Reap real-world rewards after playing a smartphone game with these apps

Wish you could reap real-world rewards for reaching that final level on an addictive smartphone game? Could you watch online videos endlessly? Two new Android applications could help you get discounts at online stores and restaurants while you play.

Frapee, launched two weeks ago, allows users to play games and earn points, or 'frapees', which can be redeemed as vouchers at more than 60 online brands. The app has 400 registered users, and includes partner brands such as Amazon, Lenskart, Jabong and The Souled Store.

Frapee directs users to download integrated games from the Android market, including Global Football Challenge, 7Up7Down, Slot Machine and Into the Abyss.

You start with 200 frapees, and increase this amount as you play the games and earn achievements. Frapee also has a weekly lucky draw, where users can put in a minimum amount of frapees and earn 100x, if they win.

Jigar Shah, 32, a real-estate businessman, has been using the app since it was launched. "I heard about Frapee on social media, and my experience so far has been very good. The games are very addictive and it's great to earn vouchers as a bonus. In two weeks, I have used four vouchers from Lenskart and The Souled Store, worth a total of ₹5,000," says Shah.

Another app called AdStore, launched in June, lets you watch movie trailers, YouTube channel promos and new video advertisements, in exchange for 'adpoints'. These can be redeemed as discount vouchers at partner eating joints such as Domino's, Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonald's; and for gift cards from online stores such as Flipkart and Freecharge.

"We are focused on changing the user's mindset towards advertisements," says Piyush Dhankan, 21, co-founder and COO, Adstore. "We want viewers to willfully approach them, without being forced to watch them. We ensure that the advertisements we feature have a storyline and are entertaining."

After every trailer or promo, users are asked a simple question about it — with each correct answer, they win adpoints.

"We have had about 18,000 downloads so far," says Dhankan.

Where: AdStore and Frapee are both available free on the Google Play Store