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: Viral Posts

Goal

To match the ways messages go viral with the correct pattern. 

Mechanics 

Players place 5 social media cards in frames. The way to match the card to the frame is by looking at the colors. Each combination of card and frame has a unique color palette. Once players have the cards in the correct frames, the five letter answer is determined by looking at which letters the arrows point to.

Average time

5 minutes
 

Hints/ Guidance

Players can usually figure out the pattern pretty quickly. If they need help, you might say something like “look at the color patterns.”

Answer

→ Correct passcode: TRUST

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

Puzzle 2: Avoid the Bots

Goal

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

Mechanics 

Players examine 5 photos in each “part.” The investigator has assigned a “0” to bot (fake) account images and “1” to real account images. Different combinations of 0s and 1s correspond to an alphabet code. Part 1 has been completed already as an example. 

Average time

10 minutes

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 X photo.”
  
  

Answer

→ Correct passcode: REFLECT

Learning goal (for the Debrief)

Answer: 101110 = REFLECT

Puzzle 3: Sharing Paths

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 passcode: MEDIA

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: TRUST, REFLECT, MEDIA

Final Puzzle Option 1: Adinkra Word Search

You can use one or both of the following puzzles, depending on time availability. 

Goal

To interact with terms highlighting some of the emotions and issues related to viral trends on social media.

Mechanics 

Players find and circle eight terms in a letter grid.  When all of the words have been marked, they will create the pattern of an adinkra symbol, HWEMUDUA (the measuring tape).

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

5 minutes

Answer

→ Correct passcode: HWEMUDUA 

Final Puzzle Option 2: Information Maze

Goal

To find a way through the maze.

Mechanics 

Players trace with their fingers a pathway through the maze. The letters in the correct path spell out the password  

Average time

3 minutes

Hints/Guidance

The pathway is typically easy to trace since the wrong turns are very short.

Answer

→ Correct passcode: ASK A LIBRARIAN

Folder #2 Passcode(s)