The Game

We've turned Illinois State University into an incredible outdoor digital adventure. Our PokemonGo style app will take you to 8 iconic places around Illinois State University. At each location, you will need to solve a puzzle before advancing. It is part Scavenger Hunt and part Escape Room! You can play solo or in a group. Besides completing fun puzzles, you will learn fascinating details about different places like ISU Quad, Bone Student Center and Moulton Hall. You will walk around 0.7 miles as you find clues, solve puzzles and get closer to completing the adventure. You can go at your own pace, but it should take around 45 minutes to complete the adventure. Over 200,000 players have used our app to explore the world. We can't wait for you to play as well!

Duration

45 Min

Location

Bone Student Center

Exploration Spots

ISU Quad

Solve a rebus at the ISU Quad, an internationally recognized arboretum where 154 tree species are planted geographically to mirror Northern and Southern Illinois.

Bone Student Center

Solve a riddle at Bone Student Center, a bustling campus hub that Ronald Reagan once used as a dressing room during his 1979 presidential campaign.

Moulton Hall

Decode a morse code message at Moulton Hall, named for the legislator who mortgaged his own property during the Civil War to keep the university afloat.

Redbird Statue

Snap a team photo at the Redbird Statue, a beloved Reggie Redbird monument anchored in the lively brick plaza where the historic Rambo House once stood.

Fell Hall

Solve a riddle at Fell Hall, the campus's first women's residence hall where a basement radio station now occupies the original laundry room.

And Much More...

These are just the highlights. There are hidden corners, secret statues, and lost history waiting for you to discover.

Player Reviews

Be one of the first!

Here's what players say about our experiences elsewhere:

Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.

“The one we did on museum was fun. I gave correct answer for 2 of them.”

Team: Five warriors

— Shambhavi A

Jacksonville, IL

“The whole game was super fun. It got me a lot closer to newer people as well.”

Team: Fantastic 4

— Allison I

New London, CT

“I really enjoyed the random grouping as it gave us all a better chance to connect with people on our floor instead of just our roommates. I also liked the decoding puzzles.”

Team: morrisson 5th 3

— Lindsay B

Montgomery, IL

“I enjoy my team and how we worked together to solve the scavanger hunt”

Team: Moldovan Menaces

— Patricia

Winona, MN

“I loved the puzzle by kryzsko commons (I’m not sure what it’s called) and the word search through the camera at the library”

Team: Blondies4Life

— Allie A

Stare Mesto, Praha

“Taking selfie + puzzles that required an eye for a detail; when we needed to find something rather than figure it out.”

Team: Anything team

— Justyna W

Questions & Answers

What is the Illinois State University Scavenger Hunt and Escape Game?: A self-guided outdoor adventure around Illinois State University that's part scavenger hunt, part escape room. Your team follows clues on your phone to 8 spots, solving a puzzle and learning something at each one.
Where does it start?: At Bone Student Center, 200 N University St, Normal, IL 61761.
How long does it take?: About 45 minutes, covering roughly 0.7 miles on foot. You can go as quickly or slowly as you like!
How much does it cost?: $10 per player.
How many people can play?: Teams can be 1 to 8 players. For bigger groups, split into several teams and race each other on the leaderboard.
What do I need to bring?: A charged phone with mobile data and location turned on, and The Great Game app (free on the App Store and Google Play). We'll send you instructions on how to create a team when you book. Comfortable shoes help.
Does everyone need their own phone?: No. One phone per team is enough, and up to 8 teammates can join on their own phones if they want to.
What if we get stuck?: There are hints at every step, so no team ever gets stuck.
Is it good for kids?: It is great for families! We see multi-generational teams all the time!
What if it rains?: There's no set start time, so you can play any day. If the weather's bad, just go another day, and we'll refund you if your plans change!
Can we book it for a group or event?: Yes. We run custom games for team building, orientations, clubs and conferences, including games built around your own venue, and we've hosted events for over 1,000 people. Book a demo.