Hi -

I have been thinking about this a bit.  I'm not a museum employee - but I 
have made quite a few web based games so this is the perspective I'm coming 
from.

Interactive computer-based games are expensive to develop and don't 
guarantee a payoff of increased visitors - especially when you start talking 
about integrating PDAs, GPS, etc... Perhaps the lure of cool new technology 
may attract visitors, but I assume that most museums have a limited budget 
and this is not really feasible.  I think you could do something simple, low 
cost and trackable that would bring in more visitors.

Here's what I'm thinking.
1) Post a simple PDF document on your web site for kids to print out, study 
and bring to the museum.  This may contain 10 images of objects in the 
museum.  For each object - you pose a question.  For example, who is the 
artist? what year was it created?  with what art movement is this 
associated?   The 10 objects could be dispersed throughout the museum or you 
could just focus in one area - to limit the running around factor.   I think 
parents would also enjoy the process of searching for these items and 
discussing them with their child.

2) After the visit - the child would bring their answers home, go to the 
museum's web site and enter them into a puzzle.  This could be a simple 
Flash application - set up like a crossword puzzle - or even in a more 
straightforward design.  If the child puts in all the right answers - hits 
submit - they get a coupon for a prize.  If you made this prize a free gift 
at the gift shop - the child would want to come back to the museum to claim 
the gift.  Children who successfully finish the puzzle could also get their 
names on the web site, the newsletter, etc... (maybe in the order of who 
finished it first to make it a little competitive).

You could add a simple feature to the game where a kid could refer the game 
to a friend via e-mail.  Then you are getting kids to market the museum for 
you.

Since this type of game would be simple and inexpensive to set up and 
administer and promote - you could do a different one maybe 4 to six times 
per year - focusing on different areas of the museum and coordinating it 
with when you send out a newsletter or pass on information to schools.  Kids 
would start to look forward to the next game coming out.

I would assume that if you get kids coming in to the museum on a more 
regular basis - parents would want to get memberships instead of paying for 
each visit and I assume increased membership would be good for the museum.


Julie Griffey
www.animocation.com
Interactive, Animated, Movement-driven Experiences




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Deb Fuller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 12:02 PM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Games to increase museum attendance


> Hi all,
>
> I'm wondering if any museums out there have successfully used games
> for museum publicity and/or to increase attendance? I'm looking for
> something beyond the stereotypical treasure hunt through the museum or
> murder mystery night but more along the lines of Alternate Reality
> Games (ARGs), extended treaure hunts over a period of time (like come
> back each week for a new clue) or other types of games.
>
> If your museum has done such a thing or if you have taken part in a
> game, I'd be interested in knowing about it. (Probably off-list unless
> others are interested.)
>
> Here's an article on ARGs for those of you who aren't familiar with
> them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game
>
> Thanks in advance!!
>
> Deb
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at 
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed 
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail 
> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should 
> read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to 
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read 
> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>
> 

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).