Previously: The Knockertell.
By request of TGIMM reader Kai: Created by someone going by the name NeveRsLeePwitHme, The Apex is more or less a variation on hide and seek — although the stakes are somewhat higher than they are in games like, say, One-Man Hide and Seek. It’s a long one, and it’s best not attempted unless you are in possession of a certain set of survival skills. I’m unclear on exactly what the Apex is; we know it’s a hunter, and we know it lives in the woods — but given that the definition of an apex is, variously, “the uppermost point,” “the narrowed or pointed end,” or “the highest or culminating point”… well, what exactly is this hunter the apex of?
Although there’s also the whole idea of the apex predator, so, y’know, do with that what you will.
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As for how you win, maybe this will be useful: In game theory, there’s a pursuit-evasion game called the Princess and Monster Game. In the basic set-up, the Princess and the Monster are thrown together into a dark room (meaning they cannot see each other); the object of the game is for the Princess to evade capture for a certain period of time. If the Princess is to survive, her best strategy is to move to a random position in the room, stay there for the optimal period of time, move to another position in the room, and repeat the process until time is up.
The trick, of course, is figuring out what that optimal period of time is — while also remembering that the Monster has a winning strategy up its sleeve, too.
As always, play at your own risk.
Players:
- At least two participants. Your partner(s) should be people you trust beyond any doubt.
Requirements:
- A forest as far away from civilization as you can manage.
- Survival supplies. Bring enough to get you through an entire 24-hour period.
Instructions:
The Challenge:
- Begin by entering the forest before dawn with your partner(s).
- Form a circle with your partner(s) by holding hands. Say aloud the words, “We are allies! We wish to game a worthy opponent! Will no challenge face us?”
- When you hear a crash coming from elsewhere in the forest, run — together. Do NOT get separated from the group. Do NOT leave anyone behind.
The Hunt:
- You and your partner(s) are now the Herd. For the next 24 hours — an entire day and night — the Herd will be hunted by the Apex.
- Survive however you must, but do NOT get separated, do NOT harm your partner(s), and do NOT beg for mercy.
The Prize:
- When the 24 hours are up, leave the forest immediately.
- When you emerge from the forest, you will be approached by a park ranger who will ask you, “Are you worthy?”
- If you answer “Yes”: It is NOT recommended that you choose this answer.
- If you answer “No”: It is NOT recommended that you choose this answer.
- If you answer “Am I?”: The ranger will hand you a box. Take it, but do not open it or look inside (yet).
- Leave the area.
- Once you are on familiar ground, open the box to receive your prize. You will find one of two items inside: An object of value, either monetary or personal, which you or your partner(s) had previously lost; or a sheet of paper with something written on it. Should you find the sheet of paper, you may choose to read it or you may choose not to; either way, though, exercise caution when making your decision.
Survival Tips:
Stick together. A true hunter, the Apex excels in isolating members of the Herd and picking them off one by one. It bears repeating: Do NOT get separated, and do NOT leave anyone behind.
Should you hear the Apex behind you, do NOT turn around and do NOT look at it. To do so may result in memory loss or paralysis.
Do NOT attempt to leave the woods before the end of the hunt. The Apex isn’t confined to the woods, you know — and you certainly don’t want to bring it home with you.
Concerning the Sheet of Paper:
Written on it will be a secret — but think carefully before reading it. Not all secrets were meant to be shared, and what has been learned cannot be unlearned.
Good luck.
***
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[Photo: Frida J/Flickr]
I am honestly tempted to play this game. The problem is finding someone/people I fully trust.
Aye and someone who’s can run a at the same speed as you ?
Just hold hands with them
Same! I have like 2 friends who wouldn’t be giggling and looking back the whole time
True
Apex predator perhaps?
The title probably refers to the creature being the ‘apex predator’ in the micro ecosystem between the beast and the players.
What if you do leave the woods and totally live in a different city would it track you down ? And what would happen if i told the park ranger yes im worthy or no ?
If you say no he will probably leave. If you say yes, I’m not sure.
You can’t leave. Well, you can, but the Apex will follow you.
You might not receive the box, or worse, be killed. Also as stated above… The apex picked of 1 by 1 + he = death to you or death to others…. see.. simple math
Wut???
I read in other sites that, if, you say yes your friends are killed and you are left alone to play again. And if you say no you are killed and your friend has to play again…
What does the Apex look like?
Skinless bearlike animal
I don’t think anyone has been alive to tell that
The apex looks like the apex. Question awnsered.
Since it’s the Apex predator, I’d say it can look like anything. Another big reason why you wouldn’t want to get separated from your friends, is because if they resurface, you can no longer trust them. They might be the apex.
Hey, I never thought of that. Proves that you can’t trust even your closest friends all the time.
what happens if you get caught?
My best guess is you die.
Your killed.
You ded m8.
but has anybody tried this one yet? maybe its just me but i’d imagine summoning something usually takes more than just saying one line
Do you have to run the whole time?
