Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Unlock the Future after I’ve been a host?
We strongly advise against it: you will know too much about the game, and the surprise
will be gone.
When the team is finished, can another team play Unlock the Future in the same
location?
Yes, you will only need to print a few documents again. These can be found in
the “Host Another Time” folder in the Drive.
Can we play Unlock the Future with less than 3 players?
We do not recommend playing the game with less than 3 players: one puzzle in
the game requires the presence of at least 3 people. However, if you really want
to play with 2 players, you could ask the host to help with this puzzle.
Can we play Unlock the Future with more than 5 players?
The game has been optimized for up to 5 players, but if you really wanted, you
could add an extra player. We’d invite the host to get creative with creating a 6th
character, and to share their experiences with us afterwards!
Why does this Escape Game have a more complicated setup than other DIY
Escape Games that are in circulation?
We want to create a Escape Game experience that is as immersive as possible.
Therefore, we think it’s worth the additional time to set up the game, if it makes it
a more fun and engaging experience.
Why do I need to use so much paper for a “sustainability-themed” game?
This Escape Game aims to empower people to live more sustainably, and
therefore we hope its positive impact to surpass its material footprint. Of course,
we hope you will minimize the game’s footprint, by reusing the game with another
team if possible, and recycling all non-reusable parts.
Can I play Unlock the Future with children?
We designed the game for an 15+ audience, and it has not been tested with
children. Nevertheless, the Escape Game may be suitable for children: although
some puzzles may prove a little complicated, the narrative does not feature any
violence or topics unsuitable for younger ages. Therefore, we encourage you to
try, and let us know how it went afterwards. We may also develop a child-friendly
version of the game in the future, so keep an eye on our website!
Can I know more about your research background and the outcome of this study?
Absolutely! If you sign up for the newsletter, we will email out a summary of the
research project in September 2020. If you can’t wait that long, feel free to get in
touch earlier (for contact details, see the get in touch page).
Can I decorate the room and/or wear a costume for Unlock the Future ?
We strongly advise against decorating the room beyond what the game provides:
any extra item may mislead and confuse players to think there is a clue
associated with it.
However, if you like, we encourage you to dress up as your
characters, and we could imagine that future-themed food and drinks could suit
the occasion.
Why are the themes in Unlock the Future so limited? For example, it does not mention the problem of biodiversity loss, or the Sustainable Development Goals.
We would have loved to fill the game with mountains of knowledge. However,
there is only so much you can include in a 90-minute game, and also keep it fun.
In our next design, we may choose to focus a whole Escape Game on one topic.
If you have any suggestions, let us know! (for contact
details, see the get in touch page)
Can I use (a custom version of) this Escape Game for my school, company or
organization?
It is definitely possible to use this game in those contexts, or to modify the game
to suit your needs. Get in touch with us to discuss the possibilities (for contact
details, see the get in touch page).
What are your next steps after this project?
We have some ideas for how to continue after Emmy’s thesis is finished: we may
develop more sustainability-themed (DIY) Escape Games, perhaps on a donation
basis. For now, Unlock the Future is free of cost, and we plan to keep it available
online for free in the future, under the Creative Commons License.
How can this Escape Game be available for free? Can I financially contribute?
We believe that the solutions to Climate Change should be accessible to all, and
not be locked behind a paywall. Therefore we decided to make this game as low-
threshold as possible. In addition, this Escape Game is part of Emmy’s master
thesis, and we do not want to ask money for people to contribute to scientific
research. That is the deal: you help us with our research, we help you have fun
with your friends and family!
Can I contribute to this project in some way?
We always welcome any help, whether that is giving constructive feedback on the
Escape Game, sharing your ideas, or connecting us to people or organizations
who can take this project to the next level. Just get in touch with us (for contact
details, see page 20). If you were thinking of contributing financially: at this point
we do not accept financial donations. Nevertheless, we encourage you to donate
to causes with a similar mission to Unlock the Future: organizations that work
with environmental or social sustainability.