Investigate the past, change the future
Bring media and digital literacy into your classroom with Escape Fake, an augmented reality escape game for young people aged 12–18. Working together on a smartphone or tablet, learners solve puzzles, investigate misleading stories and practise recognising disinformation.
Get started with two free missions and downloadable teaching materials to guide preparation, gameplay and classroom discussion. The game and teaching materials are available in Macedonian and Albanian. No registration or licence key is needed.
#escapefake
About
In a future shaped by disinformation, Hannah, a hacker from the future, asks players to help uncover the truth. Young people work together to solve puzzles, explore virtual objects and investigate stories that are not what they seem.
Players practise checking claims and examining manipulated images and videos. The accompanying teaching materials help educators lead discussions about how false information spreads and connect the game’s lessons to everyday online situations.
Two free missions
Museum of Fake
20-30 minFree
Players visit the Museum of Fake, a museum from a dystopian future, guided by an AI museum guide. They uncover famous fakes from history, from a newspaper hoax about life on the Moon to doctored photographs and a deepfake video.
- Historic examples of fake news
- Image manipulation and verification
- Deepfakes
The Bus Situation
40-60 minFree
Players investigate the story of a bus driver who was reported to be transporting refugees, and find out how a false story spreads.
- Recognising fake news
- Online behaviour and data privacy
- Strategies used for disinformation
- Image manipulation
- Phishing
#escapefake
How to play
- Download the app. Free on the App Store and Google Play.
- Print the image markers. Each mission package includes a set of images that need to be scanned with a phone or tablet. Place the markers on a wall or a table.
- Play. Scan the first image with the app and follow the instructions.
2 players per device · Once installed, the free missions work offline
#escapefake
Teacher materials
Prepare your session, guide learners through the game and help them reflect on what they discover. After playing, use the discussion prompts and activities to connect the game’s lessons to everyday online situations.
Each package contains a teacher toolkit, a game worksheet, workshop slides and image markers for the mission. Learners use the game worksheet during play to record the clues and information they uncover.
#escapefake
Who is it for
Young people aged 12–18 and the people who work with them: teachers of media literacy, computer science, civic education and history, libraries, and youth organisations.
Recognition
European Digital Skills Award, winner 2025
Ars Electronica x Culttech Award, winner 2024
Council of Europe Democracy Innovation Award, nominee 2025
#escapefake
FAQ
Is Escape Fake really free?
Missions 1 (Museum of Fake) and 2 (The Bus Situation) are free in all languages, including the associated learning materials. No registration or licence key is needed to play these missions. In some languages we offer additional chapters that are part of our Plus License.
What age is it for?
Escape Fake is designed for ages 12–18. Younger players, from about 10, can play with more support from an adult.
Which languages are available?
he game and the teacher materials are available in Albanian and Macedonian, as well as in English and almost a dozen other languages. See our main English page.
What devices do I need?
A smartphone or tablet with a camera, running iOS or Android (Android 10 or newer). We recommend two players per device so learners can work together and discuss the puzzles.
Do we need an internet connection?
Only to download the app and the materials. Once installed, the free missions can be played offline.
How much time should I plan?
Gameplay takes 20–30 minutes for Museum of Fake and 40–60 minutes for The Bus Situation. For a classroom session including gameplay, debriefing and reflection, we recommend 90 minutes for Museum of Fake or 120 minutes for The Bus Situation.
Does the app collect data about players?
No personal data is collected. We monitor downloads, how often the missions are played and certain statistics relating to completing parts of a mission, for game design purposes.
Partners
Europe House North Macedonia (https://europehouse.mk/en/) is our regional partner in North Macedonia, who led the translation and rollout of Escape Fake in Macedonian and Albanian.
Contact
Questions or feedback? Write to us at info@polycular.com.