You stand shoulder to shoulder with the remaining players, facing the towering gumball machine at the center of the chamber. One by one, it dispenses colored balls. When your turn comes, the ball that rolls out is blue.

A guard hands you a blue vest and a small metal key, then silently directs you to the left side of the room. Across from you, those who drew red balls strap on red vests—silent, tense.

Then a Pink Guard steps forward, his voice echoing: “The game you will be playing is Hide and Seek. The Blue Team must either find the exit and escape within 30 minutes or stay hidden from the Red Team until the time is up.”

“The Red Team—the Taggers—must find and kill members of the Blue Team. You must eliminate at least one player, steal their key, and kill another. If you fail to do this within the time limit, you will be eliminated.”

“Blue Team—you have been given keys. Use them to unlock doors in the arena. But be warned… once a door is opened, it cannot be relocked.”

Then the guard adds, firmly: “Before we begin, we will give one last chance to change your fate. If anyone is not happy with their role, you may switch vests with someone from the opposing team. Once the game starts, trading or removing vests will be strictly prohibited.”