PLAYERS

February 12, 2015

Munzee Players of the Week: Shannon Hutchison and Caley Fox (WhompCanada)

Munzee promotes staying active through adventure. We’re proud of Munzee’s ability to get people to investigate unknown areas, learn about the game and grow the map. This week’s Players of The Week challenged themselves to bike across Canada and interact with strangers along the way and what better way to do that than to Munzee? We proudly sponsored Celaey Fox and Shannon Hutchison in their Whomp Nation Canadian Coast To Coast journey. Read on to learn more about WhompNationCanada!

Who are you?

Shannon Hutchison and Caley Fox. We met at Rocky Mountain school of Photography in the summer of 2012.

Where in the world do you live?

Shannon lives in Calgary, AB, Canada and Caley lives in St. Louis, MO, USA.

How long have you played Munzee?

Caley has played Munzee since 2011, and when we decided to start Whomp Nation we created a joint Munzee account in March 2013.

How did you find Munzee?

Caley found out about Munzee when he was shooting photos for his sister and happened to see a QR code in a tree. He’s become very enthusiastic about it ever since.

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?

We enjoy Munzee because it gives us an excuse to get out and explore strange places. It was also great meeting all of the Munzee people we met as we travelled across the country!

Tell us about Whomp Nation:

Whomp Nation is a project Shannon and Caley made to discover more about Canada. We shot off in April 2013 to pedal across Canada on two tandem bikes joined together and ended in mid-September. We documented the people we met, the land, and participated in fun Canadian events. It was an interactive experience that people could follow via social media each week.

What spurred you guys to start this?

Shannon originally wanted to walk across Canada, but we decided on our crazy Tandems so we could pick up Hitchhikers! We figured why not and it inspired us to go on this crazy trip.

How did you incorporate Munzee into this trek?

Munzee was a great way of tracking where we had been during our trip. It also lead to amazing Munzee hunting in Quebec!

Tell us about yourselves:

Shannon and Caley are both professional photographers. Shannon also work as teacher.

What’s Next?

We’re really hoping to do another trip like this last one, just not sure to where yet! (Editor’s Note: May we suggest a trip down south? Perhaps McKinney, TX?)

WhompCanada included their Social so cap away!

Whomp Nation also produced a time lapse video of their trip, so give it a watch. You can also look back on their whole experience at www.whompnation.com.

If you know a player that should be nominated for Munzee Player of the Week, shoot us a message at iLoveYou@Munzee.com and let us know just why this person is outstanding in the global Munzee community!

-Please note, this is a super active campaign. We may not be able to get back to everyone, but you’re helping to grow the list of amazing people in the Munzee community!

February 11, 2015

From Corporations to Crops: A Story of #HeartHealth

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States, so as we celebrate American Heart Month it’s important to listen to the stories of those around us. The following story is from Kevin Becker, owner of Shutt’er Down Ranch- a partner of the Munzee Marketplace. Although Kevin may work in the fields all day raising chickens, building greenhouses and maintaining the ranch, it wasn’t always this way.

“I spent my entire adult life in the middle of corporate America. Each week was two or three new cities with no sleep, no exercise and a room service diet,” Kevin said. “All this changed on one of those trips in 2010 when my 49-year-old heart decided that enough was enough.”

Two days later Kevin’s three children watched as their father headed into open heart surgery. The surgeon explain that there was a 25 percent chance that Kevin wouldn’t survive.

“I decided right then and there that I was going to take control of my health,” Kevin said.

He kept that promise and a year later Kevin, Seth Thomas, and Cory Sparks started Shutt’er Down Ranch in Farmersville, TX. It’s been five years since that wake up call and Kevin is 50 pounds lighter and his heart is as healthy as ever. Kevin attributes his success to changing the way he eats. He altered his diet to all natural or organic foods whenever possible, and now runs a business producing the very same food he eats.

“I had no idea that it would be so difficult to find all natural foods, not to mention the outrageous costs,” Kevin said. “I’m so excited to be a part of Shutt’er Down Ranch and helping change the way people eat organically.”

The Munzee Marketplace is proud to partner with Shutt’er Down Ranch and bring healthy, cost-effective food to the people of North Texas. The Marketplace already has a hard time keeping SD Ranch’s cage-free, organic chicken eggs in stock and there are plans in place to expand this partnership even further. One of the first steps in living healthy is looking at the food you eat, so take Kevin’s story to heart and take care of yours.

