Heroes of Planica: An AR Adventure for True Explorers

Who are the Heroes of Planica?

Where do they hide — and what stories do they tell?
The answers lie within Heroes of Planica, a brand-new interactive AR experience we created in collaboration with the Nordic Center Planica.

Heroes of Planica is a linear, geo-located mobile game with augmented reality (AR) that takes players through the stunning valley beneath the Ponce Mountains — one of Slovenia’s most iconic and celebrated natural settings.

The adventure is packed with games, playful challenges, and advanced digital features, offering a fresh perspective on the milestones, people, and achievements that shaped the legacy of Planica.

The project is both a tribute and a discovery — a celebration of everyone who built (and still builds) the story of Planica, offering visitors a completely new way to explore this legendary destination.

 

Behind the Scenes: How the Game Was Created

Designing Heroes of Planica was an exciting, educational, and technically demanding process for the entire Escapebox team.
We’ve already delivered several successful gamified experiences across Slovenia (including the Russian Chapel, Osilnica, Kostel, and Kranjska Gora), but Planica challenged us to combine storytelling, design, and AR technology on a new level.

In the first phase, we guided the client through our 7FLAGS methodology — defining goals, ideas, and expectations for the experience. From there, we developed the core concept, game mechanics, and player flow.

Next came wireframes, user journeys, and the feedback loops within the game. Once the structure was finalized, we focused on creating a unique visual identity — a consistent graphic language and style for the app interface.

 

Designing the AR World

We then moved to 3D modeling and animation, developing characters, objects, and scenes for the AR environments.
Special attention was given to AR calibration and optimization, ensuring that the game performs smoothly and loads quickly on a wide range of mobile devices.

After building all the elements, our team integrated them into a cohesive user experience — complete with animations, visual effects, interactive reactions, and hidden surprises that motivate players in fun and dynamic ways.

The result is a seamless fusion of technology, story, and culture, turning Planica into an open-air adventure for all generations.

 

Visual Language and Design Highlights

The app was given a completely original graphic identity and interface system.
One of the most interesting design challenges was creating an intuitive and visually striking way to launch AR mode.

Instead of using a standard button, we designed a custom AR slider — an interactive gesture that activates augmented reality.
As users slide, playful graphic elements “fly” from the control, making the moment of activation both dramatic and delightful, adding to the overall sense of discovery.

How the Game Works

The adventure spans the entire Nordic Center Planica, guiding players through six carefully chosen locations.

At each stop, players step into the shoes of a different hero, experience their story, and complete a challenge that unlocks the next part of the journey.

Heroes of Planica is a linear experience — meaning the app leads players from one location to another in a predefined order, revealed through an interactive map.

Player Journey

1. Teams (1–5 players) purchase the game at the Nordic Center ticket office and receive a unique access code.
2. After logging into the app, players discover the main story and mission.
3. The game leads them across six key points in Planica, each featuring a different theme:
   1. Historic milestones that shaped Planica
   2. The people behind its legacy
   3. The architectural and natural landmarks of the Nordic Center
   4. The work and roles of different contributors
4. The rich cultural and natural heritage of the valleyThe goal is to uncover all six Heroes of Planica.
5. Players “become” each hero, complete their challenge, and earn a badge required for the final sequence.
6. The adventure culminates with a spectacular chairlift ride to the top of the ski-flying hill — where the grand finale awaits.
7. Using the knowledge and badges collected throughout the game, players unlock the final interactive sequence and reveal the last secret of Planica.

A Grand Finale and a Hidden Surprise

The adventure concludes at a cozy alpine hut beside the giant ski jump.
When players combine all their earned badges, the final AR sequence is triggered — unveiling a special ending and a unique gift for every player to take home.

But what exactly happens at the end?
That’s for you to discover — because some secrets are best experienced in person. 😉

For More Information
Visit www.nc-planica.si to learn more about the Heroes of Planica experience.
For collaborations or to create a similar gamified adventure for your destination, contact Escapebox — the creators behind Adventurebox projects across Slovenia and beyond.