Reality bites as TV show's appeal becomes clear

It took me 10 minutes to tiptoe my way back to the game zone, like a soldier on high alert for the slightest hint of enemy activity.

Soon after, the first mission was released. We were to find and occupy certain hidden sites.

I got goosebumps when my teammates called me by the name of the celebrity I understudied for in their seriously-toned strategy discussions on how to outmaneuver our rival team.

It had a hypnotizing effect, instantly dragging me deeper into the world of the game.

Their commitment to the project had me feeling obliged to live up to their expectations and deliver on my part. I could feel I was getting increasingly invested in the game, as I marched toward a mission spot with a steely determination to succeed, while taking cover to evade the hunters.

I shared the excitement and disappointment of my team, as prompts popped up on our mobile devices, letting us know that while some of our teammates had achieved their missions, others, unfortunately, had not, falling in the line of duty, ultimately being collared by hunters.