Spring 2016 Real World Hunger Games Summary

Media:
Summary Video: here
Live Stream: here
Pre-Games Live Stream: here

Important People:
Game Maker: Justin D
Live Stream Host: Jesse R
Champion: Christian G

Time and Weather:
Date: May 28, 2016
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Start Weather: 68 Degrees, Partly Cloudy
End Time: 8:45 PM
End Weather: 61 Degrees, Thunderstorms
Game Length: 7 Hours, 45 Minutes

Tribute Count: 32

Game Log:
1:00 - Real World Hunger Games Begin
1:15 - Peace Period Ends
3:00 - Keegen K. killed by Christian G.
3:01 - Beth S. killed by Christian G.
3:02 - Molly R. killed by Christian G.
3:03 - Krista O. killed by Christian G.
3:05 - Derick W. killed by Christian G.
4:00 - Jacob O. killed by Christian G.
4:01 - Jaden N. killed by Christian G.
4:21 - Kyle VD killed by Mitchel W.
4:30 - Jordan K and Ben Z killed by walking out of bounds
5:16 - TJ W. killed by Kevin Dolfin
5:16 - Gabe L. killed by David Dolfin
6:20 - Gavin M. killed by Chris T.
6:20 - Blake J. killed by Christian G.
6:21 - Lucas B. killed by Jared V.
6:25 - Ethan W. killed by Jared V.
6:30 - Mitch V. killed by Josh K
6:30 - Caleb W. killed by David Dolfin
6:30 - David Dolfin killed by Caleb W.
6:57 - Josh K killed by Christian G.
6:58 - Jared V. killed by Kevin Dolfin
7:03 - Kevin Dolfin killed by Alec W.
7:04 - Jessica H. killed by Eli S.
7:05 - Mitchel W. killed by Anna D
7:05 - Anna D killed by Mitchel W.
7:06 - Tim L killed by Alec W.
8:42 - Eli S. killed by Austin T.
8:43 - Austin T. killed by Alec W.
8:43 - Derek O. killed by Alec W.
8:45 - Chris T. killed by Christian G.
8:45 - Alec W. killed by Christian G.

Kill Count:
Christian G. - 11
Alec W. - 4
David Dolfin - 2
Kevin Dolfin - 2
Jared V. - 2
Mitchel W. - 2
Austin T. - 1
Chris T. - 1
Caleb W. - 1
Eli S. - 1
Anna D - 1
Josh K - 1

Pre-Registration Tonight!

Pre-Registration begins tonight at 6:00 PM and will include a campfire if it does not rain. Tributes are strongly encouraged to register tonight in order to alleviate some of the burden on the RWHG Staff tomorrow.

Tributes who register tonight receive several benefits over people who register tomorrow:
1. First chance to purchase some of the limited number of items available for sponsorships
2. $3 to use on sponsorships
3. Less waiting and confusion tomorrow
4. First choice of T-Shirt sizes

Friends = Failure

Today concludes our three part series on the effects of friendship on the success of alliances.

Playing the Hunger Games with friends can cause an individual tribute to become complacent. Tributes start to think as a group instead of an individual. This is not an effective mentality because only an individual can win the Hunger Games.

For example, consider a situation where the only tributes remaining are a 5 tribute alliance and an individual tribute. The individual tribute likely knows the location of the alliance because large alliances tend to lack stealth. In this situation, each alliance member can maximize his or her chance of winning by breaking the alliance. A tribute could kill some of the alliance members to directly move up the final standings (3rd place or better gets money). If the tribute kills all of their alliance members, then they could be in a one on one fight for the championship.

A tribute could also take some supplies and quietly leave the alliance. The other individual tribute will remain focused on the (still large) alliance while the former alliance member can easily hide elsewhere in the arena.

These decisions are rarely made because tributes have more fun with friends and often refuse to betray their friends. Friends cause tributes to make decisions that lower their odds of winning the Hunger Games.

We still encourage you to recruit your friends; however, don't get too attached to them when you are trying to win.

