Andrew Reynolds Archives - Page 2 of 9

Seize the Show – Rubix Control [Hivemind Review]

4 April 20217 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind

Rubix Control is an interactive audio-visual experience created by Seize the Show.

A science lab interface. The Doctor is on the Zoom call.

Format

Style of Play: audio-visual experience, designed for digital play through Zoom + webapp voting

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection, mobile device

You needed both a computer and a mobile device at the same time to play this game.

Recommended Team Size: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This is a public-ticketed experience. Because you are part of an interactive audience, you can experience this solo, or with a large group of people all booking into the same showing. We recommend only 1 person per connection.

Play Time: 60 minutes

Price: $16.99 per person

Booking: book online for a specific time slot

Description

Rubix Control was an online show with puzzles. When we were presented with a puzzle or a narrative decision, we had to vote on the solution/ decision via a mobile website.

Results of an audience poll, the audience strongly preferred honey-roasted peanuts. — Our audience collectively had good taste.

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SCRAP – Escape from the Science Lab of Shifting Rules [Hivemind Review]

2 April 20217 April 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind, SCRAP

Escape from the Science Lab of Shifting Rules is an avatar-led game, played in Zoom, and created specifically for digital play by SCRAP in Japan.

Promo art shows a chaotic lab with a shark and the words, "Alter the rules and save the world!"Alter

Format

Style of Play:

Online native experience (can NOT be played IRL)
Avatar controlled by the players

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

Recommended Team Size: 2-6

Play Time: 60 minutes

Price: about $192 per team of up to 6 players

Booking: book online for a specific time slot

Description

Escape from the Science Lab of Shifting Rules is an avatar-led game that uses wordplay and critical thinking to move the story along.

Standard avatar interaction. Non-standard physics interaction. Players control a machine that changes reality and – as a fortuitous side effect – helps them solve puzzles.

This game is played entirely in Zoom with no additional interface. It was specifically designed as a remote game and can not be played in real life.

Escape from the Science Lab of Shifting Rules is also available in Japanese, but we played the English version of this game. You need a strong grasp of English to succeed.

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cluequest – Print + Cut + Escape: Mechanics of the Heart [Hivemind Review]

29 March 202129 March 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in clueQuest, Hivemind

Print + Cut + Escape: Mechanics of the Heart is a print-and-play escape game created by cluequest in London, England.

Format

Style of Play:

Online native experience (can NOT be played IRL)
Play on demand
Print-and-play

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection, printer, pen and paper, scissors

Make sure to follow the instructions regarding printing.

Recommended Team Size: 2-3

Play Time: about 90 minutes (less for highly experienced teams)

Price: £15 for the print-and-play version

Booking: purchase and play at your leisure

Description

The newest member in our team against evil in the world is robot “MM7”. In order to fully function he needs to understand how emotions work. It is up to us to help MM7 decipher the complex and puzzling ways of love.

The bulk of the game is a 19-page pdf to print out and cut up before the game clock begins. Once ready, access the web client to start the timer and story. Puzzles are solved using the papers, and answers are inputted into the website.

There’s also a feature that lets you hide little personal messages throughout the game.

Printed game materials, scissors, and a pen sitting on a laptop.

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Trapped in the Web – A Night at the Theatre [Hivemind Review]

28 March 202129 March 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind

A Night at the Theatre is a digital escape game in Google Forms, created by Trapped in the Web.

An illustration of a projector and some exposition setting the stage for the game.

Format

Style of Play:

Online native experience (can NOT be played IRL)
Play on demand
Light puzzle hunt

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

Recommended Team Size: 1-3

Play Time: 1-2 hours

Price: £8.99

Booking: purchase and play at your leisure

Description

Purchasing gives you access to a Google Form that contains the entire game. Players navigate through the Google Form, going to different ‘rooms’ and using the clues in those rooms to find solutions to puzzles. The Google Form interface is limited to pages of text, static graphics, and the occasional video leading to a text entry field for the solution, with a “Next” button.

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Cave Escape – Carfax The Hunter [Hivemind Review]

15 March 202113 March 2021 by REA Hivemind, posted in Hivemind

Carfax the Hunter is a livestreamed escape game created by Cave Escape in Nottingham, England.

A woman in black walking through a dramatically lit cave.

Format

Style of Play:

Adaptation of an in-person game (can be played IRL)
Avatar controlled by the players
Web-based inventory system

Required Equipment: computer with internet connection

Recommended Team Size: 2-4

Play Time: 75 minutes

Price: £85 per group

Booking: book online for a specific time slot

Description

This is an avatar-led game in a cool setting. You only see the avatar’s hands as you direct them to pick things up or open things. They also communicate back to you with hand movements. It utilizes Telescape in a separate window for inventory and cutscenes.

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