February 9, 2015

Munzee Videocast Episode 12: Rob V. Bob

Our twelfth videocast has been converted to audio, so click the link and listen on!

http://munzeepush.munzee.netdna-cdn.com/Munzee%20Videocast%2012.mp3

You can also re-watch the videocast HERE.

This week we talked about:

Eventzee Launch
Eventzee Specials are on the Munzee map
Candy Heart Virtuals are no longer on sale, but they’ll be on the map through mid-march
Clan Wars Update

Remember to join us Fridays at 3 pm (MHQ Time) for the live videocast where you can interact with us, ask questions and see us stumble over our words! To learn more follow us on Google + and if you missed last week’s videocast click HERE.

We’ve also created a NEW WEBPAGE strictly for the Videocast. Here you can watch the past and present podcasts anytime and it also allows downloads to iTunes! If you’d like to subscribe to the Munzee Podcast on iTunes go to File > Subscribe to Podcast > enter http://www.munzeepodcast.com/feed/podcast/. If you want to interact live with the Videocasts and ask questions, you will still need to join us on our Google+ page,

February 3, 2015

Eventzee Special Icons are on the Munzee map!

EventzeeLogo copy Eventzee has invaded Munzee! Eventzee’s president Bob has seemingly declared war on Munzee and now Eventzee special icons are popping up all over on the Munzee app. So it’s up to the Munzee players to get out there and cap all of those Eventzee pins before it’s too late! We want peace with Eventzee though, so when you cap one of these special physical pins you’ll be taken to the Eventzee website where you can download the app. Both Munzee and Eventzee can live cohesively, but to do that you’ll need to download the app and join the free weekly photo hunt. It’s actually a lot of fun to play Eventzee too though, so give it a shot and appease Bob Vardeman.

2,015 Eventzee icons have attached to physical greenies across the map and will bounce every 6 hours unless captured before then. By finding at least one Eventzee special you’ll also be awarded with a special Eventzee badge. Eventzee caps work like mystery munzees in that you’ll receive either 5, 10, 15 or 20 points for capture and cap on. You may not capture your own munzee. You can see if there are any pins near your at http://www.munzee.com/eventzee.

Be sure to join Eventzee’s free weekly photo hunts once you download the app. Check the Eventzee blog to see new clues added daily and compete for your chance to win prizes each week. This week’s winner will be awarded $100 USD and some virtual munzee products!

January 31, 2015

Munzee Videocast Episode 11: Munzee <3 Eventzee

Our eleventh videocast has been converted to audio, so click the link and listen on!

http://munzeepush.munzee.netdna-cdn.com/Munzee%20Videocast%2011.mp3

You can also re-watch the videocast HERE.

This week we talked about:

Rob is back from Australia, Dylan is mimicking his 14 hour flight back- on the road.
The Yuma trip has been cancelled due to unforeseen Eventzee commercial filming.
Candy Heart Virtuals go on sale Sunday and all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.
Candy Hearts will count as Mystery Virtual Munzees in Clan Wars this month.
Eventzee will launch in the first week of February, and to celebrate Eventzee pins will be on the Munzee map.

January 29, 2015

Munzee Player of the Week: Ari Gempäsch (TheUglyHari)

Munzee may be very popular in certain parts of the world, but there are many areas where the game is still small. The responsibility falls upon our players to grow the map and we’re indebted to their hard work. This week’s Player of The Week helps keep Munzee thriving in Austria- despite trouble finding Clan War teammates from time to time. We thank Ari Gempäsch (TheUglyHari) for his hard work and we’re excited for the day when he has people lining up to be in his clan. Read on to learn more about TheUglyHari!

Who are you?
My name is Ari Gempäsch (TheUglyHari).

Where in the world do you live?
I live in Linz, Austria. A small country in the middle of Europe with a small amount of munzers.

How long have you played Munzee?
I have been playing for two years. But I really started 18 months ago with deploying a lot.

How did you find Munzee?
I colleague of mine told me about munzee. We started together (with a few colleagues). But they all stopped playing according to problems with the app and the change of rules. (Editor’s Note: Maybe you should tell them to start playing again. The game has changed at lot in two years!)

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?
To be outside and deploy (I am a top-30-greenies deployer). To play in the only active clan in Austria (it is always a challenge to find ten active players – thanks to BettyLou, Malof, SineUsa and a lot of other players which supported us a while). I have also learned a lot about my own home-town.

What is on your wish list?
1) I would like if everything was inside the app. It shouldn’t be necessary to visit the blog, the store, statzee, the hp…. to find the right information, to buy something or to deploy some weapons, motels, hotels etc.
2) Focus on the basics: greenies – at the moment – are undervalued.
3) More time to organize the clan.
4) A chat also for clans within the app.

