Fun with GPS!

            There seems to be a plethora of games and alternatives emerging to take advantage of the affordability of handheld GPS units. In a previous article on my blog, the high-tech treasure hunting game of Geocaching was discussed. Learn about more ways to use the surface of the earth as your gameboard. This article will provide an overview on two more GPS-based ideas: Geodashing and GPS Drawing.

Geodashing:

            Geodashing is a game in which players use GPS receivers on a playing field that covers the entire planet. The waypoints, or dashpoints, to be reached are randomly selected. The win goes to the one who can get to the most dashpoints; i.e. if you can get to them at all! Each game has a new set of dashpoints making each game completely different and unpredictable. Click to know more of this interesting game...

GPS Drawing:

            The GPS Drawing Project seeks to display GPS-based artistry created by navigating through a landscape with a GPS unit. The resulting linear trail collected by the GPS Data Logger creates the resulting art. There is a gallery of the GPS art that the user can browse through. Each entry contains an interactive shockwave called “GPS-o-shockwave” of the GPS route as well as a description of the area the artist navigated. Accompanying the GPS drawing is an aerial of the area navigated with the route overlaid. The art isn’t just restricted to land, but can include drawings obtained by sea and by air. The submittal of GPS art is open to anyone. ASCII files of the GPS points are also welcome. There is also a shockwave application where you can copy and paste your GPS data points to see what your GPS-based art looks like. Click to know more of this artistic GPS game...

            Do drop in your comments about what you think about this article and these innovative GPS based games! Also share your experiences, if you have ever tried doing such a thing! Happy GPS gaming!

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