Is the dinner necessary to play the game?

Not really, but highly encouraged! All of the games were created with the concept of a round the table game play. Titanic of course is at the captains table, Alice is a game with a meal or at the Hatters Tea Party table etc. We feel that the elegance and enjoyment of the game works best when everyone is seated around a table. We have found that people are more relaxed at a dinner setting as well. (You can also serve any meal of your choice, but the game does come with all the recipes and videos to create an amazing meal) Also the dinner setting is the best way for everyone to hear the questions and answers given by the players. I have received a few emails where people have played the games sitting around a room and it seems to work well. The game play does not rely on a meal.