR Hunt to the next level

Avast ye land lubbers! There be rotten, no good pirates in these here waters! Arrrrrrr!

The scurvey scallywags here at Talking Dog Studios have stirred up trouble and this time we have engaged the wrath of the feisty pirates from ScavengAR Hunt!

Ok not really, but what we have done is develop a little interactive demo with Unity 3D (a game development environment) using a few pirate themed objects from our ScavengAR Hunt game. We have been curious about Unity for some time and thought now was a great time to get in and try something fun with it. Also, it seemed like a logical next step to take some of the things we made for ScavengAR and put it into more rounded out game scenario.

In our Pirates demo, you try to sink the pirate ship by pointing the cannon and firing at it. You have to hit that ship 10 times in order to sink it and we've provided a limited number of cannon balls to take it out. The demo is nice simple example of gaming 101 just to get our feet wet in this area a bit more. There is still some room for improvement, but if you think this type of game could work into one of your projects please contact us for a quote.

Be sure to check out the demo here - http://www.talkingdogstudios.com/unity/pirates

So put on your eye patch and grab a cup o' grog. It's time to send these bilge rats to Davy Jones' locker!

The Talking Dog ARrrrrrrrrr Team

Welcome 2011!

Well it's a new year here at Talking Dog Studios and it looks like our devious developers aren't slowing down. It's all guns blazing for 2011 and we're excited to create some really cool AR experiences, not to mention seeing what other wacky stuff developers are coming up with. 2011 is going to be a big year for AR folks...BIG YEAR!!

Speaking of cool AR experiences, we've just launched a project with the Telly Awards. In an awesome partnership with these cool cats, we created mytellyaward.com. Wanna know what it could feel like to win a Telly Award? Go check it out!

In the wonderful world of ScavengAR Hunt, we now have over 10,000 players! What? Pardon me, but did you say over 10,000? Yeah, you heard me. Over 10,000 players world wide baby! Are we excited? Uhhh, yeah we are! This is great news and we hope to keep the numbers growing with new objects to find and extra twists to the game.

Thanks for playing y'all and keep up the Scavenging! Oh, by the way, did you notice what is happening on the leader board! It's a battle for World Domination!! Muahahahahahaha

Haven't checked out our game yet? What are you waiting for? We're currently being featured on the Layar downloads page, click here to check us out for iPhone or here if you only have love for Android! And while you're there, check our some of the other great apps that are available on Layar. There is some cool stuff out there people, so have a look around!

As always, we'd like to thank all the people playing our game and we look forward to bringing you lots of more cool AR stuff in 2011!

The Talking Dog AR Team

ScavengAR Christmas

The holidays are all about giving and here at Talking Dog we couldn't agree more. So we're giving our little ScavengARs a Christmas present. For a limited time, until the end of 2010 to be specific, there will be Shiny Ballz waiting to be collected for mucho points in ScavengAR Hunt!

Shiny Ballz sound familiar? Well it should, since it was the super awesome AR decorating project we developed to have a little holiday fun. We were so inspired by our magical Shiny Ballz that we decided to let you search for them in ScavengAR Hunt. Tis the season of sharing and we are more than happy to share our Shiny Ballz with you!

And it seems that you are enjoying playing our little game. We are pleased to see that our numbers are continuing to increase. The last few weeks have shown a burst of gaming in the US, UK, Australia, and France, which has got us tickled pink! So we'd like to take a moment and thank all the ScavengARs out there. Whether you are just trying it out or you've been playing since the start, we appreciate you checking out our game and we are striving to bring you new objects and tricky twists to make the hunt more fun.

On that note, thanks for the love ScavengARs and we hope you enjoy hunting for our Shiny Ballz this Christmas!

It seems like this year has brought some really awesome AR projects and apps. We'd like to give a shout out to all AR developers out there who continue to raise the bar and delve deep into the endless possibilities of AR. Some of our favourites from the year are: Star Wars Tie-Fighters, AR.Drone and most definitely Word Lens! Truly awesome and really showing the world what AR can do!

What else happened this year?

