Nanjing 2014 Virtual Torch Relay App
It gives a brand new interpretation to the traditional concept of torch relay and shares the YOG DNA to every ordinary person. By passing on the YOG dream with just a click, everyone can be a torchbearer. The torch relay grants extraordinary honour to ordinary people.
The virtual torch relay covers iOS, Android and PC terminals with apps in 16 different languages. One may register through email or log in with his/her account at a major SNS, Tencent microblog, QQ or Weibo.
After registration and login, users may design their own image as a torchbearer, get ready for the relay and take an oath in front of a priestess: “I will be a torchbearer for Nanjing 2014 and travel around the world with NANJINGLELE on a youthful journey of torch relay.” There are 258 sites for the virtual torch relay of Nanjing 2014.
NANJINGLELE, the main torchbearer, will lead all participants through all of them along an official route, where the sites will open one after another as scheduled. Each site has its featured elements and the flag and name of an NOC to make the journey true to life.
The YOG DNA: Carry on the tradition and give a brand new interpretation”. As an Olympic tradition, the flame of Nanjing 2014 was kindled at Panathenaic Stadium, Greece, the birthplace of modern Olympics. Starting from there, the flame will get on an unforgettable journey.
Each site has the four functions of “cheer,” “check-in,” “photo with NANJINGLELE,” and “give me fire”.
“Cheer” is somewhat like the popular “like” function on SNS, and participants may cheer for an NOC when arriving at the corresponding site. The more you cheer, the higher your badge ranks. “Check-in” is also a popular way of online interaction among young people. The virtual torch relay gives participants a chance to travel around the world and check in wherever you go. If you check in at a location together with NANJINGLELE, you will win a high-level gold badge for that location. If you do a playback of the journey, you will get an ordinary badge. The number of gold badges you win will be closely linked to physical award.
“Photo with NANJINGLELE” is a special function available at the site where NANJINGLELE is. At such a site, participants may click to take a photo with NANJINGLELE, keep the photo in cell phone, or share it via SNS. “Give me fire” is an innovative way to pass on the torch created for Nanjing 2014. It simulates the real moves when the torch is handed over. When two cell phones meet, the torch is handed over, so young participants may meet friends in real life instead of interacting only behind screens. When there are other participants nearby, one may take out his cell phone, touch the “give me fire” icon, choose “send” or “get”, then shake their cell phones together and the relay is completed. In this way, we combine online and offline activities, and fulfill the goal of combining the virtual and the physical torch relays.
In addition, the virtual torch relay app also works as a pedometer, in the hope that young participants may be encouraged to do more exercise.
When the pedometer count reaches certain levels, virtual badges will be awarded. If you share your pedometer count via SNS to show a special number, the flashing number will accompany you throughout your torch relay journey.
To attract more young participants, there are also three interesting games embedded in the app. Frenzy Cycling is a game where players control NANJINGLELE to ride a bike on a competition course by making alternate clicks. It aims at encouraging young participants to use the eco- friendly way of transport. NANJINGLELE Match is a game where players flap tiles to find those bearing the same image. It helps improve their memory and enhance their awareness of the sports and venues of Nanjing 2014. Spot The Difference of China shows Chinese-style images in the popular game of “Find the Difference”, catering to people of all ages. It offers a chance for people around the world to know more about China, Nanjing 2014, and the city of Nanjing.
SNS sharing is a highlight of the virtual torch relay incorporated in the apps for different terminals. Users may share their badges obtained by checking in or fulfilling tasks, pedometer data, photo with NANJINGLELE, and “give me fire” records to social networking sites, showing what they achieved in the virtual torch relay to their friends.
A wide variety of virtual badges as well as physical awards can be obtained throughout the process of the virtual torch relay. Virtual badges can be obtained by checking in at various relay sites and fulfilling different tasks. There are location-specific badges to collect, and all badges you win will be displayed on the badge page. There are check-in badges and task badges. If you follow NANJINGLELE to a place and check in there, you will win a gold location badge, or you will only get an ordinary one when checking in. There are eight task badges in total: the torchbearer badge, the cheer badge, the photo badge, the “give me fire” badge, the pedometer badge, the Frenzy Cycling badge, the NANJINGLELE Match badge, and the Spot The Difference of China badge. All task badges have different levels and the more active your participation, the higher your badge level.
Physical awards can be divided into material awards and honourary awards.
Material awards include Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Tablet, etc.
while honourary awards include a doll of NANJINGLELE, the mascot of Nanjing 2014, event tickets of the Games, physical torchbearer badges, etc.
For participants to better know the virtual torch relay and Nanjing 2014 on the whole, we have set up a dedicated page to provide information about the Youth Olympic Games, the torch relay of Nanjing 2014, highlights of the torch relay, award winner lists, ticketing of the Games, activity rules, and news of the Games.
Generally, the virtual torch relay caters to young people, makes full use of social media tools, and provides a variety of virtual and physical awards. It is interesting, easy to participate in, and highly interactive and educational. By promoting such an app, we strive to get more young people involved, cover a wider range of users, and break the geographic limit.
Thus, we will be able to help participants know more about Olympics, spread the Olympic spirit, encourage more young people to go outdoors and do exercise, and showcase Nanjing 2014 and the city to people around the globe.
It is our sincere hope that this app specially designed for Nanjing 2014 can present a virtual torch relay that is truly “youth-oriented, pleasantly surprising and memorable.”