How to Hide and Mask Precise Location on MapCrunch Web Game

MapCrunch ([1]) is a fun and innovative web game that teleports you to a random Google Street View location somewhere in the world. The goal of the game is to figure out where you are based only on the surroundings shown in the panoramic images.

Why Hide Your Location

A key part of the MapCrunch gameplay is the ability to “hide” your location, so you don’t get any clues about where the street view is from. This makes the game much more challenging and fun. Here are some reasons you may want to hide your location:

  • Increase the difficulty level and make it more fun to guess where you are
  • Use it as a geography quiz to test your knowledge
  • Pretend you woke up somewhere unknown and try to find your way to an airport ([3])
  • Trick your friends on social media into thinking you are travelling somewhere exotic

How to Hide Your Location

Hiding your location on MapCrunch is easy:

On Desktop

  1. Click on the “Options” button in the top left corner
  2. Tick the box next to “Stealth” to hide the location details

On Mobile

  1. Tap the gear icon to access Settings
  2. Toggle on “Hide Location”

Once you enable this setting, the location details above the map will disappear.

Other Game Modes

In addition to the hidden location mode, MapCrunch also offers various difficulty levels you can try:

  • Wussy Mode: Easiest setting, shows country and state/province
  • Tourist Mode: Shows only the country
  • Geoguessr Mode: No location details shown
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R Mode: Hardest setting, starts you in a forest or desert

For an extra challenge, try playing on the hardest setting without any clues visible. See if you can find your way to an airport solely from the landscape and landmarks around you!

Precautions When Hiding Your Location

While hiding your location can make MapCrunch more exciting, here are some precautions to keep in mind:

  • Be wary of sharing your location publicly on social media
  • If meeting someone in real life, choose a safe, public location
  • Never reveal personal identifying details to strangers online
  • Parents should monitor kids’ internet activity and teach online safety basics

Tips for Safe Online Gaming

MapCrunch itself is likely low risk, but general online safety still applies ([4][8][12]):

  • Use nicknames and don’t share real names or ages
  • Set profiles to private and disable location tracking in games
  • Be selective with info shared on public profiles
  • Block abusive players; don’t hesitate to report them
  • Take breaks to prevent excessive gaming
  • Verify game age ratings are appropriate

Using a VPN for Extra Protection

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address. This prevents websites like MapCrunch from identifying your location ([2][6]):

Benefits of a VPN:

  • Hide your public IP address
  • Encrypt data so your online activity is more private
  • Access region-restricted games and websites
  • Added layer of security against cybercriminals

When choosing a VPN, look for trusted providers that offer robust encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a no-logging policy ([14]).

Conclusion

MapCrunch is an entertaining way to explore the world through Street View. Hiding your location ramps up the challenge! Just be sure to keep online safety in mind by limiting personal info sharing, using nicknames, and considering a VPN for extra anonymity. With some basic precautions, you can focus on guessing worldwide locations while keeping your real whereabouts concealed.

References

[1] https://www.mapcrunch.com
[2] https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/geospoofing
[3] https://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1084015-MapCrunch-game
[4] https://staysafeonline.org/resources/10-online-safety-tips-for-gaming
[8] https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/online-gaming
[12] https://dpi.wi.gov/internet-safety/safe-gaming
[14] https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/hide-ip-address-free