The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists by Neil Strauss contains dozens of colorful and intriguing characters that the author encountered in real life. In no particular order, here are just a few of the people making an appearance in The Game.

Mystery

The very first scene in The Game is set in a demolished bedroom in mansion known as Project Hollywood, torn apart by Mystery. Early in the book, Strauss takes a bootcamp from Mystery and embarks upon his journey of transformation.

Ross Jeffries

Considered by many to be the father of the seduction community, Strauss witness Jeffries use an anchoring technique in a Hollywood restaurant during their first encounter.

David DeAngelo

A pick up artist introduced in The Game and noted for his use of “cocky funny” strategies. His quote, “Attraction is not a choice” is often repeated amongst social artists when discussing the universal and inherent human nature and response to mating and dating.

Herbal

One of a group of men (including Strauss) who rented Dean Martin’s mansion in Hollywood and formed a collective known as Project Hollywood.

Steve P.

An X-rated shaman of sorts. In The Game Strauss exclaims that “Steve P. had figured out a way to get women to pay to have sex with him.”

Rasputin aka Hypnotica

Described as looking like a steroid infused Wolverine, Hypnotica focused on a strategy he called hypnotic sexual engineering.