FAQ
- MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED (6 questions)
- General (3 questions)
- Purchasing Tickets (6 questions)
- Teams (3 questions)
- Getting Started (9 questions)
- Playing The Game (3 questions)
- Cell Phones & Plans (6 questions)
- Credits & Refunds (1 questions)
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED
- Q: How does it work?
- A: Half treasure hunt, half tour, Stray Boots Urban Games challenge players to find sites, answer questions and complete silly photo challenges from the convenience of their cell phone. Our games can be played by traditional text message or on our mobile browser http://www.strayboots.com/play
- Q: How do I start ("activate") the game?
- A: Go to the start spot and send in your code!
After purchasing tickets, you'll receive a confirmation email with a start location and an activation code. When you're ready to start, go to the start spot.
If you have a smartphone, visit strayboots.com/play and enter your code. If not, no worries! Just text your code to the phone number provided in the instructions email. - Q: How far in advance do I need to buy tickets (or redeem my voucher)? (Can I buy and play on the same day?)
- A: You can buy and play right away!
When you purchase (or redeem), you'll get emailed instructions for getting started. You can follow those instructions the instant you receive them and you can start your game. - Q: How long does it take to play?
- A: 2-3 hours, but it's up to you!
Each Game Zone takes about two to three hours (museum zones are a little longer), not including taking breaks along the way. How quickly you walk, how many breaks you take, how many hints you use / clues you skip, and how easily you find the answer will all affect how long each Game Zone takes you.
But no pressure to finish. If you can't finish in one shot, you can resume your game anytime within a year of the day you bought. - Q: Do I need to buy a ticket for everyone in my group?
- A: Yes, please!
Tickets are sold per person for everyone who will be enjoying the experience, just like a walking tour or traditional scavenger hunt. Your cell phone just takes the place of a human tour guide or paper packet of clues.
Each team has just one captain who will send and receive all messages on their phone, but captains can be switched if a phone battery is running low, or just to mix things up.
Want to use more than one phone? Ask us about our head to head or large group options: strayboots.com/large-groups - Q: What if we want to play as multiple teams?
- A: No problem! We like your competitive spirit.
1. Buy your tickets for the number of people in your group.
2. Forward the "Activation Instructions" email you receive to info@strayboots.com telling us the number of teams you'd like to play with.
3. We'll email you back additional codes
4. Smoke the competition!
NOTE: For many zones, we have multiple 'paths' that teams can take so that they can start at the same time. For other zones, there is just one path but you can give one team a 10 minute head start so that you're not completely piggy-backing. You can then compare scores at the same end spot.
General
- Q: What is a Game Zone?
- A: A Game Zone is a neighborhood or museum where you can play The Game -- e.g Downtown Boston, Georgetown, or The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each zone can be walked and generally takes 2-3 hours to complete.
- Q: How long does each Game Zone take to play?
- A: Each Game Zone takes about two to three hours (museum zones are a little longer), not including taking breaks along the way. How quickly you walk, how many breaks you take, how many hints you use / clues you skip, and how easily you find the answer will all affect how long each Game Zone takes you.
- Q: What do I need to play?
- A: You need a cell phone, a camera or camera-phone, and comfortable shoes. A map is not necessary, but if you want one you can pick up a free one at just about any hotel in the city or any info booth located around the city.
Purchasing Tickets
- Q: How do I purchase tickets?
- A: The easiest way is right through our website. Find your City, then add the zone (or package of multiple zones) to your shopping cart. Make sure to add a ticket for each person participating. When you're ready to buy, just Check Out as you would on other sites and enter your credit card info. We accept all major cards.
Or call us toll-free: (877) 787-2929 and we'll process your credit card over the phone. - Q: How are tickets priced?
- A: Tickets are sold per person for everyone who will be enjoying the experience, just like a walking tour or traditional scavenger hunt. Your team has one captain who will send and receive messages on their phone, but you can switch the captain to any other phone if you run low on battery or just want to mix things up. Drop us a line if you'd like to play as more than one team (using more than one phone at a time).
- Q: How long after I purchase tickets do I have to play The Game?
- A: You have one full year to activate your ticket after you make your purchase, so if your plans change, you don’t have to worry about tickets going unused.
- Q: How far in advance do I need to purchase tickets?
- A: You can buy tickets and play on the same day or buy up to a year in advance of when you want to play! Just make sure you have email access so that you can view the activation instructions that we email you. Or, give us a call toll-free at 877-787-2929 after you purchase.
- Q: Can I add more people to my ticket?
- A: More people joined your group after your purchase? No problem! Just call our toll-free customer service number: (877) 787-2929 and we’ll walk you through the easy steps.
- Q: What payment methods do you accept?
- A: We accept all major credit cards: Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Discover
Teams
- Q: How many phones can I activate on my team?
- A: You can only use one phone per team at any given time, so choose a team captain to send and receive the messages. You can switch who is captain mid-game at any point. Just have someone follow the initial instructions you received from us on a second phone and it will switch which phone controls the game.
- Q: How many people should be on a team?
- A: You can have as many people on your team as you’d like but only one phone is used per team. We recommend teams of up to 6 people. If you have a larger group, drop us a line for other options.
