Inside the Red Herring App — How the Hunt Works
GPS challenges, live leaderboards, team chat — and a high-stakes virtual Herrings mechanic you will love. Here’s exactly how it all works.
How it starts — your briefing
Get ready to take your team photo
Your event kicks off with a video briefing from your dedicated Red Herring event manager. They’ll walk your whole group through the rules, the app, and the Herrings mechanic — everything your team needs to hit the ground running.
One person per team downloads the app, logs in with the code provided, and you’re ready. Hit play, snap your team photo, and the hunt begins.
the aim of the game
Highest Score Takes All!
The ultimate goal for a Red Herring treasure hunt is to be the team with the most points.
In order to gain points you must get to as many GPS located hotspots as you can on the map. There is no set route on our treasure hunts, simply travel around the game zone as quickly as you can, completing challenges and collecting Herrings (more on that below!).
Simply tap a challenge to see how many points it is worth; use this to plan out your route to beat the competition!
Something for Everyone — the challenge mix
The app is loaded with a wide variety of challenges so every member of the team gets a moment to shine — not just the quiz experts.
GPS challenges: walk into a hotspot on the map to unlock it. These include trivia questions, brain-teasing puzzles, memory games, and music quizzes — all worth different points so you can plan your route strategically.
Anytime challenges: no GPS required. These creative photo and video tasks can be completed anywhere, any time during the hunt — perfect for keeping momentum going between hotspots, or for team members who prefer to stay close to base.
Every challenge is designed with mixed groups in mind. Whether your team is competitive, creative, or just in it for the laughs, there’s something to bring everyone into the game.
The Herrings — Red Herring's Signature Twist
Scattered across the game zone are special bonus challenges — complete one and your team earns a Herring.
Herrings are the secret weapon of every Red Herring hunt. A blue herring will shoot your team up the leaderboard with a major points boost. But a red herring? That’s a heavy penalty that could derail everything you’ve worked for.
The catch: you won’t know which colour you’ve earned until it’s revealed. Every Herring is a gamble — and that split second of tension is what makes the game truly unforgettable.
Collect as many as you dare.
App Features
A live leaderboard
A live leaderboard keeps every team locked in from start to finish — no coasting allowed. In the final minutes it goes dark to keep the result a surprise right up until the end.
In app team chat
Connects all teams and your event manager throughout the hunt. Use it to check in, wind up the competition, or get help if you need it. Your event manager is always just a message away.
Anytime challenges
Not all challenges within the game require you to travel to them. Simply tap the challenges button on your app if you think the time is right to snap your winning photo!
ON THE DAY
What you need
Red Herring treasure hunts are designed to be simple for you, minimal fuss, maximum fun! All you need is:
- A TV or projector for the briefing via a video call hosted by us.
- A venue for the starting brief and results.
- A smartphone for each team. You will need to make sure they are fully charged before starting your adventure.
- Comfortable footwear and clothing for all weather conditions.
- A competitive spirit!
