“Hello,” said the mysterious voice when I answered the phone. “Are you ready to play. . . The Game?” You could hear the capital letters when she asked. This wasn’t any old game, this was The Game.
Created by Amber Fitzsimmons of Phoenix Tears Productions in time for Halloween, The Game is a telephone-based choose-your-own adventure style game where you only need a writing instrument, a writing surface, a 6-sided die, and a willingness to gamble your very soul on a few questions.
The Game is a one-on-one phone show experience that asks you to commit yourself fully, to answer questions interestingly and honestly, to roll the dice, and perhaps, just maybe, you will be granted a wish. The Game wants new players, especially you. The show can be experienced from anywhere in the world either via phone call or zoom audio call. So if you want to play or give someone the experience, they just need a phone, a die (or the ability to pick numbers between 1 and 6), a pen, and paper.
Playing The Game
I was sitting in the McDonald’s on Alafaya near the University of Central Florida with a set of earbuds, my trusty pen and Moleskine notebook, and a 6-sided die from my D&D days. Believe it or not, I didn’t look that out of place there.
I started the game with the Game Master placing me in a scenario where I would choose the path I would take on my little quest. I was walking through the woods — presumably not in Florida, because I know better — when I entered a hazy area. I was given the choice to continue on or turn and go home. I did what any adventurous spirit would do and continued onward.
I came to a creek, found an object, ventured into a cave, and progressed on through the action — I’m being deliberately vague — before I finally met the end of the story, unsure of what my actual fate was.
Not that I wasn’t paying attention. It was like the end of a movie where they splash THE END across the screen before adding a ?, making you realize that it’s not actually over.
But the Game Master didn’t tell me any more. Now I’m just worried what the next full moon will bring.
Challenge #2 of The Game involved asking questions based on the roll of my 6-sided die. The number I rolled corresponded to a question. It was my job to answer fully and honestly, and The Game would judge whether my answers were worthy of acceptance.
I’m happy to report that all three of my answers were accepted and I was considered a Champion. Of what, I don’t actually know. But right now, I’m a Champion, and so I’ve got that going for me.
And because I’m a Champion, I can wish for anything I want and it will be granted. And I only have to forfeit my soul to make it happen. Unless I can get someone else to play The Game and swap theirs for mine. I wanted to ask how I went about doing that, but the Game Master only cackled and hung up.
Is anyone free this weekend?
When: October 26th to November 3rd
Runtime: 20-30 minutes
Ticket price: $15 minimum
Rating: 18+ for language & violence
Tickets: https://phoenix-tears-productions.ticketleap.com/the-game
Cast & Creative Team
- Written by Amber Fitzsimmons
- Performed by Amber Fitzsimmons & Megan Markham
- Sound Design by Amanda Markham
- Produced by Phoenix Tears Productions
About The Game and Phoenix Tears Productions
The Game is written by Amber Fitzsimmons and produced by Phoenix Tears Productions. Phoenix Tears Productions is known for producing immersive and interactive content over the phone, on Zoom, and in person. You can find out more on their website.
Photo credit: Logo and Amber Fitzsimmons provided by Phoenix Tears Productions
Really creative arty shot of notebook, pen, and die by Erik Deckers