How to Play¶
A ZQM Labs quest is a walking scavenger hunt with a story. Everything below is the current game, Wisp's Lost Lanterns; other titles may differ in theme and mechanics.
The shape of the game¶
- 6 stops. Each stop has a printed QR sign, a short location story, and a puzzle.
- Teams of 3–5 work best. One phone per team is all you need — 6 to 60 players can play the same quest.
- 30–60 minutes for all six stops, depending on walking distance and how long your team argues about riddles. (You will.)
- Most solved wins. Your host's answer key carries a tiebreaker if two teams finish level.
What you need¶
- A phone with a browser and a camera. No app to install — the player page runs in the browser and works offline once loaded.
- Walking shoes. That's the whole packing list.
Playing a stop¶
- Walk to the stop and scan the QR sign. If the camera struggles, every sign also prints a sign code (like
SAMPLE-3) you can type into the player page manually. - The player checks you're in the right place (within about 30 m). If GPS drifts — tree cover and buildings do that — the manual sign code keeps the game moving.
- Read the story, solve the puzzle, enter your answer.
- Stuck? Use the hint ladder: 3 hints at every stop, and the third is the "Ranger assist." Hints are free — they cost you nothing but pride.
The Dial¶
Every quest runs at one of four Dial levels. Your host picks the level; the same stops play differently at each:
| Dial | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Cozy | All ages — the family setting |
| Spooky | Teens and up |
| After Dark | Adults |
| Overdrive | Competitive groups — the office setting |
Try it free¶
- Browser demo: zqmlabs.com/games/hunt-for-wisps
- Free sample quest: Wisp's Warm-Up, a complete 6-stop mini edition in the Quest Packs library — read it at the table or run it in your own neighborhood in about 30 minutes.
- Meet the creatures: Z's Zoo, the field guide to the residents of the quest.
Want to run one for your own group? Start with Hosting a Game.