Welcome to our 8th annual District Hunt

Welcome to our 8th Annual District Hunt! We’re excited for you, your family, your friends, and your co-workers to join us for this year's puzzle adventure!

Each year, we design our game around a different theme built into the physical and cultural landscape of Washington DC. In 2026, our focus is on the study of play, known as Ludology. Previous themes covered Women's History (2019), Mental Health (2020), Climate/Environment (2021), Literacy (2022), Food/Housing (2023), Arts/Culture (2024), and Information Disorder (2025).

Unlike previous years, this will be a 1 day event. Each ticket accommodates up to 8 players...

The Guilded Gambit - Every year since Eastern Market's opening in 1873, a secret society convenes the neighborhood to uncover the mysterious connections between the neighborhood's present and its past. But to gain entry to this society, players must prove they belong. Once inside, alliances are formed, rules are set, and the true battle begins to see who can crack the codes, connect the dots, and emerge a Ludic Legend. Think you have what it takes?

Sponsors: Barometer XP
Partners: Labyrinth Games and Puzzles, Spur Local, Eastern Market

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Thank you to our nonprofit partners and local sponsors. Their dedication to making the DC region a better place inspires us to create fun events like the District Hunt. If you're interested in supporting the 2026 hunt, please reach out to peter@gamegenius.org

There will be 3 tiers of prizes:

Grand Prize: Local Experiences
Top Prizes: Game Products & Services
Fun Prizes: Swag and Small Items

Who can sign up? - Everyone! The District Hunt is open to any individual or team who wants to play.
How much does it cost to play? - Take advantage of our Early Bird Special! Sign up by July 1, and register your team for $50. After July 1, regular tickets cost $100/team. Teams accommodate up to 8 players. Individuals can also sign up and find teammates on the morning of the kickoff.
When is the deadline to sign up? - Registration remains open until the event begins on October 17.
Where does the event start? - On Friday, October 16, we will release a first clue online. The game officially kicks off at Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 10:00am on Saturday, October 17. Once teams check in and pick up their materials, they have until the after party to finish as much as they can.
When and where is the after party? - We will host a social gathering on October 17 from 3:30-5:00pm. The location is discovered by completing level 1 of the game. This part of the event is optional; it's mostly for celebrating a fun day of puzzle solving and game playing, but there will also be a prize ceremony at 4:30pm.
What are the geographic boundaries of this event? - Our design team always plans entirely within the DC diamond. There might be clue references about the Greater Washington region (DC, MD, VA), but players will only need to travel within the District. This year's game will focus around Eastern Market.
How does the event work? - Part of this is a secret, but what we can tell you is that teams will progress through clues using physical and digital means. We plan to offer the experience in person (physical adventure), with some pieces completable from home.
How long will the hunt take? - This mostly depends on your decisions throughout the game. There will be a choose-your-own-adventure component after level 1 that entices people to play for as long as they're interested. Like previous hunts, our goal is to offer several checkpoints that help determine an appropriate time to stop. Each checkpoint will represent a step up in difficulty or abstraction. And for those looking for an extra challenge, there will be a hidden level.
What do I need to participate? - For puzzle materials, we suggest bringing a smart phone and charging cable/device, along with pencil and paper to take notes. For the experience, we encourage players to plan accordingly around the weather and wear comfortable clothes/shoes for adventuring around a city. For transportation, we will design around what is safe and accessible for players. We will try to avoid advantaging those who have access to personal vehicles.
Who designed the puzzles? - A small team of Game Genius staff and local volunteers. We're always looking for more designers, if you're interested! Email us at: info@gamegenius.org
What age is this game appropriate for? - Our goal is to make it accessible for everyone by offering levels of the experience and a text hotline for clues. Early puzzles should by approachable by younger players with the right guidance. Later puzzles are longer and trickier, which are typically enjoyed more by adults who want a challenge.
Do I need to have experience solving puzzles? - You don't need previous experience, but it can help identify familiar patterns or logic flows. Puzzles come in many different flavors, and we'll provide hints along the way.
Can I complete the hunt alone? - Yes! It might be a daunting task and we always suggest playing with others, but there are no puzzles that require more than 1 person to solve it.
Can I invite a lot of people to play with me? - Yes, but we recommend 2-5 players. Also remember that 1 team ticket represents up to 8 players. If there are more than 8 people, please acquire another ticket.
How does the District Hunt support the community? - Each year's puzzle story is designed with local nonprofits, businesses, and other initiatives. See above for the list of partners.
How can I sponsor or partner with the District Hunt? - We welcome partners and sponsors that align with the event theme in some way. As a small organization and volunteer committee, both monetary and in-kind support is very useful. We plan to grow this event every year, and we look forward to building a strong relationship. Please send an email to info@gamegenius.org for more information.
How are you planning around COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses? - Game Genius will follow up-to-date CDC recommendations to offer this year's hunt in a safe manner. Game Genius can't control what everyone will do in public, so we ask that you make the best judgment for you and your loved ones.
Can I donate to Game Genius and are donations tax-deductible? - Yes and yes! Game Genius is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Any level of support is much appreciated. Click here to get started.

2026 District Hunt

The Guilded Gambit