200 couples take over Marbella old town in urban game with a 19,500-euro ring as top prize

Some 200 couples, 400 people in all, took to the streets of central Marbella on Saturday for ‘¿Y mi anillo pa’ cuándo?’ (‘So when do I get my ring?’), an urban game whose top prize was an 18-carat white-gold solitaire ring with a 1.51-carat diamond, valued at 19,500 euros, according to Diario Sur.

Participants gathered in the Parque de la Constitución to hear the rules before the start. The event was created by Miguel Gómez Molina, head of the jewellers Gómez & Molina Joyeros, who says he first had the idea eleven years ago. He describes it as the largest game of its kind in the world by prize value. It was organised with Kaiju Group, a Malaga company specialising in video game and digital art events.

Prizes worth 155,000 euros

In total, 155,000 euros in prizes were up for grabs. Behind the main ring came a second engagement ring worth 8,000 euros and five more prizes valued at 3,000 euros or above. Other prizes included an Oris Swiss watch worth 2,500 euros, six all-inclusive nights in Cancún, stays at luxury hotels in Marbella and meals at one- and two-Michelin-star restaurants.

Food was not part of the prize pool: catering with Cádiz bluefin tuna, oysters and nigiri from a leading Japanese restaurant in Marbella was available to those who took part. Around 150 more couples tried to register at the last minute but could not be admitted.

How the game worked

Everything ran through a mobile app rather than paper instructions. The first part, worth 40% of the score, lasted two and a half hours and comprised 12 challenges, some digital and some physical, at points around the centre. The first task asked couples to complete a pixel-art recreation of the historic central fountain in the Parque de la Alameda. Later stops included the Plaza de los Naranjos and the castle.

The remaining 60% came from trivia-style questions about what participants had seen along the route.

Couples at the start line

Many couples joked about wedding plans. Toni and Elena, who have already celebrated their silver wedding anniversary as an unmarried couple, said she wants him to propose. Others had been together eight months, three years, five years or six years. Whether or not a ring was on the line, participants agreed that enjoying the day was reward enough.

Source: www.diariosur.es