EDIT: A big thanks to j15bell for providing photos to assist all of you on your quest! Visit the link HERE. The password is tweleve.
Remember that contest held a few years back by Google when “The Da Vinci Code” was released? This time around, MSN is hosting a contest for “Angels & Demons” roughly structured in the same way. The “Path of Illumination Contest” – which just began January 30 – will occur in 2 rounds and a final tie-breaker round leading up to the film’s May release. Each round will offer a series of 4 challenges released in stages. Here’s a clear rundown:
The “Path of Illumination Contest” can be found at the official “Angels & Demons” site here: http://www.angelsanddemons.com
It will require you to download Microsoft’s Photosynth as well as sign up for a Windows Live ID (Hotmail and MSN e-mail addresses will work).
*As Round 1 has come to an end, Round 2 begins on March 6. To remind contestants of the next phase of the contest, Microsoft has sent out the following e-mail:
Congratulations! You are one of only 3,497 contestants from the United States to advance to Round Two of the Angels & Demons Path of Illumination Contest. Don’t turn back now – victory could be within reach!
In Round Two, you must solve four new puzzles. All Round Two puzzles will be available beginning at 10:00 AM PT on March 6, 2009, and must be completed by 9:59 AM PT on March 13, 2009, so mark your calendar!
Unlike Round One, you will have only ONE chance to play each puzzle in Round Two and your score will be automatically submitted for the contest.
Remember, if you have the lowest combined score from Round One and Round Two, you will become the potential country winner, and will receive a trip for two to Rome to attend the premiere of Angels & Demons and more.
Sign in to play at http://angelsanddemons.msn.com
Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our online Privacy Statement (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=74170).
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
Stuck? Believe me, after playing through “The Da Vinci Code Contest”, I know from experience that these puzzles do become progressively challenging and players will most definitely need help.
We are opening the comments board below for open discussion. Send in any questions or comments you have and feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.
“Angels & Demons” hits theaters May 15, 2009.
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Discuss “The Path of Illumination Contest” here
If you’re looking for the EARTH symbol in Photosynth, it’s on a chair directly behind where you start off. Just keep rotating and you’ll see it clearly in white text.
wow cool blog – adding it to my favorites thx
I don’t know how many times I looked at the chair without seeing anything. Thanks!
Ugh…did anyone else total over 4000 points for the 2nd puzzle? Yeesh…anyways, who’s dying to know where AIR is???
From the start point, keep moving to the left end of the room until you face a wooden door directly in front of you. There should be one of those green rotating rings now floating in the picture. Move it around until you see AIR in white text on the left half of the door, around the black door knob area.
How do you acknowledge within the game that you have found the symbol? Do you click your mouse or what?
Yes over 4,000 for puzzel 2. it seemed like have of the wind symbols didn’t work while others would blow like crazy.
I must be blind because Ive scanned every chair and can’t find squat…thanks for the heads up though..just not seeing it
Just got the 2nd one also; thanks! It was difficult & over 4000 is right! But, it’s fun!
I got 2700 for puzzle 2
Rocky, my belief is that the image only shows up in 1 picture, so even if you see the chair in another picture, the symbol won’t show up (correct me if I’m wrong). Anyways, it’s the chair directly behind you when you start off.
O and samabal, you just suck. I’m kidding, nice job man
After reading these blogs as to where the clues are hidden in the photosynth, i’ve found that when you click on the 3 dotted icon on the navigatioon menu (right above the zoom out button) basically shows you right where the clues are. When hovering over the icon, it says ‘Switch to the next 3D group”
For instance, in the first puzzle, after clicking on that icon, you see a single picture of the back of a chair, and if you look to the right of the picture, you can see its at a corner table. This basically shows you where the clue should be hidden. Just look in that general area and you should find your clue.
I got 95 for earth combined and 3390 for all 3 levels on air combined… could probs of done better though… I find with the photosynth if you keep an eye out you can often see a bright white haze if your in the right area – which i find that mr.Conducter is right about. Click on the 3 dots and it takes you to the near by area.
Good job Sakura!! So far I have 156 for Earth, 4355 for Air with a combined total of 4511. I know I could have done better, but oh well. I’m lookin forward for Fire and Water.
Good job all. 537 and 4601 for me.
Nice job everyone. I’ve got 86 combined on earth, and 1459 combined on the first two of air.
118 and 2220 on my end. Don’t think I’ll be making it to Rome, but it’s still fun playing. Good job everyone!
Could not have found earth without all your comments. Thanks so much for the help! Earth 104, Air 2368. Yup, it’s fun!
Total 5983
Earth 271
air 5712
I was looking at the door for 2 minutes, there was nothing… then I left that window, came back in around 30 seconds, and then BAM.. there was a huge AIR sitting there smack dab in the middle of the door.!…
Either that is the meaning behind ‘illumination’ or my cable internet is slow for uploading.
Still can’t find those dang icons, but got 120 and 3301, which I guess is alright for a seventeen year old….
Score for me is:
Earth – 82
Air – 2248
My suggestion for getting the best score you can is to keep trying without saving your score. You can try an infinite amount of times until the contest’s end date, so just keep doing them over and over til you find your best route/method.
Photosynth question: What do I do with the symbols after I’ve found them?
Answer: Click directly on the word and it will complete the Photosynth puzzle automatically for you.
Oh, forgot to mention: The photosynth puzzle word is found on only 1 photo out of all of them.
So, if there are 12 pictures showing different angles of a chair, you may have to look at all of them to find the single one that shows the puzzle word.
Well, I’ve tried to chose different ones, but I might be on the wrong chair…
Scores for me:
Earth: 128
Air : 2550
I can’t figure out how to do the Air puzzles. No matter where I put hte tiles, all the sphere does it drop up and down in the same place.
Help please!
never mind…I figured it out!
However, fire is supposed to be available today, but I can’t play it yet. hmm!
Btw…709 for round 1 and 5903 for round 2.
Earth = 106
Air = 2833
can’t wait for Fire!
Just letting everyone know that Fire is already open. It’s a little like the game MasterMind, where you’ll have to guess the correct pattern, in this case, for different colored flames. Once you have pattern, click submit, and you’ll receive a hint as to how accurate your pattern is. The game goes back and forth until you have the correct pattern.
Fire is up. Just tryin to do some number crunching, according to my guesstimate/calculations, there should be about 256 possible solutions (for level 1). Your best bet is to find one, stick to it and keep re-entering the same solution time after time. eventually it should come back around.
I must be super blind….I have been looking at chairs all darn day..and still not finding earth
Do you have to zoom in to find it? I think I know which chair ya’ll talking about but it is never showing up 
It’s the very first chair from the back right corner of the room, right where you begin. I think it only appears in one of the pics so keep looking. Also, it’s on the front of the chair along the backrest.
Has anyone had any luck finding FIRE? Argh, this is killing me
Ok that was not on that chair a few seconds ago!
HOLY CRAP.
I got a 1251 on air. First try, too. Sheesh.
FIRE photosynth is on the leather chair by the couch in the study. It only popped up in one frame for me. These guys must like chairs…
eek…not doing so hot am i!
6301 total for all 3
Its hard to know what a good score even is! I feel like I’m doing OK with 2913 (153 / 2408 / 352) is this decent at least? Is there a ranking somewhere?
PS. Check out our new boardgame “TPOC: The Politics of Cannibals” when it comes out in March / April 09!
I have total 3811 earth- 144 air-3438 fire-229 the fire photosynth was the easiest one to find on the leather chair by the couch I moved a few times to the right and it popped up
Man, I really screwed up for Air (4256) lol. Earth, I’ve got 280, and Fire, 225. Looking forward to water now!
