Live from Eden Prairie: It’s your turn to play the game

Forget the couch and the remote – now you can be the star of your own game show.

The Game Show Studio, which opened in April on the second floor of Eden Prairie Center near the food court, AMC Theatres and Scheels, sports a sleek sign and an understated entrance. But the real surprise comes after you step inside and follow a hallway to the back, where a hidden door opens to a soundstage that could pass for a television set – complete with flashing lights, podiums and a big spinning wheel.

Founders Jack Slayton and Julian Wagner describe the business as equal parts spectacle and strategy – a hands-on, sensory-rich experience where people play classic-style game shows under the lights. And for many corporate clients, it’s become a go-to option for team-building.

“We really wanted to create that Hollywood-style feel,” said Wagner, the company’s chief development officer. “So when you’re playing, it actually feels like you’re on a game show. For a lot of people, being on TV or a game show is a dream, and we want to bring that to life right here.”

The roughly 60-minute experience features three signature games – “Survey Showdown,” “Wheel of Wonder,” and “Over/Under” – that rotate players through team-based challenges styled after “Family Feud,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “The Price Is Right.” Each show is hosted by performers with comedy or improv backgrounds who encourage guests to lean in.

“We tell them: don’t write your real name. Be creative. Step into a persona,” said Slayton, the studio’s chief operating officer. “You can tell early on whether someone’s going to be more reserved or more edgy, and that makes each round feel unique.”

Built from the ground up

Slayton, who grew up in Wayzata, and Wagner, originally from Dallas, launched the first Game Show Studio in Houston in 2021. They expanded into Minnesota in October 2023 with a location at Rosedale Center in Roseville. The Eden Prairie studio is their second in the state – and serves as the flagship location, outfitted with the latest lighting, sound and software.

They’re also building out a second studio room at the Eden Prairie site, expected to open later this summer.

The company also operates in San Diego and plans to expand to Sacramento, with a goal of opening 10 U.S. locations this year. Rosedale functions as the brand’s research and development facility.

Business that builds buzz

Their business serves walk-ins, but much of the company’s growth has been driven by custom bookings for corporate groups, birthday parties and private events. Many clients use the space for employee appreciation and team-building.

“We can host meetings next door, bring people in for a game show, and finish with a happy hour,” Wagner said. “We also work with clients who want to hand out prizes – we help them build that right into the experience.”

The company also offers a 90-minute experience option and has hosted mobile events off-site for corporate clients, including a recent show for the Minnesota Vikings and a large event in Alexandria.

A smart bet on Eden Prairie

Their decision to expand into Eden Prairie was part market research, part instinct.

“For me personally, I know a lot of people on this side of the river who don’t really cross over to try new experiences,” Slayton said. “Eden Prairie made sense – with all the growth happening in Chanhassen and surrounding areas, and all the businesses nearby in Bloomington and Eden Prairie – like Best Buy, (UnitedHealth Group), and others.”

To mark its grand opening, The Game Show Studio is hosting a charity tournament on May 16 and 17 featuring teams sponsored by local businesses. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish Minnesota.

Nancy Litwin, vice president and general manager of Eden Prairie Center, called the business a welcome addition.

“We’re thrilled to welcome The Game Show Studio, as a dynamic addition to our growing entertainment wing,” Litwin said in a statement. “This unique, interactive experience not only brings fresh energy to the center, but also gives our visitors a new way to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories together.”

Laughter and light cues

While some shows are booked for private groups, others are public and combine small parties into one experience. That helps maintain energy and surprise.

“One of the best parts is sitting in the back and watching people laugh and have fun,” Slayton said. “You’ll have a family of six playing alongside a group of ten friends. By the end of the show, they’re almost friends – laughing, battling it out, having a good time together.”

The company is also developing new games like “This or That,” a fast-paced trivia challenge, and “Matchup Madness,” inspired by “The Match Game.”

For more information, visit gameshowstudio.com.