Running the Debrief

All games end with a debrief. This is the point at which most learning occurs so it is very important to leave sufficient time for this activity. The debrief allows players to process what happened during the game, share their reactions, and learn from their peers.

As the facilitator, your main role is to elicit people’s opinions and allow others to carry the conversation. The goal is to encourage peer-to-peer sharing and learning. 

You should also use your knowledge as the game host to answer questions, provide guidance, and share your own point of view and experiences. This is especially important if someone is sharing misleading or going off track.

You should allot 30 minutes+ for the Debrief. 

Euphorigen Investigation was designed to explore how persuasive messaging, manipulative techniques, and human biases can shape how you interpret information - especially around high-stakes decisions. In the game, players encounter compelling claims, data visualizations, and even a deepfake video. Each element is meant to show how information can feel credible. When coupled with emotional reactions to putting a substance in the water supply, we experience how easily it is to be fooled!

Take-aways: 

• To experience how easily it is to be fooled. Everyone is vulnerable to misinformation, not just "other" people. In the game, players share a deepfake, thinking it is the real video. 

• To experience how confirmation bias shapes how you interpret information. In the game, players encounter manipulated evidence (headlines and charts), that when combined with high levels of skepticism in government, creates the impression that Euphorigen cannot be trusted.

• To realize that it is not possible or practical to rely on one's own eyes to detect AI-generated images. The faces puzzle is the most challenging, and while players find the AI mistakes, they also recognize this is because they were focused on it and the images were large. In real life, when scrolling quickly on a phone, they would miss the signs. 

• To reflect on the consequences of sharing misinformation, which typically occurs when people do not take the time to validate something before sharing, and because social media platforms are designed to encourage quick and frequent engagement. 

Prior to the event, review and tailor the Debrief Kit to the needs and interests of your players 

• Download the Debrief Kit

• Review the suggested questions, activities, and examples

• Create your own questions/activities/examples that will resonate with your audience (and skip those that are not relevant)

• Print 1 Debrief Kit per table OR project the Debrief Kit on a screen 

There are two options for running the debrief, depending on the number of teams.

Game host led (best for 1-3 teams)

• Game host leads a single conversation with all players (team/s that finish early get a short break)

• Project the Debrief Kit on a screen

• Facilitate the discussion  

Player led (best for 4+ teams)

• Print out the Debrief Kit and hand it to each team when they turn in their final answer card

• Ask them to answer the questions among themselves at their tables

• After all teams have had enough time to discuss among themselves, Game host leads a single conversation, asking each table to share their responses to each question.

The debrief can also involve other activities. For example:

• Create a poster or meme that communicates what was learned in the game

• Develop a solution, such as a social media platform policy, government role, or some other action that could address the situation

• Run a roll-playing activity

Be creative with an activity that will interest your audience!