Btw, is everyone playing this just for the fun of it – because besides all the major prizes, I actually don’t think they’re giving out anything else like the cryptexes from the DVC contest (I won one of those myself:) ).
As for the location of FIRE, to clarify, it’s in white text on the front of the black chair by the couch in the other room. This is the chair furthest from you. Look for a pic that’s slightly distant from the chair, not a closeup.
I’m having trouble with fire level 3. Patterns don’t make sense to me…they all look the same…any hints out there?
fire level three consists of
one 2
one 6
one 8
and
three 5s
a hint to solving fire. to find out what numbers are in the answer always do 1,1,1,1 submit, 2,2,2,2 submit and so on. If there are any 1s in the puzzle, you’ll get the amount in the white circles that show, if there are any 2s same thing. Do the consecutive combination for all but the last number (if there are numbers 1-8 do all the way up to 7,7,7,7,7,7) to see how many of those each are in the combination. Then using process of elimination find how many of the last digit there are. For example, the third solution has an eight in it, but by using subtraction (you already found it has one 2, three 5s, and 1 six, and 0 sevens) you can tell that the last digit is one 8 because there are only six digits in the solution. (1+3+1=5, no sevens, therefore one 8).
Total 8792
Earth 271
Air 8012 (sucked at this one! used too many arrows)
Fire 514
air2477, you are a genius. Solved fire level 3 with 208. Previous scores over 1000. THANKS everyone for your help.
Looking forward to water! Total so far: earth 104, air 2368, fire 368. grand total 2840
Total for fire: 253….
good or bad?
That’s pretty good, Vic. I got 225 on Fire w/ only 4 or 5 submissions per puzzle.
WEll well well i ve found the word fire on top of a cathedral at the first round in earth, i dont know how but it was black and iwas just playing with the controls.. any ways 4000 total for all give or take..
Wow… you guys must be better at this than I… I still don’t really get how to do the air puzzle! I am certain my first score (that happened by luck) was huge…
Any tips?
Did something happen to your site? Last time I tried to access it, it was closed down.
Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to do the air puzzle? My scores have been horrible and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.
Kalea-
For the lowest scores you should never have to use more than 3 or 4 winds. You just have to constantly tweak their positions in order to travel the least distance etc etc.
@ Robbie
It may have been a server air or due to maintenance. We are working on getting the site redesigned and onto a new host.
do not know how to play fire game. cannot understand what others have said how to play. how do you play fire game, just cannotfigure it out
Hi everyone. Here are my scores
Earth: 1242
Air: 7909
Fire: 436.
I don’t think I did too well on those, how are your’s scores compared to mine?
Earth- 108
Air- 2827
Fire- 222
Total- 3157
I wish I had spent more time tweaking the air puzzles. Oh well.
how do i get a low score on the FIRE level? (i already messed up on the first two levels and need to not get a much higher score)….
Earth 121
Air 2531
Fire 312
Total 2972
Ok, How am I doing so far?
Earth – 82
Air – 2096
Fire – 193
Total – 2371
I got frustrated doing them after an hour so I just went with whatever score I got on the next round.
I would say pritty good? LOL You have someone you are taking to Rome?
earth-119
air-3227
fire-192
fire was hardest for me…..but used too many wind directions in air that killed me.
Hi! I’m writting from Argentina. I know that my participation in this contest is worthless because my country isn´t part fo it, but I’m such a fan of Dan Brown and I loved the Angels and Demons book so much that when I foud out about the contets I decided to participate just for fun.
The thing is I can´t find the fire clue, and I was wondering if anyone has already done that level. Would that ‘anyone’ please give me some help to find it?
Thanks a lot.
And I’m just like you looking foward to finally enjoy the movie! I’ve got great expectations about it.
Thanks but no thanks folks. I’ve just found the fire clue. If someone wants to know where is it just ask me. Bye!
Read my comment above. I explain it there
Earth = 239
Air = 3619
Fire = 638
Total so far = 4496
Earth: 118
Air: 2220
Fire: 161
Total: 2499
Seriously just got tired of it (my scores kept getting worse and worse), so I just submitted the first decent score that came around. Think you just might be making it to Rome Frost!
The real challenge is going to be round two. I think if you’re in the 2000s you have a shot. According to the rules, in round two, there will be no do overs. You will have to be lucky and good.
I love this contest, it’s a lot of fun.
From what I’ve seen and heard from other people and sites, the best possible scores are:
Earth: 73
Air: 1897
Fire: 0
No, I won’t tell you how to get these scores ( I don’t know how).
The fire is zero because if the number happens to be all ones and you guess that, then your score is zero (not that that’s very likely). I think realistically, someone could get close to about 100.
I’m guessing the best score out there is probably about a 2200 right now.
HELP! I still can’t find the Earth symbol. I’ve looked on the chair, but I can’t get the photosynth to turn to let me see the back of the corner one where I start. Been through the slideshow with no luck either. Any pointers? Thanks!
Geez, I thought I was doing pretty good until I stumbled on this site and read the scores people have! I have crested 13,000 for my total! LOL at least the games are fun!
even if you guess all 1s for fire it does not leave you with a score of 0…sorry there Brandon. That being said…four 1′s appear for round one of fire but not for round 2 or 3… Best possible score is between 100 and 200.
My scores are as follows
E: 78
A: 2002
F: 174
E:121
A: 3626
F: 338
Total: 4085
That Air Level was really tough. I only used 4 symbols on each puzzle to get the ball in the whole. with the shortest path yet still got an insanely high score.
lol oops… meant hole…see what lack of sleep playing this causes.
My scores thus far-
E: 177
A: 3006 (I really hated that level.)
F: 132
Total: 3315
Brandon,
What is the breakdown for those low scores? Also, what other websites have you seen where people post the lowest scores they are getting? Thanks!
David
Best possible score for fire is below 100. This I know for sure.
Breakdown (not that I got these)
Earth: 16, 26, 31
Air: 399, (lowest I’ve SEEN is 404), 699, 799, (lowest I’ve seen 801)
Fire: (could be anything)
Also, this seems to be the most active post. There are a couple on yahoo answers, and I’ve emailed back and forth with a couple of the other players.
If you put a lot of time into it I’m sure you could get a very low score on Fire, I mean eventually the cycle has to repeat itself. The key to this round so far was Air. I had individual rounds that were really low and if I added them I’d be around 1850-1900 but I couldn’t repeat it after the first time I did it.
Getting to the second round will be the key, because if you only have one shot, your scores will be very high. I wonder what will happen to your score if you browser or computer crash in the middle of a game.
I still can’t find the fire clue in the photosynth. Is it possible that there are different versions of each photosynth (just like there are differentversions of the earlier puzzles)? So far, it doesn’t seem to be the case, but it is possible.
Can someone explain where to find the air symbol again??? I can’t seem to find it…
E: 128
A: 6041
F: 150
The fire clue is on the black chair to the right of the couch (as you’re facing the couch). You have to be facing the front of the chair, be far enough back and at the right angle for the symbol to appear. Keep trying!
The air symbol is on one of the doors…each door has a bunch of squares, it’s in one of the squares. Sorry, can’t remember which door.
Total: 2510
Earth: 101
Air: 2277
Fire: 132
Water is on the front of the desk
Heads up: Water was posted this morning.
I have just finished water.
Earth- 110
Air- 2453
Fire- 153
Water- 135
Total=2851
Just finished water along with the photosynth
Earth: 156
Air: 4355
Fire: 224
Water: 114
The photosynth icon is on the desk. Just push the ‘play’ button and let the pictures scroll. You should be able to see it quite easily. At least it was’nt on another dang chair this time!
