Outdoor Murder Mystery Game Comes to Sarasota in March
The Sarasota Ripper virtual detective game will take place in Sarasota on Saturday, March 27.
Image: Courtesy Photo
Ever wondered what it feels like to be a detective working a thrilling case, running around town looking for clues? Now's your chance, thanks to a new GPS location-based game coming to Sarasota on Saturday, March 27. The adventure, created by CluedUpp Games, is called The Sarasota Ripper and puts you in the action as you try to identify a murderous villain on the loose. Get your thinking caps on, gather a group of six detectives and search for clues until you've cracked the case.
To play, purchase tickets for up to six people. Then, anytime from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 27, open the CluedUpp app and launch The Sarasota Ripper game at a secret start location. Then, follow the game's GPS mapping system through town, with your phone leading you to virtual clues and witnesses in the form of notifications, until you've solved the mystery. Similar to the virtual game Pokémon Go, the positioning system will lead you to further clues.
CluedUpp, a United Kingdom-based startup company that launched in 2016, has organized games throughout the pandemic, because it's a fun outdoor activity that allows for social distancing. Now, more than 798 locations are offered, and more than 500,000 people have played worldwide. About 20 games are played each weekend around the world. Sarasota was chosen as the latest setting because of its optimal weather.
Game participants in Stockholm, Sweden, investigate a fictional crime.
Image: Courtesy Photo
Participants can share their case with others by dressing in their snazziest detective attire and sharing photos over CluedUpp's Facebook page. Scores and prizes will be revealed on the CluedUpp website after game day, with prize categories including fastest team, best fancy dress, best team picture, best young detective (16 and under) and best K-9 for teams that include dogs. Tickets are $51 per person; kids 16 and under are free.
"We've done well throughout the pandemic because all the games require only six people, they are outdoors and there are no real-life actors involved," says a CluedUpp representative. "We've come up with this fictional storyline around the Ripper, and feel lucky to share it and offer people something to do."
To sign up for The Sarasota Ripper, click here.
