Founder of immersive exploration game says Windsor is 'perfect starting point'

A new immersive exploration game that combines elements of a walking tour and treasure hunt has launched in Windsor.

The Curious Case Company is offering a new way to explore the royal town by blending history with interactive storytelling.

Founder Simon Bhattacharjee left his role at a marketing agency last year to pursue his business full-time and is already working on the next game in Bath.

His debut experience, ‘The Curious Case of the Windsor Time Thief’, is a story-driven adventure game that invites players to uncover secrets in the historic town through a ‘clue-cracking adventure’.

Simon said: “Ever since I was young, I’ve been captivated by history, not just the dates and battles, but the human stories behind it all.

“I knuckled down and spent many years working in digital agencies.

“Little did I realise that those roles would equip me with the exact skills I’d need to turn my passion into something real: creating experiences that blend storytelling, strategy and play.

“Windsor and Eton were the perfect starting point with centuries of history, fascinating characters, and a global reputation as a must-visit destination.”

Unlike traditional walking tours or treasure hunts, history is embedded in the game’s storyline, which is played on a mobile web app. This is accessed through a special entry code, so no downloads are necessary.

Players will encounter real characters from the past, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden gems, all while seeing the landmarks of Windsor and Eton.

Simon, who is from Bracknell, said: “Britain’s history is so rich, but often hidden in plain sight.

“I wanted to share it in a way that makes discovery feel like an adventure, where every twist and clue leads to something you didn’t know, and you uncover the past almost by accident.

“That’s why I shaped the experience as a game, where people can enjoy the puzzles, the teamwork and the thrill of solving something together while secretly learning along the way.”

The 44-year-old launched his company to create immersive, outdoor games that transform the way people experience historic places.

As the sole owner, Simon has been working on the research, plot, experience and technical elements of the game for the past nine to ten months.

The game can be played with up to six players in either one or two parts and includes interactive challenges, such as finding objects hidden in plain sight or solving riddles and numerical tests.

After four weeks of testing, the first case went live to the public on August 11.

Each part takes up to three hours, with the first providing the background to the case, and the second incorporating Eton to identify the thief and the prize.

This makes the game ideal for couples, families, and groups of friends, and Simon said they have received a ‘brilliant response from early adventurers’.

“The user feedback has been really positive so far. Everyone has said they enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend so far,” he added.

“At the heart of it, my inspiration has always been that feeling you get when you stumble across something odd or intriguing, like a crest in an unexpected spot, a curious building that’s stood the test of time, or even something as strange as a path paved with gravestones.

“Spoiler alert: Windsor has at least two.

“These moments always made me wonder, 'What’s the story here?’”

Visit www.curiouscasecompany.com for more information.