Qualified for Round 2! I had a total score of 4875 (screwed up on Air, argh). If you guys have a score lower than that, then I’m pretty sure you’ll make it. Good luck
*Round 2 begins March 6th.
just finished – 3360 total – air did me in!!!
Just finished. Made round 2 with a 5806 total score
Btw looks like everyone who finishes round one makes it to round two
I’m just glad I don’t have to worry about my terrible score for Air anymore lol. Time for a fresh start w/ Round 2
I just solved water with a total on Water of 264! The symbol is on the desk & on my pc it was very out of focus! But I got it!
Just finished. LOL, fire was pretty much the game Mastermind (the old board game). Well, I am not eligible to win because I am the son of a microsoft employee. Anyway here are my scores:
Total: 2470
Earth: 113
Air: 2079
Fire: 184
Water: 94
Just finished. At least I qualify, but I hate air. Except for the breathing part.
How many others didn’t know that you could use more than one of each Air direction? Lame instruction writing.
still can’t find earth, going blind! help
Dude, chair right behind you at the start. Look there. There were numerous discussions at the beginning of this comments board. Read through them.
You guys have really low scores. I got a total of 5915. Pretty bad eh. Anyway, Steve must be right cause I got into round 2 even with that terrible score. They’re even going to send me an e-mail reminder before the 6th. Obviously I’m not doing this for prizes.
2466 total. Word.
OK, that dang Fire word was so hard to find but at last…. If anyone else is strugeling here are some hints: it is located on the chair like everyone above has said, the black chair near the black sofa. The angle you need is like you are standing on the opposite side of the desk looking across the room at the chair. Keep pressing the backup button so that you have a far off view and then just keep changing views of the chair from left and right until the glow of the word starts to appear and then just zoom in.
UGH!!! I’ve been trying to get fire by just hitting submit without moving any and I’ve gotten that as the right combo twice now, but when you try to submit the score it doesn’t show up as completed!!!! Why is this happening?
So far I have 263 + 3357 + 419 = 4039. working on water now.
Lovely ones! Total score=2617. Let’s see how Round 2 turns out…so far this game has been reaaaally fun
Ok, so I thought I’d update my scores. Knowing that they combine both rounds, I wish I had taken my time more on Air and Fire. I got an 88 on Water.
Total 2459
I hope everyone has the same board in Round 2, otherwise, some will have a very distinct advantage with easier boards.
first time doing anything like this..thru 4 at 5574..tedoius
Taxes, if you win, are about $4,500. Congratulations.
Thanks for the help, I have trouble seeing the Photos. Old eyes
Earth 165
Air 3082
Fire 320
Water 136But, no photo clues yet.
Not bad for an old lady.
Water is on the front of the desk. View at different angles from left a little bit and it should show up for you.
total – 2389
Ok, lowest total I’ve found so far is 2353. Has anyone seen lower?
What have people found to be the lowest scores on each water puzzle.
Puzzle 1 appears to be 17, anyone else?
Frost,
2257 going into water for me. It looks like I should end up under 2353, not that water looks easy for sure.
LOL at Steve, way to be a buzz kill. Taxes
Stevi, doesn’t look like it will take a zero score. You’re going to need at least a 1.
Don’t worry, I got 9,910 and qualified for round two. Air killed me.
I finished! With a 4050 total. Actually, i closed the window but I know it was 4000 something with a 5 in there
I did get a message saying I qualified for round 2.
I think anyone who finished all 4 puzzles before the deadline qualifies.
total 19,233
see you guys in rome
Earth-116
Fire-270
Water-116
Air-18,731
The air portion was really dumb and the scoring system is not even close to symmetrical. Basically, for AIR, even if you do well on it, accounts for 80%+ of the total score.
Total: 2341
Brandon, you have to be #1 in the whole freakin’ country, not just angryweb.org.com., to win.
That’s a good score, but I’m not sure if you did it legally…sounds fishy
just finished water, score = 131
total 3669
see ya on round 2
jessica, first puzzle of water I got a 15.
Yeah Brandon has on the yellow jersey for sure, but we’ll see if he passes the doping test. I hear they’ve been coming down hard on these ‘Angels and Demons’ athletes.
That’s just sad, Bruce. Don’t go there. There’s no illegal way to do it as far as I know. All you have to do is keep playing til you reach the lowest possible scores, which as far as I know are a couple hundred points lower than mine. Also, I never said I expected to win anything. Frost asked for people under 2353 to post their scores.
If you want to know how I got my score, I can tell you. Don’t submit until you’re SURE you have the lowest score. I’ve also been trying to help people by posting the lowest possible scores that I’ve seen. That said, round 2 will be the deciding factor. It just gives you an advantage to do better in round one. Doing 16 puzzles, everyone is going to mess up a bit in round 2.
Lowest Scores I’ve heard of:
Earth: 16, 26, 31
Air: 399, 699, 799
Fire: 14, 34, 57
Water: 14, 30, 40
Grand Total: 2159 (someone in the country probably has this score or lower)
Brandon, I still think you have a cloud over your performance, and everyone will be thinking you’re using performance enhancing drugs. I take it personally, because I’m all natural, and if everyone else was, including yourself, maybe my 19,000 score would be more competitive.
Sounds like Brandon is starting to sweat the inquisition. I mean how do you score so low on Air without some sort of help, like from helium or something. lol. That was a good one…helium…I crack myself up.
Not to beat a dead horse,but what chair for “earth” are we talking about. There are two rooms, one conference room with four rows of tables and a second room that has a row of chairs along the wall. What is your orientation for the back right corner that you’re talking about?
Chad,
I found the “earth” one to be unusually hard to find also. One successful but painful method – if you just click the forward button of the slideshow about 315 times, you’ll get there.
…and 315 isn’t a random guess. It’s very close to that (I actually counted, although not precisely).
just completed in 7584, air was a bummer.
E 102
A 5711
F 311
W 101
Total 6245. I don’t know why I am so high in Air.
Has nobody topped my 19,233?
It looks like I’m the high point person so far. I looked at other websites and my score is still the highest one I can find…looks like I’m off to Rome!!
2345 total all 4
3456 for all 4, not bad. No way I could have found those photo clues without you guys help.
I cannot find that earth symbol for the life of me, the photos run out just behind the chair, and I cant angle down behind it even with the rotation tool…………
never mind I found it just after I left this message.ugh
OK one more time. In which of the two rooms is the Earth clue in? There is a room with 4 table groupings (and an alter) and there is a side room that has a row of chairs along the wall. Back right does not do anyone any good if they don’t know what point of view you have. And the only thing that is behind you is wall when you start.
It’s in the first, larger room with 4 table groupings. It’s pretty much the chair you’d sit in when the photosynth starts. However, I can’t manage to change the view from the starting position to get to that chair in any convenient way. The only way I know is to go through the whole slideshow. Even doing that, there will be a couple of occasions when you’re right in that area but don’t get the view you need. Just keep going and after a long time it will be clear as day. Good luck.
Earth can be found in as few as 8 or 9 clicks to the left. Keep highlighting the different outlines that look like a vantage point that faces to the left of your current position. Some are more extreme than others, but they will get turned around 180degress eventually. The chair it’s on will be the first chair in the corner of the room. You are basically sitting on the thing when you come in. Do not go to the right, do not go straight, always go left. You can tell what goes left by the perspective of the highlights.
Thanks Steve and David.
Just finished. Total- 3434
Total
E 90
A 2137
F 118
W 98
Total 2443
How do you acknowledge that you have found a symbol? I found water on the desk at last, but I’m not sure now to submit it.
