Frequently Asked Questions
The starting point for each game is described on each game’s page. The first question in the FAQ on your game’s page describes all the details of where the start point is located. Either scroll down to the FAQ on the game’s page, or click on the loction name next to the word START at the top of your game’s page and it will take you there.
It depends on the game type and the location. On average, the Escape Route in Wokingham (Order of the Oak) takes around 2 hours without a break.
Teams can consist of 1-6 players. Each player can use their own phone or share with others.
Definitely. It may take slightly longer as there is only one of you to look around, as well as look at your phone and at your surroundings while solving a puzzle, but that’s all.
Yes. A full clue system is built-in to every game so you can get clues whenever you feel you need them. As well as clues to help solve puzzles, every puzzle has a full description about how to solve it (without giving away the answer) as well as the full answer too.
Plus, there are clues for travelling between puzzles including a map showing the route too.
Just click on the CLUES icon at the top-right of the game’s screen which looks like a light bulb.
No, you can start whenever you want. Once you have bought your game, you can start any day or time. Weekends will be busier so there may be more teams about but that’s totally up to you. Remember to give yourself enough time to complete your game in the daylight – not only is it harder to see the surroundings when the sun has gone down, but also it’s better for your own safety.
The games are out in public along streets and footpaths, so yes. Playing after dark is not recommended however, partly for your own safety and partly because it will be harder to see things!
As soon as you have received your confirmation email (after payment), you can begin (if you’re at the right location).
Yes. If any of the travelling sections do have steps, there will be an option in the game for a step-free route instead.
Yea, you can break as many times as you want for as long as you want. If you want the timer to pause during your break, press the pause icon at the top of the screen.
No. You can take as long as you like. There is a clock that times how long you have been playing for, but that’s just for your own record.
No. While most teams do play a game in one go, you can stop at any time and return to pick it up where you left off whenever you want. (Our Puzzle Box games are especially suited to playing over multiple, short sessions as they consist of many separate puzzles so are perfect for players that want to do one or two puzzles whenever they have a little spare time.)
If you want to get out of the rain, you can take breaks whenever you want for as long as you want. There’s no maximum time limit, but you can stop the game timer (which is just for your own record) by pressing the pause icon at the top of the screen. If the rain won’t stop, you can always come back and resume your game another time and/or day.
No problem. The instructions will guide you through how to start, join and play. Plus, there is a full clue system so you’ll never be stuck or lost.
Here are a few pieces of advice for new players:
- Puzzles are interactive, so try dragging and tapping on things on-screen to see what happens – knowing how a puzzle can be used can help reveal how to solve it.
- It may sound obvious but look around (up and down too), and move around too as maybe what you need cannot be seen from your current position.
- Keep in mind that all the puzzles use your surroundings.
- If you need help or the answer, use the automated Help system – instructions on how to do so are given at the start of every game.
When any player in the team moves on to the next page in the game – by clicking on a button or solving a puzzle – all team members are invited to be taken to that page too. You can stay on your current page if you want to read something or work something out, but the team can keep going.
Yes. At least one team member must have a mobile phone. Each player can use their own phone or can share with others.
Yes. The game runs in a web browser on your phone so you will need an internet connection.
No. The game runs in a web browser on your phone so no additional osftware is required.
You can keep playing if your team has multiple phones. If every phone in your team is out of power at the same time, you will need to recharge before you can continue. The game will still be available, but you may want to pause the game if you think this is going to happen so the clock is paused until you return.
It is a good idea to bring a power pack if you have one, just in case.
About the Games
- All Fox Covert games are designed specfically to utilise and involve the surroundings of each game’s location, like the shapes on buildings, words on a plaque, dates on a statue, patterns on a mosaic, etc. We never make generic games which are re-used in multiple towns because they cannot tie-into the location and we think this is less fun.
- Many of the puzzles are interactive so they require moving and dragging things on-screen, tapping on images to flip them over, cycle through them, etc.
- All Fox Covert Games are different so you will never play the same game in a different town.
Each game type is suited to different ages, and everyone is different; however, in general:
- Escape Route games are suitable for 11+ years old with an adult as these contain medium-level puzzles. Younger team members are more able to be involved in navigating from puzzle-to-puzzle as that requires spotting items in their surroundings which are shown in photos.
- Path Finder games can be played by younger ages than Escape Routes from 9+ years old with an adult as they are more about navigating from location-to-location than solving puzzles. The navigation requires spotting items in their surroundings shown in photos. Path Finder games contain simpler puzzles.
- Puzzle Box games are suited to an older age group than Escape Routes from 14+ as they are focused on more-involved puzzles. Navigation in Puzzle Box games is minimal as all puzzles are marked on a map.
As all games are outdoors, and often in towns, players need to take care, especially if there is traffic nearby, so adult supervision is a sensible approach. Any team containing any members under 16 must contain one adult.
Outdoor puzzle games involve walking around outdoors solving puzzles by using your surroundings such as buildings, statues, signs, etc.
Each game will guide you on where to go. Some games give clues on how to reach the next location – for example, our Escape Route and Path Finder games give visual clues which are like a trail of breadcrumbs to follow – spot the item in the photo, then head towards it while looking for what’s in the next photo.
Yes – in fact, you cannot answer the puzzles unless you are at the correct location looking at the required element which the puzzle requires, i.e. building, plaque, statue, sign, or something else in the real-world.
See the Game Types page for details on each type of game we offer.
That depends on what kind of experience, the difficulty level, and the balance of puzzles, navigation and story you would like – each game type offers a different mix. See the Game Types page for details on each type of game to see which appeal to you. Some players will like all the types.
Puzzle Box games have the most difficult puzzles. Path Finder games have the easiest puzzles.
Other Questions
Yes. If you are looking for Fox Covert to make a game for you, see our Custom Games page for more details.
The story behind the name is revealed on the About page.
If you have any questions or enquiries, please email us at hello@foxcovert.games or use our contact form.