New Ghost-Hunting App Invites Families to Explore Halloween Fun

A new mobile application is transforming Halloween festivities in Windsor, Ontario, by engaging families in a ghost-hunting adventure. The app, named Catch ‘Em All Ghost Hunt, allows users to discover Halloween displays and capture virtual ghosts using their smartphones. This innovative approach encourages families to explore their neighborhoods in a fun and interactive way.

Jennifer Green, who oversees the Everything Halloween Facebook group, shared insights about the app created by her son, Regan Green, 20. “We designed it heavily towards families,” she explained. The app allows children to play from the backseat as parents drive to specific locations. Upon arriving, the ghosts appear on the screen, turning white, prompting users to click and engage in a mini-game to capture them.

Regan, who has experience designing games for consoles, was inspired to develop the app after a request to create a ghost-hunting version of a Pokémon Go-style game for Windsor. “He looked at us and laughed and said, ‘Yeah, no problem’,” Jennifer recounted. The app features a vehicle reminiscent of the one from the classic Ghostbusters movie, allowing players to navigate through the streets in real time.

Approximately 70 homes have registered their locations on the app, with more families signing up daily. For those without access to the app, each registered display features a paper QR code that can be scanned for easy access. Following its launch last weekend, around 200 people participated in the initial ghost hunt, demonstrating significant community interest.

“Last year, we did the ghost hunt as a weekend event, and it was crazy,” Jennifer noted, adding that people loved the interactive experience. Plans are underway to update the app weekly with new features and additional “haunts” — locations showcasing Halloween displays. The app’s integration with Google Maps ensures participants can easily travel between different haunts.

This year’s push to encourage registration in Essex County has led to a concentration of displays in areas such as Leamington and Belle River, along with others scattered throughout the county. One exciting update Jennifer hopes to introduce will resonate with fans of both Ghostbusters and Pokémon Go. “I’m hoping the first update is going to be you might miss the ghost, and then you’re going to get slimed on the screen. Then you’ll have to try to catch it again,” she explained.

The fun doesn’t end with ghost capturing. On October 18, 2023, the app will host a trick-or-treat event, allowing participants to visit homes with registered displays for a festive Halloween experience. The Catch ‘Em All Ghost Hunt application can be accessed at wehalloween.ca, inviting families to join in the spirited adventure this Halloween season.