Great Gold Bird (Houston)

Great Gold Bird is a narrative-focused “wander play” inspired by immersive theatre, alternate reality games, and escape rooms. Henry Combs is missing, and he wants to be found. He's left a trail of clues in his personal ephemera for you to follow. As you sort through the contents of his life, you discover a personal history of love and grief that takes you to multiple locations across Houston and planes of existence. IS THIS AN ESCAPE ROOM? Great Gold Bird is NOT an escape room, though it does have some light puzzle elements. Think of it like being immersed in a real-life exploration video game but in “story mode.” You will enjoy this experience most if you are living in and absorbing the story, rather than racing through it or looking at everything as a potential puzzle to be solved. OK, BUT WHAT IS IT THOUGH? Great Gold Bird is an immersive, site-specific, "wanderplay" that puts you in the center of an emotional mystery. You will explore digital and physical spaces in Houston to uncover the mystery of what happened to Henry Combs. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete (not including drive time). It’s a narrative-driven, interactive scavenger hunt that asks you to engage with the story primarily on an emotional level. Aside from the booking time you sign up for, the experience is self-guided and paced to you/your group. Recommended for fans of immersive theatre, interactive art, first-person exploration video games (i.e. Gone Home, Firewatch, What Remains of Edith Finch), larp, alternate reality games, and escape rooms. CRITICAL LOGISTICAL INFORMATION Great Gold Bird takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete, not including drive time. Before your reservation time (the time of the ticket you purchase), there is an online portion that will take, on average, 30-40 minutes to complete. It’s important that you have a way to access the internet, as well as time to experience the online portion at least an hour prior to when you will depart for your reservation. The reservation location is in the Spring Branch Central neighborhood of Houston (exact address revealed in the online portion). In addition to your reservation time, you will need transportation to a second location 6 miles west (address later revealed). The experience does NOT need to be completed on the same day, though it’s strongly recommended. Please plan accordingly if you or your party are visiting/traveling. Shortly after purchasing a ticket, you will receive an email from someone named Emily Combs. Check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox and THEN send the email back to your inbox before opening it so that the hyperlinks aren't disabled. This is how your experience begins. Email greatgoldbird@gmail,com if you don’t receive an email from Emily within 30 minutes of purchasing a ticket.