- Q: Can my group play as more than one team?
- A: Yes but only in certain zones. Drop us a line with the zone and date you’d like to play and we’ll get you all set up. We’re working on expanding this ability to all zones in the near future.
Getting Started
- Q: How do I activate my phone after I purchase my tickets?
- A: Go to the start spot and send in your code!
After purchasing tickets, you'll receive a confirmation email with a start location and an activation code. When you're ready to start, go to the start spot.
If you have a smartphone, visit strayboots.com/play and enter your code.
If not, no worries! Just text your code to the phone number provided in the instructions email. - Q: Where do I go to start my game?
- A: Check out the City page of your city to see where each zone starts.
If you bought more than one zone (or one of our multi-zone packages), you can start with whichever zone you'd like. And, you can switch between zones at any point by sending in MENU. - Q: Do I need to make a reservation or select a specific time I want to play?
- A: Nope.
Once you have your activation instructions, you just send in your code when you're ready to start. No need to let us know the specific time! - Q: Is there a specific time of day or day of the week I have to play?
- A: Nope, but some times are better than others.
The best time to play is during normal business hours. Otherwise, just keep in mind that some stops along the way may be closed. For specific questions about each Game Zone, see the City page for the location you would like to play, and please feel free to email us or call us toll-free at (877) 787-2929. - Q: Once I start, how long do I have to play?
- A: 1 full year!
You have a full year from the time you purchased to finish up your game, regardless of when you got started.
So, if you start playing 1 month after you bought, you can take 11 months to finish up all the zones on your ticket. Just re-send your activation code to resume at a later date. - Q: Do I have to play with the phone number I entered when I purchased tickets?
- A: You can play using any phone you'd like, so long as it's one at a time. The one we ask for on signup is for contact purposes in case we need to reach you while you're playing.
- Q: Will my game start as soon as I buy tickets?
- A: Nope, your game won't start until you send in your activation code per the instructions email we send you.
- Q: Do I need to be physically standing in the right place before I can activate?
- A: No, you can actually activate in advance of playing if you'd like to test things out before you leave. No matter where you are, The Game will respond to you.
Since you have a full year to play, you're welcome to activate a few hours, days, or even weeks in advance of when you plan to play. Just respond back when you're actually ready to get rolling. - Q: Do I have to pick up game materials or print anything out to play The Game?
- A: Nope.
All you have to do is activate your phone and go. Your phone will give you all the info you'll need (though you may want to jot down your activation code and the zone starting spot).
Playing The Game
- Q: Once I start playing, do I have a time limit for completing The Game?
- A: 1 year!
You have a full year from the purchase date to finish playing. You can take as many breaks as you want during that time. As long as it’s within 365 days of when you purchased, just respond to the last message you received to pick up your game where you left off. - Q: What if I have trouble with my phone or it runs out of batteries during The Game?
- A: You can switch phones!
You can easily change to using another team member’s phone. Just follow the initial instructions you received from us on a second phone and it will switch which phone controls the game, picking up right where you left off.
If you only have 1 phone you can play on, we can either credit you a different zone for later or issue you a refund. We want you to have an awesome time or it's on us! - Q: Can I switch which phone controls The Game?
- A: Absolutely!
Just follow the initial instructions you received from us on a second phone and it will switch which phone controls the game, picking up right where you left off.
Cell Phones & Plans
- Q: Does the game work with my cell phone plan provider?
- A: The Game can be played by text message on phones with plans on any US provider. It can also be played by phones on international providers if the phone has the ability to send a text message to a 10-digit US number.
- Q: Will I be charged for the text messages I send and receive while playing The Game?
- A: You'll be charged for texts as you normally are according to your agreement with your carrier. We recommend having a member of your team with an unlimited text plan use his/her phone to play.
- Q: What if I don't know what my text message plan is?
- A: Try calling your provider to find out. Many will be able to upgrade your plan for just the month for only a few bucks. You can revert back to your old plan the following month at no cost or penalty in most cases. The phone numbers of some major carriers are below:
- AT&T: 800.331.0500
- Verizon: 800.922.0204
- Sprint: 888.211.4727
- T-Mobile: 877.453.1304
- Metro PCS: 888.863.8768
- Boost Mobile: 866.402.7366 - Q: If I'm from another country, will my phone work?
- A: Your phone may work by text message if you are able to send texts to a 10-digit US phone number. You will be charged for the texts you send, which for some people can be costly.
- Q: Approximately how many text messages will I send and receive?
- A: The number of text messages you send and receive will depend a bit on how many hints you use during The Game. The number of combined messages you send and receive ranges from about 90 to about 120 messages for each zone.
- Q: If I'm from another country (and don't have a phone to play on). Can I rent a phone?
- A: We do not currently rent out phones, but you can buy a U.S. SIM card or prepaid phone that will be very useful for your stay in in the U.S. even after playing The Game! Contact your wireless provider for more information.
Credits & Refunds
- Q: What’s your refund/return policy?
- A: Just call us toll-free at (877) 787-2929 and tell us why you need your money back. If you haven't started The Game or have played for less than an hour, we'll refund your money to your credit card. If you have started and played for an hour or more, we'll handle it on a case by case basis.
