Project Skydrop, a treasure hunt organized by video game developer Jason Rohrer and recording artist Tom Bailey, recently came to an end with the discovery of a 24-karat gold spiral statuette worth more than $25,000. The statuette, hidden in the woods of Massachusetts, contained instructions for accessing an additional $87,600 worth of Bitcoin.
The treasure hunt began on September 19, allowing participants to pay $20 for daily clues about the treasure’s location within a 500-mile circle in the northeastern United States. The search area gradually narrowed each day, with the hunt concluding on October 1 when an unidentified individual retrieved the golden spiral from its woodland hiding place.
Rohrer and Bailey aimed to create a real-world adventure experience that mirrored the excitement of fictional tales. The duo wanted participants to feel like they were part of a grand adventure, similar to an Indiana Jones treasure hunt, as they searched for the golden artifact.
Despite the treasure being found days before the planned conclusion, the identity of the finder remains unknown. The individual, wearing Adidas sneakers, did not film themselves as required to claim the Bitcoin prize, sparking controversy among competitors who believe the finder should be disqualified.
Rohrer and Bailey have yet to release the prize money and hope to hear from the treasure’s discoverer. Rohrer plans to revisit the treasure’s hiding place to retrieve his video equipment and leave a lasting marker. The goal of Project Skydrop was to inspire people to explore the outdoors and experience the thrill of a real treasure hunt.
Overall, Project Skydrop successfully brought the excitement of adventure and mystery to life, encouraging participants to step away from their screens and immerse themselves in the thrill of discovery. While the hunt may have ended, the memories and excitement of the treasure hunt will surely linger for a long time to come.
