Augmented Reality: Bringing Board Games to Life for Kids

MGA Entertainment’s Finders Creepers Board Game Uses Augmented Reality to Bring Monsters into Kids’ Homes

A group of kids embarks on a mission to hunt monsters in a haunted mansion, armed with the tools to trap a killer clown and catch a giant spider. However, their plan takes a terrifying turn when the monsters start showing up in their own homes. This spine-chilling experience is not the plot of a new TV series, but rather a reality created by MGA Entertainment’s innovative board game, Finders Creepers, utilizing the power of augmented reality (AR).

MGA’s chief marketing officer, Josh Hackbarth, explains, “AR allows us to bring the game to life in ways that were previously unimaginable, creating an experience that is not only fun but also highly social and interactive. Kids today are seeking experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds, and AR offers that bridge.”

In Finders Creepers, kids aged eight to 13 take on the roles of investigators from a paranormal detective agency, searching for gear and capturing monsters. As the monsters escape from the board game, players must use the AR app to hunt them down in their own homes, adding a thrilling twist to the gameplay.

The game was launched by MGA’s Micro Games of America division in August to cater to the 62% of American kids who own smartphones, offering a unique and immersive gaming experience that goes beyond traditional toy manufacturing.

Finders Creepers is just the beginning for MGA, as they plan to introduce a whole line of App-Vanced board games that leverage AR technology to enhance gameplay and engage a wider audience. Hackbarth states, “We believe this line will attract younger video game fans to tabletop gaming, and we are already working on new game mechanics and licensed properties to take this line to the next level.”

MGA Entertainment is not the only company embracing AR to captivate hard-to-reach demographics. Disney has also launched Portal to the Princesses, an AR experience that allows kids to interact with Disney princesses in their own rooms, further blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

With the growing popularity and success of AR applications like Pokémon GO, companies like Crayola are also leveraging this technology to enhance creativity and engagement among kids. Crayola’s AR drawing kits, developed in partnership with Cupixel, provide a foolproof way for kids to create art by tracing guided instructions on their pads, boosting their confidence and skills.

Pinfinity, a company specializing in AR-powered collectible pins, is revitalizing the collectibles market by combining traditional pins with AR technology to offer interactive experiences and exclusive content. With partnerships with major brands like Disney and Hasbro, Pinfinity is tapping into the digital native generation’s desire for interactive and engaging products.

As technology continues to evolve, companies are finding innovative ways to incorporate AR into traditional products, creating immersive and multi-generational experiences that resonate with today’s tech-savvy consumers. The future of play is here, and it’s augmented.