Sharkrunners
Sharkrunners season 1 was a game created by area/code for the Discovery Channel as part of the channel's 20th year of Shark Week. The game used satellite tracking of six great white sharks off the coast of California. Users were able to take control of research vessels to gather, in real-time, information on the sharks, while trying to earn funding.
Sharkrunners season 2 used satellite tracking of ten tiger sharks and ten grey reef sharks off the northern coast of Queensland, Australia.
Sharkrunners was removed from Discovery Channel online in July 2011.
Institutions
When creating a character, the player is given the choice of three institutions to join:
- - The International Marine Observation Project (I.M.O.P.): a high-tech research institute run by no-nonsense marine scientists looking for hard data
- - The Piermont Group: a media-savvy philanthropic organization that is interested equally in scientific data and dramatic images
- - Friends of the Ichtheological Nation (FIN): a hard-core ecological activist group devoted to protecting and preserving sharks at any cost
Sharks
Season 1 default names are given, in addition to their code numbers, for the six sharks in the game, though the player may rename them . They are as follows:
| A60480 Amanda | B39323 Betty | J39325 Jill | L39324 Lucy | M39326 Melissa | V62413 Vicky | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 5.8 m | 5.1 m | 6.0 m | 4.3 m | 5.2 m | 4.9 m |
| Weight | 2000 kg | 1700 kg | 2100 kg | 1400 kg | 1800 kg | 1600 kg |
Season 2 default names for tiger sharks' are given, in addition to their code numbers, to the ten sharks currently in the game, though the player may rename them. They are as follows:
| N1701 Nicole | R0330 Ripley | J0203 JR | K2011 Kari | L0122 Lola | R0204 Rainebow2 | S1080 Stacy | A1022 Adam | B0230 Broobry | R0220 Rainebow1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 3.25 m | 3.30 m | 2.92 m | 2.96 m | 3.51 m | 3.68 m | 2.95 m | 2.53 m | 3.30 m | 3.24 m |
| Weight | 220 kg | 230 kg | 200 kg | 165 kg | 235 kg | 340 kg | 200 kg | 175 kg | 215 kg | 210 kg |
- Lola has become unable to be tracked due to loss of tag or the tag has stopped transferring data.
- Rainebow2 has become unable to be tracked due to loss of tag or the tag has stopped transferring data.
- On 8/5/08, Lola and Rainebow2's data was recovered. They are able to be tracked once again.
- Since 1/3/09, Lola has become unable to be tracked due to loss of tag or the tag has stopped transferring data.
-On 1/12/09, Lola's data was recovered. They are able to be tracked once again.
Season 2 default names for grey reef sharks' are given, in addition to their code numbers, to the ten sharks currently in the game, though the player may rename them. They are as follows:
| C7895 Chloe | H7909 Hilary | I7888 Isabella | M7903 Mia | L7917 Louise | W7916 Winnie | Z7918 Zoe | G7910 Gabrielle | P7938 Phoebe | E7908 Eric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 1.68 m | 1.81 m | 1.72 m | 1.78 m | 1.71 m | 1.62 m | 1.82 m | 1.68 m | 1.63 m | 1.22 m |
| Weight | 30 kg | 32 kg | 30 kg | 30 kg | 27 kg | 25 kg | 32 kg | 25 kg | 23 kg | 18 kg |
Encounters
Danger levels: very high (VH), high (H), medium (M), low (L), very low (VL)
Data quality levels: very high (VH), high (H), medium (M), low (L), very low (VL)
Observation types: (HA) habitat and environment, (HE) health and biology, (SE) senses and perception, (AG) aggression v. humans, (RE) reproductive, (SO) social, (FE) feeding and hunting
| 1-person dive | 2-person dive | 3-person dive | Surface | Cage dive | Seal/turtle decoy | Catch release | Attached camera | Remote camera | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required equipment | none | none | none | raft | cage | seal/turtle decoy | fishing gear | attached camera | remote drone camera |
| Crew | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Danger | VH | H | M | VL | M | L | L | M | none |
| Data quality | VH | VH | VH | L | H | M | M | H | VL |
| Data types | FE, SO, AG, SE, HA | FE, SO, AG, SE, HA | FE, SO, AG, SE, HA | FE | FE, SO, AG, SE, HA | FE | RE, HE | FE, SO, RE, HA | FE, SO, RE, HA |
In season 2, the seal decoy is replaced with a turtle decoy, and the attached camera has been replaced by the "SharkCam".
