Journey to the Emerald City is funded!
The Kickstarter has passed its original target, and the Oliver Twins are moving their first Active Brain Game into production.
Active Brain Games
Big adventures. Curious minds. Discover stories, cards and hands-on puzzles from the Oliver Twins — starting with Journey to the Emerald City.
Explore Active Brain Games
Part of our universeAn adventure you can hold
Active Brain Games brings the exploration, discovery and puzzle-solving of an adventure game to your table. Read the story, examine the cards and work things out with your hands. Journey to the Emerald City is the first title: a physical adventure for ages eight and up, to enjoy on your own or with family and friends.
Your journey starts here
Step into a reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s original 1900 story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Follow the yellow brick road with familiar companions, uncover hidden messages and discover how the pieces of the adventure fit together.
Read the story. An illustrated interactive storybook places you inside the adventure.
Explore the cards. The 52-card Adventure Deck brings objects and discoveries into your hands.
Crack the codes. Turn the cipher wheel to decode hidden messages as the journey unfolds.
Beyond the next bend
There is a whole world to explore, from fields of poppies to the towering green gates of the Emerald City. Here is a glimpse of the original story artwork — the discoveries along the way are yours to make.
The poppy meadow — a golden path through a sea of red flowers.
The Emerald City — an extraordinary destination at the end of the road.
More to discover in the box
The planned First Edition brings together the storybook, Adventure Deck, cipher wheel and a sealed fold-out map, alongside an activity puzzle book, pencil, stickers and bookmark. The deck can also be used for games beyond the main story.
Keep exploring with the activity puzzle book. Campaign artwork illustrates the proposed components; see the campaign for current edition details.
From this World
Latest from Active Brain Games
Introducing 1 for 10: sharing the adventure
The Oliver Twins announce an initiative to donate one Active Brain Game to a children’s charity for every ten sold.
Meet the Oliver Twins at CRASH! Live 2026
Philip and Andrew are heading to Coventry on Saturday 17 October for a day celebrating the Spectrum and the wider world of retro gaming.
Journey to the Emerald City comes to Kickstarter
The Oliver Twins’ first Active Brain Game turns a journey through Oz into a physical puzzle adventure for players aged eight and up.
Inside Journey to the Emerald City with Philip Oliver
Watch Philip explain how a storybook, cards and physical puzzles bring the feeling of an adventure game away from the screen.
Dizzy and new adventures at PLAY Expo Blackpool
The Oliver Twins featured in the Sunday programme at PLAY Expo Blackpool on 4 October, bringing classic games and their new Kickstarter into the conversation.
The Oliver Twins are coming to Swansea Video Games Expo
Join Philip and Andrew at Brangwyn Hall on Sunday 29 November 2026 for a celebration of retro games, indie creations and gaming communities.
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