SCVNGR launches in the UK through partnership with 'stealth' rail search and booking service Quno

The U.S. location-based social gaming platform SCVNGR is launching in the UK today through a partnership with Quno, a web based rail search and booking service due to launch later this year. It will give rail passengers the opportunity to “participate in fun challenges” in stations across the country.

In line with other games built on top of SCVNGR, which runs on iPhone and Android, the Quno Challenge gives commuters the chance to compete against each other for badges and rewards. To take part, rail passengers first need to download the Quno Challenge app and then ‘check in’ at their station upon which the Quno challenges can be accessed. The game will be available at the following stations: London Waterloo, Paddington, Liverpool Street and Euston; Bristol Temple Meads, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Edinburgh.

What’s noteworthy is that Quno itself, which is currently in Beta or ‘stealth mode’, is launching as an independent web based rail search and booking service with a particular emphasis on the use of technology, so the tie-in with SCVNGR is both innovative and part of an overall brand strategy.

Presumably this partnership is also the first of many in the UK for SCVNGR, which is backed by Google Ventures and Highland Capital Partners. The startup has been pretty active of late, partnering with AT&T and then the release of its secret social mechanics playdeck. And just the other day it rolled out support for the newly launched Facebook Places.