Squid Game: The Challenge - Netflix greenlights its greatest reality competition ever; here's all you need to know

After greenlighting its greatest reality competition ever, Squid Game: The Challenge, Netflix Inc.'s most-watched series is no longer merely a hypothetical television show.

Unlike in the series, where the stakes are life or death, the worst conceivable outcome in this 456-player tournament is not winning the $4.56 million grand prize, which Netflix claims is the greatest lump sum award in reality television history.

When it premiered in September 2021, Squid Game became Netflix's most-watched series, telling the story of cash-strapped participants who play childhood games for a chance to win life-changing sums of money.

According to Netflix, the first season is the most popular series of all time, with over 1.65 billion hours watched in the first 28 days. The 10-episode reality competition will have games inspired by the original show as well as new elements.

Mr.Beast, one of YouTube's most popular American creators, created an unofficial rendition of this concept by reproducing elements of the South Korean drama's set and hosting games from the show, such as Red Light, Green Light. The YouTuber also skipped the killing part, instead of strapping a device on each of the 456 participants that simulated a gunshot when a player was eliminated.

Netflix's reality show will be filmed in the United Kingdom, and only English-speaking cast members are presently being cast. The news comes only days after the scripted series was given a second-season renewal.

Brandon Riegg, Netflix's VP of Unscripted and Documentary Series, said that director Hwang's fascinating plot and distinctive images swept the world by storm with Squid Game. They are grateful for his support as they convert the fictional world into reality in this major competition and social experiment.

He went on to say that fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable adventure as their 456 real-life contestants compete in the biggest competition series ever, full of suspense and turns, and culminating in the biggest cash prize ever.