READING, Pa. (WLVT) —The popular convenience store chain named after a Canadian goose is bringing its store mascot to life in a new game.
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Wawa’s “Wally Goose” is the star of an augmented reality adventure that's part of the store's kids’ meal experience.
Brett Bagenstose heads up Neo-Pangea, the Reading-based company that created the game. He says the tech, which allows digitized objects and characters to appear in the physical world, has a variety of applications.
"It actually serves all industries," Bagenstose told PBS39. "So, we can bring the collection of a museum into your home. IKEA’s famous for having its furniture appear in your room, so that you can see what it looks like in your house. Doctors can have augmented internal organs appear on their patient."
Neo-Pangea’s work runs the gamut and includes projects for Disney, Nickelodeon and National Geographic.
"We do everything from augmented reality to graphic design for companies like McCormick Spices," said Bagenstose.
The 15-year-old company has somewhat of an eccentric team. One example: Employees are given tongue-in-cheek variants of standard job titles.
Matt Marsters, known as the “Jack of All Portrayed” is a creative strategist, who also happens to have a background in theater. That’s similar to Bagenstose, who has a degree in film and media arts.
"I think people who like solving puzzles and people who enjoy thinking through complex challenges do well in this industry," Marsters told PBS39. "Sometimes that lends itself to people who love art or creative writing."
In making “Wally’s Adventure Game," Bagenstose and his team ruled out creating an app, since downloading takes up time and space. Instead, each kids’ meal comes with a Wally Goose trading card and a QR code. By scanning the code, customers enter Wally’s world.
"He flaps through his universe while you try to collect Wawa’s kids' meals on floating balloons, but different objects are blocking you that you have to dodge," he explained.
The game requires an internet connection and can be played on a smartphone or tablet.
"Augmented reality brings digital components out of an experience and into the real world," he said. "So, you can see a game board on your physical kitchen table. You and Wally are going on this adventure together. You’re helping him fly over obstacles and navigate his way across an adventure path."
To win, the player must collect digitized Wawa kids’ meals, which float on red balloons. While no prizes are offered, Marsters says Wawa is considering awarding coupons in the future.
As for what’s inside those Wawa kids’ meals: A shorti hoagie, a bag of apple slices and a small chocolate milk are among the menu options. Each meal costs about $4.
When asked about Neo-Pangea's next project, Bagenstose said: "For us, it’s all about keeping it fresh, we never do the same thing twice."
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