The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
Encyclopedia
The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pick-up Artists (Also known as The game. Undercover in the Secret Society of Pickup Artists) is a non-fictional book written by investigative reporter
Neil Strauss
as a chronicle of his journey and encounters in the seduction community
.
The book was featured on the New York Times Bestseller List for two months after its release in September 2005, reaching prominence again in 2007 during the broadcast of the VH1
television series The Pick-Up Artist
. In its original published hardcover format, the book was covered in black leather and bookmarked with red satin, similar to some printings of the Bible. Despite the reputation that The Game has gained as an exposé on the Seduction Community, it was primarily written as an autobiographical work.
The book then narrates the journey of how Strauss goes through the various stages of becoming a Pick-up artist, description about the various members of the community and how Strauss befriends many of the members, particularly Mystery. A good deal of the book focuses on how to obtain the elusive upper hand, or just hand, in a relationship. He also narrates his success, the spreading of the romantic community itself and his life at "Project Hollywood", a high end mansion and a lifestyle plan shared by Strauss, Mystery, Playboy, Papa, Tyler Durden
, Herbal, and other members of the seduction community, and how rivalries and animosity between various members of the community lead to "Project Hollywood's" collapse. The book also documents the start of Real Social Dynamics with Tyler Durden and Papa.
The book also narrates Strauss' experiments with sleeping habits, personal grooming and his meetings with celebrities such as Tom Cruise
, Courtney Love
and Britney Spears
.
Sony
optioned the rights to make the book into a film, and comedy director Chris Weitz
signed on to helm the project for Columbia Pictures
. Spyglass Entertainment
has since obtained the rights to the film, with screenwriter Dan Weiss adapting the book into a screenplay.
The following are a few examples:
Criminal Minds
- In one episode, investigators chase after a man who is seducing and murdering women after taking a pick-up workshop with an expert named “Raven.”
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – The character of Dennis Reynolds creates “The D.E.N.N.I.S System” to teach others his systemic approach to being a playboy.
Family Guy
– The character of Glenn Quagmire
teaches a class on how to “bring out your inner studs.”
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
Neil Strauss
Neil Strauss
Neil Darrow Strauss , also known by the pen names Style and Chris Powles, is an American and Kittitian author, journalist and ghostwriter...
as a chronicle of his journey and encounters in the seduction community
Seduction community
The seduction community is a subculture of men, primarily communicating on the Internet, who strive for better sexual success/access with women. Members of the community often call themselves pickup artists . It exists mostly through Internet newsletters, marketing The seduction community is a...
.
The book was featured on the New York Times Bestseller List for two months after its release in September 2005, reaching prominence again in 2007 during the broadcast of the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
television series The Pick-Up Artist
The Pick-up Artist (TV series)
The Pickup Artist is an American reality show on VH1 which focuses on a group of eight or nine male contestants who have historically been unsuccessful in love and relationships learning the art of the "pickup" as taught by seduction artist Mystery and his wings...
. In its original published hardcover format, the book was covered in black leather and bookmarked with red satin, similar to some printings of the Bible. Despite the reputation that The Game has gained as an exposé on the Seduction Community, it was primarily written as an autobiographical work.
Summary
Strauss stumbles across the community while working on an article. Intrigued by the subculture, he starts participating in the online discussion groups, mainly out of his own frustration with his romantic life. As he becomes more and more involved in the romantic community, Strauss attends a "Bootcamp" conducted by Mystery. The bootcamp consists of Strauss and other participants approaching women and then Mystery and his counterpart Sin giving them corrective advice on their behaviors, body language, and what to say.The book then narrates the journey of how Strauss goes through the various stages of becoming a Pick-up artist, description about the various members of the community and how Strauss befriends many of the members, particularly Mystery. A good deal of the book focuses on how to obtain the elusive upper hand, or just hand, in a relationship. He also narrates his success, the spreading of the romantic community itself and his life at "Project Hollywood", a high end mansion and a lifestyle plan shared by Strauss, Mystery, Playboy, Papa, Tyler Durden
Owen Cook
Owen Cook is an entrepreneur, author and dating advisor. He is the figurehead of Real Social Dynamics, a company that specializes in teaching men how to establish a sexual relationship with women.-Background:Owen Cook graduated with a degree in philosophy from Queen's University in Kingston...
, Herbal, and other members of the seduction community, and how rivalries and animosity between various members of the community lead to "Project Hollywood's" collapse. The book also documents the start of Real Social Dynamics with Tyler Durden and Papa.
The book also narrates Strauss' experiments with sleeping habits, personal grooming and his meetings with celebrities such as Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
and Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
.
Other works
A companion to The Game, called Rules of the Game by Neil Strauss, containing two parts, The Stylelife Challenge and The Style Diaries, was released on December 18, 2007.Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
optioned the rights to make the book into a film, and comedy director Chris Weitz
Chris Weitz
Christopher John "Chris" Weitz is an American producer, writer, director and actor. He is best known for his work with his brother, Paul Weitz, on the comedy films American Pie and About a Boy, as well as directing the film adaptation of the novel The Golden Compass and the film adaptation of New...
signed on to helm the project for Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
. Spyglass Entertainment
Spyglass Entertainment
Spyglass Entertainment is an American film production company, co-founded by Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum in 1998. The studio was founded with an investment from European media conglomerates Kirch Group and Mediaset, and a five-year distribution deal with The Walt Disney Company...
has since obtained the rights to the film, with screenwriter Dan Weiss adapting the book into a screenplay.
In Popular Culture
Since the book’s release, visual and written references, including satires and parodies, have shown up in popular culture media.The following are a few examples:
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural drama that premiered September 22, 2005, on CBS. The series follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit based in Quantico, Virginia. The BAU is part of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime...
- In one episode, investigators chase after a man who is seducing and murdering women after taking a pick-up workshop with an expert named “Raven.”
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – The character of Dennis Reynolds creates “The D.E.N.N.I.S System” to teach others his systemic approach to being a playboy.
Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
– The character of Glenn Quagmire
Glenn Quagmire
Glenn Quagmire, often referred to as just Quagmire, is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. Quagmire is a neighbor and friend of the Griffin family. He is best known for his hypersexuality...
teaches a class on how to “bring out your inner studs.”