Squid Games - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Discussion on the entertainment value of adults playing children's games to the death in Squid Games.
• Reflection on the dangers of these games despite their fun appearance.
• Exploration of which game is the most dangerous and what the odds of survival are.

Season 1 Games Overview

1. Red Light Green Light

• Game Description: 456 contestants, 5 minutes to cross a field.
• Only one player (Il-Nam) knows the game.
• Players must move while the doll is singing and freeze when it turns around.
• Survival Odds:
  • 25 turns to run, with decreasing time to move.
  • Average pace to cross the field needs to be 2.5 mph (4 km/h) or faster.
  • Initial panic leads to 120 player deaths, with a total of about 160 eliminated.
  • Survival Rate: 44% (201 survived out of 456).

2. Dalgona

• Game Description: Players must carve shapes out of a sugar cookie without breaking it.
• Shapes: Triangle (easiest), Circle, Star, Umbrella (hardest).
• Survival Odds: 187 initial players; 79 eliminated (42% death rate).
• The easier the shape, the better chances of survival.

3. Tug of War

• Game Description: Teams of players compete in a physical tugging match.
• Survival Odds: 50% chance of elimination based on team strength and size.
• Players’ sizes influence team choices, potentially reducing survival odds for smaller players.

4. Marbles

• Game Description: Players pair off and play a marble game of their choice.
• Survival Odds: 38 started; only 17 survived (55% death rate).
• Time pressure to agree on a game adds difficulty.

5. Bridge Game

• Game Description: Players must cross a series of glass tiles, with only some being tempered glass.
• Survival Odds: 16 players started; only 3 survived (81% death rate).
• The last player has a very slim chance of survival due to guessing on the last tile.

6. Squid Game

• Game Description: The final match, typically 1v1.
• Survival Odds: 50% chance unless manipulated.
• Players are meant to make strategic choices.

Season 2 Games Overview

1. Rock Paper Scissors Minus One

• Game Description: Similar to traditional rock-paper-scissors but adds a twist with Russian Roulette.
• Survival Odds: Remains at 50% due to elimination rules.

2. Red Light Green Light (Season 2)

• Changes: Players have 4 seconds to move; only 22 turns.
• Survival Odds: 20% death rate; significant improvement from Season 1.
• Gi-Hoon helps guide players, reducing movement errors.

3. Pentathlon

• Game Description: A team race where players must complete mini-games together.
• Survival Odds: 30% death rate; one of the better odds due to teamwork.

4. Mingle

• Game Description: Players must form groups based on announced numbers in a spinning carousel.
• Survival Odds: 61% death rate; chaotic and relies on quick thinking and collaboration.

Conclusion

• Overall analysis shows Bridge Game is the deadliest with an 81% death rate.
• Players should be strategic when choosing games, as survival odds vary significantly.
• Reflection on how the games' designs create tension and strategical thinking among players.
• Encourage discussion on which games viewers would choose to play.