The UBMe app was created to mimic the popular HQ trivia app for Lehigh students. Anyone can take part in the show at 6pm on Monday and Wednesday nights to get the chance to win prizes. (Photo Illustration by Sarah Epstein/B&W Staff)
The app UBMe is Lehigh’s own version of the HQ trivia game show app. The chance to win monetary prizes happens every Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m.
UBMe allows users to join chat rooms nearby and discuss what’s going on around the community. The team, led by creator Val Arzunian, decided to engage and connect users in a trivia game show on the app to advertise local businesses and events happening around Bethlehem.
The UBMe team started its search for well-spoken and entertaining Lehigh students to engage the players in the trivia game.
CMO David Pulsifer made a Facebook post on the Lehigh Class of 2020 Facebook page and posted flyers around campus inviting students to send in audition tapes.
“I ended up recording an audition video where I pretended to host my own version of the show, introducing the game, asking several questions and announcing the winners at the end,” said host Jack Scott, ’19.
After auditions, Scott was selected to rotate hosting episodes with Vaneck Kounga, ’20, Gili Remen, ’19 and Jason Sadler, ’18.
The show begins with the host introducing him or herself and how the game works: 10 questions are asked and the top 5 players to enter the correct answer in the chat are each rewarded 10 points.
The player with the most points at the end is crowned the winner and takes home the $100 prize. If there are multiple winners, they split the prize money.
The 40-minute game has an intermission after question five in order to tally up the scores so far. The host will often try and engage with the players through the chat and suggest fun things to do that are happening in our community.
Every episode has different questions. It’s up to the host of that episode to come prepared with 10 questions of their choosing. The questions can be random or based on an overarching theme, such as Halloween or Harry Potter.
“The themed questions are a lot more engaging for the participants and the host,” Scott said. “Sometimes we have featured video questions from local businesses such as hookah lounges or restaurants that want to advertise their business.”
The winners of the featured questions get prizes like free hookah sessions or coupons to the specified restaurants.
“Hosting was a good time,” Kounga said. “As hosts, we get a lot of creative freedom to make all of our own questions, themes and guest stars.”
The UBMe app itself was created over a year ago to connect users in the same location and allow users to contact one another in real time.
The UBMe headquarters is located in South Bethlehem, but episodes are recorded in classrooms inside Drown Hall.
“It’s been so cool to be a part of something from its infant stages and seeing it expand and grow,” Kounga said.
Mitch Virkler, ’20, participates in the UBMe trivia nights.
“Ever since I saw ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ I’ve had a passion for trivia and game shows,” Virkler said. “I found out Lehigh students were hosting this trivia show and tuned in instantly.”
Virkler made it to the final round during one episode, but ultimately got eliminated.
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