Will Play For Food Game
DATE: Sunday, March 27
TIME: 1:30 - 6:00 PM
WHERE: 730 Polk St., SF CA
COST: $40 (includes game, food, wine+beer open bar)
Imagine yourself, a team of friends, and a cell phone navigating the streets of colorful San Francisco, cracking puzzles, outing our covert operatives, and recording the epic glory of your afternoon through creative photo and video missions. In other words, imagine yourself having the time of your life. On Sunday, March 27, the Go Game presents 'Will Play for Food', a heart-pounding, gut-busting urban adventure game that puts other scavenger hunts to shame. Seriously. All proceeds from the event will benefit Project Open Hand, a Bay Area non-profit that has delivered 'meals with love' to people living with serious illness and to seniors since 1985.
The Five W's
Who is playing?
You, of course! Teams are comprised of 5-6 players, so if you'd like to dominate the game with your posse, get four or five of your friends to sign up. If you're not shy and want to make new friends, sign up alone or in a small group. We'll help to pair you up with other singles, pairs, and trios on the day of the event.
What is the Go Game?
The Go Game is the intersection of wireless technology, the Amazing Race, YouTube, Cranium, and Mission: Impossible. You and a team of friends will challenge your wits, your teamwork, and your willingness to be outrageous in public. Each team will use a cell phone and a digital camera as guides to discover the city's hidden gems, interact with our undercover actors, and capture the magic through creative photos and videos. Afterward, you and your hundred new best friends will reconvene over catered food, wine, and beer to watch and score your photos and videos. Be prepared to hoot, holler, heckle and give standing O's as appropriate. After tallying the final scores, top teams will be lauded, prizes will be awarded, and each member of the winning team will walk away with a prize package worth over $200. (In the end, though, we're all winners!)
What is Project Open Hand?
Project Open Hand provides meals and groceries for people with symptomatic HIV and AIDS; congregate lunches for people over 60 years of age, and meals for homebound and critically ill people under the age of 60. Services are available to eligible clients living in San Francisco and Alameda counties.
Where is the event?
The event will start and end at Project Open Hand's headquarters, at 730 Polk Street. The game will center around the vibrant Polk Street district just a few blocks north.
When is the event?
Will Play for Food goes down rain or shine on Sunday, March 27. Arrive no later than 1:30 PM for check in, because the game begins promptly at 2:00 PM. Doors open at 1:00 PM.
Pre-formed teams of 5-6 players should arrive no later than 1:30 PM to check in. Those looking looking to join forces with others should arrive earlier to schmooze, size up the competition, and choose their formidable teammates.
The game will begin at 2:00 PM, with play time lasting until roughly 4:30 PM. At that point, the game will prompt all players to return to POH headquarters, where all teams can enjoy wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and food before the judging presentation. We'll be wrapped up by 6:00 PM.
Why?
There are so many reasons! First, you're a good person who appreciates donating to a good cause. Second, you like to have fun. Third, you'll get to meet new people. Fourth, food. Fifth and sixth, wine and beer. Seventh, the prize package for the winning team:
- $20 gift certificate to Sports Basement
- Autographed Matt Cain SF Giants baseball ($80 value)
- Randy Johnson San Francisco Giants Limited edition Bobblehead ($50 value)
- Free race entry into The Second Annual Giant Race (www.thegiantrace.com) ½ Marathon, 10K or 5K event on Saturday, August 27. Includes an exclusive Tim Lincecum collectors’ edition bobblehead! (Up to $80 value).
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
How/How Much?
Sign up at EventBrite. We're limited to 100 players. Sign up before spaces run out!
The game costs $40. An awesome experience + food + free wine and beer + a chance at prizes + charity = a bargain!
Other FAQ's
What should I bring with me?
Good walking shoes, clothes appropriate to the weather outdoors, and anything else you usually bring when you leave the house (wallets, purses, ID's, etc.). Of course, if you want to coordinate outfits with your team in advance, that's fine too.
Huh? You're giving our team a cell phone and a camera?
Yes, but we need them back at the end. At registration, each team will have to cough up a driver's license, which we'll hold on to during the game. Once we get back all your tech equipment, we'll hand over the ID.
How do I win?
Ah, now we get to the crux of the matter. The winner is determined by adding points earned during the hunt and points earned during the judging. The more missions your team solves correctly during the hunt portion of the game, the better. However, your team stands to earn between a third and half of its point total based on how well its photos and videos do during the judging round. The moral of the story is you want to solve lots of missions, but you also want to create incredible photos and videos. Teams that do both those things, will do well.
How do I get to Project Open Hand?
Since it’s a Sunday, street parking is free and should be relatively easy to come by, but there are some other transportation options:
- Civic Center BART/Muni is four blocks away.
- The 5, 19, 31, 47 & 49 bus lines all run within two blocks of POH.
- There are a two nearby parking garages: 1000 Van Ness that charges by the hour, and 819 Ellis Street (at Polk) that charges $9 for the whole day.
How will I get around during the game?
The whole game is played on foot (hence the walking shoes). Cars, buses, bikes, skateboards, etc. are not allowed, and will likely hinder you more than they help.
Do I need to be in shape?
Wits and creativity are more important than fitness in this game. You could run from mission to mission, but it wouldn't help all that much. Ultimately, if you're comfortable standing and walking around for two hours, you're fit enough to play.
Why is the game 21+?
We don't want to have to card everyone at the open bar at the end! We also may be sending your teams into over-21 establishments during the game, and we don't want anyone to be left out.
What if I'm not a runner? What should I do with my race entry if my team wins?
Race entry is transferable, so if you've got a friend who wants in, you can give your entry code to him or her.
Who are your sponsors?
We wouldn't want to forget them! Many thanks to Napa Cellars and Sudwerk Brewery for providing wine and beer for the event.