Cryptozoo is a “secret world of strange and fast-moving creatures”, it is also a social networking and real-world game designed by Jane McGonigal for the American Heart Association. The game is part of an AHA initiative in collaboration with the Institute for the Future to “re-invent physical activity with the help of online games and social media”.

CryptoZoo is about inventing the future of physical activity, about making play and gaming a bigger part of how we take care of ourselves.

CrytpoZoo is a proof-of-concept game, a way for us to show what physical activity could (and we think, should) be like in the future: more fun, more social, and better integrated with our everyday lives.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
First, you’ll learn the CryptoZoo ropes. Join a pack of fellow cryptid chasers, and follow a set of strange animal tracks on a 10-minute whirlwind tour of the city streets. By the end of the chase, you’ll have all the basic cryptid moves down.Then, meet up with other packs and challenge each other to out-chase the cryptids. Pick your favorite running styles, and design your own fast and furious one-block races.

While this is clearly an effort to encourage more real-life activity in America’s gamers, the site says you can follow trails and join in chases anywhere, and Cryptzoo hits the UK this weekend for the first Cryptid Chase London event at Jubilee Gardens on the Southbank.

Up for the adventure?
* Come alone, or bring adventurous friends!
* Wear sneakers and clothing you can run around in.
* Bring a bottle of water. You WILL get thirsty.
* DON’T bring too much gear — you’ll be running, and there’s nowhere to safely stash your stuff.

Anyone can run with the cryptids. You don’t have to be athletic, or coordinated. But you do need to be adventurous… and willing to sweat. Because you’re about to move faster — and weirder — than you thought possible. Once you’ve caught sight of the cryptids, you won’t be able to help yourself.

It seems to be true – CryptoZoo’s chase events won the Best Narrative award at the 2009 Come out and Play festival last week.
Can you see London adopting the CryptoZoo tribes of Ninja Rabbits, Squig Bot and Summit Monkeys?