In June 2025, journalists, educators, and media professionals gathered at Mediacor in Chișinău to celebrate the launch of News Alchemist — an innovative, narrative-driven simulation designed to deepen understanding of media ethics and manipulation.

News Alchemist puts players in the role of a media editor or journalist, challenging them to decide how to present news stories and which cognitive biases to apply. By selecting “bias cards” to shape headlines, players directly influence public perception, offering a hands-on experience with the mechanics of news framing and sensationalism.

How News Alchemist works

Game developer Vlad Bodiul explained that the game simulates a newsroom environment where players choose which stories to publish from a lineup. Players can use “bias cards” such as Negativity, Authority, Satire, or even Lie to modify headlines, influencing reader reactions and engagement. As Vlad described:

“We can simply publish a story as-is, or apply bias cards to change the headline and its impact before publishing.”

After each in-game day—comprising up to eight headlines—players receive feedback including readers reach, comments, and advertising revenue, all reflecting the consequences of their editorial decisions. The game also tracks three key societal parameters: the state economy, government strength, and public morale. Maintaining these within balanced levels is essential to continue the simulation; extremes in any parameter result in game over.

The advent of advanced AI, specifically GPT technology, enables dynamic headline rewriting, vastly enhancing the game’s realism and interactivity. The current prototype benefits from six months of refinement in graphics and text, offering a polished user experience.

Panel discussion: The power of gamification in media literacy

Following the demo, a panel featuring Victoria Belous (Clasa Viitorului) and Nadine Gogu (Independent Journalism Center) explored the role of gamification in education. Victoria highlighted how game-like learning captivates students and promotes engagement, while Nadine emphasized that simulations such as News Alchemist create safe spaces for learners to practice critical analysis of media content.

Both panelists agreed that interactive approaches can strengthen critical thinking and help audiences recognize bias and disinformation. As described by the project team, News Alchemist is “not only an interactive experience but also a tool for exploring media influence mechanics, making it valuable for education, media literacy training, and social awareness.”

Try News Alchemist today

News Alchemist is freely accessible online at newsalchemist.com. The game includes a tutorial to help new players navigate its features. We invite you to step into the newsroom, experiment with headline framing, and gain firsthand insight into the power and responsibility of media storytelling.