• We had the pleasure of meeting Robert Rice at the 2010 Saskatchewan Interactive Summit.
• Microsoft Kinect came out and the hacker community went to strange new lands of augmented hackery.
• Our Godzilla AR t-shirt created some blogger buzz at comic-con.
• Apple introduced more access to the iPhone camera for exciting new possibilities of augmentation.
• Google introduced us to Google Goggles and whole new way to search the web
• We got into mobile AR with Layar and our ScavengAR Hunt game

We have also frequently tweeted our many numerous other findings over on our Twitter.

As always we are excited to see where this technology goes.

The gang here at Talking Dog wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Holiday Scavenging!

The Talking Dog AR Team

Go Orna-Mental for the Holidays!

With the holiday season right around the corner, we thought we'd give everyone an early present... Shiny Ballz!!!! I know, best present ever!!! And we didn't even see your Wishlist.

Back in the depths of our workshop, the little elves at Talking Dog have developed Shiny Ballz, a fun way for you to decorate AR Christmas ornaments and share pictures of them with your friends on Facebook. Not only can you color these shiny ornaments of awesomeness any way you like, but you can add a special holiday message for your friends and family. Think of it as a cool, new way to thank Nana for those knitted socks she keeps sending every year.

So how does it work? First, make sure your webcam is hooked up, then go to the website. Print off the black & white marker and fold it according to the instructions. Next, click "allow" to activate your webcam and faster than you can say "Pass the Nog" you are ready to start creating some personalized shiny ballz.

Here's a little video to show you how it's done. Notice what's unusual about this: you can create your designs by drawing in the square underneath the various tool buttons. Or you can paint directly onto your Augmented Reality ornament, just like in your old arts and crafts class!

Don't forget to try it out at www.talkingdogstudios.com/ar/shinyballz

Don't the Holidays just make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

Happy DecembAR!

The Talking Dog AR Team

Fight Off Pirates in ScavengAR Hunt!

Ahoy ye ScavengARs! There be pirates in our waters!!

To help ward off the scurvy scalliwags and protect your precious booty, the clever cabin boys at Talking Dog have made you a weapon. Now when you play ScavengAR Hunt you can find a Cannon which will be an excellent defense from pirates who are trying to steal your treasure. However, it will be useless to you until you find a Cannon Ball...Luckily enough, we've made one of those too! So victory can be yours!!

And to help increase the size of your booty (hehe), we've also added a Treasure Chest. But be warned mateys, all that glitters is not gold...a treasure can sometimes be a curse! But what will it be for you?

So enjoy collecting the new objects in ScavengARrrrrrrrrrr Hunt!

Happy Pirate Hunting!

The Talking Dog ARrrrrrrrrrr Team

ScavengAR Hunt Halloween!

Zombies are everywhere! Run for your lives! RUN!!!! Or better yet, get them before they get you!

OK, well maybe they aren't everywhere, but they certainly are in Augmented Reality! As an added treat to trick out your Halloween, our Franken-developers have created a Zombie Head for you ScavengARs to collect for MEGA points when you play our fun mobile game.

Thanks to the major points you get when you find this rotting braincase, you'll be able to mount your attack of the leader board and potentially RULE THE WORLD! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...ahem...well you'll be the top scorer anyway.

This undead cranium will only be floating around until midnight on Halloween. After that, it's dead and gone...for real this time. So get out there and hunt some Zombies!

Happy Halloween!!

The Talking Dog AR Team

New Objects in ScavengAR Hunt!

In order to keep things interesting for our ScavengARs out there, the brainiacs at Talking Dog have developed some new objects to find. We wouldn't want you guys to get bored now, would we?

To keep track of all those random pickles floating around your neighbourhood, we've created the Pickle Jar! Genuis, I know! However remember ScavengARs, not all pickles are created equal. Have you heard of the expression, "one bad egg rots the whole barrel"? Swap out the egg for a pickle and I think you know where we're going with this.

Also to satisfy the alien head that seems to be hanging around the produce section at the grocery store, we've made a Moon! Oooooh ahhhhhh! ET go home! Now maybe it'll stop trying to invade our planet...or at the very least stop reading our thoughts (adjusts tinfoil helmet)!

We hope you enjoy these objects and stay tuned for more coming soon...like a Cannon! Those pirates don't stand a chance!

Happy Scavenging!

The Talking Dog AR Team

ScavengAR Hunt in the News!!!

