From Monopoly Lifesized to the Traitors: Live Experience, in-person game shows are quickly becoming a popular night out in London, due to the rise of competitive socialising and brand recognisability.
Traditional nightlife is becoming more interactive. Rather than just clubs and bars, which were the go-to for entertainment in London in the 1990s and early 2000s, people are now seeking out activities that foster a friendly but competitive environment.
In this article, we’ll explore these in-person shows in more detail, what they are, and why they are so popular as a form of live entertainment.
Brand Popularity
Games such as Monopoly are widely and internationally popular. Monopoly has earned many spin-off titles, including board games and video games. Now, you can even play slot games based on the Monopoly brand.
The latest variation of this is Monopoly Life-sized, a real-life version of a Monopoly board where you can jump inside and start collecting property, acting as a human version of one of the playing pieces.
It’s an 80-minute physical attraction, which can be found on Tottenham Court Road in London. Players move around a 15m x 15m board, and it features several different themes: Classic, City, Luxury, and Own It All.
Instead of sitting around a board game at the kitchen table, people get to compete in physical challenges to earn their properties. This adds a unique aspect to the original game, as it is no longer just a game of luck and strategy, but skill as well.
It offers a modern twist on the nostalgic and classic board game. The reason it is so popular is that it brings the already iconic brand name of Monopoly into a real-life adventurous experience, which you can enjoy with family or friends.
Similarly, the Traitors TV show became an international hit after the UK version first launched in November 2022, based on the original Dutch version – The Traitors (De Verraders), which first aired in March 2021.
It wasn’t long before an immersive real-life game show was introduced. This can be found in Covent Garden, London, and has gameplay very similar to the original show. Participants are either designated as a ‘faithful’ or a ‘traitor’, where the latter have to murder other faithful without getting voted out.
It is led by a live host and focuses on psychological strategy and drama – all the elements that made the show so popular – but with the added ability to play it yourself.
What Makes These Game Nights so Popular
There are plenty of other game night experiences in London, all based on pre-existing popular titles. For example, there is The Crystal Maze Live Experience (Shaftesbury Avenue), THE CUBE (Canary Wharf), and Squid Game: The Experience (Excel Waterfront). This demonstrates a clear trend of in-person game shows becoming increasingly sought after.
Outside the fact that these are already based on iconic shows, the reason these live games are so popular is that they cater to a wide demographic and offer a fun alternative for non-drinkers who want to go out without having to go to the club or bar.
