Spark Game Arena: Aotearoa’s ultimate gaming festival
Spark set out to create Aotearoa’s ultimate gaming festival - a live experience that would attract gamers, e-sports fans, and tech enthusiasts while proving Spark’s position as a cultural leader in gaming.
To achieve this, they needed more than traditional event technology. They wanted an immersive, data-driven gaming festival that combined ticketing, gamification, and real-time engagement into one seamless digital experience. That’s where we came in.
The solution: Our Mission Hub and Gamified Event Platform
Satellite delivered the digital backbone of Spark Game Arena with the MISSION HUB, a web-based platform that turned every attendee’s phone into a game console, ticketing system, and live event controller.
This platform was far more than a mobile site. It acted as:
Personal Game Console – attendees unlocked artefacts, tracked points, and followed live leaderboards.
Ticketing & Communication Tool – housing tickets, event info, and real-time updates.
Interactive Engine – integrating with NFC wristbands to link physical activations to digital rewards
From NFC-enabled wristbands and QR codes to live leaderboards on arena screens, Satellite’s technology transformed the festival into a living video game. The finale saw thousands unite in a real-time boss fight against Byte using the EXABLASTER.
NFC-enabled wristbands tracked activity and powered physical-to-digital play.
Large-scale event screens synced in real-time to showcase achievements, leaderboards, and communal gameplay.
EXABLASTER finale – every phone transformed into a weapon in a collective boss fight against “Byte,” creating a one-of-a-kind arena-wide gaming moment.
This fully web-based solution avoided app downloads while still delivering console-like interactivity, a critical decision that maximised participation and reduced friction.
The results: Data, engagement, and an unforgettable experience
The Spark Game Arena became a living video game, powered by Satellite technology.
Over 3,000 attendees engaged with the MISSION HUB.
Real-time gamification kept participants active, unlocking badges, scanning QR codes, and redeeming rewards.
The finale transformed a crowd into a community, as thousands fought together in synchronised gameplay against Byte.
Spark gained rich data insights on engagement, dwell time, and player behaviour, ensuring strong ROI and a reusable framework for future events.
The project not only delivered for Spark and its audience - it set a new benchmark in live event technology in New Zealand.
An award winning experience
Gold: Best Awards - Installation & Exhibition
Bronze: Best Awards - Game Design
Supreme Marketing Excellence Award - NZ Marketing Awards 2025
Excellence in Sponsorship Strategy - NZ Marketing Awards 2025
Excellence in Travel/Leisure & Entertainment Marketing Strategy - NZ Marketing Awards 2025
Excellence in Utilities/Communications Marketing Strategy - NZ Marketing Awards 2025
Satellite specialises in turning live events into unforgettable, data-driven experiences through gamification, interactive technology, and immersive storytelling. Talk to us about your next project.
