According to the American Heritage Dictionary:
- usufruct
- n. The right to use and enjoy the profits and advantages of something belonging to another as long as the property is not damaged or altered in any way.
Usufructuary is a San Francisco-based game that combines the spirit of usufruct and urban exploration with the format of a scavenger hunt. Completing a Challenge in the game usually requires both knowledge of the urban landscape and the ability to navigate with cunning. Some challenges require ingenuity and stealth, while others require speed, agility, or luck.
As Players complete Challenges, the Points they earn are added to their cumulative score. In addition to being an opportunity for Players to explore the city they live in, Usufructuary is also a long-term competitive game. Leaderboards will be frequently updated to show which Players are completing the most (and most difficult) Challenges.
How it works
- A new Challenge is posted to Usufructuary. Challenges generally involve finding a hidden Object based on Location Clues. Location Clues may contain photographs, videos, or text descriptions of the Location or surrounding areas.
- Most often, the Object will have Contents and Contact Instructions. For example, an Object might be a fortune cookie containing a specially-written fortune and a unique email address. Or it might be a small box with a toy and a phone number. You get the picture.
- The Player who first finds the Object should use the Contact Instructions to send a description of the Contents back to Usufructuary.
Scoring
- The first Player to complete a Challenge will obtain Points based on the difficulty of the Challenge. The value (in Points) of each challenge will be posted along with the Challenge itself.
- If a Player who has completed a Challenge returns the Object and its Contents to Usufructuary, they will be eligible for extra Bonus Points up to 25% of the Challenge’s value, depending on the Object’s condition.
- Occasionally, Bonus Challenges will be assigned which will not follow the format listed above, to provide Players with extra Point-earning opportunities.
- In certain cases, Players exhibiting extraordinary creativity in-line with the spirit of the game may be awarded Discretionary Points.
Rules
- Do not damage the property of others. The nature of the game often involves passing through property which is not commonly trod upon and using property in ways other than intended by property owners, but the nature of the game also involves a sense of responsibility to our fellow citizens to maintain that property as it stands. If it seems that completing a certain Challenge requires destruction or alteration of property, you’re not thinking creatively enough.
- Don’t get yourself in trouble. Some challenges contain inherent risk. You’re a rational human being. Evaluate the risk against your potential reward. This is only a game.
- To earn points, Players must have a registered account with Usufructuary. Your contact information is perfectly safe with us: it will never be sold, given away, or used for anything other than the game itself.
Other Information
Not all challenges will be completed. Objects may be moved, removed, or damaged by third parties not involved in the game. There’s not much we can do about that, so make sure you savor the race as much as the finish line.
This game is intended to be in constant development, and as such may be altered as time goes on. Any changes made to the rules or the format of the game will be done with the intent of improving it for the Players, and we ask you to bear with us if we need to work out wrinkles. Suggestions are always welcome.