Puzzle Guide

Below are instructions for solving each puzzle in the game. We suggest running the game first with friends or colleagues to become familiar with the game and your role as game host. 

These puzzles in this packet can be completed in any order.

Puzzle 1: Chat Group

Goal

To figure out which two members of the friend group are lying about sharing the image   
 

Mechanics 

Players analyze short statements to figure out which two members of a 12-person friends’ chat group are lying about whether they shared the image of Lucas outside of the group.  A statement by a member of a group is either entirely honest or the member is one of the two liars.

Average time

5 minutes
 

Hints/ Guidance

• Players seem to more easily identify Miles as one of the two liars.  It’s fine to let them know that they got that part of the answer correct, especially further into the game.

• A common hint to identify Seth as the other person who shared the image is to nudge players that there is someone else in the group who is accusing someone the players don’t think is lying (i.e., Seth is accusing Ashe), and that person is thus not being honest.

• Javad’s statement is a good one to start with (because players can count how many participants have a name starting with M to verify if he’s telling the truth).
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: MILES and SETH

Puzzle 2: Influencer

Goal

To figure out the influencer’s real name so that she can be contacted.

Mechanics 

Players find the website URL for the plant guide in the chat thread below the influencer picture (tinyurl.com/plntgd) to identify the scientific names of the houseplants that are found in the background of the influencer screenshot. The first initials of the scientific names of the plants that appear behind her spell out her name.

Average time

5-10 minutes

Hints/Guidance

• Players typically get through this puzzle without needing hints. If stuck, suggestions such as “have you seen anything in the picture anywhere else?” can help.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: OLIVE

Puzzle 3: School Newspaper

Goal

To figure out the password of the school newspaper editor to delete content.

Mechanics 

Players identify which emojis, found on clues around the room, correspond to which categories listed in a school newspaper feature about the new editor.  For example, they’ll match the TV emoji with the “favorite TV show” category.  Using the numbers that go with each emoji, they’ll take that numbered letter in the editor’s response to her favorite thing in each category.  In the TV show example, the TV emoji has a number 8, so they’ll use the 8th letter in her answer of TWELVEWOOD, so the letter O.  Once they’ve identified which letter from each of her answers to use, in the order they appear on the newspaper page, they’ll spell the secret password: OPENUP.

Hints/Guidance

• The first hint would be to make sure players have found the emoji clues around the room, and have figured out that it goes with this puzzle.

• The next recommended hint would lead players to brainstorm how they can use the numbers they found with the emojis with the editor’s interview answers. 

• Another good hint is that the numbers with the emojis are repeated, which means that they cannot be used to provide an order (e.g., you can’t have two “second” items, but the number 2 appears twice, etc.).

Answer

→ Correct passcode: OPENUP

Average time

5-15 minutes

Puzzle 4: Soccer Player Image

Goal

To figure out the name of the rival team’s coach to get his assistance.

Mechanics 

Players identify which portions of an image were replaced with a dog, so that they can recreate the original image of the player kicking a ball instead.  The correct original parts of the image have letters on them, which are used to spell out the name of the coach of the rival soccer team. 

Average time

8 minutes

Hints/Guidance

• A good hint is to make sure players understand that not ALL image parts will be used (some are too large or too small to fit, for example)

• Once players understand to only use some of the image parts, they should be able to figure out the rest, but it would be ok to let a team that is struggling know if they have some of it right (and which parts they have correct or incorrect).
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: ADRIEN

Answer Sheet

Goal

To provide the correct set of puzzle answers to access the final puzzle.
 

Mechanics 

Players compile all answers from the previous puzzles to submit to the game host. Game host will check whether the answer words are correct or not. 

When a team turns in a correct answer sheet, return the answer sheet to the team (they need it for the final puzzle) and hand them the final puzzle materials.

The final puzzle consists of three pieces of paper: a letter grid page, an algorithm rules page, and a quarter-sheet answer card.  You can hand them out as is, or put them in an envelope.

Average time

1 minute

Hints/Guidance

• If any of the answers are incorrect, point out which puzzle(s)/answer(s) the players need to re-solve in order to proceed.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct answers: 

     MILES and SETH

     OLIVE

     OPENUP (or OPEN UP)

     ADRIEN

Puzzle 5: Final Algorithm

Goal

To determine which letter clusters to eliminate, leaving a final answer phrase.

Mechanics 

Players must first use the list of “algorithm rules” to cross off letter clusters that are found in a grid using the previous answer sheet.  Once all of the correct clusters have been eliminated, players are left with a final answer phrase, PANDORAS BOX. After all teams have completed the game, show the final video (0:20). Then, run the debrief using the Debrief Guide.

Average time

5-15 minutes 

Hints/Guidance

• Players may need clarification that they must refer back to their earlier puzzle answers to determine which “rules” to use (and which to ignore).
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: PANDORAS BOX