I haven't yet even found the game.

June 12, 2012 5:43 AM

Where does one find game experiences similar to that in the movie The Game?

Are there pre-packaged scenarios like this, companies one can hire? What would one search for? What price ranges are involved?

posted by dmd to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 answers total)

I know there was something on the blue about an 'acting company' that would set up an entire 24-hour 'performance' involving all the people and settings in a specific person's life, that reminded me of the movie; it wasn't paid, but on a raffle system I believe. Couldn't find it in search :(
posted by MangyCarface at 5:48 AM on June 12, 2012

MangyCarface is talking about Odyssey Works, and they pick the "audience member" for their performances through a selection process involving interviews.
posted by burnmp3s at 5:56 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

I don't know of anything like this, but if I were to look, I'd start with the ARG community.
posted by spanishbombs at 5:59 AM on June 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

As for live experiences, Sleep No More in NYC is the closest I've seen. Read one of the multitude of glowing reviews to get a feel. Not the same, but as close as you can likely get for under $80.
posted by gregoryg at 6:26 AM on June 12, 2012

"The Game" is supposedly the basis for movie.

Here and here are articles about it. There was an excellent article in Rolling Stone about a decade ago but I can't find it.

Here is a rundown of all of the clues in the 2002 game.
posted by theuninvitedguest at 8:31 AM on June 12, 2012

Seconding spanishbombs that you look into ARGs. While most current ARGs don't have the insanely large budget that "The Game"-type antics would require, I think of that scene in the movie where he's walking through the airport and looking at everything with new eyes: the people he passes, that person picking up a phone, opening a briefcase... every event has the potential to be significant. THAT is what playing a good ARG can be like.
posted by Zephyrial at 10:17 AM on June 12, 2012

The closest I've found was The Jejune Institute in San Francisco. It finished last year, but the people behind it are supposedly working on a new game. The upcoming Real Escape Game looks promising, though also only in San Francisco.

I also agree that you should look into ARG's. Though many of them have uneven quality and/or take place mostly on the Interwebs, they're trying to evolve into exactly what you're looking for. If you're willing to forgo an immersive story, perhaps a scavenger hunt (e.g. Watson Adventures) would also hit enough of the right notes.
posted by mshrike at 10:45 AM on June 12, 2012

Check out this kickstarter for a new game they are working on...
It even sites "The Game" as a source of inspiration. :)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1238523886/the-hostage-trials-a-real-time-game-for-ios-and-an?ref=live
posted by AltReality at 4:14 PM on June 12, 2012