Code Quest: The Ethics Engine

Official rules

2–8 players · Ages 8+ · Two games: Code Quest Uno and Code Quest Match.

Reading level

The five values

Every number and action card belongs to one value. In Uno, the active value is the "color" you have to match.

Pick the 54-card quick deck or the 108-card standard deck (two quick decks together). Mission Gear cards are separate: one for each of the 4 heroes.

54 cards · Quick deck
2–4 players
- Each value: numbers 1–8 (8), 1 Data Leak, 1 Firewall Filter = 10 cards
- 5 values × 10 = 50 cards
- 4 Deepfake Glitch wilds
108 cards · Standard deck
2–8 players
- Each value: numbers 1–8 twice (16), 2 Data Leak, 2 Firewall Filter = 20 cards
- 5 values × 20 = 100 cards
- 8 Deepfake Glitch wilds

Shuffle the deck. Each player gets 7 cards and their hero's Mission Gear card. Flip one card to start the pile.
On your turn, play one card that matches the active value or the top card's number. Action cards match the same action too.
Can't play? Draw one card. If it fits, you can play it right away.
Playing the same number in a new value starts an Ethics Check. A thoughtful answer earns you one more play.
When you have one card left, shout "Code Quest!" — forget and you draw 2.
The first player to play all their cards wins.

Data Leak (+2): The next player draws 2 cards and loses their turn.
Firewall Filter (Skip): Skips the next player's turn.
Deepfake Glitch (Wild +4): Wild: choose the next value, and the next player draws 4 cards and loses their turn.

Firewall Shield
Ty Benton · The Protector
Card: Block any +2 or +4 penalty and redirect it to any player.
When a +2 or +4 hits you, block it and pick another player to take the cards.
AR Insight Lenses
Leo Martinez · The Debugger
Card: Scan an opponent's hand. Swap 1 card of your choice with them.
On your turn, look at one bot's hand and swap one of your cards for one of theirs.
Holo Sensor Watch
KiKi Delgado · The Trendsetter
Card: Grants an immediate bonus turn. Play a second card of any value.
Use it on your turn for a bonus play: put down any card, no match needed. Then take your regular turn.
Research Tome
Ellie Thompson · The Truth-Seeker
Card: Wild override. Immune to skips; can be played on any card.
A wild you can play on any card to pick the value — even when someone tries to skip you.

Lay the cards face down in a grid. Each hero starts with their own Mission Gear.
Flip two cards. If they match, you earn a star and go again. If not, flip them back.
Match a Data Leak pair to collect a Data Leak. Use it to take 1 star from your rival.
Match a Gear Crate pair to get another Mission Gear card.
You can use one Mission Gear card per turn, before you flip.
Matching ethics cards brings a quick Ethics Check. Most stars when the board is clear wins.

AR Insight Lenses (Leo): Scans 2 hidden cards so you can see them for a moment.
Research Tome (Ellie): Shows where one matching pair is hiding.
Firewall Shield (Ty): Puts up a shield that blocks the next Data Leak sent at you.
Holo Sensor Watch (KiKi): If you miss this turn, you get a bonus try.