Interactive game ignites interest in Ningbo

Actor Zheng Kai (middle) called for more young people to settle in the city at the launch ceremony of the city's first immersive interactive game at Ningbo Cultural Plaza in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ningbo, Zhejiang province, launched its first immersive interactive game — the Cross-City Race "Discover Ningbo" — on Saturday.

The game, which will last until July 30, integrates online mobile and real-life scenes. Using a WeChat mini program, players can register to play. They will be guided to real places in Ningbo and complete various tasks at each site.

Players can play the game as individuals or as teams.

After completing the tasks at each site, players will receive digital coupons. Those who finish the whole game will be awarded a lucky draw code and have the chance to win items such as cars, pianos, appliances and mobile phones.

The first game route links six landmarks in the city — Ningbo Library, Ningbo Gallery, Tianyi Square, Drum Tower, Tianyige Museum and Ningbo Museum — and covers such areas as culture, tourism, history, geography and literature.

At the launch ceremony at Ningbo Cultural Plaza on Saturday, 40 people from all walks of life, including internet influencers, expats and college students, were invited to try the game. The whole process was livestreamed through online platforms.

Actor Zheng Kai and sports champions Guan Chenchen and Liu Yanhan were also present at the ceremony and acted as non-player characters during the first round.

Participants played volleyball with Liu at Tianyi Square, looked for a pastry that Guan asked them to find at the Drum Tower and followed Zheng, who dressed up as the famous Chinese poet Wang Anshi (1021-1086), to learn about the city's cultural notables of different ages at the Ningbo Museum.

"Ningbo is an energetic city. I hope more young people will settle here and develop themselves with the city, which will make Ningbo more dynamic," Zheng said.

The game is a part of the city's celebration of the upcoming 19th Asian Games, for which it will host the sailing and beach volleyball competitions.