The gang at Talking Dog have had their tails wagging in delight the last couple days thanks to our ScavengAR Hunt mobile game getting some press! We were on CTV Regina News at 6pm on Tuesday, October 5th and had an article in the Leader-Post on Wednesday, October 6th.

We wanted to let the people know that there are treasures (well maybe not everyone thinks a pickle is a treasure :p) waiting to be collected all around them in augmented reality. With every object they add to their collection, they can move up the leader board inching closer and closer to ruling the world of ScavengAR Hunt!

You would think that would be enough incentive to play, but we made it even better. For the good folks of Regina, we've talked before about the framed picture featuring Ron Lancaster and George Reed that you'll be able to see downtown and high above Mosaic Stadium while you're playing the game. In addition, right now there are coupons waiting to be discovered around town, from The Copper Kettle and K Family Kitchen. Once you find these coupons (which are also worth points, by the way) you can then show the coupon you collected on your iPhone or Android phone when you place your order and get a deal at the corresponding establishment. What? Did we just say you can get deals on food by playing ScavengAR Hunt? Yes, yes we did.

So thanks to CTV Regina and the Leader-Post for the shout out! We hope that people start racking up the points on ScavengAR Hunt or, at the very least, go out and get a deal on some delicious pizza!

Get Scavenging Regina!

The Talking Dog AR Team

Check Out ScavengAR Hunt's Website

Thanks to the popularity of our Augmented Reality mobile game, ScavengAR Hunt, being played all over the world in places like Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States (to name a few), we've been receiving lots of feedback and comments about how fun it is. However, something has been missing...a website!! So the technology geniuses at Talking Dog Studios "got off their duffs" and created one. To check it out, go to www.scavengarhunt.com and see what it's all about!

The website gives instructions on how to start playing, how to check your stats to see how you compare to players all over the globe, and how to contact us should you want to tell us how awesome you are (or if you have any questions or comments)!

But wait, there's more! We've also created a ScavengAR Hunt Facebook Fan site! We'll be frequently posting updates and videos, so that our fans will know what's new, what's changed, or just what's really cool!

And speaking of cool (nice segue!), check out the video below to see a glimpse of what ScavengAR Hunt is all about.

So what are you waiting for? Get off your duff and collect some stuff!!

The Talking Dog AR Team

ScavengAR Hunt

Here at Talking Dog Studios over the past little while we've been exploring the "Layar Reality Browser" app for iPhone and Android phones. We put up a layer for the service a month ago called "Where the Buffalo Roam" which lets you visualize the huge herds of buffalo that used to be found in North America. To further our curiosity about this amazing new world of possibilities we have now released a game called "ScavengAR Hunt" (search for it in Layar).

This is a scavenger hunt, but in Augmented Reality! Once you're logged in to the app, you'll find a random collection of unusual and humorous objects that have been scattered around you. Some are near enough to collect right away, for others you will have to walk closer to be able to grab them. Should we be advertising this as "the Augmented Reality game that promotes physical fitness"? Get off your duff and collect some stuff!

Remember: you don't have to be right on top of the object to collect it, so if there's one out in the middle of the street or on private property you should still be able to collect it, as long as you're within 30 meters (100 feet) or so. Stay safe, stay legal, and have fun.

There are a number of objects that we have created for you to find all over the world, and we'll be adding more and more items in the months to come. Each item you find has a specific number of points associated with it, and occasionally you'll come across rarities worth BIG POINTS!

Go Riders!
In support of our local football team we have also placed a gigantic floating picture frame in our downtown to showcase two of the greats from our "Saskatchewan Roughriders": Ron Lancaster and George Reed (everyone will have to visit here if they want to collect this one). As part of this year's 100th anniversary celebrations for the team, we have also placed this frame over top of our football stadium.


But Wait, There's More...
This game can be played anywhere in the world. Right now, people here in the Regina area will also find coupons they can take in to local businesses. This is a new (and paperless!) way to attract customers: coupons can be placed anywhere in the world, within a radius as large or narrow as you choose: if your business would like to participate in this exciting new promotional opportunity, contact us (ar [at] talkingdogstudios [dot] com) to learn more.

Now Get Scavenging!
We hope you all enjoy this game. Will you be the first person to find the golden egg? Will you become the number one ScavengAR Hunt collector in the world? Follow us on twitter for updates about this and other interesting AR things we find.

The Talking Dog AR Team