This app is exactly what I wanted when I first played Jet Lag: Home Game. Because I love the game so much, I spent hundreds of hours getting this app right. I hope that shows, and that it keeps getting better as more people play it. If everyone enjoys it as much as I do, it'll be worth it.
What I wanted when we played
- Everyone's location shared automatically, without a separate app.
- One border, visible to everyone.
- Distance and Radar tools without switching back and forth to Google Maps.
- A map that shades areas where hiders can't be, based on supported question answers.
- The same question definitions and calculations for everyone, with location-based answers checked by the hiders before sending.
Since then I've added question history, Thermometer, transit directions, private room chat, and more.
Near was built to be a single app that is all you need to play Jet Lag: Home Game Hide and Seek. Near handles location tracking so you don't need Find My Friends (or worse, something cross-compatible with Android). Near handles directions and mapping so you don't need Apple or Google Maps. Near handles messaging so you don't need a texting app. And Near handles question answers so you don't need a physical map, a protractor and a ruler.
Try it
Play Near in your browser on iPhone, iPad or Android, or download the Android app. Creating and joining games is free. You need an account, an internet connection and location access for location-based questions. The iPhone App Store release is coming soon.
See the screenshots or follow the home game setup guide, or see how to make your game map.
Question board
Can I use Near with the physical home game?
Yes. Near handles the map and supported questions. Its rooms use Near's question definitions and round rules, so check those together before playing. Keep your physical cards and rulebook for card effects and any house rules your group agrees on.
Do seekers see the hiders' location?
Not during the active hunt. Seekers get question answers and shaded areas, rather than the hiders' live coordinates. Players can turn off location in their phone's settings or leave the room at any time.
Near is an independent fan-made companion, not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Jet Lag: The Game, Wendover Productions or Nebula. The official Jet Lag Home Game: Hide and Seek is sold separately. Near's round guide explains the rules used in the app.