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. 

Puzzle 1: Headlines

Goal

To properly line up the tacks and their statements to reveal a password.
 

Mechanics 

Players arrange the notecards with the newspaper headlines over the correct statements on the corkboard page. Once they’ve placed all 8 notecards on top of the statements, they’ll take one letter per headline to spell an 8-letter password as the answer to this puzzle, by using the letter on each headline card that is highlighted in the same color (the first tack is orange, and the letter that is highlighted in orange in the headline that matches that clue is D, so the first letter of the password will be D, and so on).

Average time

10 minutes
 

Hints/ Guidance

• The letter on each headline card is highlighted in the same color as the tack color.

• Two headlines refer to a social media policy. Suggest looking at the time cue in the statement if they get really stuck (the one with “now” refers to the new policy).

• You may need to help the players with terms such as “whistleblower” or “sensationalism”.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: DATABASE

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

Most players, because of confirmation bias, seem to pick up on the negative headlines. Actually, the headlines paint a mixed picture...some make it seem like Euphorigen is legitimate; others not. In the end, one would really need to read beyond the headlines.

Puzzle 2: Charts

Goal

To match each chart with the correct statement.

Mechanics 

Players find the four charts around the room. Each chart is using a problematic technique (e.g., inverted axis), which is listed on the notepad clue that is included in each starting folder. Players keep track of their work in the text boxes included in the notepad card.

Average time

8 minutes

Hints/Guidance

• Players typically get through this puzzle without needing hints. If stuck, suggestions such as “Look at the axis more closely” can help.

• The most challenging chart is the one showing accumulating data.

• You may need to help the players with terms like “truncated”.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: INFORM

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

The manipulated charts all suggest that Euphorigen is not legitimate. A true representation of the data would actually suggest that Euphorigen is OK. That is,

--Investment costs are actually declining (upside down chart)
--Euphorigen side effects are not very different from other products (bar chart)
--Euphorigen benefits are signficantly higher (pie chart)

--Drop out rates are actually level, not rising (cumulative data chart)

Puzzle 3: Faces

Goal

To determine which photos are of real people, and which are computer-generated images.

Mechanics 

Players examine photos and decide whether each image shows a real person (1) or a bot-generated image (0).  Each sequence of 0s and 1s maps to the investigator’s notebook, forming a passcode.

Puzzle versions

On this page is the new version of the puzzle (shorter than original). If you are interested in the old version, please email us lokisloop@uw.edu 

Answer

→ Correct passcode: THINK

Average time

5-15  minutes depending on puzzle version

Hints/Guidance

• This is the puzzle that people struggle the most with. To an extent, we want them to feel how challenging it is to determine if an image is real or not. Feel free to step in if it’s too frustrating with a comments like “you have one incorrect photo” or “take a closer look at photo X”.

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

This is intended to the most challenging puzzle, to reflect real-life where it has become nearly impossible to detect fake images (especially with the latest AI). The take-away is that you need other strategies to determine if something is real or not. Relying on your own eyes and ears is no longer a realistic strategy.

Answer: 111010 = THINK

Folder #1 Passcodes

Goal

To “unlock” access to folder #2.

Mechanics 

Players compile all three passwords from the previous puzzle to submit to the game host. Game host will check whether the passcodes are correct or not. If correct, hand them the second folder that includes the next puzzle!

Average time

30 secs

Hints/Guidance

• If any of the passcodes are incorrect, point out which puzzle/passcode the players need to re-solve in order to proceed.
  
  

→ Correct passcodes: DATABASE, INFORM, THINK

Puzzle 4: Emojis

Goal

To determine which influencer has the most likes.

Mechanics 

Players must first solve the math equations to figure out the number associated with each emoji. Once they have the emoji code of numbers 0 through 9 they can determine which influencer has the highest number of likes. 

Average time

8 minutes

Hints/Guidance

• Often a player will say that the winky face is a “1” (1 x 1 = 1). If this becomes a stumbling block later on, you might have to say that there is another number that also works.

• The only one that doesn’t appear in the equations is the only unused digit 0-9, which is the number 9.

• Each number is only used once.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: 9817 

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

This is just intended to be a fun puzzle that supports the story.

Folder #2 Video URL

Goal

To unlock the full URL to a video.
 

Mechanics 

Players use the answer to the emoji puzzle (9817) and enter it on the website that is accessed with the QR code. This takes them to a page with the video.

Once they’ve watched the video, they must press the 'share' button, see the video going viral, and then receive a message that the video they’ve shared was actually a deepfake– plot twist! This is when the players realize they’ve been fooled.

The message provides them with a password that is used to receive the final puzzle materials. The players will need to verbally tell the password to the game host. If correct, hand them the FINAL folder that includes the next puzzle!

Average time

1 minute

Hints/Guidance

• The link directs to this video. Direct them to this video if there are any technological issues.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct URL: https://lokisloop.org/games/en-euphorigen-code/   

→ Correct passcode: VIRAL

Puzzle 5: Sharing Paths

Goal

To figure out how the deepfake video spread so that they can undo the damage.

Mechanics 

Players trace each story’s path along the map, revealing a different letter of the alphabet. The five stories spell out the passcode. 

Average time

7 minutes 

Hints/Guidance

• If players are struggling, they can be advised to focus on only one path at a time. They can also use a pencil to trace the path.
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: MEDIA 

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

It's usually pretty easy for players to complete this puzzle. But is it realistic? Can you really track down and retract information that is already on the internet? 

In the Debrief, players are usually quick to say this is not realistic. The take-away is to think before you share. 

Folder #3 Video URL

Goal

To unlock the final video and final passcode.

Mechanics 

Players use the answer to the previous puzzle (MEDIA) and enter it on a webpage using the QR code. 

After watching and sharing the real video, players will be directed to a page with a congratulatory message, along with a final passphrase to enter onto the final answer card.

When a player hands you the final answer card with the passphrase (along with a team name), write down their finishing time on the card and save it. During the debrief, you can announce the winning team(s).

Average time

1 minute

Answer

→ Correct URL: https://lokisloop.org/games/en-euphorigen-pass/  

→ Correct FINAL passcode: SAFE AND EFFECTIVE