A few answers.
Frequently asked questions about Orbino.
Is Orbino free? Do I need an account?
Yes, it is free, and no account is needed. Orbino is a single-player game with a personal best saved for this browser.
How many countries and lives do I start with?
New expeditions deal twelve random countries, shown before round one. You have four lives for the whole game: each loss costs one, and lives never refill. The optional first-round guide explains your first move and result. Older saved expeditions keep their original rules.
Where is my progress saved?
Your expedition is stored on our server. An essential cookie connects this browser to your saved games. Return in the same browser to continue. Another device, a private window, or clearing the cookie starts a separate history. Clearing cookies does not delete the server records; see privacy and cookies.
Can I share a finished game?
Yes. Finished expeditions with at least three rounds automatically appear in public game history, including games ended early. Each has a permanent link, a final globe, and a round-by-round journey. Use Share result or Copy link on its history page. Active games and games with fewer than three rounds stay private. If you already have an active game, Play Orbino takes you back to it; use Restart game there to end it and start again.
Can I play offline?
An internet connection is needed to choose a category and continue. The server keeps the game state. If a request is interrupted, refresh the page to see the current round.
Why are the flags and figures hidden?
The choice is a test of your geographical intuition. You can see both country names and silhouettes, then both flags and all eight comparisons appear after you choose. Seven categories reward higher values; proximity to the equator rewards the smaller distance.
Why are some countries or statistics unavailable?
The source atlas keeps all 195 countries. New expeditions use a population cutoff and documented exceptions, leaving 174 playable countries. If a matchup lacks a reliable figure, that category is disabled. Older expeditions keep their original rules and data. The data notes explain each decision and the remaining balance limitations.
Does Orbino work on a phone or with a keyboard?
Yes. Tap a category to play it; during the first-round guide, select a category, then press Play. With a keyboard, press 1–8 and then Enter to play. Continue after the reveal with Enter or Escape. Phones have compact and expanded globe views. The searchable country list is always available; globe exploration unlocks after the reveal, and Orbino follows your device's reduced-motion preference.
How do I report a mistake?
Contact us with the country, statistic, and a source link for data corrections. For a bug, describe what happened and your browser or device. Please leave cookies and security tokens out of your message.