The idea came to Prof. Dr. Johannes Schildgen from the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics during a visit to the maze. Enthused by the design of the labyrinth, which was created using GPS-controlled seed drills and a QR code game on site, he came up with the idea of linking digital elements even more closely with the real environment. A chance conversation with operator Markus Hiendlmeier was the starting signal for the project.
Together with Adrian Erhard, Schildgen developed an AR web game that now comes to life among the corn plants: a wise owl asks tricky questions, a mole challenges visitors to a game of catch, and Alien Archibald invites them to take a selfie. The characters appear via the camera of the visitor's own smartphone and interact with them.
‘When Johannes Schildgen told me about the idea of developing an AR web game for the Straubing maze as part of my bachelor's thesis about two years ago, I was immediately enthusiastic,’ says Adrian Erhard. ‘It was important to me that my work didn't just disappear into a drawer, but was actually put to practical use and offered added value. During my work, I was able to implement many of my own ideas and really let my creativity run wild.’
The bachelor's thesis was written as part of the computer science programme at OTH Regensburg. The cooperation with the agricultural business in Rinkam shows how modern technologies and regional offerings can successfully work together.
The game can be enjoyed until the end of the summer holidays at the Straubing corn maze in Rinkam.