5. Game Options

Set your game rules and settings. Choose options under Basic, Advanced, and Map.

Basic Options

Time Zone

Select the time zone for your game. This affects:

  • Scheduled launch times
  • How times are displayed to players

Tip: Choose the time zone where the game will be played.

Game Launch

Choose how your game starts:

  • Manual: You click a button to launch the game when ready. Good for events where timing is flexible.
  • Scheduled: The game automatically launches at a specific date and time. Good for events with a fixed start time.

If you choose Scheduled, you’ll need to set the launch date and time.

Find Checkpoints

Choose the order players must visit checkpoints:

  • Any order: Players choose which checkpoints to visit and in what order. More freedom, potentially faster times.
  • Defined order: Players must visit checkpoints in the order you uploaded them. More structured, like a scavenger hunt.

Tip: “Any order” works well for competitive races. “Defined order” is better for story-driven games or tours.

Penalty Time

Minutes added to a player’s time for each issue:

  • Skipped checkpoints
  • Rejected check-ins that weren’t fixed
  • Missed checkpoints (when time runs out)

Choose from various penalty amounts. Higher penalties encourage players to complete all checkpoints properly.

Advanced Options

Action After Time Limit

What happens when a player runs out of time:

  • Last: Direct players to the finish checkpoint with a map showing its location. Good for ensuring everyone ends up at the same place.
  • Instructions: Show custom instructions only (from the Guidance step). Use this when you want to provide guidance that isn’t about navigating to a specific physical final location (e.g. “Return to base”, “Call organizer”).

Player/Team Start

When does the game timer start for each participant:

  • Launch: Timer starts when the game launches (everyone starts at the same time).
  • Self: Timer starts when the player begins playing. For teams, it starts when the first team member starts.
Tip: “Self” is useful when players can’t all be present at the same time, or for staggered starts.

Rechecks Allowed

Only available when “Find Checkpoints” is set to “Any order”

Can players resubmit a photo for a checkpoint they’ve already checked in at?

  • Yes: Players can resubmit if they realize they made a mistake. Approved rechecks reduce the penalty by 50%.
  • No: One chance per checkpoint. Rejected check-ins stay rejected.

Secret Finish

Only available when “Find Checkpoints” is set to “Any order”

Hide the finish checkpoint until all other checkpoints are done?

  • Yes: The finish location is hidden until players complete all other checkpoints. Great for surprise endings!
  • No: The finish is visible from the start like any other checkpoint.
Use case: Perfect for surprise parties where you want to reveal the party location only after players complete the game!

Strict Check-ins

Only available when “Find Checkpoints” is set to “Defined order”

Do players need approval before moving to the next checkpoint?

  • Yes: Players must wait for you to approve their check-in before the next checkpoint becomes available. Players receive immediate feedback and can re-check if rejected.
  • No: The next checkpoint is available immediately after check-in.
Note: Strict mode requires you to be actively reviewing check-ins during the game, or players will be stuck waiting.

Map Options

Default Map Type

What map style players see by default:

  • Satellite: Aerial imagery only
  • Satellite with labels: Aerial imagery with street names and landmarks labeled

Roadmap Toggle

Allow players to switch to a standard road map view?

  • Enabled: Players can toggle between satellite and road map views
  • Disabled: Players only see the satellite view

Limit Map Boundaries

Restrict how far players can pan and zoom the map:

  • Enabled: Map is limited to the area containing your checkpoints. Prevents players from getting distracted or lost.
  • Disabled: Players can pan and zoom freely across the entire map.

Map Preview

See what the map will look like for players. This preview shows:

  • All checkpoint search areas
  • The map style based on your settings
  • Boundary limits if enabled

Note: Requires at least 2 photos uploaded to display.

Option Combinations

Some options work together to create different game styles:

Game StyleSuggested Options
Competitive raceAny order, Launch start, No rechecks
Guided tourDefined order, Self start, Strict check-ins
Surprise partyAny order, Secret finish enabled
Casual explorationAny order, Self start, Rechecks allowed