Jetset Really is a Game for Airports

Wow.  What a fantastic and innovative idea. JetSet ($0.99, iTunes link) has a fantastic appeal to it that simply won’t tire you out. And while it is a game for airports (read on), you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home too.

As travelers, nobody envies the TSA security personnel who have to scan your luggage to make sure you’re not bringing anything illegal onto your plane. Imagine being in the position of the security guy. Your job in Jetset is to scan all incoming passengers’ luggage and remove all articles of clothing or items packed that are not permissible on the plane. One moment, shirts won’t be allowed, so you’ll have to strip your passenger, and the next moment, they’ll be allowed again. If he’s still naked, you’re going to be penalized. It’s great fun to race against the clock and make sure you’ve gotten your passenger’s prohibited items removed (or replaced if the rules change mid-turn).

But the best part of Jetset is the part I can’t experience just yet until I actually go to a few airports myself. As part of Jetset’s awesome appeal, there are over 100 airports that you can unlock “souvenirs” for — that is, when you are actually in the vicinity of the physical airport, you’ll be able to play with specific souvenirs. How cool is that? You can get gold, silver, and platinum souvenirs as well — just like a frequent flier.

But that’s not all. The game ties into a Facebook account where you can trade, share, and bask in the glory of your scored souvenirs.

Amazing. This game has me craving more, and I can see myself wanting to play it for a long time. I can just envision myself in 15 years on an antiquated iPod touch at the Natrona County International Airport unlocking the souvenir from there for the first time.

Tamar Weinberg is a blogger and author of The New Community Rules (July 2009), a book on social media marketing and how to leverage existing communities for awareness and profit. She is also a new mom.