GeoGuessr

{{Infobox video game

| collapsible =

| state =

| italic title = GeoGuessr

| title = GeoGuessr

| image = GeoGuessr Logo.svg

| alt =

| caption =

| developer =

| publisher = GeoGuessr AB

| engine =

| platforms = Web browser
Android
iOS

| released = {{Start date and age|May 2013}}

| genre =

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

| arcade system =

| director =

| producer =

| designer = Anton Wallén

| programmer =

| artist =

| writer =

| composer =

}}

GeoGuessr is a browser-based geography game in which players must deduce locations from Google Street View imagery. The game includes various modes, such as single-player and multiplayer competitions.

Launched in 2013 by Anton Wallén, the game maintained a relatively small but active player base until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and social media led to a significant influx of new players. In 2024, the game moved to a subscription model.

The game has been described as an educational tool for geography, allowing players to learn and identify various global geographical and cultural characteristics. These include writing systems, architecture, left- and right-hand traffic, flags, vehicle registration plates, landscapes, and flora. This educational aspect enhances players' understanding of different cultures and regions around the world.

Gameplay

File:GeoGuessr world.jpeg

= Modes =

The "classic" GeoGuessr game mode consists of five rounds, each displaying a different street view location for the player to guess on a map. The player then receives a score of up to 5,000 points depending on how accurate their guess was, up to 25,000 points for a perfect game. Games may be user-generated or randomly generated from a pool of locations.{{cite web |last1=Keating |first1=Joshua |title=Get Dropped Virtually Anywhere In The World And Try To Guess Where You Are |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/geoguessr-google-street-view_n_3253721 |website=HuffPost UK |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=10 May 2013 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008072003/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/geoguessr-google-street-view_n_3253721 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Geoguessr: ¿Dónde diablos estoy? |url=https://vanguardia.com.mx/tech/2717413-geoguessr-donde-diablos-estoy-BPVG2717413 |website=vanguardia.com.mx |date=26 May 2013 |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=es-MX |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008072001/https://vanguardia.com.mx/tech/2717413-geoguessr-donde-diablos-estoy-BPVG2717413 |url-status=live }}

Alternative game modes include:

Battle Royale, a multiplayer last man standing game.{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=What is Battle Royale? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017579317-What-is-Battle-Royale- |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411110653/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017579317-What-is-Battle-Royale- |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Murphy |date=2023-03-08 |title=The clues used by GeoGuessr experts to guess a random location instantly – use our interactive tool to try yourself |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/geoguessr-tips-expert-trevor-rainbolt-beginners-improve/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |title=Beginner's Guide to Geoguessr |url=https://www.plonkit.net/beginners-guide |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Plonk It |language=en-GB}}
Duels, a two-player head-to-head competition.{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=What are Duels? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411221768465-What-are-Duels- |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411110652/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411221768465-What-are-Duels- |url-status=live }}
Streaks, where players identify countries or U.S. states until they guess incorrectly.{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=What is Country Streak? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017721278-What-is-Country-Streak- |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411110652/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017721278-What-is-Country-Streak- |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=What are City Streaks? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403782027025-What-is-City-Streaks- |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411110701/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403782027025-What-is-City-Streaks- |url-status=live }}
Explorer Mode, a single-player game where medals are awarded for accuracy in individual countries{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=What is Explorer Mode? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017579277-What-is-Explorer-Mode- |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411110651/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017579277-What-is-Explorer-Mode- |url-status=live }}
Team Duels, a variation of Duels played between two teams.{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=What is Team Duels? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413121761297-What-is-Team-Duels- |website=GeoGuessr |date=2022-10-06 |access-date=6 Jan 2024 |archive-date=2023-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925001745/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413121761297-What-is-Team-Duels- |url-status=live }}
Maprunner, single-player game mode featuring a board game style interface.{{cite web|title=Introducing Maprunner: A Thrilling New GeoGuessr Game Mode with Power-Ups & More!|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/geoguessr/comments/125q90n/introducing_maprunner_a_thrilling_new_geoguessr/|website=GeoGuessr|date=29 March 2023 |access-date=24 April 2023|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424191426/https://www.reddit.com/r/geoguessr/comments/125q90n/introducing_maprunner_a_thrilling_new_geoguessr/|url-status=live}}
Singleplayer, where players travel the world and its various cities while collecting tips to help them determine where they are.{{Cite web |author=Mika |date=2024-02-01 |title=How does the new Singleplayer game work? |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/20716960093329-How-does-the-new-Singleplayer-game-work |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=GeoGuessr}}