Thanks.
anyone know where the water clue is located..
i’m done all the games, and am only the water clue away from completion..
photosynth is the last thing from being considered, “user friendly”!
Dede…. You should just be able to “right click” on it with your mouse, then it will automatically tell you that you’ve found it and take you back to the primary page with all the puzzles. BUT, it’s tricky…be sure that when you ‘click’ you have a very CLEAR sharp symbol showing up in the window. If it’s the least bit fuzzy or out of focus, or not smack in the middle of the frame, it won’t register it. You have to keep tilting the frames to get it properly sharp and in the middle. At least that how it worked for me.
G.L.
Hi, thank you, that was my experience and evidently why it didn’t work at first. I finally got it it work.
Wonder why the “instructions” didn’t mention this.
I have 2 out of 4 and a too-much Photosynth-headache.
Dede
I qualified for round 2, I don’t know how!!!
Earth 243
Air 8679 (I really messed up this here)
Fire 398 (for puzzle one I submit the score by mistake)
Water 148 (was the easiest)
Grand Total 9468! I really dont know how I qualified!
I think everyone qualifies for Round 2.
Earth 128
Air 2550
Fire 210
Water 117
TOTAL 3005
Round 2 will separate the wheat from the chaff. 1 shot at solving each puzzle… That will be a killer.
Please if anybody could help me solve fire level 3 that would be greatly appreciated … I’ve passed everything else to qualify except that even though I’ve followed the comments above I can’t solve it!! its pissing me off since I’ve done everything else and the other 2 fire levels maybe someone could help me i’m obviously not very good at math!
Vanessa, what a lovely name. Of course we will help you. I personally got to the point where if I got anything near 100 on it, I would accept it. This may be redundant with what’s above, but I click right off the bat to see if anything is in the first row. Then I move the first toggle up one. If it is good, then Yay! If not, the coding will tell you if there is even a 2 in the combo. It is indicated by a hollow circle. If no hollow circle, then there are no 2′s. I then move this toggle up to the 3, the 4 and so forth. Each time you find the correct position with the toggle, move to the next one over and do the same thing, using the information you collected as you go about whether or not there is even that particular number in the combo. I always go left to right, and don’t do more than one, unless you know for certain where one goes and then you can place it there and use the click on trying the placement of another. This way you don’t waste clicks. After a while, you should start finding the combo quite quickly, but then it’s just a matter of getting a lucky puzzle that is process friendly for a low score. I imagine if you do it long enough, (maybe after a 1000 times) it may give you an all 111111 combo. Let me know how that works out for you.
hi vanessa,
I also had problems with it.
the best way I found is to start with all 3 levels at one and then press enter to see where the correct pegs are ie. white pegs, black pegs and hollow on the chart.
you are looking to get the white pegs so if you move each peg up a notch starting with the first one and then press enter again to see if it is still correct or should move again. Then move your second peg up a notch to see where that fits in and same with 3rd peg.
you have to submit it to see where it is on the chart. Its a bit hard to describe and there may be a mathematical solution to finding it out but that is the way I did it. hope this helps
steve
how the hell did you get 2137 on air. that must be one of the best scores
DeDe..
You’re welcome, Glad you got it…FYI for future symbols, they really ARE where people say they are. I found that sometimes you will click on the chair or desk or whatever and NOTHING shows up, but if you keep tilting and angling and going at it from certain sides, it WILL show up. I would have sworn people were lying when they said a symbol was on a dining room chair, but sure enough after much going round and round and tilting and plenty of foul language, I saw it!…lol.
So thank you to all the helpful folks!
steve in k.c., Elaine THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! for taking time and trying to help me I really appreciate it, Steve’s method was the one that worked and I somehow managed to get 220 for a score not the best but for me compared to what I was getting its amazing! thank you so much, now I can move on the next round even if I don’t win I still get to go a little farther! Thank you.
Ok, I’m just wondering how Bruce got that high of a score. Air is just a time issue. If you take your time to get the lowest score then you should be no higher than 2500-3000. Those that were lower spent more time, those that were higher spent less time. And those like Bruce must have placed 20 symbols on each board and watched the ball bounce off each wall.
Elaine, some of the boards had a shorter distance to go than others, so I just kept at those ones. Also, I found that you could double up the air symbols on top of one another and get greater distance shooting the ball across the screen, thereby using fewer symbols in the long run. Round 2, with only one attempt at each puzzle, scares me.
Assuming scoring is the same, air will control the score again so it’s good that your score doesn’t keep adding until you make it in. Also, I hope everyone has the same board, otherwise, that’s really not fair. Especially with air.
I have found all of the pHotosyth clues but AIR… When you push the 3 dot button it show a picture of the 2 doors…which one is the air on…. I have looked at both of them at different angles and just can’t find it…please someone help
the air clue is on the furthest door when u push the 3 dot button. you just need to click on the square that highlights that door and it should be easily seen.
I cannot get past the water puzzles- I think they’re impossible! Anyone have any insight?
Sarah, it is really hard, but you can can do it. You have to look ahead. If you want the block standing up in the hole, then it will have to be lying down in a two-square space beside the hole. Next, think about how you can get the block in those spaces. Work backward. There will be some blocks that you must be upright on and some you must be on the side.
One more hint and it’s a little difficult to understand, but: If your block is standing up one block short of where it needs to be, you have to lay the block on its side and roll it backward one, then put it back up and you should be where you need to be. Many times you will have to make several moves to maneuver your block in a small area. Trial and error at first, then I promise you’ll get the hang of it.
Good luck,
Brandon
SARAHHH…
One of the tricks is that you have to back up to the original BLOCK of squares you started on, switch your water tower around so that say…you are one block ‘forward’ or ‘backward’ than where you first started, then proceed forward again. I noticed many of them are NOT straight lines forward. It takes trial and error to see where the tall end of the block will fall. Sometimes you will have the length of it line up one block over or back. (re: you have to ‘roll’ it over instead of end on end). But I noticed that a lot of the water puzzles involve backing totally up to the start blocks and going forward again. It’s like tumbling them end over end, side over side to see where it falls…but as stated, many of them require going back to the start spot.
Hope this wasn’t totally confusing.
G.L.
redbird985
I don’t know if this has been picked up on anywhere, but the little diamond symbol with the words “EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER” in it is one of those cool optical illusions (for lack of a better term) that is identical when rotated 180 degrees.
total score was 4226 – air killed my score! looking forward to round 2.
Yays!!
Earth: 488
Air: 4506
Fire: 470
Water: 125
Total: 5589
I actually thought water was very easy…i hated air and fire
noobs lol. finale score = 2298. who is ready for round dos! see u march 6th
water photosynth is located on the front of the big desk with the single white chair behind it.
Thanks Redbird and Brandon! I ‘ve got one more water puzzle to go…
do you think there is some way they take in to account the actual puzzle you played that resulted in a score? playing some earth puzzles… i don’t think they all have the same number of moves to solution, which varies the score–so you could have the lowest possible score for puzzle A, but puzzle B may have a lower possible score?
Total 4179 … I know thats lousy, but oh well! it was a great diversion from work
Found a 38 on water 3, so a score of 82 is possible.
Good luck, everyone.
Total score for round one 9735- yikes
katie,
You’re right. Each puzzle has a different lowest possible score. Not only do you have to find the lowest score, but you have to find the lowest score on every puzzle to truly get the lowest possible score. That’s how some of us got such low scores. I presume that’s why they gave us a week for each category. I agree it beats the heck out of work.
total 5904 (eeewwww..!!)
earth 275
air 4405
fire 740
water 484
I was confused about getting the highest or lowest score… anyways.. any comments???
