It’s no secret The Plus Ones team is a big fan of Pop Up Playground. The creative company has designed experiential games ranging from bank heists to a kitchen under siege from cannibals.
Their latest endeavour is Outside: The Cloud. It’s an interactive game described as ‘a real-life choose-your-own-adventure’ that is played in both the real world and online. Each week players receive new missions they must complete to find passcodes concealed in the real world, which further the story.
The first week we were emailed a cryptic message and set of coordinates that led us to the Royal Botanic Gardens. My plus one and I arrived unsure of what to expect, but happy to enjoy an outing on a summer afternoon. After a bit of searching, we managed to find our first clue and unlock a series of missions. The quest turned into a bit a treasure hunt, as we roamed through the Botanic Gardens following clues and searching for passcodes.
For those interested in playing, my plus one and I both agreed that the game was more fun with a buddy. (Tip: one person has to register to receive the communications, but it’s possible to bring others along to help solve the puzzles.) The first session of the game proved to be an excellent excuse to catch up with a friend and spend an few hours outside on a warm, sunny day. I’m intrigued to find out what’s in store for the coming weeks.
– Jenny
Jenny S. is an event adventurer. When she’s not attending live shows, you can find her sampling the latest craft beer or sipping a creative cocktail.
Outside: The Cloud is played throughout inner city Melbourne and the CBD from 23 January–26 March. Cost: $30 for one month subscription or $50 for two months. Learn more here.
