Truth, Lies & Democracy

“Truth, Lies & Democracy” is an immersive 48-hour game jam uniting creativity, technology, and civic engagement to explore one of the most urgent challenges of our time: disinformation.

International developer teams come together in the title-holding city to create playable, thought-provoking games that make misinformation tangible – and teach players how to navigate the blurred lines between truth and lies.

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TRUTH, LIES AND DEMOCRACY 2025 IN VIENNA

Truth, Lies & Democracy 2025 took place from 26-28 September at Belvedere 21, Vienna’s vibrant hub for contemporary art. Known for its cutting-edge exhibitions and forward-thinking approach, the museum is also pushing boundaries by using gaming technology in its educational programs to create immersive, interactive experiences for all.

For 48 hours, more than 60 young developers and game designers from across Europe came together to create playable answers to one of democracy’s biggest questions:

How can we fight disinformation?

The winning games were showcased in Viennas beautiful City Hall at Game City Vienna reaching thousands of visitors.

The event is co-financed by Stadt Wien – Bildung und Jugend (MA 13), co-organised by ECoD NPO and Skilled Events and supported by Museum Belvedere. The European Parliament’s Vienna Office will present its Bad News game, which can be played online and on-site in many EU countries.

“In Vienna, we are taking democracy into kindergartens, schools, and youth programs – because every child shapes the Europe of tomorrow.”

Bettina Emmerling, Deputy Mayor of Vienna

Sounds great, I want to join!

DESIGNED FOR YOU

Gamers

This learning experience goes beyond technical skills. Truth, Lies & Democracy inspires participants to explore essential topics such as democratic decision-making processes, disinformation, deepfakes, data privacy, and the societal impact of emerging technologies. Through engaging and interactive formats, gamers gain the tools to recognise and tackle these challenges effectively.

Civil Society

Members of civil society actively join immersive activities and experience decisions and stories first-hand. These experiences spark broader discussions within their communities, encouraging awareness and dialogue while creating a powerful multiplier effect that drives positive change.

Partners

Partners connect their brands to this innovative and impactful initiative, aligning with the fight against disinformation and misinformation. By supporting this format, they contribute to building a free, fair, and informed society while showcasing their commitment to social responsibility and innovation.

GAMES MATTER

Europe holds 4,900 game studios and 200 game distributors. It has over 386 million players, 50% of the population between the ages of 6 to 64 play video games.

This format shows the importance of designing interactive education programmes. Developing video games also means giving younger generations a voice in how our democracies must adapt to new cultural and political scenarios.