Dirk Gibson was born to have adventures. As a wild-eyed, long-haired kid, his family and friends affectionately referred to him as Mowgli, the “jungle boy.” His teenage and college years were spent traversing the untamed Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho as a river guide — one of the youngest. His passion for the great outdoors never diminished, but with dreams of one day running his own business as an outfitter and guide, reality eventually sank in.
“I ended up leaving what I love to go make money in the desert, I call it,” Gibson said. “And that meant I had to wear a suit and tie and go to school.”
After years in the health care industry as a system leader of 12 hospitals managing 30,000 employees, Gibson launched a media company and went on to produce successful television shows for The History Channel, most notably “The Mountain Men,” Young Guns,” and “River of No Return.” Along with his success in the entertainment industry, Gibson eventually achieved his childhood dream of running his own outfitting company in Montana. Driven by his innate passion for the outdoors and entrepreneurial, philanthropic spirit, Gibson sought opportunities to help others and found inspiration from the American lottery and our country’s systemic disparities of wealth distribution. “Why should one person win $100 million when 100 people could have won a million dollars?” Gibson said.
The concept of a real-life Indiana Jones adventure where players stand a chance to win real money and prizes had percolated in his mind and been discussed with friends and colleagues for years. Treasure Game$ was launched, sending players on live-action, tech-driven, real-life treasure-hunting journeys searching for hidden treasures in the real world worth life-altering money and prizes.
“I wanted to get people out in the spirit of treasure hunting and traveling in the real world,” Gibsons said. “Even if it’s two hours or a day trip for players, it’s still fun. And you’re not on your phone or your computer the whole time.”
Treasure Game$ combines the thrill of real-world scavenger hunts with sophisticated technology. It features two main sections: the Play section, where participants engage in treasure hunts; and the Watch section, where they can view content generated by other players.
“You can see people filming themselves out there on these adventures,” Gibson said. This dual functionality transforms TG$ into a hybrid of a treasure hunt and a reality show, enhancing the user experience with high production value and ensuring players are entertained and engaged.
“It’s like the TikTok of treasure hunting,” he said.
Players must use their devices to receive daily clues, solve puzzles and embark on real-world quests to uncover hidden treasures. The platform’s innovative use of technology is protected by several patents, including those for clue creation, publishing, management and unique features like turning a phone into a compass pointing toward the treasure.
When Treasure Game$ launched in January 2024, Ron Novak and Michelle Bush, a once-homeless couple from New Mexico found their treasure in Dallas and were awarded $1.2 million in wishes. “Their first wish was a sprinter van and their second wish was a motel, which we bought them and they now own.” Gibson said.
Since its launch in January, feedback from players has been positive.
“I love this game and I love that you’re doing this,” one letter read. “In today’s world where things are so divided, there is so much chaos and frustration, it’s great to have something so positive.”
Treasure Game$ now connects North Carolinians to other treasure hunters from around the country. Players can upload content about their adventures and play in any active region, no matter where they are located. Clues are issued daily to those who register at treasuregames.fun.