Back in July I wrote about BlippAR, a technology that allows you to scan a product package with your smart phone and have augmented reality imagery appear on your phone’s screen as a result. Now, as I predicted, we’re seeing the next step for this technology: product packages that double as video games.
In this case, when scanned with the BlippAR app, Cadbury chocolate bar wrappers in the UK activate a simple augmented reality game. Sure, it’s a fun idea. But it also represents the evolution of packaging: now any product’s package can provide added value – with a game, instructions, even a story about the product or manufacturer.
Think about a take-out cup from your favorite coffee chain offering an augmented reality story about the origins of the coffee or tea you’re drinking. Or a package of crayons or a cereal box offering a simple learning game for kids. Or the cover of a book giving you a short video message from the author.
I suggested in my July post that one day people will take this technology for granted, and just assume that every package contains an augmented reality layer. That’s a while off. But a simple game on a candy bar just took us one step closer.
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