The Go Game - Structure

Structure

A Go Game is mapped onto an existing game zone, overlaying the familiar and everyday with a mystery that can only be unlocked with the keys provided by the phone and the clues as created by the game masters. A game master can build a game suited to any theme (music, espionage) but the traditional version of the game is run 6-8 times a week, year round.

Game zones must be easily navigated by foot, for this is how the game is played; most comprise several city blocks, generally in an area of a city with some history, lots of foot traffic, funky coffee shops, etc. (examples include Atlanta's Olympic Park and Hollywood and Highland). Though the Go Game can be played anywhere there is cell phone service, these game zones are more “fertile” than convention centers and shopping malls, where it has also been played.

Players are split into teams of 3 to 10; the game has been played by as few as a dozen and as many as several thousand. Each team receives a superhero themed tin lunch box and a clue envelope labeled "CONFIDENTIAL: DO NOT OPEN UNTIL THE PHONE TELLS YOU." The lunch box contains a wireless web enabled cell phone and digital camera, as well as a map of the game zone and a list of rules and instructions.

Players are greeted by a Go Game operative (the Game Master) wearing an orange flightsuit. The Game Master gives a brief introductory warm-up talk in which he or she explains the Rules and the Tools. At the end of this talk, the game master fires a starting gun and players begin solving missions.

Games typically last 2 hours from the firing of the start gun, though they can sometimes last as long as several days. Teams solve as many missions as they can within the two hours of play; a team that solves missions correctly and quickly will earn a high score, for every time a correct answer is sent to the server, the phone downloads another mission for the team to solve, and every mission is an opportunity to earn points.

At the end of game, all teams get a message on their phones telling them the location of the judging ceremony, usually a bar or restaurant. When teams arrive, they hand in their cameras and get refreshments while the judging ceremony begins.

The judging is hosted by the game master or another Go Game employee, and it is the culmination of the judgable missions performed during the game. Photos and videos are shown on the big screen for the entertainment of the players. After awarding points based on these missions, the host announces the winner and gives out the prizes. Prizes are usually totemic, gag gifts, though there have been prizes of HD TV’s and Pocket PCs. The entire event lasts about four hours from start to finish.