I am nostalgic for things from when I was a kid. Oregon Trail was one of the original video games for me, and one that I have found memories of. So, when I heard that Travel Oregon launched ‘Travel Oregon: The Game’ as a homage to the classic video game, I had to check it out. I spent some time Saturday morning playing the game, showing my wife and son the game, and having fun traveling along the Oregon coast in the game. It definitely brought back memories of playing the original game, and yet provided me with ideas and suggestions of things to do in Oregon for when my family travels there. Not only did it bring back memories, it was also engaging and educated me on what you can do in Oregon.
Travel Oregon created a trail through several travel regions of Oregon. Travelers can start in any part of the state and then continue along a path that loops through Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, Portland Region, Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge, Willamette Valley and Central Oregon. I started with the Oregon coast trail for no other reason than I have heard about that area before. To start the game, I selected my avatar to be a ranger, you could also select a surfer, winemaker, yoga teacher, among other. I then decided to bring my family along for this Travel Oregon adventure. Along the way the game incorporated travel and supply options, including the necessary tools for today’s road trip adventure, such as coffee, snow chains, spare tire, craft beer, and a phone charger. At each stop on the trail, you could participate in quests that included wine tasting, checking ids at a local pub, chatting with a local, cross country skiing, mountain biking, hunting, and a t-shirt toss at a hockey game.
They also modernized the misfortunes in fun ways that allow you to share them to your social channels with a personalized tombstone. Sorry to say, my son and I were the only two left in our travel party. Not only that, but you need to watch out for the ducks, they stole our spare tire as we were traveling. Good thing we could call roadside assistance to help with that when we got a flat tire. Remember, do not check your text message while driving, as it asks you if you would like to. Also, when stopping for gas, you can not pump your own fuel in Oregon, I did not know that.
Travel Oregon has always been a destination I watched when I worked at the CVB, as they are a top destination in my eyes. As a destination marketer, they have upped our games again. Well done to the team at Travel Oregon and congratulations on creating a game that allows users to explore Oregon, bring back memories of Oregon Trail and making it fun and educational at the same time. This is a fantastic way to not only bring new and old visitors to the Travel Oregon website, but to also bring new visitors to Oregon who have been thinking about planning a trip to the state. Now, go and play Travel Oregon: The Game, you will have fun and learn about Oregon.