In 2022, GeoGuessr acquired the geography quiz site Seterra,{{cite web |title=Seterra becomes a part of GeoGuessr! |url=https://www.geoguessr.com/seterra/en/p/seterra-becomes-geoguessr |website=www.geoguessr.com |publisher=GeoGuessr |access-date=23 December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223163759/https://www.geoguessr.com/seterra/en/p/seterra-becomes-geoguessr |url-status=live }} and implemented a quiz mode combining standard street view gameplay with trivia questions.{{cite web |last1=Antell |first1=Filip |title=Quiz |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/5110250718865-Quiz |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 September 2022 |archive-date=11 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911075413/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/5110250718865-Quiz |url-status=live }}

= Interface =

The game's HUD primarily features the Google Street View imagery, as well as a compass. Users can control the movement, panning, and zooming of the image, although GeoGuessr allows any of these features to be disabled for harder gameplay. An inset map, using Google Maps's standard overlay, allows players to place a pin to make their guess.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

= Strategy =

Users may interpret their location from the photographs by reading road signage, memorizing utility poles, finding the relative position of the Sun, identifying flora and soil types, and learning diacritics specific to particular writing systems.{{cite web |last1=Wilde |first1=Tyler |title=Watch these guys speedrun planet earth |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/watch-these-guys-speedrun-planet-earth/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810223003/https://www.pcgamer.com/watch-these-guys-speedrun-planet-earth/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Oremus |first1=Will |title=A National Geographic Cartographer Explains How to Win That Google Maps Guessing Game |url=https://slate.com/technology/2013/05/google-maps-guessing-game-geoguessr-tips-and-cheats-to-beat-the-game.html |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=15 May 2013 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008072003/https://slate.com/technology/2013/05/google-maps-guessing-game-geoguessr-tips-and-cheats-to-beat-the-game.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Deck |first1=Andrew |title=Zanzibar's project to put itself on Google Street View has angered a legion of European video game streamers |url=https://restofworld.org/2021/zanzibar-google-street-view-geoguessr/ |website=Rest of World |access-date=11 April 2022 |date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510095840/https://restofworld.org/2021/zanzibar-google-street-view-geoguessr/ |url-status=live }} Players can also make use of Street View metadata to ascertain their location – for example, the Street View vehicle that captured imagery in Kruger National Park was unique in that it was green and had white roof racks.{{cite web |last1=Winkie |first1=Luke |title=GeoGuessr made figuring out where on Earth you are the hottest new esport |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/21/22846869/geoguessr-competitive-esport-reddit-geowizard-google-street-view |website=The Verge |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729225638/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/21/22846869/geoguessr-competitive-esport-reddit-geowizard-google-street-view |url-status=live }}

Distribution

GeoGuessr requires a paid subscription to play. A free mode, which restricted users to 5 minutes of game play every 15 minutes, was discontinued on 1 February 2024,{{Cite tweet |number=1748331708078772487 |user=geoguessr |title=We have decided to no longer offer that possibility starting February 1st, 2024. |author=GeoGuessr |date=2024-01-19 |access-date=2025-01-16 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Sarkar |first1=Arka |title="Corpo is gonna be Corpo": GeoGuessr going paid after ending free subscription has fans disappointed |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/news-corpo-gonna-corpo-geoguessr-going-paid-ending-free-subscription-fans-disappointed |website=Sportskeeda |access-date=7 February 2024 |language=en-us |date=19 January 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Lei |first1=Tsai-ling |title=Design critique: GeoGuessr as an educational game |url=https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/design-critique-geoguessr-as-an-educational-game-97fff1c237b1 |website=Bootcamp |publisher=Medium |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527201220/https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/design-critique-geoguessr-as-an-educational-game-97fff1c237b1 |url-status=live }} although challenges and quizzes are still free to play. Free-to-play users are still able to join and play in private parties hosted by a user with a subscription.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Go PRO to continue playing GeoGuessr |url=https://www.geoguessr.com/go-pro-to-continue-playing-geoguessr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119135544/https://www.geoguessr.com/go-pro-to-continue-playing-geoguessr |archive-date=2024-01-19 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=GeoGuessr |language=en}}

