EMPTY FACES is an interactive and immersive storyline.
Now that you’ve received your first Package, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery.
Every item in your box holds a clue, and it’s your job to discover their meaning, decipher secret codes, and use real-world research to make connections and discover what will happen next.
WHAT TO EXPECT...
Don’t expect to solve the case right away.
As the plot thickens, there will be moments when you have more questions than answers, which is perfectly normal.
Each box you receive should resolve some challenges, even as it creates new possibilities.
Not every clue will lead you to a solution, but every path you follow is part of working through the overarching mystery and discovering where the story takes you.
How to Play
how we recommend you
approach your first box:
1. Get a lay of the land
Look through everything in your box at least once or twice before you start solving. Read the letters, and examine the objects. Clues can be hiding anywhere. We suggest you use your journal. You never know which details will be important down the road.
2. Look for Connections
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the contents of your box, start thinking about how the items you’ve received fit together. Be on the lookout for patterns. Where are there similarities? Are there any inconsistencies? Do you notice any literary, historical, or scientific references that are worth looking into? As you move onto your next box, you will want to ask yourself, "how does information in this box relate to information you’ve received in previous boxes?" Remember to keep taking notes.
3. Research
Think about what’s outside the box. Research is an integral part of the game. Diving deep into the story’s intricacies will add to the quality of your experience. Every detail is included for a reason, and with enough research, you’ll find out why. Don’t be afraid to go down rabbit holes and explore how seemingly unrelated ideas could connect.
While we encourage members to explore every possible avenue, you should be able to solve the mystery using only the package contents and some external research using the Internet or your local library.
4. Deciphering/Puzzles
There are many different types of puzzles, codes and ciphers incorporated in this game. Solving these puzzles can take some trial and error, but don’t get discouraged. Look for irregularities that might indicate a hidden message, like random capitalizations, jumbled letters, etc. Learning more about cryptography can help with more challenging codes.
What if I Need Help?
If you get stuck, doing some further research often helps. Try checking free online translators and dictionaries, or searching for terms or phrases you don’t recognize. There are many free books and other online resources that can help you decode encrypted messages, as well.
Empty Faces also has a large social media community that is eager to help. Try collaborating on an episode with other members who are working on the same box as you. Join the Empty Faces forum and Facebook group for tips and resources.
A word of caution: Spoilers may exist online. We work to control the flow of information online by moderating our forums, and your fellow EF Members are very considerate, but you should still be careful when browsing through comments, and avoid reading posts with spoiler alerts.
When collaborating online, always participate on a page or in a group that matches your progress, as some elements of the package may change over time. While the story always stays the same, the contents of your first package may be different from someone else’s first package that they received three months ago.