A renowned movie scout is looking for films hidden around town – can you follow the trail and solve the clues before a rival scout gets them?

That's the premises of a fun new Mystery Town Game, "The Reel Cochrane."

A launch event is being held on Apr. 27 in Historic Downtown Cochrane at a special half-price rate of $24.50 per team and promises to offer all the fun of a scavenger hunt, the puzzles of an escape room and the thrill of an amazing race. The opening day also includes a number of prizes and giveaways sure to delight participants.

All you need is a charged smartphone, a fun-loving group of friends or family and you're set.

This clue-solving, interactive adventure game played with a smartphone app and involves deciphering clues that take you through the Historic Cochrane - Railway St. area by foot through the eyes of a movie buff. It takes about 90 minutes to complete but it's flexible enough to allow players to start whenever they wish and take breaks along the way to perhaps enjoy a meal or do a little shopping.

Cochrane Tourism executive director Jo-Anne Oucharek says the initiative has been in the works since they first approached Mystery Town Tours. nearly 1 1/2 years ago. Cochrane has become the first community outside of the mountain parks and major metropolitan areas to launch the game and is also the first organization to partner with creator Andrew Nickerson in establishing a location. It's also played in Banff, Canmore, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.

The launch day runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Centennial Plaza on 1st St. W. Participants can start playing any time they wish, but between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. is recommended. Teams of two to four people are suggested but you can more if you wish. Participants may even want to challenge another group.

"It's best to play in a group because it's interactive and you then have more than one set of eyes looking for the clues," she explains.

Participants work with 25 clues and visit a number of establishment where they are provided with a clue of some kind or question or a puzzle piece, Oucharek explains.

"What they will be doing is wandering around, looking for clues and then they have to solve the puzzle or solve the riddle or whatever it happens to be and submit it on their phone and if they get it right they get the next clue."

Some are competing to make it on to the leaderboard of Mystery Town Tours. Others take a more leisurely pace. Either way, there are breaks built into the game app. 

"Even for those who are playing to get on the leaderboard, there are opportunities where the game is paused. You can pause the game at any time as well to shop or have something to eat or have a beverage of choice anywhere along the game route."

Exclusive to the launch are goodie bags and prizes being presented at the end. In the beginning, they will be provided with a map with promotional handouts from local businesses.

A team can enter and play the game as often as they wish if they want to try and improve their time to climb the leaderboard. It also holds the potential for businesses looking at doing team building events.

This is the first game based in Cochrane but more adventures may be offered in the future. Canmore, for example, has three games on the go at all times.

To book or learn more, visit www.cochrane-tourism.ca. You can more about the other game locations and view the leaderboard at www.mysterytowntours.com.

To take advantage of the launch special you punch in the code 0419LAUNCH.

The day before, a VIP launch is being held involving local celebrities, online influencers and regional media.