DilemmaDave, that’s an ambigram. The book Angels and Demons is chock full of them. I think the one with all the elements was called the Illuminati Diamond. I don’t know how many times I flipped my book over and over just to make sure the words didn’t change
Good job everyone! Awesome scores. I’m in the 2600′s somewhere. It’s rough when I re-play and get MUCH lower scores than what I posted. Oh well, that’s the breaks!
Yep, all puzzles have a different scores; I got tired of the repetitions so just started taking scores that looked good;
E-91
A-2259
F-492
W-113
finaly got the clues to enter.
Brandon,
38 on water level 3 is very impressive…are you certain about that or is there a chance you miscounted? It did seem very much like 40 was the most efficient score on the optimal board. Did you achieve it on the same board that you had earlier gotten 40?
Hats off to you,
David
Never done anything like this before but the remote chance of going to Rome was an incentive, however with a first round score of 9710 I can’t see it somehow ! Found the last level of water really tough but I was determined to finish – I only found out about the competition on Tuesday so I am glad that I at least completed it !!
Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t know about this forum until yesterday. It’d given me a better sense for how badly I was doing! Btw, hello everyone.
David, 38 on Level 3 of Water is indeed possible as that’s what I got…the only high point in a largely mediocre performance (my Rnd1 total is 3485). Looks like you’re someone who’s well into these puzzles. What are your scores like?
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Wow, 38 didn’t seem possible. I’ll have to explore that more. I submitted scores of 14/30/40 for Water (total of about 2400 for all 4, too lazy to write out the breakdown…nothing too unusual or inspiring).
Maybe you shouldn’t say since some people might be trolling for clues, but would you feel comfortable saying which board you got the 38 on? (hard to describe in words, I know).
David
First of, Hello to all. I wish I had known about this forum sooner. It might have encouraged me to better my scores. Oh well. I don’t think I did too bad with a total of 2664 (E – 107, A – 2233. F – 212, W – 112). Guess I’ll just have to redouble my efforts for round 2. Good luck to all.
Cheryl and Brandon,
Figured out the 38…very satisfying! Wish I found it earlier, but I appreciate you guys letting us know what’s possible.
Good luck,
David
Thanks to everyone! the photosynth was driving me crazy and your hints helped me find the clues. my score was not impressive but I’m glad I finished it
E – 113
A – 5106
F – 500
W – 204
c-u next round
BTW I did the air, fire, and water all within the last two hours
Hi all, just found this tonight and got them all done, just in time,
E-210
A-3491
F-868
W- 432
total 5001
Hey guys. Three things:
1) Thank you for the help on the photosynth symbols; couldn’t have done it otherwise.
2) So far (missing level three fire):
Earth: 80
Air: 2001
Fire: 87
Water: 96
Running Total: 2264
3) Just a general FYI (I don’t want to start anything), there are glitches with “Fire”. I’ve caught multiple codes being changed and have proof of at least one from level one. Anyone know of a contact email for the contest? I’d just like to inform them of it.
Earth 80
Air 1926
Fire 120 (didn’t feel like spending time restarting it over and over)
Water 86
Total: 2212
*sigh* seems like my good score is for nothing since people with much worse scores are getting into round 2…
@madhottphish
What do you mean code being changed?
From what I understand is that Fire has some type of random generator. Also it has an exception of having all in the first row, because then people could have a score of 0.
Sometimes the fire codes are all 1′s, but it just won’t give you credit for getting a “zero” score if you guess it.
Baka,
Anyone who finishes all the puzzles and finds the Photosynth clues before the deadline qualifies for Round 2. Any score at all will get you in. Your low score will give you an advantage, though, because the 2 rounds will be added together to determine the winner.
Madhottphish,
I don’t think there are any glitches in Fire. The problem comes when the player makes such strong assumptions about the hidden colors that the final result almost seems impossible. If you go back and really look at the guesses and all of the possibilities you will the answer was the same all along. I was sure several times there was an error, too, but when I really looked at it, I saw it was my error, not the game’s. It was really hard to see sometimes.
How do you do the air round. The left side air doesn’t do anything.
Madhottphish, you’re right about the glitches i found one too where the final right answer didn’t match one of the set of dots.
Final Score: 2970
Three more things:
1) Name’s Kurt
2) Final Scores:
Earth: 80
Air: 2001
Fire: 252 (slipped on submitting level 3)
Water: 96
Total: 2429
3) I caught Fire changing codes on me (or however you’d like to describe it). I have a screen shot of level, but so far have not been able to find any other change (I’ve probably repeated the level over 200 times).
I can’t find any contact email for the contest and I really just want this out in the open (I don’t see how else they’ll know), so this is what I’ll do. I took a screen shot of the fire level on which it seems to have changed codes on me. If you’d like me to send it to you, I set up the below email.
firecodechanged@hotmail.com
I’ll be happy to send it to whomever would like to look it over.
Started late (Feb 26 at 3pm – where does the time go?) but managed to finish 4 puzzles and photosynth by 3am – fire was hardest for me and my overall scores were abysmal (12000+) but had fun. The clue finding was harder than the puzzles. Wish I had seen this first. I did not seem to realize I could solve the puzzle layers and then re-solve for a good score.
Baka, you were quite correct. There was no discrepancy with the puzzle I thought had changed codes.
Shortly after posting the email, the administration of the contest contacted me and helped me to realize the correct interpretation, correlating with the solution as well.
I’d still be happy to email the picture to those interested, but there is no longer any question of consistency in it.
David, glad you figured out the 38. Sorry couldn’t get back to you earlier…don’t have internet at home. I know, my boss is not going to be happy when he finds out what I’ve been doing at work!
Baka, your scores are amazing! Yours and Brandon’s must be among the best. I’m especially impressed by your Air performance. Do you mind telling me what your breakdown was for Air and which puzzle you solved for Level 3? The lowest I got for level 3 was above 1300!!
madhottphish, could you post the response from the admin? Just curious about what they had to say. Also, how did you manage to contact the admin or are they actually following these forums?!!
Cheryl
Cheryl,
My assumption would be that the administration keeps up on anything online having to do with the contest that they can find because they contacted me first.
Their response was just an explanation of the solution as well as a ‘thank you’ for explaining it all to them. If you’d like to see it, please email me (firecodechanged@hotmail.com), but I’d have to post the picture for the administrator’s response to make any sense.
~Kurt
@newcomer
On level three of air I got 829. (But I know people who got 801-799!!!) *tried so hard for it… but couldn’t get that low*
If I remember correctly, it was a puzzle where there was a key floating in the middle and both the start and the exit were in the top left. I hope this helps!
@casey
Thank you, I didn’t realize that
Why don’t we just call this “The Air Puzzle Contest”, since that’s what it’s all going to come down to?
hi there fellow game players..
I scored around 4000..most of that was through silly air game and I only discovered contest a week before the closing date so didn’t get a lot of practice in!! Am really looking forward to round 2. Are there any runner up prizes?
hello, does anyone know if there is any “more in-depth” information on round two on the net rather than what is already given in the aspect of a one-chance score? just curious
Steve,
I actually think that the contest will be determined more by fire than by air. While the air scores are by far the highest number, the real issue is not the absolute value of a score, but the difference between a competitive score and a non-competitive one. That is, if competitive contestants can all find a way to score between 800 and 850 on air level 3, you can really subtract 800 from each and consider their scores to range from 0 to 50. Most likely, a handful of players will have an identical “best” score, whatever that may be.
