Hoard Hunter - fund raising using WordPress
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Hoard Hunter is an online treasure map game designed and developed for people who would like an easy (and fun) method of fund raising online.
The system comprises of a custom plugin and integrated theme. The Hoard Hunter site is powered by WordPress MU (though the system will also run on standard WordPress) and uses a number of WordPress plugins to provide additional functionality.
The Game
The game follows a basic treasure hunt model. The game board is split into 100 sectors. Each sector can be claimed by a person upon receipt of a payment (in this case a donation to charity). Once the sector has been claimed an X or the Gravatar of the claimee is placed on the map, as well as a link to the claimee’s website if it was provided. If the claimee wishes to remain anonymous then they can do so, and only an X will be displayed.
The Hoard Hunter administration pages show all of the available, purchased and reserved sectors, as well as those that have been reserved but payment has not been received within 24 hours of the reservation date.
All of the menu text and pages can be configured using the Hoard Hunter settings page. This allows the game to be run in any language. All of the internal text has also been set up so that translations can be installed if required.
The Hoard Hunter code and theme are available to those wishing to run their own charity fund raising game and have their own host and WordPress installation. If you do not have your own host and would like to run a game then (thanks to the power of WordPress MU) we can set up a site for you at http://yourtitle.hoardhunter.com
Use the comments form below for more details. If you don’t want your comment shown on the site, then please mention that in the comment body.
The Hoard Hunter theme and plugin are now available for download here and here.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
That is very cool…… did you build this?
June 17th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
How do we download the plugins and theme? This would be a great fundraiser for my son’s school! Thanks so much for all your hard work!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
@Klemens Raab: At the moment I am running the plugin and theme on the initial game so that I can keep an eye on it and make sure it works as expected. I want to make sure it all functions as it should otherwise you may start to get people complaining that the game is fixed or un-fair.
Once a few sectors have been claimed and it looks like things are working ok, then I will put up a link to download the theme and plugin. Hopefully by the beginning of next week.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
@Trace: All my own work I’m afraid
June 18th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Very cool! When I’m on vacation I will have to play around with it……
June 19th, 2008 at 4:58 am
It should be said - only experienced people should be mucking around in wordpress mu.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Thanks, Barry. I look forward to its release. Again, thanks so much for all your hard work!
June 25th, 2008 at 3:54 am
This is so cool! I’ve thought about using the blog for fundraising more, but I just haven’t had the time to do traditional fundraisers like the Blogathon for several years. This would definitely get me back into the habit of using my audience for fundraising for a good cause!
June 25th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Great plugin and concept. I feel that this is good way also how to get money for some good ideas or for those whoo need it, for example, somebody is ready to be a sponsor and is giving the prize for free and have promotion, and all money selected is going directly to some foundations, etc.
Will it be possible to get the plugin/site/theme? I would like to translate it in Latvian and to make some local project for this.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
@BitterB & @Arturs: I will pop your through an email with the details of how to grab the plugin. I now have 3 files available which will go online this week for download - I’m just putting together some setup instructions in case people have difficulties.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:32 am
I would be interested in setting up something for our local ‘Run For The Cure’ - please let me know more.. this is fantastic!!