Sunday Times 2
Gamified tool to combat misinformation goes live
View(s):In a world where misinformation spreads faster than facts, Sri Lanka is taking a step toward countering this challenge. ‘A Fishy Tale’, the country’s first gamified research intervention, is an interactive, story-driven experience that immerses players in the world of fact-checking, media literacy, and civic responsibility.
Developed and implemented by Marga Institute and LIRNEasia, with financial support from IDRC-CRDI Canada, this is a response to years of unchecked misinformation that has shaped public perception, fueled social divisions, and, in some cases, influenced national policies. With misinformation becoming increasingly sophisticated, traditional methods of tackling it – such as fact-checking campaigns and awareness programmes are not enough.
Sri Lanka has repeatedly seen how disinformation can distort public discourse and cause harm. Despite years of media literacy training, awareness programmes, and fact-checking initiatives, the same issues persist – indicating that traditional approaches alone are insufficient. This realisation led to the birth of ‘A Fishy Tale’, a gamified intervention that transforms fact-checking and critical thinking into an interactive experience. Users actively engage with misinformation scenarios, test verification tools, and explore real-world consequences through an engaging, choice-driven narrative.
How the game works
Developed using Twine software, ‘A Fishy Tale’ introduces a storyboard-based gameplay that allows players to flip between different perspectives, experiencing how misinformation spreads and how it can be countered. This game focuses on decision-making, investigation, and perspective-taking – allowing players to critically assess information. The most unique aspect of the game is that players can step into the roles of 3 different characters, each offering a distinct lens on misinformation:
A school student – Exploring how misinformation affects young minds, learning how to assess online information, and identifying common manipulation tactics.
A journalist – Understanding the challenges of reporting accurate news, verifying sources, and navigating ethical dilemmas in media.
A senior editor – Making critical decisions on what gets published, identifying biases, and maintaining credibility in the newsroom.
Players learn fact-checking methodologies such as the 5Ws and H Test, the CRAAP Test, and misinformation detection technologies. The goal is to empower users with the skills needed to analyse and verify information.
Collaborative effort
The development of ‘A Fishy Tale’ was led by Fahim Aslam, Senior Researcher at Marga Institute, in collaboration with:
Oshan – Conceptualisation, game mechanics
Chaya – Storyboarding, narrative design
Mahen – Website development, digital integration
They created an educational and entertaining learning experience, ensuring audiences of all backgrounds can engage.
Privacy and accessibility
A big concern when developing digital tools is privacy. ‘A Fishy Tale’ collects no personal data and is compliant with Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Act (DPA).
The game has been designed to be accessible to diverse audiences, regardless of geographic location or digital literacy levels. Whether in an urban classroom or a rural community, anyone can play and gain essential fact-checking skills through this immersive experience.
Your turn to play and engage
‘A Fishy Tale’ is taking a step toward integrating gamified learning into research and education. It’s about building a society that is better equipped to navigate misinformation, think critically, and make informed decisions. As the game continues to be refined and expanded, the team behind ‘A Fishy Tale’ welcome feedback and suggestions to enhance the user experience.
Try the game, challenge your critical thinking skills, and share your experience.
Play now at www.afishytale.com and be part of the change!