Download How to play whaiwhai
The New York Times calls whaiwhai "a high-tech Italian touring game that is part 'Amazing Race' and part treasure hunt, with a bit of DaVinci Code-style storytelling mixed in." The whaiwhai Game Tour books (whaiwhai, by the way, means "to search for" in Maori) offer an exciting full-immersion touring experience unlike any other. Using the whaiwhai book and the texting feature [SMS] of your cell phone, you'll receive clues and will send answers that make you move across the city from location to location, following its most secret history. Tailor whaiwhai to your own speed, interrupting and resuming it at will – the game lasts for up to three months from the moment of activation. Start and play it day or night (whaiwhai is available 365/24). Split your party into two or more teams, each with its own book and challenge each other: who will discover more secrets in the shortest time? Who will unravel the mystery?
There are six whaiwhai currently available. The Ruyi Venice tells of an ancient magical scepter lost with the tomb of Marco Polo; The Ruyi Rome finds signs of the passage of the same rod in the city called caput mundi. Florence 2054 reveals mysterious correspondence between noble beauties of the Renaissance. Verona Amor explores the romantic secrets of the city of Romeo and Juliet, while Milano Diamante takes you on a hunt for a stolen diamond. The newest book, The Pegleg takes place in NYC and features 40 stories about 40 fascinating places in Manhattan written by Timothy "Speed" Levitch.
whaiwhai Kit:
To play whaiwhai you will need a book, a cell phone (with SMS feature) and a city map. Along with the whaiwhai book and a map, our kit includes an Italian SIM card that can be used with your unlocked GSM phone for sending messages and speaking to anyone in Italy or in the world.
New York. The Pegleg
A magical peg leg, covered with silver bands and engraving the formula that could end war forever has disappeared. Solve the mystery while revealing the secret story behind Macy's, discovering shocking news about Orson Welles, finding the famous subway grate where Marilyn stood… and much more! The Pegleg: 40 stories about 40 fascinating places in Manhattan written by Timothy "Speed" Levitch.
Firenze. 2054
October 27, 1954: twenty mysterious flying objects traverse the sky over Florence and for fifteen minutes hover over the city's most famous monuments. While everyone stares in astonishment at the mysterious objects, nobody realizes what is really going on in the city.
Roma. The Ruyi
See what's hidden between the pages of the history of Rome. As you look for the clues left by the Ruyi's passage, you'll fall in love with a new side of the Eternal City. It's a fascinating, little known story that brings Rome, caput mundi closer to Venice. Plot by Alberto Toso Fei.
Venezia. The Ruyi
Uncover the secrets of a unique, mysterious city. As you search for a scepter that has come from the Orient, you will find your way to the Ruyi. With the notes of old Venetian Professor Carlo Dolfin as your guide, you will discover that many people have pursued a magic artifact. Plot by Alberto Toso Fei.
Verona. Amor
Eros gave the quiver containing the few magic arrows as a gift to a woman, on the night of the full moon. Soon afterwards, he gave the bow to man. He didn't provide them with any explanation for his gesture. The man was a Montecchi, the woman was a Capuleti. Where are Eros's magic instruments hidden?
Milano. Diamante
Searching for a stolen diamond in some of the most haunting corners of Milan: from the Dark Lady on the spires of the Duomo, to the Devil's Horns at Saint Ambrose's, from the nocturnal spectres of the Sforza Castle to the murders of Stretta Bagnera. The author of Milan. The Diamond is Paolo Roversi.