I just checked my instructor manual (PADI), and unless I'm missing it, this isn't even a required skill at all. It seems to be more of a very common extra credit activity. It has been a long day, so if I'm just missing it, someone please correct me.
I'll also note that there is nothing that requires you to be out of air to practice the out of air drills. Your duck duck goose game sounds like an unnecessary risk to me.
From the 2010 manual pages 44-45 (and it hasn't changed since I was an instructor).:
Dive 2 Performance Requirements
At the surface:
1. Perform the buddy predive safety check.
2. Demonstrate appropriate deep-water entry.
3. Clear a snorkel using the blast method, then resume
breathing through it without lifting the face from the
water.
4. Exchange snorkel for regulator and regulator for snorkel
repeatedly without lifting the face from the water.
5. Swim at least 50 metres/yards while wearing scuba and
breathing through a snorkel.
6. Adjust for proper weighting fl oat at eye level at the
surface with no or minimal air in the BCD and while
holding a normal breath.
7. Orally inflate a BCD to at least half full in water too
deep in which to stand, then fully deflate it.
8. Remove weights using the quick release mechanism
with minimal assistance
9. Remove weights, scuba unit and fi ns (if necessary) in
water too deep in which to stand and exit using the
most appropriate technique. (Buddy assistance allowed.)
Underwater:
10. Descend using the fi ve-point method.
11. Remove, replace and clear a mask.
12. Breathe without a mask for at least one minute.
13. Disconnect the low pressure hose from the infl ator in
shallow water (either underwater or at the surface.)
14. Respond to air depletion by signaling out-of-air in
water too deep in which to stand.
15. Ascend using the five-point method.
Dive 3 Performance Requirements
At the surface:
1. Perform a tired diver tow for 25 metres/yards in water
too deep in which to stand.
2. Demonstrate the cramp removal technique for self and
buddy (at the surface or underwater.)
Underwater:
3. Use both oral and low-pressure BCD infl ation to
become neutrally buoyant. Gently rise and fall in a
controlled manner, during inhalation and exhalation.
4. Swim at least 10 metres/yards while maintaining
neutral buoyancy.
5. Respond to air depletion by signaling out of air, and
securing and breathing from an alternate air source
supplied by a buddy. Continue for at least one minute
while swimming.