If Lansing Hosted The Hunger Games, These Would Be the Arenas

Hunger Games is an iconic young adult book series turned movie that is pretty awesome, in my opinion.

It follows Katniss (teen female main character) as she navigates her dystopian world and the new reality she faces as she becomes a "tribute" for The Hunger Games.

What are The Hunger Games?

The Hunger Games is basically a dystopian version of "America’s Got Talent"—except instead of singing and dancing, teens are forced to fight to the death on live TV for the entertainment of the wealthy.

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The country (called Panem) is divided into districts, and each year, the Capitol makes them send one boy and one girl—called tributes—to compete in this brutal, televised battle royale. It's government-sponsored trauma with the promise of making one winner reach beyond imagination.

So, yeah. A tribute is basically a teenager who's been drafted into the world's worst reality show. No rose ceremonies, just, “may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Why Lansing Makes the Perfect Arena

What if you were a tribute in Lansing?

Hear me out... Lansing has its own sets of challenges that we navigate everyday, perhaps not all as life threatening as Katniss faces, but still... challenges.

If I were a gamemaker in the "Lansing Hunger Games", here are the arenas I would build.

Arena 1: The Frandor Parking Lot Free-for-All

This would be the cornucopia. This arena is filled with supplies—Kroger for food, Great Lakes ACE Hardware for tools and weapons.

Arena 2: MSU Tailgate Terrain

This takes place on game day. The highway is bumper to bumper, campus is crawling with half drunk tailgaters, and you've got to make your way to Spartan Stadium. Don't forget, you can use some lawn games as improvised weapons.

Arena 3: Horrocks Jungle Maze

Horrocks is just overflowing with craft beer, fresh meat and produce, and plenty of starry-eyed out of towners to make it practically unnavigable. Oh, and did we mention the parking lot of death? Try to find a spot if you dare...

Arena 4: 127 and 496 Construction Zone Gauntlet

Dust and debris flying everywhere, heavy machinery, and millions of orange barrels. This arena is only for the brave.

Arena 5: Meijer Past Midnight

Instead of well stocked shelves, you have flickering fluorescent lights and a weirdo who seems to be following you down the aisle. Not to mention, you're sure you saw a squirrel running around here at some point...