City Detectives — Game Rules
How to prepare, how to start, how to clear stations, and what to do if something goes wrong.
📋 1. Before the game
- Register for your chosen game (name, email, phone). If you have already done this, read on.
- Bring a phone with internet and a fully charged battery.
- Most phones have a QR code scanner. We strongly recommend checking your phone before the game. If necessary, download an app that allows you to preview the link hidden in a QR code before opening it and open it only if it appears safe. One such app is “QR Reader”. Install it and test it at home before the game begins.
- Get ready for a search engine – you will have to look for information about the next stop because most often the game will not provide the exact address of the stop, but only a hint. You can use all modern information search methods.
- Each player must have their own phone — it’s not possible for two players to play with one phone. When playing a team game, only one phone is used for the entire group.
- Wear comfortable shoes and have water to drink – the game will take some time and you will have to walk several kilometers.
- Arrive at the start location at least 10 minutes before the game begins.
🏁 2. Start
- Listen carefully to the organizer.
- Choose the language you want to play (LT/EN/ES/PT/DE/RU) — the entire game will be played in the language of your choice.
- The organizer will provide a QR code for the start. When the game start page opens, enter your name exactly as it was in the registration (letters, spaces, special characters) and confirm.
- Stay attentive and watch your phone’s screen — once the last player registers, the game will begin and you will see the first station’s code and instructions. Write the code down, because you won’t be able to see it later.
📍 3. How stations work
- Every station has a QR code — scan it with your phone.
- On the station page, enter the unlock code you wrote down at the previous station.
- If you enter the code correctly, you will receive a hint for the next stop and the code to open it.
- At the final station you’ll see “Game over”. There is also a link that you can click to see how many players have finished the game and how many are still playing.
- Once an unlocked station is scanned, there is no need to re-scan it — the system remembers it.
⏱️ 4. Points and time
- The winner is the player/team that completes all stations in the correct order the fastest (unless stated otherwise).
- There are no penalties for incorrect codes (if you enter the wrong code, the station simply will not opened) and no penalties for incorrect scanning of stations (stations can open only when scanned in the correct sequence).
🤝 5. Honesty
- Don’t share codes or private links unless the organizer asks you to.
- Undetected observers may be present along the game route to assess your honesty and fair play. If the game is played on foot, you are not allowed to use any devices or means that accelerate your movement (scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, or similar). If the observers notice any unfair play, you will be disqualified.
- Respect the environment and props — don’t damage anything and don’t disturb others.
🛡️ 6. Safety
- Follow the traffic and pedestrian rules, and only cross at crosswalks when the light is green.
- Keep your personal belongings safe.
- Respect passersby, be polite, and don’t push people.
- If you feel unwell or an incident occurs — stop playing and seek help.
💡 7. Tech tips
- If the stop does not accept the code, you probably entered the wrong code or the wrong stop code.
- If you see “Player not found” — enter your name exactly as in registration.
- If issues persist — contact the organizer.
🔒 8. Privacy
- Registration data (name, email, phone) is used only to run the game and publish results.
- Data isn’t shared with third parties except where legally required or essential for organizing.
📞 9. Help
- Questions during the game — contact the organizer via the provided contact.
- Technical problems (unreadable QR code/broken links/invalid codes) — report immediately, indicating the stop and the situation.