Finally, a (good) reason to chase around random strangers

(Credit: Joyity)

Wednesday marks the release of the HTC Dream T-Mobile G1 featuring Google Android. If you're planning to pick one up, you're probably going to want to do something other than make calls and send texts. I mean it is a phone, for crying out loud.

On the same day, Zelfi will release a new software development and gaming platform for Google Android, called Joyity.

Once you have it installed, you'll be able to play a number of games designed for the platform. Joyity games are unique in that they are physically interactive and some require you to actually walk or run around your city in order to play.

In one of the games, called YouCatch, you play with other people while they're using their phones. Once you start, you'll get a quick picture of your target (another player) and then will have walk or run around your city (within a predetermined radius) to find him/her. At the same time, other players will be looking for you.

The games will make use of the GPS and location-based services on the phone. Using the platform, you'll also be able to design your own games and then share them with the Joyity user community.

The gaming software can be downloaded, free of charge, for HTC G1 with Google Android at the Android Market.

This sounds a lot like Geocaching actually. It could be fun, if you don't mind looking like an idiot running down the street chasing random strangers. But, if you're into that sort of thing, at least now you'll have a legitimate excuse.

[nauticao3]

That's awesome! Until one of the people you're playing with turns out to be a serial killer.