Development

The game was designed by Swedish IT consultant Anton Wallén in 2013. Wallen loved to visit faraway locations on Google Street View, and initially designed a program to generate a random location in Street View before deciding to add a competitive element.{{cite web |last1=Coldwell |first1=Will |title=Where in the world am I? The addictive mapping game that is GeoGuessr |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/where-in-the-world-am-i-the-addictive-mapping-game-that-is-geoguessr-8641265.html |website=The Independent |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=2 June 2013 |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730185404/https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/where-in-the-world-am-i-the-addictive-mapping-game-that-is-geoguessr-8641265.html |url-status=live }}

The game's development took approximately two weeks' work, and uses the Backbone.js JavaScript library and the Google Maps API for games using Google Street View.{{cite web |last1=Pitcher |first1=Jenna |title=Get lost with Google Maps-based game GeoGuessr |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/13/4325800/get-lost-with-google-maps-based-game-geoguessr |website=Polygon |access-date=11 April 2022 |date=13 May 2013 |archive-date=6 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106134952/http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/13/4325800/get-lost-with-google-maps-based-game-geoguessr |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Wallén |first1=Anton |title=GeoGuessr |url=https://experiments.withgoogle.com/geoguessr |website=Chrome Experiments |publisher=Google |access-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607165520/http://www.chromeexperiments.com/detail/geoguessr/?f= |archive-date=2013-06-07 |language=en |url-status=dead}} Wallén posted the completed game to Google Chrome Experiments on 10 May 2013.

As well as English, the game is available in ten other languages: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Polish and Japanese. Mobile apps for GeoGuessr are available on the Android and iOS platforms.{{cite web |title=General FAQ |url=https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003341218-General |website=GeoGuessr |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815192650/https://geoguessr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003341218-General |url-status=live }}

Reception

The launch of the game in May 2013 was described as successful, with the game instantly going viral.{{cite web |title=How a 2013 Browser Game Made Its Comeback |url=https://www.brandwatch.com/email/brandwatch-bulletin-0098-geoguessr/ |website=Brandwatch |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816164221/https://www.brandwatch.com/email/brandwatch-bulletin-0098-geoguessr/ |url-status=live }} Upon its release, the game was described as "insanely addictive." The start of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a renewed interest in the game and it also had a second peak in March 2021. By July 2022, the game had 40 million player accounts.{{Cite news |last=Browning |first=Kellen |date=7 July 2022 |title=Siberia or Japan? Expert Google Maps Players Can Tell at a Glimpse. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/business/geoguessr-google-maps.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407184245/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/business/geoguessr-google-maps.html |url-status=live }} Interest in the game has been propagated on platforms such as Reddit, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, where notable users such as Ludwig, GeoWizard, and Rainbolt have recorded or streamed themselves playing the game.{{cite web |last1=Monaghan |first1=Becca |title=Who is Georainbolt the man who can identify anywhere on Earth by just a single photo |url=https://www.indy100.com/viral/georainbolt-who-is-he-tiktok |website=indy100 |access-date=19 September 2022 |date=31 August 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172445/https://www.indy100.com/viral/georainbolt-who-is-he-tiktok |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Browning |first1=Kellen |title=Siberia or Japan? Expert Google Maps Players Can Tell at a Glimpse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/business/geoguessr-google-maps.html |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=17 November 2022 |work=New York Times |date=7 July 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407184245/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/business/geoguessr-google-maps.html |url-status=live }}

The game has been cited as an educational tool by helping users to "develop critical skills to analyze geographical and cultural landscapes", and it has been suggested that the game could enhance geographical education within the classroom.{{cite web |last1=Dixon |first1=Seth |title=Using GeoGuessr in the Classroom |url=https://geographyeducation.org/geospatial/using-geoguessr-in-the-classroom/ |website=GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=en |date=26 November 2013 |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518120416/https://geographyeducation.org/geospatial/using-geoguessr-in-the-classroom/ |url-status=live }}

GeoGuessr users have criticized some of the photographic coverage used in the game. Locations such as Zanzibar used third-party and unofficial imagery, and GeoGuessr players have described some of this media as grainy, blurry, and over- or under-exposed. World Travel in 360, the organization that led the program to supply coverage of Zanzibar, stated that "[their] mapping is better than nothing".

