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Netflix Is Turning 'Squid Game' Into a Real-Life Competition With a $4.56M Prize

The streaming giant says players will leave the competition "unscathed."

Nina Raemont Writer
A recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, Nina started at CNET writing breaking news stories before shifting to covering Security Security and other government benefit programs. In her spare time, she's in her kitchen, trying a new baking recipe.
Nina Raemont
Players and guards in Squid Game

More than 400 players will compete Squid Game-style for a $4.56 million cash prize.

Netflix

Netflix is turning its popular, dystopian Squid Game series into a reality competition with a big cash prize.  

On Tuesday, Netflix said that Squid Game, The Challenge will be its biggest reality competition to date. Competitors will participate in Squid Game-inspired games -- think Red Light Green Light and the honeycomb challenge -- for a whopping reward of $4.56 million. 

The 10-episode reality show will be filmed in the UK and co-produced by the studio that brought viewers The Circle, a social media-influenced Netflix reality game show. Unlike in the Netflix drama, players in Squid Game, The Challenge won't be harmed and will leave the competition "unscathed," according to Netflix. Those interested in participating in the game show can apply to be one of the 456 players at SquidGameCasting.com.

Netflix didn't reveal when the series will be released, but the casting site says players will likely need to be available in "early 2023" for the competition. 

Squid Game debuted on Netflix in September 2021 and quickly became a worldwide sensation, grossing over 1.65 billion viewing hours in the first 28 days after its premiere. It holds the record as the streaming services' most popular series of all time, according to Netflix. 

See Also: Netflix's Biggest Hit Shows and Movies Ever, Ranked (According to Netflix)

The announcement of the game show follows the news that Netflix renewed Squid Game for a second season.