Skip to content
About Qugato
Bringing people together through play, place and shared discovery
Qugato creates interactive, outdoor games that help people connect with the places around them and with each other.
Our games take people out into cities, neighbourhoods, parks, heritage sites and other public spaces. Along the way, they solve puzzles, discover local stories and talk about the things that make a place meaningful.
For us, play is not just entertainment. It is a way to get people moving, looking more closely and experiencing a place together. Not through a screen or from behind a desk, but outside, on location, in the real world.
Why we started Qugato
The idea for Qugato was born while we were playing a city game ourselves. At one point, we asked each other: “What are we actually looking at?”
The puzzle was fun, but the place itself barely mattered. It felt like a backdrop, not part of the experience. At the same time, we noticed that traditional guided tours and educational routes often contain great content, yet don’t always match how people today like to explore and learn.
That’s why we started Qugato: to combine play with meaningful stories. Stories about history, cultural heritage, nature, science or local initiatives. Always rooted in the place where you are.
How do you pronounce Qugato?
Qugato is pronounced as “cue-GA-toh”, phonetically: /kjuːˈɡɑːtoʊ/.
Think of the English word “cue” and the Portuguese word “gato” (cat). Like a cat, we follow every clue until the mystery is solved.
What does the name Qugato mean?
Qugato is a compound name that stands for Quiz Game Tour.
When you go to the website quizgametour.com, you’ll also arrive at our Qugato website.
What we want players to take away
Qugato games are built around short, fascinating facts, unexpected locations and playful challenges with a wink, all designed to enjoy time together. We use our own intuitive app, so you can start playing straight away, without instructions or preparation.
After a Qugato game, we hope people can say:
- “We had a great time together.”
- “I learned something new about this place.”
- “I now see my surroundings differently.”
Whether it’s students, colleagues, neighbours, friends or family, the game is never the goal in itself. It’s a starting point for curiosity, conversation and connection.
Games, location and social themes
All our games are location-based: they use GPS and the physical environment. But they are not limited to one type of place. A game might take place in a historic city centre, a residential area or a natural landscape.
What all our games share is that they are always more than just a game. Each game tells a story and touches on wider social themes, such as:
- History and cultural heritage.
- Nature and landscape.
- Science and discovery.
- Local initiatives and community spirit.
City Detective is one of these concepts: a city game where solving a fictional crime goes hand in hand with exploring the history and heritage of a city. Other game formats and contexts are gradually being added.
City Detective: the city as your playground
Cities have been alive for centuries. Behind facades, squares and streets lie stories you often miss when simply passing through. That layered history is exactly what makes the city such a powerful place to play.
By linking challenges to real locations and true stories, discovery becomes tangible, visible and meaningful. During this city game, your phone acts as the guide and the city becomes the playing field. The city isn’t just a backdrop, it’s part of the experience.
How we work
We design our city games and other location-based experiences to be both content-rich and easy to organise. Everything we create is guided by a few clear principles:
- Self-guided
No guides or fixed supervision needed. Start whenever it suits you. - Minimal preparation
Ready to use for teachers, organisers and partners. - Flexible to use
Players set their own pace and can pause whenever they like. - A balance between play and content
Playful and accessible, with stories that truly add value. - Suitable for groups of all sizes
From small teams to large groups playing at the same time. - Accessible and inclusive
Designed so everyone can feel welcome and involved. - Customisation available
From small tweaks to fully bespoke routes and assignments.
This way, organisers stay relaxed, while participants enjoy a rich and active experience.
Who our games are for
Qugato games are used by:
- Schools (secondary education, vocational and higher education).
- Companies and teams (team building and staff outings).
- Groups of friends, families, stag/hen parties, and tourists (leisure).
- Local residents and community initiatives.
- Cultural institutions, municipalities and organisations.
Every setting calls for a different approach. Our game concepts are flexible enough to adapt to each context.
The people behind Qugato
Qugato was founded by Ricardo Husson and Sidney Lin. We began as enthusiastic players of city games, but what drives us now goes beyond the game itself.
We see how easily people can live alongside each other in neighbourhoods, in schools and in everyday life, without really meeting each other. At the same time, we have seen how play can help break through that.
Solving a riddle together. Exploring a neighbourhood together. Laughing about an unexpected challenge together. These shared moments create a kind of connection that is difficult to achieve through a workshop, a meeting, or a policy document alone.
That is why we are building Qugato: not simply as a games company, but as a practical way to create genuine connection.
Behind the scenes, our developer Joran works on the technical side of the app. We also work with a flexible network of freelancers.
As Qugato grows, we want to build an organisation that makes room for people from different backgrounds. In the longer term, we also hope to offer work experience and reintegration opportunities.
Where we are heading
City Detective is where we started, but Qugato is bigger than one game format. We are developing new formats that bring social themes such as diversity, inclusion and social cohesion into the real world.
For example, we are exploring routes where pupils move through an area in small groups and respond to statements and conversation prompts about what connects them, what makes them different and how they see the world around them.
We are also working on neighbourhood games, where residents can discover social initiatives, associations, and community spaces in their own neighbourhood through play.
Alongside this, we are developing a platform that allows teachers, municipalities, and community organisations to create their own routes without needing technical knowledge. In this way, play can become a practical tool for connection, participation and active learning.
Collaboration and social impact
At Qugato, we see play as a powerful tool for connection, active learning and civic participation. Our aim is to make this accessible to everyone, regardless of background, education level or previous experience with games.
We are keen to work with museums, municipalities, cultural organisations and social partners on projects that bring together education, heritage, participation and innovation.
We also explore partnerships and funding opportunities that support the development of digital learning and play in public spaces. Our ambition is to create sustainable concepts that encourage active learning, cultural participation and a stronger connection with the places people live in, both inside and outside education.
Curious how play can support education, participation or heritage experiences? Visit the Collaborating with Qugato page to learn more about our partnership options.
Want to know more or get in touch?
Interested in how a Qugato game could fit within your school, organisation, neighbourhood or project? We’d love to think along with you.
Give us a call or send us a WhatsApp message on +31 (0)85 800 60 80, or drop us a line at hello@qugato.com.
Also, be sure to follow us on social media for fun facts and updates!
Where are you going to play?
Start your search below or choose a pin on the map to explore.
Played by thousands of detectives across the Netherlands
More than 6,000 players have already taken on the challenge of City Detective. Played by friends, families, colleagues and students alike.
Verified by Trustindex