16-07-2025
Immersive game show experience in Charlotte gives players a shot at $100K
An interactive game show experience with a $100K grand prize recently opened its first Charlotte location in the Belmont neighborhood.
Why it matters: The Game Show Challenge is the latest in a wave of immersive entertainment venues popping up across the city, from escape rooms to other game-show style attractions.
What to expect: In one hour, players partake in four to five fast-paced games, inspired by popular game shows, from "Family Feud" to "Minute to Win It," explains creator and managing partner Josh Brickey.
Think "Spin to Win," similar to "Wheel of Fortune," where, depending on where the wheel lands, you might have to confess a secret or bust a dance move in front of the group.
Like a real game show, there are buzzers, a live host and producer to keep things moving.
The intrigue: A recently added bonus round called "The Perfect Eight" gives players a chance to win $100K.
How it works: One contestant per game gets the chance to roll eight custom dice. If every die lands on the winning side, that person walks away with $100,000.
Yes, but: No one has taken home $100K yet. Brickey says the odds of winning are about 1 in 1.16 million.
Even if you don't win the grand cash prize, you can still win real prizes, like gift cards from local businesses and branded merch, says Brickey.
The vibe: The experience is customized for each group, from kids' birthday parties to company outings, says Brickey, adding no one will have the same experience twice.
All games are developed in-house.
Flashback: Husband-and-wife duo Josh and Patty Brickey opened the flagship Game Show Challenge in Columbia, SC, in late 2019 next to their former escape room business, Escape Plan Columbia.
It has since expanded to Greenville, SC; Charlotte, and most recently, Atlanta.
Fun fact: Josh Brickey is an ordained minister, and Patty is a chiropractor. But together, they've built a career in immersive entertainment.
Josh says he stumbled into the business after reading an article about escape rooms a decade ago.
What's next: New games are coming soon, including a trivia-style game called "Brain Buzz."
They're also working on food and drink partnerships with local businesses and hope to eventually record games so guests can receive "highlight reels" of their experience.
If you go: Tickets are $35.97 per person. Bookings must have a minimum of six people ages seven or older.
Stop by: 933 Louise Ave., in the same plaza as Hygee Coworking, The Royal Tot and BATL Axe Throwing.