No but, it is advised that you continue moving, think, a moving target is harder to hit… therefor, your easier to catch if you stay in one spot.
It’s not a marathon, so don’t treat it like one. You don’t have keep on running all the time, but don’t stop moving. A moving target is harder to hit.
What if you die from something other than The Apex? Like, getting impaled on a tree branch, or a bear/wolf/whatever?
Then that’s your fault. The Apex will likely just continue hunting your friends, ignoring you. Don’t quote me on that, though.
You still die
Then your dead
Then you die. I don’t think coming back to life is possible, even if the Apex wasn’t responsible for your death.
Yeah uh no. Not doing this one. It’s terrifying.
Could the Apex react to religious symbols or is it an unaligned entity?
Well once you started it you cant stop so i doubt it.
Don’t bring along anything unneeded for it could anger him or it would just add onto your already full pack pack… yes I say pack pack
I guess it’s the park ranger you see
And he respects
You for surviving
Which is why he gives you a gift or something
How are the Apex and the ranger related? Where could they come from?
The Apex and the ranger are (probably) 2 separate entities. But, the Apex are more like a hunter and the ranger are the reward giver. This game is more like a competition.
As for where do they come from, probably the depths of hell or other dimension. Nobody knows
I wonder, though, if this one can be done alone?
It says:
Stick together. A true hunter, the Apex excels in isolating members of the Herd and picking them off one by one.
So if you are alone he can easily kill you
Yes, finally some free prize!
*thinks about myself*
shit. i’m the worst runner
Same XD
It says get far away from other people as possible but im guessing if other people are in the woods then they die. If they leave before you chant then u think they will be ok, but if they dont leave before the loud bang went off to indicate the game started then the stranger is probably dead meat. Lol
I’m not sure. They didn’t participate in the summoning, although it is stated in many other rituals that once you’re in the premisses during at the start, you’re in the game, whether you like it or not.
wait what if our native language isn’t english?
How’d you comment?
well, to answer the second person’s question, they’re either just curious or they’re someone who speaks English as a second language. as for the first question, i’m not sure. it doesn’t specify whether or not you have to speak English for it to work, and idk if anyone’s tried this game and spoke in a different language besides English
would it be better to have more people?
Well, I guess. On the upside, that just means it’ll take more time for the apex to kill all of your friends. On the downside, you’re putting many of friends in danger.
It is easier for you to survive when many others are there to be hunted, but it is also easier to have people seperated from the group without others noticing. If the comment I read earlier is right, you are responsible for the deaths of many partners if you claim to be worthy. But yes, the odds of you getting caught are smaller.
I am a sprinter with no friends so I could pick a stranger and ditch him/her
What if you aren’t paralyzed? Could you be a bad ass and kill it?
You would hope that killing a supernatural being is easier, and it’s not.
U know, i always imagined the apex to look like a dementor from harry potter.
It is said that no one has ever won this game.
Why so?
Because the Apex is so good at hunting its prey, i.e., us.
Just think about it. How good are you at running from a supernatural entity much stronger than you for hours and hours? That too, with a group of your friends.
I just realized a tag is “game theory”. Sooooo “it’s just a theory, a game theory!”
Hi! I got that reference! I watch Matpat’s YouTube channel aka ‘The Game Theorists’ too! Do you watch his second channel ‘The Film Theorists’? In that channel’s videos he says, “it’s just a theory, just a film theory!”
I actually kinda want to try it. Call me crazy, but I feel like it would be a cool experience.
I hear that if you say “no” to the ranger, you will get shot. And if you say “yes” to the ranger, your partner will get shot. But if you say “Am I” you both will survive, then you’ll get the box.
If you flee the forest and the 24 hours are up, will the Apex still follow you?
Probably not, but you also won’t see the park ranger.
No, you’re free after that. The ranger will come.
If you flee the forest before 24 hours are up, there are high chances that the Apex will follow you.
However, if you have managed to survive the full 24 hours and then flee, it says that a park ranger will come up to you and your partners asking a question.
If answered correctly, then he will offer you a box.
And no, the Apex will not follow you if you survive.
And if so, are you…
out of the woods yet?
Wonder if anyone has won this game?
What happen if you leave someone behind/let go of their hands?
They will more likely die. The instructions specifically say to stick together. It also says that the Apex is skilled at separating and killing off one by one. Do you really want let go of your partner’s hand and have an unclean conscience if something happens to them?
What happens if you and your partner(s) stay more than 24 hours in the forest?
After the 24 hours have passed, the survivers win and the game ends. But still: get out of there as soon as you can. Who says the Apex will accept its loss.
What happens if you look at the apex the moment the 24 hours are up? Would he still kill you? Or paralyze you?
Depends on the Apex’s sense of honesty. After 24 hours you have “officially” won, but you never know whether or not the Apex decides to take his chances anyway.