Game Instructions
How to Play Survivor at Home!
Survivor at Home is a two-night online reality game inspired by the tv show Survivor!
Contestants will compete in a series of games and social challenges, followed each round by a time of social strategy, and then a vote at “Tribal Council” - where someone will be eliminated. At the end of the competition, only one player will remain as the Sole Survivor!
Unique Elements of Survivor at Home
Survivor at Home is similar in most ways to the tv show. But there are some differences:
The cast is made up of new and returning players. This means some pre-existing relationships are a factor you have to navigate. Once the cast list is released, you will be able to see who is a returnee.
When you are voted out, you become an “exile.” Exiles play in some (not all) challenges, often with a chance to influence the game (e.g. if the exiles win, they block players in the game from winning the immunity necklace). There will also be opportunities for some exiles to return to the game!
Everyone makes the jury - meaning everyone will vote at the final Tribal Council (except the final 3 of course)
We are not on an island in Fiji, sadly!
Fair Play Rules
Absolutely no strategizing is allowed with other contestants before the event begins, or in between days
The only permitted forms of communication are the video channels on Discord, and the main Zoom call
No texts, direct messages, or in-app messaging are allowed
No “hacking” or AI to help you find clues/idols, or to give you an unfair advantage
Be respectful of others (and the hosts)!
Challenges
Throughout the event, you will compete in challenges in an effort to win immunity for the upcoming Tribal Council!
Some are individual competitions, and others are played as a team
Examples from past seasons include charades, Jenga stacking, and an online escape room
There are also social challenges, where contestants compete for safety through unique social twists explained by the host
Every challenge will be explained during the competition, and there will be time for questions before we begin
Let’s see how you would do in a Survivor at Home Classic: The 4 Doors Challenge!
Social Gameplay
A significant part of Survivor at Home is the social strategy, and the bonds you build with other players
After most challenges, there will be designated time (15-20 mins.) to talk with other contestants before Tribal Council
Be wise with your social choices! In the end, it is the Jury (the voted out players) who will decide on the winner of the game.
Pro Tip: This time flies by, so you have to be intentional in the Discord channels
Here’s how it works:
Socializing takes place using Discord audio/video channels, allowing you to jump in and out of conversations anytime!
When you join our Discord, you’ll see a number of Survivor-themed channels (see the picture below)
At any given time, multiple people can be in the same channel, although some have a limit.
To leave and enter another channel, just click on a different channel name and it will take you there
Important: The audio will connect automatically, but you’ll need to quickly turn on your camera each time you change chatrooms/channels
Pro Tip: When other players join a chat channel, you will see their names listed underneath. Keep an eye on who is talking with who!
Tribal Council
After most challenges, contestants will take part in Tribal Council, where someone will be voted out of the game
Before the vote takes place, we will have a time of discussion (5-10 mins.)
You can reveal as little or as much information as you like during this time
After the time of discussion, it is time to vote!
Everyone will have one vote, submitted confidentially on the website (a simple voting form)
The host will then reveal the results, and the person with the most votes against them will be eliminated
If there is a tie between two or more players, there will be a re-vote
In a re-vote, votes can only be cast for one of the tied contestants
New idols and advantages cannot be played in a re-vote
If the re-vote does not break the tie, the host will declare a deadlock (this gets a bit confusing)
In a deadlock, all players can openly discuss (in front of everyone) which of the tied players to vote out
If they can unanimously agree on a name, then the person they agree on is eliminated
If they cannot reach a unanimous decision, the tied players in question will be rendered safe/immune, subjecting everyone else to a random draw to determine who will be eliminated (those with immunity from a challenge or idol are still safe here)
Idols & Advantages
Be on the lookout for idols, advantages, and clues throughout the competition!
These could be on the website, in your email, or live on screen
When you find one, it will usually say something like “you’ve found a clue to a hidden immunity idol…be the first to email production the answer to this _____ (riddle, puzzle, math equation, etc…) to claim it!”
Very Important: Because it’s possible for multiple people to come across the same idol or advantage (given the online format), you have to be the first to claim it. Sometimes there will be instructions for how to claim an idol, but not always. If there are no instructions, you can claim an idol verbally on Zoom, or by emailing production. The onus is on you.
Pro Tip: There is never “designated time” to search for idols. Some players choose to search during challenge instructions; others find it too risky. What will you decide to do?!
Communication About Idols & Advantages
If you properly claim an idol or advantage, AND it is still available (i.e. someone else hasn’t already claimed it), production will notify you by email
If you did not properly claim an idol or advantage, or if it has already been claimed by someone else, you won’t be notified (people always forget this)
You can always try again, unless the clue says otherwise
Pro Tip: You will usually be notified by email; refresh your inbox often!
Playing an Idol or Advantage
Like in Survivor, an idol can be played at Tribal Council, saving you from any potential votes
Prior to the reading of the votes, the host will prompt contestants by saying: “If anyone has an advantage or an idol and would like to play it, now would be the time to do so." It’s up to you if you want to use it, or save it for a later time.
If an idol is played, all votes cast against that person will not count
Unless otherwise specified, you must verbally let the host know when you are playing an idol or advantage, so that everyone else can hear
You are also permitted to play your idol for another contestant if you want (e.g. “I’d like to play my hidden immunity idol for ____”).
Unfortunately, if you are voted out with an idol in your pocket, you cannot give it to someone else
Pro Tip: The last time you can use an idol is with 5 players remaining in the game
On Being Voted Out
If you are voted out of Survivor at Home, you head to exile island, and become part of the jury. It is honestly not fun getting voted out, but we promise you will end up having a good time with the other exiles (spoken from experience).
As an exile, you can no longer take part in the socializing and voting, but you will participate in many of the challenges - often with a chance to influence the game. And there are also chances for Redemption, where some players can return to the game!
While you are on exile, you can talk freely with other voted-out players
The Finale!
At the end of the final night, the three remaining players will take part in the Survivor at Home Finale! They will not vote, and instead must answer questions from the Jury (all the voted out players), and present their case for why they should be crowned the Sole Survivor.
Everyone in Survivor at Home becomes part of the jury and has a vote (except the final 3 of course)
After this time of discussion, the Jury will cast their votes to determine the winner of Survivor at Home!
Tips from Past Seasons:
Charge your devices beforehand, and have chargers nearby (also keep in mind your wireless headphones will likely run out of battery)
Make sure your computer isn’t set to update at any point during the event
Test your internet connection in the place you will be playing (e.g. Go on Zoom with a friend and see if it’s lagging)
Prepare your inbox accordingly so you don’t miss out on emails from Production during the event
Add survivorathome@gmail.com as a contact so the emails we send you don’t go to junk-mail
You’ll need to enter passwords at various points during the event, to access pages on the website. Some internet browsers may prompt you to save your password, but do not do this! We’ve found it messes some people up when trying to enter future passwords during the game.
Be bold in the strategizing time, but also don’t get caught on your own for too long (missing out on conversations)
Practice the Jenga stack challenge beforehand (stack the blocks end on end)
There are occasional 5 minute washroom breaks, but other than that the game does not stop
Pay attention. There is usually a quiz near the end of the final night, recapping many moments from the competition.
Remember that if you make it to the finale, you have to present your case to the jury in a way that convinces them you are the most deserving winner of the season! Be thinking about how you will differentiate yourself.