A New Hampshire game designer revealed on September 19 that he had hidden a 10 troy ounce, 24-karat gold statue worth $26,000 in the forest, sparking a real-life treasure hunt that has now captured the attention of many treasure hunters.
Project Skydrop: The Real-Life Treasure Hunt
Jason Rohrer, hailing from Dover, is part of the team behind Project Skydrop, an innovative treasure hunt for a golden statue concealed somewhere in public land in the Northeast.
Initially, the search area on the map covered a 500-mile radius, stretching from New England to Washington D.C. However, as of the latest update, the radius has shrunk to just 35 miles, focusing on Massachusetts and a small section of Vermont.
The Current Search Area
The current hunt is centered around the I-91 corridor in the Pioneer Valley, which includes towns like Amherst, Northampton, and South Hadley, along with dense forest areas.
Jason Rohrer of Dover is one of the co-creators of Project Skydrop – a real-life treasure hunt for a gold statue hidden somewhere on public land in the Northeast
Access to Clues and Updates
Those deeply involved in the search can opt to pay a registration fee of $20, granting them access to an evolving aerial map of the forest floor.
The aerial photos, initially close to the ground, are progressively rising above the trees. Eventually, the photos will reveal geographic features crucial for locating the treasure.
Subscribers also receive daily clues between 9 am and 3 pm, crucial for piecing together the puzzle. The order in which clues are sent out is based on when users join, giving early subscribers an advantage.
Community Collaboration and Speculation
Participants in the treasure hunt have formed a vibrant community on the Discord server, exchanging theories and findings. Internet sleuths are actively engaging in online discussions to decode the secrets of the hunt.
Users are examining everything from trail camera images to terrain features to uncover the statue’s location. Even Jason Rohrer himself has joined Reddit threads to engage with participants.
Rohrer and Tom Bailey collaborated on Project Skydrop over a three year period. Bailey helped to create the game, design the statue and created the music for the impressive announcement video. PICTURED: Rohrer (left) with his sister Jacks (right)
Rohrer’s Gaming Legacy and Future Endeavors
Jason Rohrer, known for creating acclaimed games like Passage and Inside a Star Filled Sky, has ventured into real-world treasure hunts as a new genre of gaming. His innovative approach to game design has garnered significant attention and engagement.
Expressing interest in expanding the project, Rohrer envisions a future treasure hunt in Europe, indicating his commitment to evolving the game genre even further.
Project Skydrop is expected to be solved by October 10, when the map will shrink to only a single square foot
