Discover Boating launches new interactive experience
CHICAGO (June 25, 2010) – Discover Boating, the non-profit national awareness program for the recreational boating industry, launched today a new online game application, titled Making Waves, to put at-home water sports enthusiasts in the virtual captain’s chair to experience all the fun of life on the water. Making Waves is available now at no cost on Facebook. Making Waves gives game players the opportunity to experience the onscreen thrill of everything you can do on water. The game takes the format of a race with four courses that focus on different lifestyles associated with each style of boating, playing up the strengths and fun factor of each boat category.
“We’re excited to see game players’ reaction to Making Waves, as we’re offering people the opportunity to experience virtually what the boating lifestyle is all about – sun on the water, fun with family and friends, plus the thrill of speed and adventure,” says Carl Blackwell, chief marketing officer for Discover Boating and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “The game enhances our existing interactive marketing platform and brings the boating experience to life online.”
Game players choose from a selection of boat types and colors. Three boating games are part of the Making Waves application and offer various skill levels, including:
l Watersports: Wake Rider – gain speed between buoys with a waterskier in tow
l Fishing: Set the Hook – cast your line by clicking on a particular fish; click on the bobber when the fish bites to set the hook and reel it in
l Cruising: Dock Hopper – navigate along the shoreline to pickup and drop off family and friends
Discover Boating partnered with space 150, a Minneapolis-based digital communications firm, to create the game. To build the perfect environment for the Making Waves game, space150’s developers went to work building a scaled model complete with water, shoreline, trees and other miniature details. The model was then photographed under a variety of lighting conditions to capture times of day, movement of the sun over the water and weather conditions for game play.
As added incentive to drive traffic to the game, players will receive an exclusive opportunity to register to win $25,000 towards a purchase of a new NMMA Certified boat. The sweepstakes runs through August 31. Players can also sign up via the application to receive Discover Boating’s free Get Started in Boating DVD.
The game will be shared with potential users via the extensive Facebook network, as well as through public relations efforts and social media channels. The new Making Waves game extends Discover Boating’s online presence, which includes the industry’s comprehensive consumer site, DiscoverBoating.com.
Making Waves is available now at http://apps.facebook.com/making-waves/.
About Discover Boating (www.discoverboating.com)
Discover Boating is a national awareness campaign developed by the North American recreational boating industry and managed by the industry’s trade group, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA.org). Discover Boating programs focus on improving the boating experience and building interest in recreational boating by providing a resource for Americans to explore the benefits, affordability and accessibility of the boating lifestyle. To find out more, visit DiscoverBoating.com.