Vodafone is running anaugmented reality (AR) game across London as part of a promotional Apple giveaway, and its powered by blockchain technology.

The game, called Find Unlimited, requires players find and interact with Vatoms, unique,non-fungible tokens (NFTs) generated by and stored in a blockchain operated by startup BLOCKv.

Over a two-hour period every day this week, 36 Vatoms will appear in Central London, spread across six high-footfall locations.

Participants can collect the tokens by zapping them with their phones camera, later redeeming them for special prizes (like an iPhone 11).

Anyone can participate in the game, but marketing materials confirm Vodafone customers receive clues to the whereabouts of the tokens in advance.

NFTs were once a really big deal. Back in 2017, the Ethereum app CryptoKitties became so popular it crippled the entire blockchain, which uncomfortably revealed its scalability issues to the world.

It also led to a flourishing (but short-lived) blockchain collectible market, with individual CryptoKitties regularly sold for well over $50,000 each.

But considering the blockchain that generates Vatoms is described as a semi-decentralized network overlay in its whitepaper, its likely Vodafone isnt exactly concerned with decentralization (or the associated censorship resistance).

Still, its refreshing to see blockchain utilized for something other than tracking the provenance of fruit, vegetables, and chickens regardless of how watered down the tech.

[H/T Campaign]

Published September 25, 2019 17:24 UTC

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Vodafone litters London with blockchain tokens in new augmented reality game - The Next Web