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Category Settings

A category combines a course with competition rules, and it is the unit participants actually select and play. You can create multiple categories on the same course with different rules such as time limit and punch method.

:::tip Difference from a course A course defines where participants go and in what route structure. A category defines the rules under which they play that course. If you are unsure, also read Understand the event structure. :::

Basic settings​

ItemDescription
Category NameName shown to participants, required
SubtitleSupplemental description for the category
Description / NoticesCompetition rules and notes
CourseChoose the course used by this category

Competition time settings​

ItemDescription
Time LimitCompetition time limit in minutes
Late Penalty / minPoint deduction per minute when the time limit is exceeded (0–1000). Valid for Score / Score (start anywhere); not shown for Fixed Order
Maximum play time (h:mm)Play ends automatically when this limit is exceeded (10 minutes to 23 hours 59 minutes). If left unset, score-type courses use the time limit plus 1 hour (minimum 8 hours), and Fixed Order uses the time limit as is

:::caution Do not change these after participants start playing Changing the time limit or penalties affects results that are already in progress or already finished. :::

Punch settings​

The punch method is chosen under Punch action at the control.

MethodDescriptionDefault reaction distance
Manual punch + photoTap the button, open the camera, and record with a photo40m
Manual PunchRecord by tapping the button20m
Auto PunchRecords automatically when the participant enters the spot range40m
Auto Punch and Manual FinishControls are auto-punched, but finish is recorded manually with a button40m

By default, punch reaction distance uses the per-punch-action default (the default reaction distance in the table above), and can be changed to 10m (not recommended), 15m (not recommended), 20m, 30m, 40m, or 60m. The punch reaction distance is the distance from the center of the spot at which the participant becomes able to punch.

GPS can have an error of several meters to several tens of meters, especially indoors, underground, or near tall buildings. If the punch reaction distance is too narrow, participants may have difficulty punching even when standing right in front of the spot. As a guideline, use 20 to 40 meters in open outdoor environments and 40 to 60 meters where GPS accuracy is likely to be poor.

:::caution If you use quizzes For categories where you set quizzes, choose Manual punch + photo. Quizzes cannot be set with Manual Punch, Auto Punch, or Auto Punch and Manual Finish. :::

:::note Punch method and QR mode are independent settings The punch method here decides what happens after a punch (taking a photo, a quiz). Whether a spot is punched by QR is decided separately by the "QR Code Punch" (QR mode) in the event settings (per-spot overrides are also possible; for details see QR Code Punch). The two combine independently: for example, with "GPS + QR (both required) × Manual punch + photo", the camera opens after you scan the QR. However, on spots whose QR mode is QR only or GPS + QR (both required), Auto Punch (automatic recording when the participant enters the range) is disabled, and participants must always scan the QR code. For how it looks to participants, see the Punch method guide. :::

:::note A scan button appears when there is a Bonus QR If you set even one Bonus QR (Event management screen) on a score-type course, a QR scan button appears on the play screen even if that event has "QR Code Punch" turned off (so participants can scan the Bonus QR). :::

Team settings​

If you turn on Play as a team (combined score mode) when creating the category, Team Play mode becomes active. Scores from spots visited by team members are combined. The team size cannot be set when creating the category and is automatically set to 3 people. After creation, you can change it to between 2 and 999 people in Maximum team size on the category edit screen.

:::caution Configure this when creating the category The team setting can only be specified when the category is created, and cannot be changed afterwards (neither enabling nor disabling). :::

:::note Team settings are not available on Fixed Order courses :::

:::tip If you want the full operational view of Team Play If you want to organize Team Number guidance, participant instructions, and how to read results, see Set up team play. :::

:::note Team settings and bonus points In a team (combined score) category, Bonus QR cannot be used (nothing is added even if a participant scans one). Combo Bonus works in team events too and is added to the team score. :::

Mass start​

If you set a start date and time, the category uses mass start mode. Participants can prepare to start from about five minutes before the configured time.

Visibility settings​

SettingDescription
PublicVisible to participants and playable
View OnlyVisible but not playable. Useful for checking a category before publication
InvisibleNot shown to participants

Location settings​

ItemOptionsDescription
Location tracking modeStandard (default) / Smart 1 / Smart 2GPS recording frequency. Standard is the most detailed and accurate, but consumes more battery
Current location displayAlways show current location / Show only when the current location button is tapped (default) / Disable the current location buttonBehavior of the current location button on the participant screen

Advanced current location button settings​

This is a handicap setting that puts a "cost" on the current location button, so you can make participants compete using only a compass or the map. The settings appear progressively in the following order:

  1. Set Current location display to Show only when the current location button is tapped (this is the entry condition; the items below do not appear with "Always show current location" or "Disable the current location button").
  2. Turn on Use advanced locate button settings.
  3. The following three items (each a per-use value) appear:
ItemDescription
Maximum number of uses (0 = unlimited)How many times the current location button can be used. Set 0 for unlimited
Time added per use (minutes)Time added to the play time each time it is used. Entered in minutes (internally converted to seconds when saved). 0 means no time is added
Points deducted per usePoints subtracted from the score each time it is used. 0 means no deduction. Not shown on Fixed Order (point) courses, because it has no effect there

:::note Courses where the deduction applies The point deduction is valid on courses other than Fixed Order (point) (Score / Score (start anywhere), etc.). On Fixed Order, the score is determined by the number of spots visited, so the deduction item is not shown and has no effect. The added time and the usage limit, however, are valid on all courses. :::

:::tip How it looks to participants If you set a usage limit or added time, or a deduction on a non-Fixed Order course, an orange border (the "this has a cost" sign) appears on the participant's current location button. When a usage limit, a deduction, or added time is configured, a confirmation dialog appears on tap before the location is shown (if a usage limit is set, the remaining count is also shown, and choosing "Cancel" does not count a use). After the usage limit is reached the button can still be pressed, but the location is not shown — only the message "You have reached the usage limit" appears, and the count does not increase. For details, see the In-event controls guide. :::

:::caution Not available for team (combined score) categories For categories in team competition mode, the advanced current location button settings are not shown at all and cannot be configured. :::

These settings are valid only for standard events (Fixed Order / Score / Score (start anywhere)). They are not applied for permanent events and similar. Also, if all three items are set to 0 (the default), the current location button behaves normally with no cost.

Selling paid courses (Organizer Plan)​

In the category edit screen, you can choose a price tier for a paid course under Play fee type. To start selling, you must apply through Apply for payments. You can check the sales status in the Paid course sales history card on the event management screen.

:::note Japan stores only Paid course sales settings are available only to organizers using the Japan App Store / Google Play. On stores outside Japan, the Play fee type item does not appear in the category edit screen. :::