How to play The Game

If you’ve seen the characters, the cards or the costumes by now you’re probably wondering just what ‘The Game’ is and how you can get involved. 

There are many ways to experience The Game.
From a fun and casual game of dares, to a deep adventure within a rich and wacky world, you can play as little or as much as you like – there is always more to do in this immersive experience.

Playing Cards

To begin, you will need to get yourself a Game playing card. You can find these at Game Central at the top of the Village Green, or by asking any of The Game characters you see roaming the streets between 3-7pm each day of the festival.

Your card will feature a suit that corresponds to a group of characters, known as a faction.

The factions you can meet are:
The Time Traveling Pilates in their sunken ship.
The Big Hat Rail Co (definitely not gangsters) at their Train Carriage.
The Beasts of Woodfordia hiding under The Bridge.
The Elizabogans ruling in their fabulous Castle.

You can only have one playing card at a time and should always have it on display.

Get creative with your playing card – stick it on your hat, peg it onto your shirt, or wear it proudly around your neck.

 

Dares

If you want to swap cards with someone you can say “I want your card!”. They will give you a simple dare, and if you complete the challenge you can swap your card for theirs.
The same goes if someone wants your card too!

Dares must be fun, safe and legal.

A few examples are:

• Sing your favourite song
• Have a 30 second dance-off
• Hug a stranger

This is the easiest way to play casually, meet people, and have some unique interactions with fellow Woodfordians.

While official Game characters only roam the streets between 3-7pm, dares can be completed amongst players at any time of day.

Just show your card and join in on the fun!

 

 

Step into The Game World…

If you want to take the next step, you can visit one of the many Game factions located around the festival and talk to a character that matches your card.

When you meet a character featured on a Game card, they will give you a challenge or quest.

If you complete the quest, you will be rewarded with Funs, the currency of The Game World.

See what else is in store by finding cards for other characters (this is a great reason to take up some dares and swap cards with other players)!

 

…Become part of the story!

Earn 10 Funs from various quests and you can apply to become a Citizen of The Game World at Game Central.

Here you can choose which faction you want to join and create your very own character.

From there you can take on more challenging quests from your faction’s Quest Board and rise through the ranks, earning fame and fortune along the way.

Quests will become more elaborate as you ‘level up’ through ranks one to four, so get ready to fall down the rabbit hole!

 

 

The Game Finale

All this action leads to The Game Finale on New Year’s Day.

If you have proven yourself worthy by completing multiple quests for your faction, you will have the opportunity to compete in the Finale and save the world.

The winner will also take home a season ticket to the Woodford Folk Festival next year. So, no biggie.

Love dressing up?

Players are encouraged to create a costume that reflects the faction they have aligned with. Don your pirate hat and sword to join the Pilates, gather some wild branches to blend in with the Beasts, dress to the nines (but don’t forget the pluggers) to hang with the Elizabogans, or bust out the pinstripes and head back to the 1920’s with the Big Hat Rail Co.

If you know which faction you hope to join, start planning your outfit now and be sure to bring something elaborate along.

Stumped on which faction to join? This quiz will help you decide!

If you pick it up along the way, you’ll be amazed at how creative you can get with limited materials.

If you get a bit confused along the way, there are rules on the back of all playing cards or you can speak to any of the characters.
The Game will be held every day of the festival on the streets from 3pm to 7pm.

If you’re planning on joining us at the Woodford Folk Festival this year, make sure you book your tickets online – there’ll be no opportunity to buy them at the gate this year.