For fire, however, there is really an unpredictable range of possibilities for level 3. For levels 1 and 2, it is very possible to get a score of 1 if you were willing to take the time to repeatedly guess until you guessed correctly on the first try (with odds of 1:256 and 1:1296 respectively). For level 3, even repeated playing will probably get you in the range of 45 to 75, and will be based partially on luck. The person lucky and/or persistent enough to get a score of less than 45, while getting the optimal scores on all other sections, will be the one in the best position for round 2.
I would agree that earth and water will not be the categories that determine the winner.
@david
For it to be fair, I hope that in round 2 everyone will get the same puzzle to solve, even for fire. That will eliminate any luck to occur. (of course if people are working together this would be very unfair). I assume that it will be similar to the setup of level 3 or harder.
But you are right, though I didn’t get the best scores on a lot of the puzzles my scores were very close. But my fire was very off because I wasn’t persistent enough to try for lower scores.
But, I also agree with Steve that if someone isn’t good at air, but good at all of the rest. It might lose you the chance to win because the score will be much farther apart than if you were not very good at earth.
While neither way would be perfect, I think it would be fairer (more fair?) for the fire puzzle to be random in the next round. If there’s only one code, then it’s just a matter of time until someone posts it online. Then we’d all have to choose whether to play using standard strategies with no real chance of winning, or enter the known solution and feel a little dirty about it.
I actually think that it’s perfectly kosher for people to play as teams, with friends sharing their solutions during the first round before submitting them. It does raise an interesting question for round two: can one person watch their friend play the second round before attempting it themselves? There’s no rule against doing this (is there?), and with a winner-take-all contest among thousands of people, every strategy that doesn’t break the rules should be considered.
Almost every large puzzle contest requires the winner to bend the rules, but they should never be broken. (The Da Vinci code contest winner clearly broke the rules by using an automated mouse program, although I have to admit I was impressed with their creativity).
I’m interested to hear what others think would be fair and unfair in this contest.
David,
I have to say, concerning your question of “an one person watch their friend play the second round before attempting it themselves?,” I see no reason for one not to.
I am unaware of any rule against it, let alone the idea of one person setting up multiple accounts and using them in Round 2 to “practice.” As far as I see it, the PR for Angels and Demons was not wholly concerned with who wins or how, but getting the movie out there and raising interest.
On the other hand, the game is based mainly upon skill, not luck and this is what attracted me to it. These are all puzzles, of which only the keenest mind will obtain the lowest score. Think of it this way (for those who’ve read the book – I’m only part way through it myself): the Illuminati set up a puzzle for only the most intelligent scientists to be able to crack and follow to the Church of Illuminati, but it didn’t matter whether they followed someone else, figured it out themselves, or found a “cheating” way to complete it – if they completed it, they completed it. The game will run the same way.
Much like you’ve pointed out yourself, if someone is willing to take the painstaking time to repeat level one rounds to get the best score, they may just be smart enough to get together with friends on Round 2, or have already set up multiple accounts in order to “practice.”
The end goal is the lowest score, but there’s no way to ensure that the game play is fair. May the brightest, most cunning person win!
Kurt,
You’re absolutely right. Why wouldn’t you share your game strategy with someone who would take you to Rome or give you a motorcycle? BTW, my wife’s score is much better than mine.
Hello,
Brandon I really want to talk to you but I would prefer to communicate through e-mail, please e-mail me at ocubermensch@yahoo.com
Also, what’s the lowest score anyone has heard of someone getting?
Brandon,
So your account would be the practice. Haha. So far my cohort has a lower score than me by about 100, so it’s not quite much better. We haven’t figured out our strategy yet. But it’s all for fun.
Ocubermensch,
Here are the lowest scores I’ve seen/heard of broken down by levels (but I’m sure there are some better ones out there).
Earth: 16 – 29 – 32
Air: 453 – 710 – 790
Fire: 11 – 32 – 45
Water: 16 – 34 – 46
~Kurt
Kurt,
I agree with you completely, and plan to use these methods myself. Signing up for multiple accounts using one’s own name would disqualify a contestant, but signing up friends and helping them complete the puzzles, and then sharing multiple (but legitimate) accounts for round 2 should not. The contest promoters will be happy to get new e-mail addresses and home addresses to use for future solicitations.
Should a friend of mine become fortunate enough to win, a little part of me worries that a contest representative would ask them, “did you solve everything by yourself?”, and they’d say, “no, my friend did and I just entered the answers in my own account”….and then they’d take the prize away. This is very unlikely to occur, but I’m probably not the only one considering such situations. Again, as you said the primary goal of this contest is to generate awareness of the movie, not to crown a puzzle king or queen. And the “small print rules”, which are very thorough, do not forbid teams from collaborating with multiple accounts.
The opposite is probably true…they want all of us to sign up our friends, even if it diminishes the integrity of the puzzle contest a little bit. Given the skill that these puzzles require, and the fact that effective teamwork is itself a skill, one could argue that the contest integrity is not compromised at all. But I’m sure solo players would disagree.
@Kurt
Brandon post something similar near the middle of the forum which is close but I’ll make my own and we’ll see how we all compare. I’ll star the ones I was able to get. I’ll make a ~ after Brandon’s and a ^ after Kurt’s.
Earth: 16* – 26* – 31~
Air: 398* – 699* – 790^ (Have you seen 790 with your own eyes? I have looked everywhere for a similar score and haven’t found it.)
Fire: 11^ – 29* – 45^ (I’m sure its always possible to get lower with these)
Water: 14* – 30* – 38~
Grand Total: 2042-51 + Fire
I agree with you guys.
Hm.. What would be fair?
Those with a low first round will vote for only ONE “fire” code. Then all of them would get the same score and no one could be betrayed by bad luck.
Others will vote for a random code. Thus, a good guess could open the door to Rome for many people.
Different levels on “air” could surely be even more decisive.
I may be wrong but I guess the “fire” will be chosen randomly like in round 1. Cause if more players tie for the best total score, the “fire” puzzle of round 2 will decide first. And after that the fire puzzles of round 1.. The conclusion is arguable but for me, that means a random code.
Air, Water and Earth:
.
Til now the developers did a really good job. I guess they will have made lots of different levels, they will have decided/calculated (for) a best possible score for each puzzle and that score will be the same for all levels. At least, that’s what I hope
Hm..could be close in the end, though. Wouldn’t underestimate the scores for Water and Earth, too.
Thank all of you for the comments and a big thx to the developers (so far
)!
Great discussion! I see David and Kurt’s point about how getting together with friends and solving as a group is not against the rules (even though it’s too late for me to employ this strategy myself). But there is also a “slippery slope” aspect to this: can people post their puzzles for Earth/Air/Water online and the solutions to them as well, making the whole round meaningless? They can claim that all readers of their blog/forum are one group and that there was no rule about restricting groups to a certain size or declaring them before a certain time, etc. In fact, I suspect something like this will happen should everyone get the same puzzle for Earth/Air/Water. While we’d agree that this is outright unfair, the question is where is the line? And how is it going to be enforced? I’ve no answers…I just like to think out loud!
As for Fire, I don’t see any way the same code can be given to everyone. Very soon we’ll have thousands of people getting a score of 1 for that puzzle. True that having different codes somewhat changes the playing field, but contestants will just have to live with that. The Eurostar Da Vinci Code contest made up for this by taking the best of 3 attempts (at least I think so…alcohol could’ve killed those memory cells) which I thought was a great idea.
Finally, I kinda agree with Steve and think that Air will be the make-or-break game. If Rnd2 is anything like Rnd 1 where Air accounted for 90% or more of the total score, being even 5% off from the best Air score pretty much negates any possibility of making up for it in the other puzzles. In my opinion, this score distribution mars what has otherwise been a very well thought out contest. Then again, as has been noted, the point of the contest was not necessarily to identify the greatest puzzle solver!