Hunger Games Played Rain or Shine

The current weather prediction for the Hunger Games is 76 Degrees with a 60% chance of rain. The RWHG Staff wishes to make it clear that the Hunger Games will still be played if it is raining. The Real World Hunger Games has always been a mixture of strategy (fighting the other tributes) and survival (fighting the arena and the weather). Rain simply adds to the survival component of the Hunger Games.

Tributes are encouraged to use the flexible clothing policy to choose the clothing that works best for the predicted weather.

New Sponsorship Item - Toilet Paper

The Hunger Games Staff has decided to add Toilet Paper as sponsorship item. Lack of toilet paper eliminated three tributes, either directly or indirectly, during the Spring 2015 Hunger Games. Alliances that plan to last through the Hunger Games could gain a great deal of value from purchasing a roll of Toilet Paper.

The complete list of available sponsorships is below. Tributes who register on May 27th receive $3 in free sponsorships.

Sponsor Categories:
$1:
Candy Cane

$3: (choose one)
Arena Map
Bottle of Water
Canned Food
Rope

$5: (choose one)
Book
Flashlight
Knife
Matches
Pot
Toilet Paper

$10:
Weapon

$15:
Bow and 4 Arrows

Friends = Fortitude

Today we continue our three part series on the effects of friendship on the success of alliances.

Friendships are bonds that can be difficult to break. These bonds can be influential in keeping an alliance intact throughout the Hunger Games. Alliances that remain intact are more likely to succeed.

Additionally, being friends with your allies allows you to trust each other more, and an alliance built on trust is an alliance that will last. Alliances tend to make the Hunger Games more enjoyable. Often tributes wear down as the Hunger Games goes on. Having an alliance that can be trusted counteracts these effects somewhat. Thus, an alliance can strengthen its individuals odds of making it to the end and winning the Hunger Games.

You are encouraged to recruit as many of your friends as possible because Friends = Fortitude!

Friends = Fun

Today begins our three part series on the effects of friendship on the success of alliances.

Friends are fun. Otherwise, they would not be our friends. Entering the Real World Hunger Games with a group of friends is a fun experience. Alliances with friends help to negate some of the stress that the Hunger Games can cause. Life in the Hunger Games is less stressful when you're having fun.

An individual tribute must deal with this stress alone. They must make all of the decisions. They must run away from large alliances. They must always be personally aware of their surroundings. They must always be listening. They must manage their meager supplies. An individual tribute must accept all of the blame if they die. This stress can lead to poor decision making, exhaustion, and even death.

Friendly alliances can share most of this burden. Friends can brainstorm together, attack smaller alliances, look out for each other, and share supplies. Friends also tend to die together which makes the defeat easier to stomach. As such, it is important to enter the Real World Hunger Games with friends.

You are encouraged to recruit as many of your friends as possible because Friends = Fun!

Official Rules Update

The Real World Hunger Games Staff has updated the official rules prior to the upcoming Spring Hunger Games.

Important changes to the Rules include:

-Arrows can no longer be caught. Any attempt to catch an arrow will result in loss of life or limb.

-Any part of a melee weapon may now cause a kill, not just the point or blade.

-Hits to a limb will now result in loss of the limb for 4 hours (1 hour previously). The hit limb cannot be used for any task.


There will be a required rules meeting before the Hunger Games that will cover the important rules for tributes.

T-Shirt Design Released

Please view the following YouTube video for a look at the first ever Real World Hunger Games T-Shirt:

One Month Until Spring Hunger Games - Are You Ready?

Tributes only have one month remaining to fine tune their strategies before the Hunger Games. Kyle, Staff Member and prospective tribute, says "I still have a few strategies that I am debating between. I'm trying to find the right combination of survival and excitement." Kyle now only has a month to sort out his thoughts.

The Spring 2016 Real World Hunger Games begin at 1:00 PM on May 28th. Jesse R will host a Live Video Stream assisted by Game Maker Justin D.  