Tell us about yourself!
I am 39 years old. I have three children and enjoy my life with them. I am working as a SAP-consultant and have to travel a lot. So it is really a good way to play Munzee to avoid a lot of hotel bars.

Other hobbies include:
Skiing in The Alps in the winter. Swimming and relaxing in the Salzkammergut during the summer. To play and to care about my children.

TheUglyHari included his Social so cap away!

-Please note, this is a super active campaign. We may not be able to get back to everyone, but you’re helping to grow the list of amazing people in the Munzee community!

January 29, 2015

Announcing Candy Heart Virtual Specials

February is the month of romance and Munzee wants to share our love with the world. In connection to American Heart Month we’re proud to announce that new special virtual icons will be for sale and proceeds will be donated to heart research. These special virtual Candy Hearts will be on sale from February 1-7, and the munzees will stay on the map through March 15th at 23:59 MHQ time (GMT -6).

Each pack of 4 virtual heart munzees will cost $5, with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association. The owner of the Candy Heart virtual gets 14 points when they deploy and 14 points will be given to the owner and capper when it is captured. An in-game badge will also be earned for any player who captures or deploys a candy heart. These virtual munzees are available for purchase at the beginning of February with no limit in quantity. Like our past virtual specials, the Candy Heart munzees will disappear after a certain amount of time, but we still encourage our players to construct gardens and base events around these deployed munzees. Create your local event at calendar.munzee.com

According to the US Center for Disease Control, Cardiovascular disease (including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure) is the number 1 killer of women and men in the United States and a leading cause of disability. This is an important cause that affects every human being and we hope that with the help of our players we can aid in this fight. Throughout the month we’ll also help spread information about heart health and what you can do to avoid heart disease. Munzee is a game that promotes healthy living so love yourself and take care of your body. Learn about the risks of heart disease and, of course stay, active with Munzee.

January 27, 2015

February 2015 Clan Requirements… with a twist.

This month’s Clan Requirements have kicked the new year up a notch. The focus for February is mysteries, so prepare for war. Also, as this is a New Year, we’ve decided to take a New Perspective for Clan Wars. Starting from February, we’ll reward the TOP 3 players in each full clan. So it’s no longer just a competition between clans, but also in-clan. We want our players to push their clan forward, but also promote a little friendly rivalry within the clans. The top 3 players in each clan will be rewarded after the round has finished- so the winners of February will be receive their prizes in March for the first time.

Individual Rewards:

#1 gets a battle axe
#2 gets a longsword
#3 gets a mace munzee.

February Clan Requirements:

#1:
capture 25 greenies
capture 2 mystery virtuals (colors do count)
400 total points per player
clan total points min. 6,000
Rewards: 1 virtual, 1 virtual color

#2:
capture 40 greenies
capture 10 mystery virtuals (colors do count)
900 total points per player
deploy 3 munzees
clan total points min. 10,000
Rewards: 1 virtual, 2 maces, 1 virtual color

#3:
capture 60 greenies
capture 10 mystery virtuals (colors do count)
capture 5 regular mystery munzees
2,200 total points per player
deploy 5 munzees
clan total points min. 28,000
Rewards: 1 longsword, 1 mystery virtual, 1 diamond, 2 virtual colors

#4:
capture 120 greenies
capture 20 mystery virtuals (colors do count)
capture 15 regular mystery munzees
6,000 total points per player
deploy 10 munzees
clan total points min. 70,000
Rewards: 1 battle axe, 3 longswords, 1 motel, 2 virtual colors

#5:
capture 300 greenies
capture 30 mystery virtuals (colors do count)
capture 25 regular mystery munzees
15,000 total points per player
deploy 25 munzees
clan total points min. 180,000
Rewards: 2 battle axe, 3 mace, 1 motel, 1 virtual, 1 ruby, 3 virtual colors

January 23, 2015

Munzee Videocast Episode 10: Rob goes Down Under, so Scott goes Behind the Wall

Our tenth videocast has been converted to audio, so click the link and listen on!

munzeepush.munzee.netdna-cdn.com/Munzee%20Videocast%2010.mp3

You can also re-watch the videocast HERE.

