Skip to content
About Qugato
Turning places into stories through play
Qugato creates interactive, location-based games where play, storytelling and team building come together. Through our games, people explore their surroundings in an active and accessible way. You don’t just play a game, you discover where you are, what you’re seeing and why it matters.
This might take place in a city, but just as easily in a neighbourhood, a nature reserve or any other public space. The location may change, but the principle remains the same: using play to connect people with their surroundings, and with each other.
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 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 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, who together developed the City Detective concept and the accompanying app.
As passionate city-game players ourselves, we know from experience what makes a game enjoyable, accessible and meaningful, and what doesn’t. We use that insight when designing our games, always with attention to playfulness, content and the impact on the environment in which the game takes place.
Behind the scenes, we work with a flexible network of professionals. The app is built and technically maintained by Joran, an experienced developer, and we collaborate with a trusted team of freelancers.
This allows us to combine a personal, hands-on approach with a professional and sustainable way of working.
What you can expect from us
- Games available in multiple Dutch cities, with further expansion underway.
- Experience with large groups (including over 150 participants per day).
- Careful organisation and clear communication.
- Positive feedback and repeat bookings.
- Projects that use play to connect people, places and initiatives.
- An offer that continues to grow and improve.
Collaboration and social impact
We see play as a powerful way to make social and cultural stories accessible. That’s why we enjoy working with museums, municipalities and cultural organisations on projects where education, heritage, participation and innovation come together.
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.
Echt een aanrader.
Heel leuk gedaan!
Het verhaaltje is wel vrij suf eerlijk gezegd
Tips voor de ontwikkelaars: Jammer dat je geen account kan aanmaken, namelijk leuk als je ook van plan bent andere steden aan te doen. En een andere tip: zou gaaf zijn als je aangesproken wordt in de app met je teamnaam, dan wordt het net wat echter. Maar weet niet of dit mogelijk is.
