A boardgame that shows how conspiracy theory moves online
Lizards and Lies is a 2v2 (or 1v1) battler that lets you play with the push and pull of conspiracy theory moving through social media. Play as one of four characters and use unique abilities and cards to influence the network. Platform Moderators and Literacy Educators face off against Edgelords and Conspiracy theorists in this asymmetrical team brawler.
Will you sow conspiracy or stop it in its tracks?
Play as one of four characters
Conspiracy Theorists
Build up communities, create buy-in from neighbours and control networks
Edgelords
Choose a community and cause chaos. Follow your plan to stir the pot and spread lies.
Platform Moderators
Digital Literacy Educators
Flag content, train algorithms, and track down the culprits who are spreading lies.
Teach communities to critique the chaos that comes across their front page.
A Game and Research Tool
Its a boardgames that lets players see how conspiracy theory on social media is influenced by a national event to gain ground, engage with algorithms, and spread lies.
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Lizards and Lies was designed to model and study the idea of a "disinformation war" which we wrote about here. Finding that conspiracy moves in an ecosystem we re-evaluated our model and turned it into the game it is today. Use it in classrooms, libraries, or just for fun.
Game set up on a table
A player adds a piece to the game board
A table sits lit by a single light with a game set up and four chairs around it.
Game set up on a table
Learn How To Play
It's free and available in the following languages to Print and Play!
Or maybe just check out the rules first?
Don't want to print and cut?
Buy it:
*All costs are for manufacturing. No profits are made.
The Team and Sponsors
The Design Team
Project Lead - Scott DeJong
Lead Designer - Scott DeJong
Producer - Dr. Fenwick McKelvey
Lead Graphic Designer- Alexander Bustamante
Designer - Natalia Balska
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Special Thanks
This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada. We appreciate the support from the Digital Citizens Contribution Fund.
Parts of this project and its dissemination were funded by:
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Technoculture Arts and Games Lab
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Machine Agencies
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Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship
