Interactive treasure hunt game

Abstract

An interactive treasure hunt game, preferably in the form of a television game show, includes a host in a studio essentially serving as a master of ceremonies, who is positioned on a stage adjacent a large map of the United States. The treasure hunt game features a nationwide treasure hunt for a national grand prize, as well as a series of regional or local treasure hunts that yield weekly prizes and local grand prizes. Co-hosts are located around the country, and in one embodiment there is one co-host in each state of the U.S. These co-hosts in each state provide local clues that ultimately lead to prizes. The prizes may be provided by sponsors, and in exchange, the clues may drive the general public to the sponsor businesses, or to purchase a sponsor's products or services, in search of the treasure, prizes, or additional clues.

1 . A method of playing a treasure hunt game comprising the steps of:
 broadcasting a series of audio visual episodes featuring a host, wherein said host discloses clues to a location where an item is hidden during each episode of said series;   selling at least one clue to a sponsor, wherein said sponsor discloses said clue publicly by associating said clue with said sponsor's goods, services, or place of business;   allowing contestants to follow said clues in a quest to find said hidden item, wherein contestants may comprise any member of the public, so that the number of contestants is unlimited;   allowing said contestants to find said hidden item and trade said hidden item for a prize; and   broadcasting a presentation of said prize to said contestant during an episode.   
     
     
         2 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , further including the step of:
 providing a plurality of hidden items, and broadcasting clues to locations of each said hidden item.   
     
     
         3 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , further including the step of:
 selling at least one clue to a plurality of said sponsors, wherein each said clue is unique, so that each said sponsor receives a different clue.   
     
     
         4 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , further including the steps of:
 providing at least one hidden camera that is directed toward said hidden item, so that said camera may capture audio and video footage of a contestant finding said hidden item; and   broadcasting said footage captured by said hidden camera during one of said episodes.   
     
     
         5 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , further including the steps of:
 allowing contestants to capture footage of themselves searching for said hidden item; and   broadcasting said footage captured by said contestants during an episode of said series.   
     
     
         6 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said prize is provided by said sponsor. 
     
     
         7 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , further including the step of:
 presenting a secret clue to said contestant along with said prize, wherein said secret clue is associated with a location of a second hidden item, and wherein said secret clue is disclosed only to that contestant, and is not disclosed to any other contestant.