From the Daily Press: Colonial Williamsburg spy game mixes 21st- and 18th-century technology
WILLIAMSBURG — The American Revolution is threatened by a sinister plot that could destroy the fledgling republic.
Before it's too late, fearless patriots are desperately needed to unravel the British conspiracy by discovering the identity of the founding father targeted for assassination along with the location and method of the attack.
So far, about 2,000 have heeded the call since Colonial Williamsburg introduced "RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros," on July 15. The experience immerses visitors in an interactive spy game that plays out among costumed interpreters and historic buildings. The name references a house with a sign depicting the horned beast that is adjacent to the game's secret gathering place.
"This is the first time we've tried to blend some technology into the program in the historic area," said Jim Bradley, a Colonial Williamsburg Foundation spokesman. "Modern technology and 18th century stuff normally don't mix."
RevQuest is free with paid Colonial Williamsburg admission. However, a cellular phone with texting capability is required to submit answers and receive clues. Players receive a set of orders that describes the mission, a "Continental Army Cipherbook" to assist in unlocking secret messages, and several bills of "Virginia currency" in case a bribe is needed along the way.
According to Bradley, 562 groups — with an average size of three to four people — have played at least part of the game in the first 11 days since its launch. During that time, Colonial Williamsburg has received 6,500 incoming texts which means about 13,000 messages have been transmitted in all, he said.
RevQuest is a lot like a scavenger hunt that takes participants through three sections of town: the Capitol neighborhood, midtown and Palace Green. The game — which is based on a true event — takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete if played straight through.
"Questors" who thwart the "foul plot" are rewarded with gold tokens from an interpreter who explains the true history of the event. Successful participants are also given access to a secret website that "only our most trusted patriots can locate."
Bill Weldon, Colonial Williamsburg's director of public history, said the game's message is "citizenship requires action. If you have a self-governing society, people have to be involved." Additionally, RevQuest teaches about the class strictures of the time and how "society was defined by slavery to a large degree," he said.
On a muggy morning this week, several families — including the Barkauskas clan from Mountain Lakes, N.J. — gathered outside the Prentis Store on Duke of Gloucester Street to await the arrival of "Agent 368."
RevQuest players wear blue scarves that identify them to interpreters who may help or hinder the cause depending on their character's allegiance.
"Agents all have their own approaches to how they introduce the game," Bradley pointed out. "Each does it in their own singular way, which is cool."
Agent 368 arrived stealthily so as to not attract unwanted attention and explained in low tones that players should disperse and meet him behind some nearby buildings where it was safer to talk. There, the agent provided tips and "rules of civility" to assist players and quickly sent them on their way with a caution not approach him on the street for fear of discovery.
Rich and Joanne Barkauskas and their children Richard, 14; Matthew, 11; Thomas, 8; and Emma, 5 were in town for a week and heard the game compared "to a 'National Treasure' type of thing." The family bustled eagerly through the colonial streets in the summer heat as they tried to piece together the mystery — no small feat.
"We're struggling big time," Rich remarked at one point, as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "The revolution is in trouble."
But despite the bumpy start, the Barkauskas family gained momentum even as they stopped for drinks and a quick restroom break. Fatigue was not an option — the very life of the revolution hung in the balance.
"I know you're tired, but liberty is at stake," Joanne Barkauskas, implored as the younger children waned before getting a drink-fueled second wind.
In the end, the family's joint effort solved the mystery in about two hours' time.
"Everyone got to participate. Everyone contributed some clue to solve who was in peril," Rich said. "That was fun."
Joanne, a high school guidance counselor, described RevQuest as "very clever" and said it was a great option for exploring Colonial Williamsburg in a way that continuously engaged the children.
But perhaps, the experience was summed up best by 14-year-old Richard who gave it a thumbs up.
"They found a way to teach us without us knowing."
Want to play?
Agents introduce the game daily to new players on the hour and half-hour between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The game requires pre-registration and can be played through Aug. 31. For more information, or to register to play 'RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros,' go to history.org Web site by clicking here.
