Publisher of the world's favorite travel guides Lonely Planet selected Tommy Dew to design and develop an original online game targeting "global nomads" - 18 to 23 year olds traveling on a budget. Promoting the Shoestring Guide series, "Stranger Than Fiction" invited travelers to tell their stories from abroad and guess whether other players' stories were true or false. Winners received prizes ranging from a trip to South America to Teva active wear.

Fun, outlandish Flash animation with custom sound introduces the concept of the game to newcomers. After registering, players enter the database-driven realm of travel stories by players from around the world. Stories are categorized by location and description (e.g., funny, crazy, scary, etc.), allowing players to select categories that interest them most. Adding visual interest to the game interface, leaping leprechauns and smoking monkeys meander across the top of the page while players spin yarns meant to trick readers and consider the validity of other players' stories.

The outcome? One writer fools 100% of players, guffaws and grimaces are enjoyed by all and Lonely Planet sells oodles of Shoestring guides.