A weekend of pop culture and adventure at HIDDEN Agenda: The Encounter at Singapore Science Park
Some came dressed in their favourite fantasy game characters, while others turned up with their cherished trading cards and large-scale remote-controlled tanks.
From players immersed in live-action role-playing (LARP) to enthusiasts in table-top gaming and card trading, pop culture buffs young and old arrived at Ascent at Singapore Science Park on November 16 to share and deepen their passion for their hobbies and join a unique adventure at the HIDDEN Agenda: The Encounter.
The day-long festival, organised by HIDDEN, Singapore Science Park and CapitaLand, is the first in a series of events aimed at “activating” a location known for its ecosystem of deep technology and science companies.
Through a series of workshops, exhibits, talks and activities such as LARPing experiences, it attracted crowds of enthusiasts to visit the science park in the southwest of Singapore on a Saturday afternoon.
Most eye-catching were players dressed up for their favourite LARP games. Instead of simply playing a video game in front of a screen, LARP players follow an adventure in real life with costume and gear in place to experience an adventure in a new, immersive manner.
At HIDDEN: The Encounter, the public could also join in and get a glimpse of why LARPing has become such as a popular hobby and obsession for many seeking to involve themselves more deeply in the lore of their favourite games.
Just as eye-catching were large-format statues of some of the most well-loved comic-book and movie franchises on display at the HIDDEN Experience Studio in the same Ascent building.
It showcased HIDDEN’s innovative chatbot-driven game that has helped more than 40,000 players explore unique neighbourhoods in Singapore in an immersive, engaging fashion.
Meanwhile, in another room at Ascent, enthusiasts were often deeply in thought as they strategised how best to get ahead in a range of table-top role-playing games/
Those registered for a session during the event did not leave disappointed after engaging in games such as Blades in the Dark, Wrath and Glory, Cyberpunk Red, Pathfinder and Marvel Multiverse that brought together fellow enthusiasts.
As a meeting of minds, the HIDDEN Agenda: The Encounter also featured a marketplace that attracted numerous collectors. They lined the main corridor with showcases of their unique trading cards, rare action figures and other fascinating collectibles. It was an eye-opener for anyone new to the collecting culture.
Speaking of that, the good folks from Oxley Grading, one of Singapore’s earliest established card grading service providers, gave a talk on card grading and how to get fair value for one’s collectibles.
Other talks in the day discussed the hobby and collecting landscape in Singapore, the secret to running RPG games as a game master and an introduction into LARPing to bring fantasy to life.
The highlight for some guests, however, was the HIDDEN Agenda Race, which attracted those seeking an exhilarating adventure as they competed against other contestants to win S$1,500 worth of prizes.
Scouring Singapore Science Park for hidden clues, the teams put both their physical and mental abilities to the test to solve the puzzles given to them via WhatsApp and uncover secrets that would enable them to advance through checkpoints around the park.
In the end, a team of three were the first to complete the quest and take home the grand prize of S$1,000 in shopping vouchers at a prize-giving ceremony.
If you missed the HIDDEN Agenda: The Encounter, worry not. It is the first in a series of activities at Singapore Science Park in the HIDDEN Agenda programme that is set to fire up in 2025. Look out for them or check out other HIDDEN experiences this holiday season!
