Puzzled Pint
2025-08-24 18:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | Helvellyn Marquee
Puzzled Pint is a monthly puzzle tradition running around the world for 15 years, in London for over 12 and in Brighton since February.
Imagine a team pub quiz but replace all the questions with puzzles: word puzzles, picture puzzles, logic puzzles, ciphers, figure-the-rules-out puzzles, maybe some physical puzzles. Then dial the competitiveness right down; hints are free and teams’ performances are not explicitly compared – game control will make sure that everyone gets to see and solve all the puzzles they want to.
Teams are typically 3-4, but there’s no restriction either way, and will typically take somewhere around two hours, to get through the puzzles; they’re just difficult enough to be interesting… even if you’ve been drinking a bit.
At Strange Games Festival, we’ll rerun an old set of puzzles that previously proved popular. Maybe you’ll enjoy it so much that you’ll want to check out future months’ sets, on the second Tuesday of every month in nine UK towns from Winchester to Edinburgh – see https://puzzledpint.org/ for details.

[Note: please bring chairs if you would like them as this marquee is set up as tables only during the day]

Megagame - Crisis: Mars
2025-08-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Arena Marquee
The year is 2241 and humanity has colonised the inner solar system with space stations and mining in the asteroid belt, and a colony and terraforming project on Mars. In recent years a growing movement on Mars is pushing for independence from the Unified Nations of Earth and they have just gained a majority in the Martian senate. You will take the role of an actor on the edge of this brewing conflict. You will have limited opportunity to change its course but conflict gives you the chance to achieve your own goals.
Crisis: Mars is a small 2 hour megagame for 12-18 players, played in small teams with an emphasis on negotiation and simple rules.

[18 spaces available]
Over 18s only.

The Night of the Three Villages: Multi-Village Werewolf with Christian Zoli
2025-08-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Cub Glade/SD Glade
The Night of the Three Villages
Welcome to the grand finale of the Strange Games Festival social deduction games! Get ready for an unprecedented experience: The Night of the Three Villages, a one-of-a-kind social deduction game that will close our festival in epic style. On Sunday, August 24, at 7:00 PM, up to 60 players will dive into a web of intrigue, alliances, and betrayal, split across three unique villages, each with its own theme and exclusive roles crafted just for this event—something never attempted before!

These are the three villages:
The Ancient Kingdom of Valcarnia
As old as the mountains it calls home, Valcarnia has long lost its royal dynasty. When a king dies, the people themselves proclaim a new one. But beware: alongside the werewolves plaguing all villages, rumors speak of an ancient, powerful Vampire lurking in the shadows. Unique roles and rules await in this storied kingdom.
The Free City of Mercadia
The Free City of Mercadia Mercadia, the grandest and wealthiest city in the known world, thrives on commerce, shady politics, and a bustling underworld. Merchant guilds and cunning politicians pull the strings of power. Special roles and rules bring this vibrant city to life, where every deal could hide a dagger.
The Remote Village of Eldergloom
Nestled far from civilization, surrounded by enchanted woods teeming with mystical creatures and ancient spirits, Eldergloom draws mystics and occult forces alike. Its magical aura shapes unique roles and rules that will test your wits in this eerie, secluded hamlet.

Join the Game! Up to 20 players per village—60 in total—can take part in this thrilling showdown. Registration is highly recommended and opens here on Saturday, August 16. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this groundbreaking game at our Festival’s final night. Will you uncover the traitors, or will you weave the deception? The fate of the three villages lies in your hands!

