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The 2014 Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race has produced a game with the ability to pit yourself against actual riders. A version of every climb and downhill is replicated inside the game. "Think Super Mario/Sonic mashup with a hint of Flappy Birds, uh…mountain bikers, all scrambling to make it through each of the eight actual stages of the race," says a game promo.
Players must navigate obstacles; jump between platforms; avoid pitfalls, such as killer rabbits; collect boosts and additional energy and maintain the health of their bikes. The Ride Epic Online Game 2014 has live rider tracking enabling the following of Absa Cape Epic riders on the 450 mile course in real time. Search by team, rider or race number, and also view the top ten riders.
Integration of the game and the live tracking platform means that as a player passes some of the avatars in the game, the gamer is passing real riders in the race. The live rider tracking – powered by Tracker – offers two views. The elevation view lets you see if the rider is on a flat or an uphill / downhill and shows you where water points are located. The second gives you a bird’s eye view of the terrain using API from Google Maps.
The player with the top score at the end of each stage is eligible for daily prizes from race sponsors.
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