Austin music mystery · Downtown
The Ballad of Decker Hayes
A missing musician. A reopened file. A trail through downtown Austin.
Decker Hayes has disappeared. His music hasn't. Follow a trail of songs and evidence through downtown Austin—and discover what happened to the man behind them.
The man behind the music
A love song to Austin.
Some say Decker Hayes was the original Austin singer-songwriter. His biggest hit, “October Light,” was a love song to the city—a song people remembered long after the man himself disappeared. Listen below, then follow the music into a mystery waiting in Austin’s streets.
Meet the missing musician at the heart of this fictional mystery.
October Light
Decker Hayes · 4:40 · Listen if you like.
The recording couldn’t load. Try the direct link. You can keep exploring without listening.
Player not working? Open the October Light recording (M4A).
Follow the music
A song survived.
The story did too.
Decker's music is only the beginning. His trail leads out into downtown Austin, where your team pieces together songs, clues and evidence.
Look closer at the streets around you. Compare ideas. Let the next discovery change what you thought you knew.
Game Details
- $99 USD per group outing, not per person. One purchase in the app covers up to 12 people, split into a maximum of three teams with up to six players on each team. Teammates are included. The purchasing organizer sets up the teams.
- Smaller, balanced teams are recommended. For 12 players, choose three teams of four (4 + 4 + 4) or two teams of six (6 + 6).
- Content advisory: This experience includes themes of suicide. Recommended for adults; players under 18 should participate with parent or guardian guidance.
- About 2 miles · Flat terrain. Walk through downtown Austin with comfortable shoes and a charged Team Lead phone.
- The native iPhone or Android app provides the story and starting guidance. Ordinary companions can play with their Team Lead's phone. Download and prepare before setting out; connected setup and recovery need service, while prepared core gameplay is offline-tolerant.
- Teams can start independently. Unused purchased access does not expire.
- Purchasing will open in the app at launch. Purchase and refund policies.
Friendly competition · planned for launch
Same story.
Separate scores.
Set up to 3 teams to compete against one another. Each team within your group will get separate scores so you can determine which team fared best. You can also compare your results to all-time Decker leaders to see how you stack up.
Teams can start at different times; starting later is not a scoring penalty.
How competition worksRequest launch updates
Be there when the trail opens.
Get notified when The Ballad of Decker Hayes is ready to play.
Content advisory: This experience includes themes of suicide. Recommended for adults; players under 18 should participate with parent or guardian guidance.
Opens your email app. Send the draft to request launch updates.
No email app? Copy help@metrolore.com into your email service and tell us which city or story interests you.
No account needed. Privacy details.