EPTI have two major reasons for doing this, but I need your help figuring it all out...
1. I could find people like me in my area, or people to hang with.
2. The people on the hunt might have a problem finding the exact location or they might need help with a clue. This will lead them to interact with strangers around them. This will help more people get involved with each other. The more the better, really. I feel like a lot of people are out of practice at this and it would be fun to nudge people towards one another.
The hunt will start at multiple locations. I think I will probably print out a piece of paper that says "TREASURE HUNT" in big letters and put these papers on bulletin boards around campus, or some better more visible spot, with an easy first clue to get people started. The first couple clues will probably be on campus, but then it might branch off into other areas of town or something. Still figuring that part out.
BUT, I have some problems to solve before I start sneaking around town and hiding clues.
-Should I schedule this in advance, or have it appear out of nowhere (thus adding to the magic)?
-I am thinking I should make this anonymous. People will not know that I made the clues. This is a problem because I want to track the cluehunters' progress, and the hunt may take a whole day or even a couple days to complete, depending on how hard the clues are and stuff. Plus, I won't have any other way of knowing when the players start their hunt. I don't really have anyone in mind who would be interested in doing this, so I don't think it will be possible for me to do this as a party event. Plus, it sounds more fun this way.
-I will probably make a new account on some site, like a blog or a blank youtube for the hunters to go to and comment on when they start. Like a guestbook. I feel like I need contact with the hunter(s) to give extra hints in case they are really stuck and can't figure something out.
-I have no idea what the "treasure" should be. The people in question will be 17-25ish years old. Perhaps a geocache - type treasure would be good enough for this.
-I'm thinking part of the "treasure" will be my facebook or contact info. Does that sound creepy, to only reveal myself as the host after the players find the treasure (like I'm the treasure lol), or does it make sense? The people playing might be intrigued by my creativity or thankful for the adventure I gave them, so it seems natural to me to let them know who I am. Or should I simply let them know who I am on the paper they read when they first start?
-What's your opinion of a good prize? I am thinking that the clue right before the last one will have blanks in it that will be filled in using stuff found with the other clues so that people don't "accidentally" stumble upon the last location without going through the entire hunt. Not that it would be very likely because I intend to spread the clues out a bit. Not sure if this part will be implemented. Probably not.
-Should there be multiple prizes for the possible multiple participants? If so, how would they be distributed?
-Should I do periodic checks on clues to make sure they haven't been taken or lost? On that note, how hidden should the clues be? Should I hide them in plain sight where they could be taken by a janitor or a garbage man or anyone? Or should I have them more hidden and have the clue include some kind of detail that helps the player find the next clue when they arrive at the correct location?
Your suggestions are welcome and appreciated! Thanks :D
