Gamifier for the active entertainment industry

The Gamifier is an interactive platform which adds an extra dimension to active entertainment facilities through engaging game mechanics. The system simultaneously collects and analyzes data to empower operators to better meet guests’ needs. It is designed to be retrofitted and seamlessly integrates with existing facility management systems & websites. Suitable for climbing walls, fun walls, ninja courses, ropes courses,  etc.

The Story Behind Gamifier

As I described in the E-Walls project, I developed a system for Walltopia that lit up the holds for climbing routes. The system was a huge success, marking one of the first times embedded systems were used in climbing gyms.

The interactive lights attracted climbers and that sparked a new idea — to make the entire active entertainment centers fully interactive. Initially, the plan was to add a scoring system to all the attractions, but the idea evolved, and the system eventually became a platform for gamification.

In 2018, while flying at the Sofia transport airbase and developing software at my startup Webstep, I was balancing between two different lives. Flying airplanes in one and providing software and hardware solutions in other.

The idea for the Gamifier made Walltopia propose me a game-changing offer: acquire Webstep and appoint me CEO of their new sister brand, Techtopia. Tired of slow military processes and juggling extra work, I seized the chance to start a thrilling new chapter.

The birth of Techtopia

Techtopia was composed mainly of other officers who left the army with me. We were a team of 10 people with military discipline and a strong sense of duty. We were ready to take on the challenge of developing all kinds of systems.

Gamifier in the early stages

The product was initally a simple hardware platform with an admin panel and remote support functionality. It was used to create all kinds of systems for active entertainment centers.

For example Climbing timer systems were based on it.

The birth of the PlayTag

During the development of the Gamifier, I realized that the system needed a dedicated hardware component to track players and provide them with feedback.

I suggested my idea to the investor, but he was skeptical at first. He thought it was too expensive and complicated to develop. I believed in the idea and decided to develop it all by myself.

After a few months the first prototype was ready. I called it PlayTag. The people from Walltopia were impressed and wanted to fund the further development and integration of the hardware.

The first version of the Gamifier was presented in Paris at 2018.

Gamifier went viral

In combination with the PlayTag, the Gamifier followed the success of E-Walls. The system was installed in active entertainment centers around the world and was used to create all kinds of games and challenges for visitors.

The complexity of the system was growing and the team was working hard to keep up with the demand. Updates were released every month and new features were added constantly. As you can see in the picture below, we mastered the chaos well.

The success made Techtopia grow to 30 people and move form an office to a factory.

Gamifier at its peak

Just before the COVID pandemic, the Gamifier was an essential part of the product portfolio of Walltopia.

It was presented at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida, and that showed its impact on the industry.

Gamifier at ITV

After active entertainment centers started adopting the system, its potential for customizations and integrations became apparent.

This led to the installation of Gamifier in ITV`s center themed after the popular TV show “I am a celebrity, get me out of here”.

Special Thanks

Thanks to Beth Dunlavey for sharing the video of her experience at the ITV venue in Manchester.

Gamifier today

The system is still in use and is constantly being supported.

You can find a brochure on Walltopia`s` website: https://walltopia.com/download/gamifier-brochure/