Ports
Season 1
Other than name and location, all three ports are identical except for crew candidates available for hiring. They offer four main services: selling gas, boat upgrades, equipment, and crew for hire. The ports from north to south are:
- Monterey
- San Luis Obispo
- San Diego
Season 2
- Port Moresby
- Bamaga
- Lakefield
Bonus location - achieve research rank level of 10 in the Sharkrunners HQ page
Accomplishments
Season 1
| Title | How to accomplish | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Sharkrunner | Complete 1 successful encounter | $1,000 |
| Apprentice Sharkrunner | Complete 10 successful encounters | $10,000 |
| Expert Sharkrunner | Complete 50 successful encounters | $50,000 |
| Master Sharkrunner | Complete 100 successful encounters | $100,000 |
| Complete Set A60480 | Collect some of each type of data for this shark (Amanda) | $12,000 |
| Complete Set B39423 | Collect some of each type of data for this shark (Betty) | $12,000 |
| Complete Set J39325 | Collect some of each type of data for this shark (Jill) | $12,000 |
| Complete Set L39324 | Collect some of each type of data for this shark (Lucy) | $50,000 |
| Complete Set M39326 | Collect some of each type of data for this shark (Melissa) | $12,000 |
| Complete Set V62413 | Collect some of each type of data for this shark (Vicky) | $12,000 |
| Attentive | Respond in time for 6 consecutive encounters | $3,000 |
| Devoted | Respond in time for 12 consecutive encounters | $12,000 |
| Addicted | Respond in time for 24 consecutive encounters | $30,000 |
| Lightning Reflexes | Respond to an encounter in less than 5 minutes | $3,500 |
| Safety First | Complete 20 consecutive encounters without an attack | $7,500 |
| Mentor | Raise a crew member to skill 20 | $0 |
| Professor | 4 or more crew members have skill 20 or higher | $0 |
| Trainer | Raise a crew member to 20 stamina | $0 |
| Drill Instructor | 4 or more crew members have max. stamina 20 or higher | $0 |
| Guru | 4 or more crew members have the same favorite fish | $0 |
| Frugal | Accumulate 100,000 cash in the bank | $10,000 |
| Adrenaline Junky | 10 shark attacks | $10,000 |
| Bonding | Complete 25 successful encounters with 1 shark | $10,000 |
| Explorer | Travel 1,000 miles | $0 |
| Jack of all Trades | Complete a successful encounter using each type of equipment | $35,000 |
| Shopaholic | Acquired every piece of equipment | $0 |
| Heir Apparent | A crew member has completed 50 successful encounters | $0 |
| The Norman Endowment | Collected some data from every shark | $50,000 |
| The Dreyfus Medal | Collected a complete set of data for every shark | $125,000 |
| Ultimate Sharkrunner | Accomplish all other tasks | $0 |
Season 2
| Title | How to Accomplish | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Sharkrunner | Complete 1 successful encounter | $1,000 |
| Apprentice Sharkrunner | Complete 10 successful encounters | $10,000 |
| Expert Sharkrunner | Complete 50 successful encounters | $50,000 |
| Master Sharkrunner | Complete 100 successful encounters | $100,000 |
| Complete Shark | Collect a complete set of data on any shark | $12,000 |
| Complete Tigers | Collect a complete set of data on all 10 Tiger Sharks | $60,000 |
| Complete Grey Reef | Collect a complete set of data on all 10 Grey Reef Sharks | $60,000 |
| Duelist | Win 5 Duels | $12,000 |
| The Good Life | Achieve a Research Rank Level of 10 & purchase an item at the Hamamas Beach Port | $10,000 |
| Nerd Patrol | Hire all 7 specialists | $50,000 |
| Attentive | Respond in time for 6 consecutive encounters | $3,000 |
| Devoted | Respond in time for 12 consecutive encounters | $12,000 |
| Addicted | Respond in time for 24 consecutive encounters | $30,000 |
| Lightning Reflexes | Respond to an encounter in less than 5 minutes | $3,500 |
| Safety First | Complete 20 consecutive encounters without an attack | $7,500 |
| Mentor | Raise a crew member to skill 20 | $0 |
| Professor | 4 or more crew members have skill 20 or higher | $0 |
| Trainer | Raise a crew member to 20 stamina | $0 |
| Drill Instructor | 4 or more crew members have max. stamina 20 or higher | $0 |
| Guru | 4 or more crew members have the same favorite fish | $0 |
| Frugal | Accumulate 100,000 cash in the bank | $10,000 |
| Adrenaline Junky | 10 shark attacks | $10,000 |
| Bonding | Complete 25 successful encounters with 1 shark | $10,000 |
| Explorer | Travel 1,000 miles | $0 |
| Jack of all Trades | Complete a successful encounter using each type of equipment | $35,000 |
| Shopaholic | Acquired every piece of equipment | $0 |
| Heir Apparent | A crew member has completed 50 successful encounters | $0 |
| The Norman Endowment | Collected some data from every shark | $50,000 |
| The Dreyfus Medal | Collected a complete set of data for every shark | $125,000 |
| Ultimate Sharkrunner | Accomplish all other tasks | $0 |
Additionally, research accomplishments can be made, some of which can assist in the completion of The Good Life goal for Sharkrunners season 2. Research projects can be initiated on a player's Sharkrunners HQ profile and will result in 450 - 950 (?) research points per goal reached. The ultimate goal is 105,000 points to accomplish the level 20 research requirement in order to have a gold border around an individual player's flag.
