Imagine yourself trapped up in a room trying to find a way out. It's a situation that surely would thrill you when you watch it on the big screen, but what if you could have the experience in real life?
The Real Dasshutsu (Escape) Game, is based on an activity that's being championed by Kyoto-based free magazine Scrap. At the event in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, participants will be trapped in an amusement park after dark and have to make their escape by finding clues and solving puzzles. Organizers say such an unusual situation should be thrilling enough to top what you've seen on the screen, but won't be too scary.
"You shouldn't worry about not being able to solve the puzzle within the time limit," says Takao Kato, the producer of the event. "You can always challenge yourself again."
The Real Dasshutu Game was inspired by similar games that became popular on the Internet. In those games, players point and click on certain spots on their screens, such as under beds, to find keys and so on. Scrap debuted the Real Dasshutsu Game at their third anniversary party in 2007. As the concept gradually gained popularity, they took it across Japan. Next month, the game will be involved in a tieup with the Evangelion World attraction at Fuji-Q Highland theme park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture.
"It's only in these types of situations, where you are trapped with strangers in a room, that people can get so excited," Kato says. "You can escape as long as you play the correct role within the story. Creativity and careful communication will help you to escape."
The Real Dasshutu Game "Yoru no Yuuenchi Karano Dasshutsu" takes place at Nagashima Spa Land in Kuwana, Mie Pref., on Oct. 14-16, 22 and 23 (gates open at 6:15 p.m.). Tickets are ¥2,800 in advance, ¥3,300 at the door. For more information, call (080) 4243-8332 or visit www.realdgame.jp (Japanese).
