Manhattan’s iconic Seaport district has become the backdrop for an innovative digital venture, thanks to a strategic collaboration between The Howard Hughes Corporation and MoonPay. This partnership aims to introduce a gamified Web3 experience to the historic waterfront neighborhood, blending the thrill of physical exploration with the allure of digital rewards.

MoonPay, a leader in Web3 infrastructure, and The Howard Hughes Corporation, a renowned real estate development and management firm, have come together to create this immersive experience.

The Intricacies of the Seaport Scavenger Hunt

Running from August 21st to October 31st, the Seaport Scavenger Hunt invites both locals and tourists to embark on a digital quest. Participants are tasked with discovering ten purple “pearls” strategically placed throughout the Seaport district. Each pearl contains a QR code that, when scanned with a mobile device, awards a unique digital token designed by 3D artist and NFT creator Johana Kroft. These tokens feature whimsical representations of iconic New York City landmarks.

Check out MoonPay’s tweet: https://twitter.com/moonpay/status/1696959953452544145

The digital tokens serve a dual function: they not only add an element of excitement to the scavenger hunt but also qualify participants for a weekly prize drawing. Those who collect all ten tokens have the opportunity to win a range of prizes, such as VIP tickets to the Summer Concert Series on The Rooftop at Pier 17 or curated culinary gift boxes valued at up to $350 from the Tin Building. Participants are welcome to join the hunt multiple times a week.

The event is more than just a playful activity; it also serves as a data collection tool. By tracking participants’ origins and movements within the Seaport area, the organizers can glean valuable insights for targeted marketing strategies, thereby fostering deeper engagement with local businesses.

The Collaborative Ecosystem Powering the Hunt

MoonPay spearheads the technical aspects of the event, ensuring the secure storage of the NFTs through their specialized wallets. Flowcode, a brand specializing in direct-to-consumer connections, facilitates the QR technology integral to the hunt. Additional creative input comes from Mason Rothschild’s Web3 marketing agency, Gasoline, and Howard Hughes’ in-house creative studio. Notably, the entire experience is built on the Polygon network.

Despite its high-tech foundation, the event is designed to be widely accessible. Promotional materials at the Seaport’s entrance deliberately avoid mentioning terms like crypto, NFTs, or Polygon, framing the event as a digitally-enhanced scavenger hunt to attract a broader audience.

The Seaport Scavenger Hunt serves as a compelling case study in how traditional outdoor activities can be elevated through modern technology. By seamlessly integrating the physical quest for pearls with digital NFT rewards, MoonPay and The Howard Hughes Corporation offer the public an engaging way to become acquainted with Web3 technologies. As such, the event not only entertains but also educates, making strides toward broader public engagement with the digital future.