Good luck to all,
Cheryl
Ocubermensch: I think your question got transformed to a discussion about what the best possible score for Rnd 1 might be. So far as actual numbers are concerned, I came across 2170 and 2183 on another board.
On this one, Brandon’s wife may have the best score. What would that be, Brandon?
Do people KNOW of even lower scores? I realize that the best possible is in the 2050-2100 range, but just curious if anyone really knows of scores below 2150.
Cheryl
Earth 70, Air 2077 (miffed b/c a glitch submitted my score and I didn’t want it submitted), Fire 172, and Water 106 Total 2425
All things considered, not too bad I guess. I could have done better on Fire but got tired of messing with it and know I would have done better on Air if submitting my lowest had been possible. I wasn’t even touching my keyboard when it just submitted my score on its own. It wasn’t a long pause or even a short one so I don’t think it timed out and submitted it. I don’t know how it happened. Does anyone have a clue what to expect out of round two-any experience with DVC round 2? Thx
Wow!
70 for Earth, that’s really good.
15/25/30. I had 31 in level 3..but you’re right, I checked and 30 is possible. Well done!
15?!? 30?!?!
That’s the first I’ve seen of either possibility. I thought that 16/24/31 were the best possible scores for Earth. I had a feeling that 15 was possible for level 1 since there are three different screens (at least) where 16 is possible.
Now that round one has ended, would you be comfortable saying which screens you used to get those scores? I’m really impressed.
David
P.S. I haven’t seen this posted yet, but 393 is possible on level 1 of air. It’s the screen where the ball and door are right in the middle with a small block in between.
axl d, what was your total score?
Wow I did level 1 earth so many times and never got a 15…. but I just redid my level 3 earth right now and got the 30……. i submitted 31
Wifey got 2156
72
1905
97 (22 on fire 2)
82
That’s amazing, Brandon! Good for her! This is the best total score I’ve heard of so far. In fact, her total is less than what I got for Air alone!
I’ve been trying to play the Air puzzles again to see if I can improve on the scores I got. I managed to get my Level 2 down to 710 (yay!), but for the life of me I can’t understand how one can go below that! Some people have reported 699…that’s crazy!! I’m doing the one with both the ball and the hole near the bottom of an empty box (ball on the left, hole on the right). I must’ve tried it over 50 times and 710 is the lowest it’d go. Can anyone tell me what the magic trick is? There’s only one air tile to move around after all!
Cheryl
Cheryl–You get the 699 using a different puzzle. You’ll get it!
@ David
But 790 on level three is truly impressive.
Air: I can confirm the 393.
Fire: You wrote 24 for the second level. That means a 69 was possible or even better..man..and I imagined I could go in a Tie Breaker with the 71.
@ ocubermensch
.
Don’t be angry. I’m superstitious
@ David
The 15 in level 1: You start in the lower left corner, exit is in the upper right. Only one movable key. Now u know which screen?
Good Lord! Thanks, Casey. And I wasted all my time on that Air puzzle…jeez. I’ve also been struggling with Air Level 3. I somehow assumed that the right puzzle to solve must be the one with the ball and the hole on the same horizontal line in the middle with a key floating in between. I’m not getting anything below 845. Is that the puzzle in which people have got 800 and below? I’m just terrible at this…
Ocubermensch, care to share your scores?
Cheryl
Cheryl-wrong puzzle for level 3 Air. Find the one where the ball has to go the shortest distance.
axl can you give range of where ur score is in
The more I read about these lowest scores and such, the more I’m thinking the winner is going to be someone who doesn’t have a job and works at this non-stop. Haha.
To the thoughts of what Round 2 will be, my first thought is that it will be something like Earth or Water where you really have to think AHEAD. With that, they can weed a lot of people out quickly who have very similar scores, one bad move and you’re up 10-15% on score minimum. I think they’d get a lot of flack if they made Round 2 completely like Fire ’cause – as people have pointed out – it’s 90% luck and 10% diligence. I’ve point out before that the Path of Illumination was for those who could really figure out things that no one else could, so I see the “thinking ahead” as the closest example of that in the game.
However, on a reread of the contest rules, there will be FOUR Round 2 puzzles. I’m pretty firm in my guess that they will be one each of the previous styles: one Earth, one Air, one Fire, one Water.
@ Baka
A friend of mine who’s playing got the 790 I mentioned on Level 3 Air, but I’ll check with him again just to make sure I didn’t remember incorrectly.
And I was pretty upset that after submitting my level 1 Fire score of 27, I popped out that 11. I mean, the only lower score would be 1. Aahhh!! Haha (all in good fun.)
~Kurt
managed a 22 on fire 2. Couldn’t get under 57 on fire 3, ended up taking a 61
790 is probably right for fire 3. My friend managed to get 791 (and I saw it with my own eyes on the screen).
Thanks axl d for the description of the Earth 15 screen. I know what one you mean…I tested that one a million times and was sure that 16 was best! I’ll have to check it again.
…oops, I meant air 3, not fire 3. (791 on fire 3 isn’t quite as impressive).
Aaah…just got 15 on level 1 Earth. Beautiful. Thanks again, axl d. This forum is great.
Welcome
I’m really looking forward to the second round! Most fun was Earth for me.
Wish all of you good concentration for the fire puzzle and concerning air..that the ball won’t vanish before you want it to do so.
May I ask which Earth 3 board you used to get a score of 30?
I wonder if it’s the one where the screen is essentially a square within a square. I found that one to be the most difficult of the bunch…it would have felt right if the lowest score could be achieved on that board. Best score I could find for that puzzle was 33.
Exit around the middle, you start slightly above left. Four keys, not movable. You need all of them. Four barriers. Ok?
Would you tell me, which screen you took for the 24 in level 2?
Thanks!
axl, what country are you in?
did you get below 2100?
Did they take down the Round 1 puzzles?
The site seems to get partway in loading and then bails – I don’t know if it’s my browser or whether nothing is there.
I wanted to go through and verify all the lowest scores! (aaahhh!!)
~Kurt
the site works for me
Axl,
If I remember right, it’s the one that’s 14 x 14 and has one immovable key in the corner.
whats lowest for level 2 air? 697 is lowest i can get……
I actually got a 16/24/30. I couldn’t get below 16 on the first one. As to which puzzle, I couldn’t tell you. I kind of whizzed through them all with multiple attempts. I didn’t realize anyone was blogging about this stuff or I’d have paid more attention. There were a couple that kept annoying me so I kept trying hoping for a better one to come back around. Good luck in Round 2. I’m dying to go back to Rome. I think the chances are microscopic, but I’m willing to try. Vatican City is amazing and an all day must see!
@Ocubermensch
What map did you use to get 697?
You start on top left of the map, and underneath you are 3 mines slanted, the exit is on bottom right.
Axl,
Never mind, I couldn’t beat 25, and that was the 16 X 16 one with the immovable key in the spike corridor.
@ Ocubermensch
First off, every time I come back to these puzzles, there’s MORE maps I’ve never seen before. How many do they have?
Second, are you sure it was 697? I found the map and got 699, but can’t finesse a 697 as of yet.
~Kurt
Modify it a bit so you slightly touch the top wall and you should be able to get down to 697
@ Ocubermensch
That seems so counter intuitive, but it really does work. Nice job! Now I just gotta’ find the map again to get the screen shot (I was so excited I completely forgot).
thanks!
~Kurt
Thanks Brandon and Brenda ..I will try another screen on another day
.
