Megagame Survival Guide

Don’t Worry About “Doing It Right”

There’s no single correct way to play a megagame. Your task is to engage with the game world and have fun. That’s it!

It’s Okay to Be Confused

Megagames can be overwhelming at first. Take a breath, ask questions, and trust that clarity will come as you play.

Trust the Design

The game is built so players need each other—what you have, someone needs; what you need, someone has. Talk to people, pursue your goals, and the game will reveal itself.

Play Those Cards. Now.

If your role comes with special cards, tokens, or abilities, use them early and often. It’s tempting to save them for the “perfect” moment—but that moment rarely comes, and you don’t want to finish the game with resources you never touched.

Make Friends

You’re going to be spending hours with these people. Introduce yourself, be friendly, and remember: everyone else is figuring it out too.

Embrace the Chaos

Things will go wrong. Plans will fall apart. Alliances will betray you. That’s not a bug—it’s a feature. Roll with it and enjoy the ride.

Before the Game

  • Gather Your Friends and Register Early – Games can fill up fast! Sign up as soon as tickets are available to secure your spot, and be sure to invite your friends along, too!

  • Check Your Email – We will email you everything you need to know before the game! Make sure you check your email frequently and reach out if you’re not sure.

  • Read Your Materials – You’ll typically receive your role and rules about a week before the game, but earlier if the game sells out earlier. Take time to read through everything—you don’t need to memorize it all, but familiarity helps you hit the ground running.

What to Bring

  • Yourself – The most important component
  • An open mind – Be ready to adapt and improvise
  • A water bottle – Stay hydrated during the long day
  • Food – We recommend bringing something substantial to eat, as well as snacks to get you through the day. We often host games at venues that have nearby food, so check that out ahead of time and make a plan–just don’t megagame hangry.
  • Any required materials – We’ll let you know if you need to bring anything specific

What to Leave at Home

  • Expectations of “winning” – Megagames are about the journey, the story, and the connections you make
  • Your phone (figuratively) – While not banned, stay present in the game

What to Wear

Costumes are highly encouraged at megagames to help with immersion and getting into character, but no matter what you wear, definitely… definitely wear comfortable shoes.

You never have to cosplay for a megagame.

If you want to, however, we hope you will.

Check our Safety Policy to learn more about general costume guidelines.

During the Game

  • Arrive Early – Get there 15–30 minutes before start time. This gives you time to check in, find your table, meet your team, and settle in before the chaos begins.

  • Listen to the Briefing – Gamerunners will explain the rules, answer questions, and set the scene. Pay attention—this is crucial information.

  • Engage with Others - Talk to people! Make deals, form alliances, negotiate treaties. Social interaction is the heart of a megagame.

  • Follow Your Role’s Interests - Megagames are designed so that what you need, someone else has—and what you have, someone else needs. You’ll find natural allies and adversaries throughout the game. If you’re not sure what to do next, pursue your role’s goals and see what connections form.

  • Be Creative - Your briefing is a starting point, not a ceiling. Think about what someone in your role would actually do, and don’t be afraid to pursue ideas that aren’t explicitly listed in the rules. Gamerunners love it when players bring creative energy—if you have a wild idea that fits the world, ask if you can make it happen.

  • Be Flexible - Plans will fall apart. Objectives will slip out of reach. That’s the game. When it happens, take a breath, reassess, and find your next move. There is always another option.

  • Ask Questions - Confused about a rule? Not sure what you should be doing? Find a gamerunner. We’re here to help.

  • Take Breaks - It’s a long day. Use the bathroom, stretch your legs, grab a snack. The game will still be there when you get back. We’ll structure some into the game periodically, too.

  • Stay in Bounds - Respect the rules, the space, and other players. Review our Safety Policy before attending.

  • Have Fun - Seriously. Succeed or fail, the goal is to create memorable stories together.

The game will end before you’re ready.

Don’t save anything for later. Use your abilities, spend your resources, take your shot. You’ll only regret playing it safe.

So don’t.

After the Game

  • Debrief - Stick around for our post-game debrief. This’ll be an opportunity to hear from the gamerunners about what actually happened in the game as a whole and to share highlights. Sharing stories with other players is half the fun.

  • Post-game Hangout - In all likelihood, the gamerunners will head somewhere nearby to eat, drink, and decompress. Join us if you’d like to be part of a longer chat about chaos of the day.

  • Share Your Experience - Post photos (with permission), share stories on social media, and tell your friends. Help us grow the megagame community!

  • Give Feedback - We want to hear what worked and what didn’t. Your feedback helps us improve future events. We’ll circulate feedback forms at the end of the game.

  • Stay Connected - Join our social media channels, sign up for our email list, and mark your calendar for the next game.