Netflix Inc’s most-watched series is no more a just a fictional television show, thanks to the streaming service’s approval of ‘its biggest reality competition ever,’ “Squid Game: The Challenge.”
Contrary to the tv series, where the stakes are life or death, the worst conceivable outcome in this 456-player tournament is not winning the $4.56 million grand prize, which Netflix claims is the greatest lump sum award in reality TV history.
When it premiered in September 2021, Squid Game became Netflix’s most-watched series, telling the story of cash-strapped participants who played childhood games for the chance to win life-changing sums of money.
The first season is Netflix’s most famous series of all time, with over 1.65 billion hours viewed in the first 28 days.
According to Netflix, the reality competition will include games inspired by the original show as well as new additions.
MrBeast, one of YouTube’s most popular US creators, produced an unofficial iteration of this idea by reproducing portions of the South Korean drama’s set and hosting games from the show, such as “Red Light, Green Light.” The YouTuber also avoided the killing part by strapping a device to each of the 456 players that simulated a bullet shot when a player was ruled out.
The Netflix reality game show will be filmed in the United Kingdom and will initially only cast English speakers. The news comes only days after the tv series announced a second season.