This week we talked about:

Rob is in Australia, so Scott helped out
Eventzee has been submitted for approval
Trail Munzees
We’re working on a new side app for Munzee points

January 22, 2015

Munzee Player of the Week: Zack Barnett (ZandK)

Munzee is perfect for the whole family. It gets you outside, pushes you to adventure and explore with your loved ones. Every day we see new Munzers brought into the game following their parents in the hunt. This week’s Player of The Week thought the game seemed silly when his parents introduced it to him, but now he’s hooked. Zack Barnett (ZandK) now has his own daughter out searching for munzees and she’s sure to follow in her father and grandparents’ footsteps. Read on to learn a bit more about ZandK!

Who are you?
Zack Barnett aka ZandK

Where in the world do you live?
I currently live in Ogden, Utah. However, being active duty Army I move often, which allows me to spread the Munzee wealth.

How long have you played Munzee?
I started playing Munzee in February of 2013.

How did you find Munzee?
My parents; Michael and Kelly; 2psnapod1 and 2psnapod2 started talking about it. I thought it was the dumbest thing ever, who wants to walk around and scan a little sticker? Reluctantly, I downloaded the application. Within a few days I learned that Munzee was an excellent way to make monotonous runs fun. Immediately I started planning running routes that allowed me to capture the munzees in my area. A few weeks later I started deploying as I had already cleared the Munzees in my area!

What do you enjoy most about Munzee?
I enjoy that Munzee can be done anywhere. I typically travel a lot without my family, Munzee allows me to fill in that void while I am away and pass the time. Munzee is also an excellent way for me to exercise and stay in shape for my Army duty. Adding the Fitbit to my Munzee addiction allows me track the benefit of the game. I really enjoy the “urban” aspect of the game, I can always get a chance to capture or deploy no matter where I am going. I enjoy the ability to get quick points while passing through airports via virtuals but I enjoy walking and running from light pole to light pole or gator to gator most 🙂 Even though I focus on the “urban” aspect of Munzee, the game has still taken me to many neat areas that I wouldn’t have typically experienced had it not been for Munzee. Some of my favorite places have been the Troll under the bridge and the gum wall in Seattle, Washington.

What is on your wish list?
(1) From the inception of the clan wars I have always wished for a separation of clans either by country or by level. Much like intramural sports where the clan would sign for a level. For example we would have divisions such as an “A” division, a “B” division, and a “C” division. The clan wars would still utilize the same requirements but they would compete for the top spot amongst their division, this would allow some of the lower clans without big point opportunities the ability to win their division. If they won the lower division they would be required to then compete in the next higher division the next war.

(2) I would love for Fitbit or similar fitness trackers to be implemented into the game more. Of course badges for activity levels would be very welcomed.

(3) Restructuring of point levels. After level 100 it is much more difficult to level up.

Tell us about yourself!
I am happily married to my awesome wife Kelsea (KandZ) and have two children, Paityn and Cameron. Paityn is also an avid Munzer but only plays with Momma and Papa. I am an Active Duty Army Captain and am currently in my 11th year of service. I followed in the footsteps of my father who retired a few years ago with over 28 years of service! I am originally from Wisconsin and even though I have lived in many states I still call Wisconsin home. Go Packers, Go Brewers, and go Marquette Golden Eagles! Oh, and the Badgers when they are not playing Marquette. 😉

One of the greatest areas I have played Munzee in is Washington State. With help from a fellow Munzer Divernick and KandZ we created a Munzee trail spanning two states at length greater than 7 miles. The trail included every munzee type possible. The trail starts in Vancouver, Washington and crosses the I-84 bridge in to Portland, Oregon. In March of 2014 I was blessed with the ability to travel to California for Munzee Madness III. This was an awesome time in which I was able to meet most of team Munzee (the old team). This only solidified my addiction of Munzee and made me want to play more and more.

In the Summer of 2014 I was moved by the Army to Utah. When I arrived the Munzee population was strong, but not quite as strong as Washington/Oregon. So I started growing the map. In order to draw more and more players in the area I organized the states first Munzee event the “SLC Meet and Greet.” We had 11 attendees, 2 of which had just joined the game! Since the event the area has grown tremendously.

Other hobbies include:
In addition to Munzee I am a very family oriented man. I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my family as I am often away for long periods of time. I also am a very avid sports fan. I love watching all sports live or on TV. Playing sports (basketball, golf, bowling, softball, etc) is also something I enjoy greatly. Playing Settlers of Catan (Seafarers, Cities and Knights, and Traders and Barbarians) with friends and family also ranks high on my hobby list. Other hobbies I enjoy frequently include; woodworking, winemaking, and fixing things.

ZandK included his Social so cap away!

-Please note, this is a super active campaign. We may not be able to get back to everyone, but you’re helping to grow the list of amazing people in the Munzee community!