[60 spaces available]
Over 18s only

Social Deduction Glade Areas: 3, 4,& 5

Campfire Storytelling with Jon
2025-08-24 21:00 - 22:00 | Main Campfire
Huddle close in the firelight for more tales of wonder! Age-old myths and brand-new yarns, from far afield and right on the doorstep: Jon is a Brighton-based storyteller with a captivating delivery and love of stories that connect past, present and future, our surroundings and ourselves. He performs regularly around the country in clubs, schools, online, and at festivals including the Brighton Festival Our Place programme and Fringe.
Praise for past gigs:
“This is wildly ambitious exuberant storytelling” – Brighton Source
“our boys became totally engrossed… fantastic” – Into the Trees Festival
“great tales told with obvious love. It was an enthralling evening.” – Audience member, The Mabinogion

Movie: "Game Night"
2025-08-24 21:30 - 23:00 | Stage
We’ll be projecting a movie on the main stage after dusk! This year, by popular vote: Game Night

Game Night
A group of friends who meet regularly for game nights find themselves entangled in a real-life mystery when the shady brother of one of them is seemingly kidnapped by dangerous gangsters.
BBFC Rated: 15

The Genius Game
2025-08-25 09:00 - 14:00 | Helvellyn Marquee
Inspired by Korean gameshows “The Genius” and “The Devil’s Plan”, this will be a series of games/challenges, testing your intelligence, negotiation, strategy, tactics, and social skills. The two losers of each game will face off in a short two-player death-match, and one will be eliminated. At the end of the final day, one player will be crowned the 2025 Strange Games Genius winner.
To play this game, you must commit to playing to the end, and therefore be available each day from 10am to 1pm, Saturday to Monday. Having said that, this game features player elimination, so you may be knocked out much sooner. There may also be some challenges between days, however, how much time you spend on these will be up to you, we only require your full attention during actual game time.
To play, you will need Discord on your phone, as you may need to communicate with each other between sessions.
If you would like to spectate, you are welcome to, whether you’ve been knocked out, or are simply interested in watching.
This game is recommended for smart people who are good at comprehending new rules, and also comfortable interacting with, and possibly lying to or betraying, other people.
We are strictly limited to 12 places, so please ensure to sign-up, and cancel your spot if you can’t make it.

[12 spaces available]
Over 16s only

Note: signing up for one Genius Game event signs you up for the whole series:
Schedule
Saturday: 10am-1pm in the Helvellyn marquee
Sunday: 10am-1pm in Shackleton Lodge
Monday: 10am-1pm in the Helvellyn marquee

Checkout Library and Info Point open
2025-08-25 09:00 - 16:00 | Kipling Lodge (Small Lodge)
Speak to our friendly info point volunteers and borrow from our large library of boardgames (play for free, return same day)
These are games we think are particularly fancy or heavy; there is also a Games Stash of lots of other games in the Activity Centre

Site Shop Open
2025-08-25 09:00 - 16:00 | Site Shop
The site shop will be open and sells cold drinks, sweets, chocolate, biscuits, marshmallows (and wooden sticks!), popcorn, milk and logs (as well as various camping essentials)
Phone charging and tickets for Buzz Active activities can also be bought here
Card accepted

Daily Update with Simon
2025-08-25 09:50 - 10:00 | Village Square
Come to the Village Square and find out the latest news, including updates about what’s on today!

Starship Bridge Simulator (1 hour game slot)
2025-08-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-25 11:00 - 12:00 | The Lodge (AV Lodge)
A fully functional Starship Bridge Simulator LARP/Computer game

[6 available spaces]
Children must be accompanied. Note: under 11s will need their accompanying adult to assist them at their station rather than signing up separately

Board Game Meetup Point
2025-08-25 10:30 - 11:00 | Activity Centre
Looking for new friends to play a game with?
Want to arrange a particularly meaty board game this weekend?
Just want to chat board games with like-minded folk?

Then come along to the meeting point by the Activity Centre whiteboard and get talking!

Note: this event is a sandbox, self-directed meeting time for you to find each other and as such may not be hosted

House Games
2025-08-25 11:00 - 12:30 | Arena
Come along, pick a house, and show your mettle at a combination of mental, physical and practical games.

Farewell Meet
2025-08-25 13:00 - 13:30 | Arena
Join us for a recap of the best bits of the weekend and the traditional enormous group photo!
