Mystery on Main Street (MoMS), a new interactive “whodunit” game for mobile phones using artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), has launched the Let’s Keep Local Business, In Business crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.
The start-up is developing a no-cost to player, low cost to merchant, unique interactive, data rich marketing and advertising mobile app using gamification to promote patronization of local brick and mortar business. Storylines take players into locations to receive clues and solve a mystery and receive cash prizes. Think of this as Groupon meets scavenger hunt and Pokémon Go, but players and participating merchants mutually gain. Membership or subscription to the service is not a requirement
According to Mario L Castellanos, Founder and CEO, “This is a fresh idea. We’re too often compared to a scavenger hunt and punch card type game wherein the only purpose is to win a prize. This isn’t what we do. Our purpose is local vendor, brand and product discovery. What makes us unique is we’re creating the incentive to shop local and buy local through really cool uses of technology. True, the prospect of cash and other prizes doesn’t hurt either.”
The crowdfunding campaign method the company is using is termed fixed funding. According to Indiegogo, if they do not reach their goal, the contributor’s entire amount “will be refunded by Indiegogo within 5-7 business days.”
Additional information including links to the campaign are located in the company website.
About Mystery on Main Street
Mystery on Main Street is a technology based company creating a unique interactive, data rich marketing and advertising mobile app using gamification to promote local shopping and sustained economic growth. Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), each “gameplay” uses “whodunit” storylines to take players from location to location to receive clues and solve a mystery, while promoting local merchants. Players must enter these locations but no interaction with location personnel and employees required. The first player to solve the mystery receives a valuable prize. Players and participating merchants mutually gain with no membership or subscription required.