The game is deliberately kept simple. A table, a chair, a ballot box, a display stand—everything can be assembled quickly without tools. Two to four young people team up to take on a dystopian AI that has taken over the city council. To shut it down, they have to solve puzzles that also provide insights into local politics: What does a city council do? What opportunities are there to get involved? And where can young people have a say?

Lorenz's approach is clear: first the fun, then the knowledge. Political education should not be didactic, but should spark curiosity. That's precisely why he sought contact with the city's youth council early on, held discussions, and listened. His research revealed what many young people feel: politics seems far away – and participation often complicated or completely inaccessible. Escape Demos addresses precisely this issue and creates an initial, low-threshold point of contact.

The first tests were particularly impressive for Lorenz. The mere mention of the words “escape game” was enough to make young people interrupt their PlayStation games. They were curious and ambitious. Playing the game proved that the concept works. Young people discuss, puzzle, and think – without feeling that they “have to learn something.”

At the same time, it became clear how important fine-tuning is. Puzzles were creatively repurposed, rules had to be refined, and the location played a major role. Not every setting is equally suitable. But Lorenz sees precisely these lessons as part of the process. For him, design means trying things out, adapting them, and thinking ahead.

And that's what he does. Escape Demos is not a finished project for him. A moderation manual is to be created, and the construction plans are to be made available online so that other cities can replicate the game. In the long term, he hopes that the playful introduction will lead to real participation – conversations, encounters, perhaps even a path to existing offerings such as the Stadtjugendring (City Youth Council).

What connects Lorenz's work is a clear social perspective. Previous projects have also focused on visibility, on people who are often overlooked. He sees design as a tool for making topics accessible and creating spaces for exchange. Especially for young people – the generation that will shape our cities and our democracy.

You can find Lorenz Schneider on Instagram at www.instagram.com/lorenz_portfolio/ 

You can find more stories like this in our series #endlichankommen.
 You can listen to the complete episode with Lorenz in the podcast PEACE OUT wherever podcasts are available.