Player of the Week: Ryan Rokey (Rynee)
As Munzee has grown over the years, the game has evolved in so many more ways than any of the co-founders could have imagined. We’ve certainly had our fair share of growing pains, but in its essence Munzee has tried to stick to its core goal of getting people out into the world. No one knows this better than those players who have been with us since the beginning. This week’s Player of the Week is Ryan Rokey (Rynee).
Who are you?
Rynee, aka Ryan Rokey.
Where in the world do you live?
Freeport, Illinois, home to events such as the Midwest Munzee Bash 2014, 2015, and MWMB 2016 this coming June 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Yes, that’s 3 days.
How long have you played Munzee?
I created my account in July 2011 and was the 979th player to create an account. I actually deployed a few munzees at the time, but the game hadn’t quite picked up in my area yet, so I stepped away for a while. A few months later, I was in a different area and came across a munzee and re-downloaded the app. I was excited by how many there were in the area, and I’ve been playing nonstop since.
How did you find Munzee?
At the time, I was heavily into caching and was on Facebook when Jason Hale (“Halemeister”) posted a blog listing he had found about Munzee, and I was instantly interested. I immediately downloaded the app, checked out the website, and started printing my own with lamilabel (which have all withstood the test of time and are sill actually in play). Side note: The player that introduced me to Munzee didn’t start playing himself until 2-3 years later.
What do you most enjoy about Munzee?
In the beginning, it was all about getting out and getting as many points as I could as well as chasing specials. Over time, it has become more about other players. Getting out and meeting players, attracting new players as well as being able to help and aid other players. I still do enjoy chasing new icons and bouncing specials and getting as many points as I can for my clan, “The Mixed Nutz”. I also love getting out and finding new locations deploy munzees at to bring other players to great locations.
What is on your wish list?
Oh boy. This could be a long list, so I’ll just list a few:
- With the acquisition of WallaBee to the Munzee umbrella, I’d love to see player owned badges to Personal Munzees.
- It was great to see badges added for deploying greenies, but I would love to see badges for capturing greenies or even an extension to the First Responder badge.
- Rovers. Please expand on Rovers. Nothing much has happened to them since launch. They’re definitely a fun addition to the game.
Tell us about yourself!
Well I just turned 34 years old at the beginning of March while on my way to Munzee Madness. I am the father of 3 children, 2 daughters who also play Munzee with their own accounts. They love being able to go out and capture munzees with me. I also have a son who isn’t quite old enough to play yet, but it’s certain that he will.
When I was 17 years old, I enlisted in the US Army and got to travel around quite a bit of places, such as Georgia, Hawaii, and Thailand. Where was Munzee then? There are so many places I have traveled to that I was to go back to because of Munzee.
I currently live in Freeport, Illinois where I work in a factory doing Electroplating in miscellaneous parts and hardware that end up being used in the auto industry for companies such as Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
Other hobbies include:
Other hobbies…hmmm.., well I’m a big fan of doing anything related to being outdoors. I enjoy getting out on hiking trails as well as some mild rock climbing. I also enjoy bicycling and am very fortunate with the amount of biking trails that I have access to, including a 17 mile trail running to the north know as the Jane Addams Trail and the Pecatonica Prairie Path, running 20+ miles to the east. Last summer, I had the chance to go kayaking and absolutely fell in love with it, so I plan to buy my own kayak this year and host some kayaking events this summer. As of lately, I’ve been getting back into caching and will probably do more of it this summer.
Any last words?
I would just like to thank MHQ for the continued expansion and growth of this game we all enjoy playing so much. I would also like to thank all of the players who grow the map for us to be able to get out there and capture munzees. Finally, I would like to thank all of the players that submitted my name for this great honor.
Rynee also included a social, so cap away!