Equipment
Boats
There are four boats in the game. Each can have an engine refit (increases both cruising and top speed by 10%) and upgraded fuel tanks (increases fuel capacity by 20%).
| Aqua-Tech Breeze 300 | Storm Pro XL | HydroLite Typhoon | Tradewind 4000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | free (starter boat) | $90,000 | $90,000 | $250,000 |
| Top speed (MPH) | 35 @ 1mpg | 42 | 61.6 | 62 |
| Cruise speed (MPH) | 28 @ 1.5mpg | 35 | 49.5 | 50 |
| Fuel capacity | 500 | 900 | 900 | 2,000 |
| Crew capacity | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Refitting cost | $4,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 | $25,000 |
Equipment
| Chain-mail
Lower risk of shark attack for dive and cage techniques $2,000 |
Upgraded chain-mail
Lowest risk of shark attack for dive and cage techniques $4,000 |
| Light dive cage
Enables cage dive techniques $8,000 |
Medium dive cage
Enables cage dive technique/ lower risk of shark attack $12,000 |
| Titanium dive cage
Enables cage dive technique/ lowest risk of shark attack $31,000 |
Turtle decoy
Enables turtle decoy technique $2,000 |
| Turtle decoy advanced
Enables turtle decoy technique. Improved data quality $12,000 |
Medium fishing gear
Enables catch & release technique $2,000 |
| Advanced fishing gear
Enables catch & release technique/ improves data quality/ lower risk of shack attack $6,000 |
SharkCam
Enables SharkCam technique $10,000 |
| Advanced SharkCam
Enables SharkCam technique/ improved data quality $25,000 |
Remote camera drone
Enables remote camera drone technique $85,000 |
| Submerged sensor pod
Improved data quality for surface observation technique $5,000 |
Advanced submerged sensor pod
Best data quality for surface observation technique $10,000 |
| Chemical shark repellent
Lowers risk of shark attack for dive and cage techniques $3,000 |
Electromagnetic shark repellent
Lowers risk of shark attack for dive and cage techniques $3,000 |
| Advanced scuba system
Improves data quality for dive techniques $6,000 |
Medium hand-held camera
Improves data quality for surface observation technique $5,000 |
| Advanced hand-held camera
Best data quality for dive and cage techniques $11,000 |
Underwater camera stick
Improves data quality for surface observation technique $2,000 |
| Improved scales
Improves data quality for catch & release technique $5,000 |
Improved sonar
Increases encounter range $12,000 |
| Premium sonar
Maximizes encounter range $35,000 |
Improved tracking software
Increases response time for shark encounters $10,000 |
| Espresso machine
Occasionally prevents stamina loss from an encounter $15,000 |
Specialists
Season 2
These are the seven specialist needed for the Nerd Patrol Achievement
| Name | Data bonus | Specialty | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie | HA | Ecologist | Port Moresby |
| Debby | HE | Veterinarian | Port Moresby |
| Monica | SE | Chemist | Bamaga |
| Paul | AG | Wrangler | Port Moresby |
| Eve | RE | Geneticist | Lakefield |
| Lilly | SO | Psychologist | Lakefield |
| Victoria | FE | Dietician | Bamaga |
External links
- Fan site
- Website of area/code, the game's creators