How DigiScape works

A DigiScape quest is a story you play by walking through a real place. Clues unlock as you arrive at each stop, and the answers are all around you.
Find a quest

  • 1. Find a quest

    Pick one on the map near you.

  • 2. Go to the start

    Walk to the start pin. The story begins when you arrive.

  • 3. Crack the clues

    Answers hide in plain sight: plaques, statues, signs. Stuck? Take a hint.

  • 4. Reach the ending

    Every quest ends with a twist, a reveal, or a choice.

Questions and answers

What is DigiScape?

DigiScape is a free app for real-world puzzle quests. Each quest is a story told through clues at real places: you walk to each stop, use what's there to crack riddles and codes, and unlock what happens next. Think part outdoor escape room, part scavenger hunt, part geocaching adventure.

Is DigiScape free?

Yes. Playing quests is free in any phone browser or in the DigiScape app for iPhone and Android, and so is creating them.

Do I need an account to play?

No. Open a quest and start playing; your progress is saved on your device. Sign in to create quests and keep your history across devices.

Where can I play?

Wherever creators have put quests on the map. Most are around Chicago and northern Illinois so far, and new towns appear as people publish. Browse quests near you, or create one to put your town on the map.

How does a quest work?

Head to the quest's start. Clues unlock as you reach places on the map (by GPS) and solve puzzles: words read off a sign, padlock codes, button puzzles, timers, and more. Hints build toward each answer, so you're never stuck for long.

What if I get stuck?

Tap Hint on the clue card: hints show one at a time, and the last one gives the answer. The answer is usually right around you, on a sign, plaque, or statue. If a clue won't open where it should, walk around the spot a little, since GPS can be a few meters off.

How long does a quest take?

It depends on the quest. Many are made for 20 to 45 minutes and under a mile of walking. Each quest's description says where it starts and what to expect.

Is DigiScape good for kids and families?

Yes. Most quests can be enjoyed by all ages, and the Kids/Family category on the quest map marks ones made with kids in mind.

Do I need the app, or can I play in a browser?

Either works. Quests play in any phone browser with nothing to install, or get the free app for iPhone and Android.

How is DigiScape different from geocaching?

Geocaching has you find a hidden container. A DigiScape quest is a story with puzzles: nothing is hidden or left behind, and the answers come from what's already there, like plaques, statues, and street signs.

Can I make my own quest?

Yes. The quest editor lets you pin stops on the map, write clue cards, and add puzzles, hints, characters, and items. An AI assistant like Claude or ChatGPT can draft one with you too. See create a quest.

Does DigiScape track my location?

DigiScape uses your location while you play, to unlock clues when you reach them. See the privacy policy for details.

Tips for playing

  • Read the place. Answers are almost always right around you: on a plaque, a sign, or a statue, or in how many of something there are.
  • Use hints when you want them. Tap Hint on a clue card. Hints show one at a time, each a little more helpful, and the last one gives the answer.
  • Check your pack. An item you've collected might be the key. Open the card it seems to fit, and try using it there.
  • Walk around a little. If a clue doesn't open at the spot it points to, take a few steps around. GPS can be off by a few meters, and the circle that opens the clue may sit just beside where you're standing.
  • Look back in your Log. An earlier card may hold the detail you need, or be waiting for an item.
  • Stay in the quest area. If you see "Out of Bounds!", head back toward the quest, and you'll pick up where you left off.
  • Allow location. Quests that use your location need permission to see it. GPS is weaker indoors and among tall buildings, so give it a moment.