RWHG Staff to Host Pre-Registration Campfire

Tributes can pre-register for the Real World Hunger Games on May 27th from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. There will also be a campfire during this time that will allow early registrants to get to know some of the other tributes. Tributes will also have the opportunity to interact with the highly knowledgeable RWHG Staff. Food will be provided.

Tributes will return the next day for the Spring 2016 Real World Hunger Games which begins at 1:00 PM CT.

Sponsorship Pooling and Swapping for Pre-Registration

Tributes that register the night before the Hunger Games (May 27th) will receive a free bottle of water to use in the arena.

Tributes will now be able to swap this item for other items totaling $3 in value. Tributes can also pay additional money to upgrade their item, or they can pool their $3 with friends.

The full list of sponsorships is below:
$1: Candy Cane
$3: Arena Map, Bottle of Water, Canned Food, OR Rope
$5: Book, Flashlight, Knife, Matches, OR Pot
$10: Weapon
$15: Bow and 4 Arrows

Some Examples:
A tribute could choose three candy canes instead of a bottle of water.
A tribute could pay $2 more to get some matches.
A tribute could group with 4 other tributes ($15) to get a Bow and 4 Arrows.

Only Tributes who register on May 27th will receive $3 in sponsorships. All tributes must register on May 27th or on May 28th.

The RWHG Staff recommends registering on May 27th and using your $3 to get a bottle of water.

Pre-Hunger Games Live Stream Announced

RWHG Fans want to know more about the Tributes before the Hunger Games begin. The RWHG Staff has delivered.

This LIVE event will run from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM on May 28th. Fans can view the behind the scenes events of the Real World Hunger Games including Registration, Social Snack Time for Tributes, and the official Rules Meeting. Tributes will also provide exclusive pre-Hunger Games interviews where they describe their strategies and expectations.

Stock the Cornucopia! Items

The deadline has passed to submit items for our Stock the Cornucopia! promotion. Fans were able to suggest items to be placed in the Real World Hunger Games Cornucopia on May 28th.

The RWHG Staff chose to not allow items that were dangerous, confusing, silly, or difficult to use.
Some unaccepted items include adult diapers, smoke bombs, light sabers, drones, body armor, and treasure maps.

The RWHG Staff accepted only one item per person. The RWHG Staff voted on the best item if someone submitted multiple items.

The list of accepted items and their contributor is listed below:

ARandomBanana - Flint Fire Starter
Trevor R. - Long Sword (weapon)
Loren B. - Sword (weapon)
Tommy S. - Baked Beans
Zackary - Sword (weapon)
Jayson K. - Sleeping Bag
Alexandria K.P. - Duffal Bag
Julie L. - Fishing rod
Rachel T. - Sword (weapon)
Colby W. - Large net (for trapping)
Caleb C. - A backpack with some rope, water canteen, and a lighter
Ian R. - Coca-Cola
Fantasy Gamer - Arrows (weapon) 
Lydia B. - Fake Axe (weapon)
Druin M.G. - Binoculars
Andrew H. - Tinned Hot Dogs
Matthew M.K. - Ramen Noodles
Max B. - Long Bow
Walter P. - Deck of Cards

Item contributors will receive an email before the Hunger Games with a picture of their item. They will also have the option of attaching a message to the tribute who receives the item.

Fans should watch our Live Stream on May 28th to find out who receives each item from the Cornucopia.

Thank You for helping us Stock the Cornucopia!

Strategies Against Large Alliances

The Hunger Games is an individual competition. There is only 1 winner. However, in past years large alliances have become a prominent part of the Hunger Games. How can they be defeated?

Large Alliances tend to be loud, overconfident, lazy, and careless.

Opposing tributes and small alliances can use these flaws to locate large alliances (loud) and eliminate tributes one by one with well-timed surprise attacks (overconfident, lazy, and careless).

Additionally, it is difficult to be eliminated by an alliance when you always know where they are located.


There are three ways to defeat a large alliance:

Get Big:

One way to defeat a large alliance is to build a larger alliance. A larger alliance could have more tributes or it could simply have smarter, faster and stronger tributes. This method will likely involve direct confrontation with the other large alliance. And since there can only be one winner, you will have to defeat your own alliance eventually.

