Turn Recreational Activities into a Real-Life Video Game With Explorence

Meg Rayford May 13, 2011 Tweet

When exercise is fun, we’re more likely to do it.  That’s the idea behind Explorence, a mobile app that turns outdoor recreational activities into real-life video games.

Video games are great, but they keep you on the couch. With obesity in the United States carrying a $147 billion price tag, just over 9% of medical spending, Explorence aims to motivate people to get off the couch and have a little heart-healthy fun.

So, how can a game get you up and going?  Let’s illustrate with an example.  Say Adidas sets up a bike race in your neighborhood.  All you need is a smart phone to compete in the challenge, which you can do on your own time.  The top 3 win prizes from Adidas and the top 20 get a discount at the local bike shop. Your friends can support you through the Explorence website by dropping virtual items on your path, posting encouraging comments, or donating real dollars (if you are raising money for charity).  You can also create your own challenges.

Explorence benefits brands by driving buying behavior, increasing engagement due to a 1-on-1 relationship with the user throughout the event, and enabling sponsors to help users get in better shape.

This San Diego-based company will be launching soon, so sign up to receive launch details on their website.  Or, stop by Tech Cocktail San Diego on May 18, where Explorence is one of our showcased startups.