Playing with payphones: how the ubiquitous orange boxes have been gamified by fans
Summary
A game called PayphoneGo, created by a 19-year-old student in Australia, turns using public payphones into a point-based challenge. Players call a payphone number, enter an ID, and score points for being the first or subsequent callers, leaving voicemails for others to hear. This game encourages people to explore and use the country’s remaining payphones, which are still important public services.Key Facts
- PayphoneGo was created in April by Kris Norris, a Brisbane student, to motivate people to visit and use payphones.
- Australia has about 14,000 public payphones spread across cities and remote areas.
- Calling from Telstra payphones in Australia has been free since mid-2021.
- The first caller from a payphone scores 20 points in the game; later callers get fewer points.
- Payphones are still used often for emergency calls and critical support numbers.
- Telstra reports the number of payphone calls has tripled since calls became free.
- About 4,000 payphones also provide free wifi to users.
- Some local councils have opposed large phone booth installations by Telstra due to planning concerns.
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