Get Small:

The second (and probably best way) to defeat a large alliance is to shrink the number of tributes in your alliance so you are less noticeable. Get a small group of friends who you can trust to be quiet to join your alliance. Small groups can easily outmaneuver and avoid noisy large alliances while keeping boredom levels low. Additionally, small groups can eliminate individual tributes who may become a threat later on in the Games.

Go Alone:

Individual tributes are almost impossible to find, especially at night. Playing as an individual gives a tribute the best odds to win the Hunger Games. However, this method will not be exciting or glamorous. It will require patience and often boredom. Is it worth winning if you have to do it alone?

Two Months until Pre-Registration

The next Real World Hunger Games will take place on May 28th, 2016. The RWHG Staff expects the tribute count to be as high as 40 (or even higher!).


In order to alleviate the burden of trying to register 40 tributes on the day of the Hunger Games, the Real World Hunger Games will also offer registration on the eve of the Hunger Games (May 27th). Registration includes submitting your information, paying the entry fee, purchasing sponsorships, and having your picture taken.

Tributes that register the night before the Hunger Games will receive several benefits:
1. First chance to purchase some of the limited number of items available for sponsorships
2. Less waiting and confusion during the day of the Hunger Games
3. One (1) bottle of water to use in the Hunger Games
4. First choice of T-Shirt sizes.

Tributes who live near Hingham are strongly encouraged to register on May 27th.

Another Champion Enters the Fight

Chris T, champion of the most recent Real World Hunger Games (Spring 2015), will be returning to defend his title. Chris also took 5th place in the Spring 2014 Hunger Games. Chris used a massive alliance to his advantage in 2015. His alliance at one point included 13 of the 28 tributes in the arena. Five alliance members stayed through the night until Chris claimed the title at 5:34 AM.  Chris has clearly shown both fighting and survival skills that will be essential on May 28th.

Chris offered his expectations in an interview with a RWHG Staff Member: "I am curious to see how the other tributes adjust their tactics now that they know there will be a large alliance in the arena."

Two Weeks Remain! - Food and Beverages Essential

Fans only have two weeks remaining to suggest items for our Stock the Cornucopia! promotion. We have received many excellent suggestions over the last several months. However, we have received very few food and beverage suggestions. In fact, baked beans and Coke are the only such items suggested so far. Game Maker Justin D says "There are a high variety of foods and beverages. We hope our fans can come up with some nifty foods for the Cornucopia." Tributes are encouraged to submit basic food items that can be purchased at a standard grocery store (no McDonald's French Fries, ketchup and mustard smoothies, etc.).

Fans that submit an acceptable item will receive an email during the week prior to the Hunger Games which will include a picture of the item. Fans will also be allowed to attach a message to the item.

Tributes will report the suggested item(s) they receive to the Game Maker during the Hunger Games. Make sure to watch the Live Stream on May 28th to see who receives your suggested item.

The Heart of a Champion

David Dolfin, 2013 Spring Real World Hunger Games Champion, will once again test his skills in the Hunger Games. David, whose alliance accumulated a majority of the arena's supplies through efficient elimination of tributes, picked up 2 kills on his path to victory. David also has two 2nd-place finishes on his Hunger Games resume (Fall 2013 and Winter 2012).

David was kind enough to share several of his thoughts going into this year's Hunger Games:
"I plan to play very aggressively this year and have fun. Hopefully, I can get a few kills on video. As a member of the planning committee, I don't want to win. However, I do want to make the new champion work for his or her title."

David and his brother Kevin Dolfin are currently the only past champions confirmed to be playing in this year's Hunger Games.

Entry Fee Announced for Spring RWHG - Includes T-Shirt

The entry fee for this year's Real World Hunger Games will be $15. Tributes who enter will also receive a free T-Shirt. This will be the first ever Real World Hunger Games T-Shirt and will likely become a collectors item that will outlast time itself.

The T-Shirt was meticulously designed by Kevin Dolfin with special assistance from the remainder of the RWHG Staff.