The game has been the inspiration for several fan-made versions which use video game environments, such as the worlds of Grand Theft Auto V,{{Cite web |last=Sahbegovic |first=Danny |date=2022-01-19 |title=How to play GTAGuessr, a game where GTA 5 players explore Los Santos with Franklin |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/gta/how-to-play-gtaguessr-players-explore-los-santos-with-franklin |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}} Fortnite, World of Warcraft,{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=17 November 2022 |title=Someone made a World of Warcraft GeoGuessr and now the last 18 years of my life have meaning |url=https://www.polygon.com/23464583/world-of-warcraft-geoguessr-location-game |access-date=16 March 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316221514/https://www.polygon.com/23464583/world-of-warcraft-geoguessr-location-game |url-status=live }} Genshin Impact,{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=27 May 2022 |title=I'm better at the Genshin Impact GeoGuessr than the real-world one |url=https://www.polygon.com/23140340/genshin-impact-geoguessr-game-hoyoverse |access-date=16 March 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309161315/https://www.polygon.com/23140340/genshin-impact-geoguessr-game-hoyoverse |url-status=live }} and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/23708320/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-map-totk-prep-hyruleguessr |title=Prepare for Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom by testing your knowledge of Hyrule's map |date=2 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=Polygon |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504192649/https://www.polygon.com/23708320/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-map-totk-prep-hyruleguessr |archive-date=4 May 2023 |url-status=live}}

= AI research =

In July 2023, researchers at Stanford University developed a machine learning tool that was able to locate 40 percent of GeoGuessr locations with an accuracy of {{convert|25|km}} or better. After three attempts, the model was able to beat Trevor Rainbolt, a top-ranked player.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theregister.com/2023/07/15/pigeon_model_geolocation/ |title=This AI is better than you at figuring out where a street pic was taken just by looking at it |date=15 July 2023 |access-date=18 July 2023 |last=Claburn |first=Thomas |publisher=The Register}} In a preprint, the authors noted that such models could positively impact climate research, as successful geolocation of an image often requires a correct climate classification of the locale: if artificial intelligence can detect that two images come from the same region, feeding the tool with pictures could provide inexpensive data on how climate change affects regions. The study stated that quick recognition of outdoor locations could have privacy and security implications.{{Cite arXiv |title=PIGEON: Predicting Image Geolocations |last1=Haas |first1=Lukas |last2=Skreta |first2=Michal |last3=Alberti |first3=Silas|year=2023 |class=cs.CV |eprint=2307.05845 }}

Events

File:GeoGuessr World Cup 2023 - Top 4 (crop).jpg

On 2 October 2022 GeoGuessr co-sponsored Ligue Intercommu's "GeoGuessr Team World Cup", a LAN party streamed on Twitch.{{cite web |title=Ligue Intercommu |url=https://super-duper.fr/ligue/index_en.php |website=super-duper.fr |access-date=20 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=Geoguessr Team World Cup |url=https://gtwc.info/ |website=gtwc.info}} It was commentated by streamers including Antoine Daniel and {{ill|Etoiles|fr|Etoiles (streamer)}}.{{cite web |title=GEOGUESSR TEAM WORLD CUP {{!}} FINALE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdw0R48z2SI |access-date=20 June 2024 |date=7 November 2022}} The competition was won by the team "Speed Plonkers", which featured the players Blinky (France), Kodiak (Germany), and Maccem (Sweden).{{Cite web |date=2022-10-23 |title=GeoGuessr Team World Cup : le Français Blinky et les Speed Plonkers sacrés champions du monde |url=https://e.sport.fr/resultats/geoguessr-team-world-cup-le-francais-blinky-et-les-speed-plonkers-sacres-champions-du-monde-710202.shtm |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=E.SPORT.FR |language=fr-fr}}

Two GeoGuessr World Cup tournaments have been held. In October 2023, Dutch player Consus beat French player Blinky in the final.{{Cite web |title=World Cup - GeoGuessr |url=https://www.geoguessr.com/world-cup/2023 |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=www.geoguessr.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=World Cup Announcement - GeoGuessr |url=https://www.geoguessr.com/world-cup/press/announcement |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=www.geoguessr.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=GeoGuessr Unveils Stellar Lineup of Talent for Inaugural World Cup - GeoGuessr |url=https://www.geoguessr.com/world-cup/press/caster-lineup |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=www.geoguessr.com |language=en}} The second World Cup was held in September 2024, with Blinky winning 3–2 over American player MK.{{cite tweet|number=1835072850123784680|user=geoguessr|title=Oh wow. What a night. We had over 200.000 concurrent viewers watching the finals. We are so grateful to all of you who tuned in. Thank you so much.|date=14 September 2024}}