Town Portal

Town Portal is a real-time, competitive navigation game that combines communication, trust, and exploration. Two teams (each composed of a "Driver" and a "Vessel") race to navigate an urban environment over a five-kilometer route, relying only on livestreamed video and verbal instructions. With an emphasis on creativity, strategy, and local adaptability, Town Portal offers a unique blend of teamwork and urban adventure.

Town Portal is a unique blend of technology, trust, and urban discovery, turning ordinary commutes into extraordinary adventures. It challenges players to navigate, communicate, and explore in ways that make each round unpredictable and exhilarating.

Core Mechanics

1. Teams:

Driver: The strategist, who uses a map to guide the Vessel. The Driver views the Vessel's journey via livestream from the cellphone strapped to the Vessel’s forehead and communicates instructions through an audio call (via earbuds).

Vessel: The on-the-ground participant, who follows the Driver's guidance to navigate the city.

2. Equipment:

Cell phone with a livestreaming app.

Forehead strap (e.g., modified jogging phone holders).

Earbuds or headset for real-time communication.

City map (digital or printed) for the Driver (without GPS functionality).

3. Objective:

Navigate from Point A to Point B (5 km apart) faster than the opposing team, ensuring safety and compliance with local laws.

4. Rules:

No geolocation services: Drivers cannot use GPS apps or location-tracking tools—only maps.

Safety first: Drivers must prioritize the Vessel's safety, avoiding dangerous areas and traffic risks.

Livestream only: Drivers can only see what the Vessel's phone camera shows them, requiring constant communication and teamwork.

Challenges and Variations

1. Urban Environment Complexity:
Drivers must adapt to different urban layouts—navigating crowded streets, identifying landmarks, and coordinating efficient routes without real-time location assistance.

2. Transportation Challenges:

Introduce additional rounds where teams use different modes of transport (e.g., public transit, ride-sharing, bicycles, horses, rickshaws, etc.).

Players must adapt to new rules and time constraints based on available transport options and local customs.

3. Wildcard Rules:

Add unexpected challenges, like detours, checkpoints, or mandatory stops (e.g., purchasing an item, visiting a landmark, or taking a photo). These increase the complexity and unpredictability of the game.

4. Cultural and Geographic Exploration:

Teams in different cities worldwide introduce cross-cultural dynamics. Drivers unfamiliar with a city's layout must rely on creativity and Vessel feedback for navigation.

Scoring

1. Primary Win Condition:
The first team to complete the route (5 km) wins the round.

2. Bonus Points:

Creativity: Award points for using innovative routes or transport methods.

Efficiency: Recognize the fewest mistakes or deviations from the planned path.

Communication: Reward teams with seamless, clear communication.

Game Flow

1. Preparation:

Teams determine starting and ending points for the race. Points should be distinct landmarks or addresses known to both the Driver and Vessel.

Livestreaming setup is tested to ensure smooth communication between Driver and Vessel.

2. Gameplay:

Both teams start simultaneously. The Vessel begins walking while the Driver provides directions in real-time.

Drivers must frequently interpret live video and navigate using static maps. Missteps and rerouting add to the challenge.

3. Completion:

The race ends when a Vessel physically reaches Point B and captures proof (e.g., a video of the landmark).

Drivers verify accuracy and timing with judges or other team participants.

Potential Additions

1. Time Penalties:

Penalize teams for traffic violations, unsafe instructions, or backtracking.

2. Leaderboards and Community Challenges:

Encourage global participation by hosting regional Town Portal leagues or tournaments, with cumulative scores tracked across rounds.

3. Augmented Reality (AR) Layers:
Future versions of Town Portal could incorporate AR for Drivers, allowing them to annotate maps, overlay directions, or mark key points visible to their Vessel through AR-enabled devices.

Appeal and Audience

Town Portal appeals to urban explorers, competitive gamers, and anyone intrigued by the challenge of navigation and communication. It’s perfect for:

Friends and family seeking a unique team challenge.

Travelers looking to engage with new cities in an interactive way.

Streamers and content creators interested in broadcasting real-time, unpredictable adventures.

Key Themes

Trust and Communication: Success hinges on the Driver’s ability to guide and the Vessel’s willingness to follow.

Cultural Exploration: Diverse cities introduce unique challenges and highlight global differences in navigation and movement.

Adaptability: No two routes or cities are the same, requiring quick thinking and constant collaboration.