An expansive, funny, highly creative and intrepidly social experience that brings out your inner pirate!
This game is 100% free to play
Perfect for groups of between 8 and 60 people
Requires a large, safe and varied space
A quick introduction to the game and how the app works, ideal for sending to your players or including on an event page
A complete introduction to PirateGold. Learn everything you need to know to set up and run your own games
PirateGold is a dastardly treacherous app-supported outdoor improv game! The game takes place half in the real world, and half on the app. The app manages things like what items you have, and digging and burying treasure, and in the real world you manage things like bartering, sword fighting (typically with pool noodles) and trying not to die!
Marooned on an island that conceals a bounty of treasures, the aim of the game is to set sail with as much plunder as possible. Assemble a rich crew, beg, steal, borrow, trade, or do whatever it takes! It's completely up to you!
What is PirateGold like?
Think on your feet & adapt to the situation
Solve, decode and piece-together
Pool Noodles, Cones, Rope (Optional)
Pool noodles (or something equally harmless) to use as swords, cones to mark out a safe zone around any trading posts, and rope (optional) for ropecuffs (see the FAQs below for an explanation of how to use these)
Smartphone with data, camera and GPS
The camera is used to scan QR codes to enter shops or receive items during the game. Sometimes using a low power mode can prevent GPS from working, so make sure your battery is charged or you have some power banks available
PlayCulture App
You don't need an account to play, we don't collect any private data and we don't show ads. It's worth remembering that it is possible to interact with other app users through our Groups, Events or Chat features
Once your game has started, the PirateGold top menu and the pages below appear on the 'Games' page of the PlayCulture app (the hexagon icon on the far right of the main top menu)
These are the main pages in the PirateGold interface, but there any many more you will interact with while playing. If you're new to the game we suggest keeping your app tutorials switched on (in the Accessibility menu on the 'You' page of the app) as this will show helpful hints throughout the game
Advice on Swords and Combat
We use pool noodles as swords as they're broadly safe and easy to cut up into various sizes (for cutlass, dagger, etc). Players can barter with shopkeepers to purchase swords from trading posts and they are one-use. If you murder someone with a sword, that sword has been used. The murdered player takes the sword that killed them back to the nearest trading post to be sold again.
Duelling with swords (especially long bendy swords) can be indecisive. If it's not clear who got who first, just reset, take a few steps back and start again.
If you're hit by a sword in the body, you're dead. Tap the death button, and select 'I'm dead'. You'll see a timer. If that timer reaches zero and your attacker hasn't scanned the code on your screen then you survive and continue playing. You're not allowed to move or do anything else in game from the moment you're hit by the sword until the timer is up or your code has been scanned
FAQ
How do ropecuffs work?
Ropecuffs are a game mechanic we invented to tie someone up without tying them up. The player to be tied up holds the rope and a knot is tied in the loose end. That player now has to hold the rope and follow you if you lead them, until someone unties the knot. Additionally if you loop the rope around an object, they are “tied” to that object, until anyone unties the knot. Just like swords, lengths of rope can be available for players to purchase at the trading post
If I'm a Kingsman and I get more gold for bringing a player back to a trading post alive, how do I do that?
This is only really possible if you are playing with swords and ropecuffs. If you're carrying a rope and a sword, when you hit someone with your sword you can choose to either murder them or 'tie them up' (see the ropecuffs explanation above). If you manage to catch a wanted player and bring them back to a trading post, just open the shop portal and tap Deliver Prisoner, then scan their code
What's the best way to explain the game to new players?
Link them to the player introduction video at the top of this page, and take a look at our example welcome script in the Resources section below
Can I use this app as part of my business?
Yes! Our mission is to get more people playing fantastic games, so if you're an individual or sole trader and you want to support yourself by running these events, that's totally fine. If you are planning to do this we'd appreciate you joining our Patreon to help support the project. If you're a private company or other organisation then please get in touch first
Resources
Example Welcome Script
There are a lot of things to remember when introducing players to this game, so we've created an example welcome script that covers the basics
The advice in our welcome script is just a starting point. You should also mention any relevant safety information, bearing in mind the advice in the 'Safety' section below
Safety
Remember this is not an exhaustive list of advice and you need to make your own safety assessments and communicate any important info to your players before you begin. In particular they should never blindly follow any instruction given to them by a mobile app or by other players. You are responsible for the safety of yourself, your players and anyone else around you.
In particular consider the space you are playing in, especially if it is not a private or enclosed space, or if there are hazards within your playable area. Only play in safe locations where you have permission to do so.
Don't forget to make your players aware that the PlayCulture App does not know everything about their surroundings and might suggest or encourage them to perform an action or access an area that is unsafe.
While we consider our particular pool noodles and rope to be low risk, you must arrive at your own conclusions and carry out any necessary testing and risk assessment before introducing any equipment.
If you have any questions or need some advice we'd love to hear from you!
