The Completely Surrounded

Playful Experience Design & Large Games for All People

Positive Social Interactions | Tangible Experiences | Technology Forward

We are an Experience, UX, & Game Design firm that focuses on creating unique, playful, and thoughtful spaces, activations, events, and moments.

Our work centers around positive large group interactions, spanning everything from game festivals to virtual/remote experiences to retail environments to museums to corporate centers.

Over the past 20+ years, The Completely Surrounded has shared new games around the world, spoken at festivals, conferences and universities, designed educational materials for thousands of students, and hosted dozens of remote social experiences.

Services

Experience Design

We create spaces that combine physical and digital to enable positive social interactions and teleport the participants to another space. Recent work includes the Terra Pavilion in Dubai.

Game Design

We are experts in fun and game mechanics, specializing in group interactions in all gaming contexts, whether physical, video, or board. Recent projects include the LightStrike Challenge for Adidas.

UX/UI Design

We have decades of experience in digital design across all media types, from mobile to tablet to VR/XR. Recent clients include BNY Mellon and The Sphere.

Facilitation

We run all kinds of engaging large group activities, whether on stage or amidst the group. Recent work includes emceeing portions of the Bit Awards and running games for IDSA-DFW.

Teambuilding

We craft bespoke teambuilding experiences that meet the needs and context of all organizations. Recent clients include Amazon and Playcrafting.

Creative Consulting

We work with companies to craft and refine a creative vision throughout the design cycle. Recent clients include the Columbia University Hospital resident surgeons and the GAMERS project.

Teaching & Hosting

We lecture and create engaging learning materials that incorporate game mechanics to encourage participation. Recent institutions include the School of Visual Arts, Marist College, and Podium Education.

Get in touch with us.

Select Games

The Other ESC Game Theater Games
The Other ESC Game Theater Games

An array of new 30-player video games for the ESC Game Theater.

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Experimental Projector Games
Experimental Projector Games

A whole bunch of strange games made for huge groups to gaze upon.

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The Floor is Dodgeball
The Floor is Dodgeball

Dodgeball meets The Floor is Lava with a smidge of Capture the Flag.

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Cube Ball
Cube Ball

One of my favorite ESC Game Theater experiences, originally titled Block Soccer.

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Mine Craft Adventurecap
Mine Craft Adventure

A live action version of the popular video game, focusing on the mining mechanics.

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Super Ship Sinker
Super Ship Sinker

A perfectly balanced field game about knocking a deflated ball over the line.

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The Good, The Bad, & The Funny
The Good, The Bad, & The Funny

An Apples-style card game about putting together compound words to satisfy a clue.

Read more. Download TG,TB,&TF
Do Move Say
Do Move Say

A live action card game, similar to Werewolf, where almost all of the players are crazy.

Read more. Download DMS
Roaming Gnomes & ROYGBIV
Roaming Gnomes & ROYGBIV

A game about the challenge of communicating and translating ideas in a large group.

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Bacon Games
Bacon Games

The epic Bacon trilogy.

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Field Frogger
Field Frogger

A live action tribute to the immortal arcade machine.

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Live Action Pocket Monster Snap
Live Action Pocket Monster Snap

A game about taking pictures of Beanie Babies (and one of my most beloved).

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Field TD
Field TD

An award winning riff on the classic tower defence mechanic.

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Robot Basketball
Robot Basketball

30 player basketball-based mahem in the ESC Game Theater.

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The Lost Treasure of M.O.W.
The Lost Treasure of M.O.W.

The "fake it 'til you make it" game for large groups.

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Live Action Kaboom!
Live Action Kaboom!

A live action tribute to the Atari classic.

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Territory
Territory

Capture the Flag meets Risk.

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Wassinco - A Game for Losers
Wassinco - A Game for Losers

An installation for the Wassaic Festival where everyone loses.

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