SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mind Candy, creators of Perplex City alternate reality game (ARG), today announced the world's largest ARG live event ever -- The San Francisco Connection. Set to take place in San Francisco, CA on August 12, 2006, the event will have thousands scouring the city streets, taking part in a high-tech treasure hunt.
The San Francisco Connection will be unique for a variety of reasons. First, up to 1000 players and spectators will take part on-site, along with thousands more online. Second, the main puzzle will involve real-time RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tracking -- something never done before, making it arguably the most impressive and high-tech puzzle ever. Using special chips embedded within objects, RFID allows for a variety of games by tracking the chips within a specific area. Third, the day's activities will be 'in-game' -- in other words, participants will influence a vitally important part of the Perplex City story.
"San Francisco is the perfect location for the way we envision a treasure hunt," said Mind Candy CEO Michael Smith. "We are utilizing technology in a way that makes it amazingly fun and engaging. The RFID gameplay will be unlike anything anyone's seen before, and the collaborative effort that will need to be put forth by the players will make for a truly one-of-a-kind experience."
There will be hundreds of puzzles for players to solve as they take to the streets. For instance, following a trail of puzzles might direct players to the Transamerica building, where they would need to find how many entrances it has in order to move on; other examples of puzzles will range from images and riddles to finding stale technology (where can one find a floppy drive these days?)
The event will begin and end at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco, and will run from 10:30am to approximately 4pm. It is open to everyone (if under 16, please bring a parent or guardian). Those planning to attend are asked to sign up beforehand at www.perplexcity.com (under 'live events'), as there are a limited number of player spaces available. The theatre has free parking and is easily accessible via public transportation. Players are encouraged to bring a car, bike, or another mode of transit if available (although it isn't necessary) and a good map of San Francisco.
Press can contact sfevent@perplexcity.com for more information about the treasure hunt, the RFID technology, and/or Mind Candy. Demos of the technology, opportunities to follow puzzle teams, and interviews with the creators can be set-up.
About Perplex City
Perplex City is a trading card-based Alternate Reality Game (ARG) blending real-life treasure hunting, interactive fiction, puzzle-solving, online communities, and live events in cities around the world to create an incredibly immersive gaming experience. Players purchase silver packs that contain six cryptic puzzle cards created by a range of leading designers and illustrators. Ranging in difficulty from 'fun and easy' to 'captivatingly complex,' the wide range of unusual puzzles include beautifully crafted riddles, origami challenges, pop culture trivia, logical mindbenders, 3D mazes and Egyptian hieroglyphs. Once solved, they provide the player with their first clues to the location of the buried treasure. Players enter their solutions online at www.perplexcity.com and receive a number of "Perplex Points," dependent on the difficulty of the card. The first person to unravel the mystery and locate the hidden "Receda Cube" will receive a $200,000 reward.