i see dead people

A ‘same’-tery game

 

The goal is to walk through the cemetery, preferably as a group of two to five (if a larger group wishes to play, it is preferable to split into teams). One team member records the points, but may still play. This team member may also choose to randomise the directions the group takes, using a randomising app (for instance) or coin toss. The winner will get to ten points first.

 

1 point for a tombstone containing the same first and last name as a famous person 

This must be the same name and same spelling.

If members of the party do not accept that the name is that of a famous person, google will be the judge – if the person’s name does not come up in the first five google hits, they are not adequately famous for the purposes of this game.

Middle names do not count unless a middle name is a significant element of the famous name. For instance, a grave signifying ‘Jennifer Ada Leigh’ is not the same as ‘Jennifer Jason Leigh’; but a grave signifying ‘Shannen Ada Doherty’ is acceptable for ‘Shannen Doherty’; Shannen Doherty’s middle name is Maria, but this is not the name she goes by in public life. 

 

‘Real’ names of famous people – for instance, Archibald Leach (the real name of Carey Grant) or Shawn Carter (the real name of Jay-Z) – are acceptable provided anyone claiming points for this is in a position to prove their claim. Once starting the game, they must not research prior to making the claim. 

 

1 point for a tombstone containing the same first and last name as one of the participants in the game

Once again, the spelling of both names must be the same. The middle name need not (although double points are awarded if it is). If participants have married and birth names (i.e. two names) or have changed their names for other reasons, all names are valid, as long as all members of the party are aware of the names that apply in this category. 

 

2 points for a tombstone featuring a significant date 

‘Significant date’ means that the day, month and year must correspond with a date in history known to the nominee. ‘My birthday’ is not a significant date unless the person putting this forward is so famous they are one of the first five hits on google. Christmas day of any year is not in itself significant, although 25 December 1974 – when Cyclone Tracey devastated Darwin – is an example of a significant date. 

 

1-2 points for the grave of an actual famous person

If text on the grave explains why the person is famous, one point only is awarded. If it does not, investigation into the fame of the person can go deeper into google and Wikipedia, however, the player claiming the points must be prepared to lose two points if it is decreed that the grave is not of a famous person. If the grave is not of a famous person, but the name is that of a famous person, the player will receive one point. As in all categories above, it is against the rules of the game to research a person online before declaring them famous. 

 

½ a point for names of fictional characters

These can be names of characters in fiction, films, even songs. However, once again players must be able to prove the validity of their claim, if challenged.