@ ocubermensch
.
Germany. Should you still be interested in the score in about ten days, I will tell you
Btw a 20 is possible for Earth level 2, means a total 65. o_O
20? Wow!!
You guys are crazy, lol. I was trying to stay away from this discussion, but can’t seem to help it!
Axl, which is the Earth puzzle you’re talking about?
And, Kurt, I don’t understand…why wouldn’t you be collecting screenshots of past puzzles anyway? You’ve some sort of a blog going on…or is it just prep for Rnd 2? Either way, i admire the level of commitment you all have.
Cheryl
Oops, I meant to ask Kurt why he is collecting screenshots, not why he isn’t. I think I need some caffeine…
@ axl d
I second the motion – what Earch Level 2 puzzle do you get 20 on?
@ Cheryl
I just like having proof. I’m going back with these ‘lowest scores’ and verifying them for myself. It’s practice for sure, but the screen shots are for my own personal OCD I guess. Haha. But you never know when something could come of use!
~Kurt
nice axl, you are in germany that means i still might have a chance at country prize
@ ocubermensch
Unless you have a score below 2100 and multiple accounts, David will be very hard to beat for the US country prize. Anything is possible of course.
Kurt, haha…totally understand. Btw, I just sent you an email at the firecodechanged address.
Ocubermensch, considering that you’ve been after Axl’s details with such gusto, don’t you think you should reveal your scores as well? It seems a little unfair otherwise…
Cheryl
Earth level 2: You know the screen with the five squares? One little square in each corner and one in the middle. You start in the upper left, exit is in the lower right corner. Four movable keys, six barriers. Try it
, maybe it gets even better.
God..65. -.- Where is this going to end?
Thanks Axl.
Early in the game someone posted on Yahoo Answers the following scores for Earth-15, 16, 18 and a score of 700 for Air Level 3. I could never match them so, I just hoped it wasn’t true. Maybe they really are possible.
@ Casey
15/16/18?!? 700?!?
@ axl d
I’m hoping they will eventually post the best possible scores once the contest is finished.
~Kurt
@ Kurt
That’s what I thought! Impossible, but if Axl can get level 2 down to 20 with the possibility of going lower, who knows? There are a lot of different orders the movable keys can be opened. I can’t imagine how to get a 700 in Air, though.
@Casey,
I scrolled up and noticed David posted a score of 2400, does he have another account with a lower score, if so, what is the score?
———-
Hi gang,
I haven’t posted the exact score that “my friend” achieved…forgive me for being a little paranoid. Even though the friend is a real person with a real account who is willingly collaborating with me and entered a few solutions herself, the fact that she hasn’t been the one to primarily solve the puzzles makes me reluctant to say the exact score. It’s under 2100.
697 on level 2 air is very interesting. The 699 solution never felt like a satisfying solution, since it’s not particularly creative and doesn’t take any steps to shorten the path. Kudos on 697.
I just got 687 for level 2 air. Damn. It’s the same screen as the 699, with the right-blowing air as high as it can be to affect the ball. The up-blowing one can be adjusted to result in 687. The ball doesn’t even touch the top wall.
I’m somewhat happy to say that I’m having trouble reproducing the 687, so it’s not as though it’s easy to get. If I can get it again I’ll try to be more specific about where the two icons need to be placed.
So now the best known scores are:
Earth 1: 15
Earth 2: 20
Earth 3: 30
Air 1: 393
Air 2: 687
Air 3: 790
Fire 1: 1
Fire 2: 1
Fire 3: 1 (lowest possible, but not very likely. I won’t say what I got…let’s call it 50)
Water 1: 14
Water 2: 30
Water 3: 38
Lowest possible score (using a score of 1 for fire 3):
2020
Lowest possible score (using a score of 50 for fire 3):
2069
As I understand, each computer has it’s own individual IP address, I hope everyones “friends” scores are submitted on their own computers. I would think that a contest of this magnitude would check out any potential winner with the data stored on their server and see how many entries came from the same IP address. “Why yes, all 20 of my friends registered at my house!” I don’ t think they’d buy that as legit.
Lee11,
Why not? My friend was visiting me at our home when I told her about the contest. She registered while here and played every time she came to visit.
@ Lee11
Yes, you would think so, but the rules for this contest make no mention of IP addresses. It might be a good idea for contest promoters to limit entries to 2 or 3 per IP. That would take in account families using the same computer. However, contestants determined to have multiple accounts can always find a way. It is very hard to monitor.
…although I would agree that 20 registered users from the same home would be suspect. Still not illegal though and impossible to prove that many different people played on the same computer.
I would guess (and hope) that as long as all accounts are legitimately associated with different people with independently verifiable e-mail addresses, that it’s above board.
Well David we are close, but sounds like you have slightly better score at the moment, good luck in round 2
David didn’t say, but he could have more than 1 “friend” with a score near or below 2100. If this is so, he will have more than 1 chance at achieving a low final Fire score. This could certainly give him the advantage.
Ocubermensch,
What country are you in? It would be great if we could both win. I wish you all the best too.
At this point, any scores within 50 points of one another are very competitive, and any scores within 10 points have almost identical odds of winning (if the fire puzzle is the same as level 3 or harder). The winner will certainly need a little luck.
The top 20 scores at the end of this contest will probably belong to the 20 most skilled competitors, but the winner may simply be the luckiest of those 20.
David
The scores on air can in fact be much lower. I’ve been waiting for days to see who else discovered 633 for air level 2.
633! That’s amazing! Did you submit that score?
Would you be willing to say what board you got that on?
I don’t mind. It’s the one with 3 keys in the middle. You need 3 air tiles to do it. One a little below the rt. of the ball blowing to the left. And 2 more slightly below and to the left of the first tile I mentioned. One blowing up and one blowing to the right (almost on top of each other). I think most people assumed it would require so many air tiles to pass through 3 keys it wouldn’t work. But it’s actually less distance than any of the others.
@ Lee11
You’re a genius! I am kicking myself because I used 3 winds exactly the way you described for this puzzle, too, but I never seemed to be able to get it under 700. You had the patience to keep tweaking it.
That’s fantastic. I haven’t been able to reproduce that yet but I trust that it can be done. Congratulations, Lee11…that’s really impressive. I certainly had tried something similar many times before deciding that it wouldn’t lead to low scores. I wonder how many people figured that out.
Did you do as well on all the other sections?
And Casey, were you able to get 633 (or something close)?
Okay, I was able to reproduce the 633. Sigh. That’s a huge advantage to those who figured it out, and I can only imagine that there are quite a few others who aren’t posting online who got that too. It’s a much more elegant solve than the 699 that many of us submitted.
Hard to make up 66 points elsewhere, but anything’s possible.
Well done.
wow if 633 is possible in round 2 pretty sure my chances are low
ditto.
I started playing with that one again yesterday with the same strategy but wasn’t able to get it under 700, then I saw the 633 post. I thought there might be something to it since my first try I got 714. I gave up on that one before really giving it a shot, too. That one could be a game changer.
I wonder whether everyone will have the same puzzles (other than fire) come the 6th. I doubt it.
In any case, it’s nice to blog with you all, you all seem like pretty bright bulbs. I think you’d have to be terribly brilliant to win this thing. Good luck to you all.
633?! And like people have said, that’s just the lowest that people willing to post have found. I don’t want to imagine what the absolute lowest is.
*sigh*
~Kurt
I have an idea that I think would be fun to keep the discussion going and would be good practice.
Play each level 3 puzzle once. Do not reset the puzzle. Post your scores on this board.
Unfortunately we’re all fairly familiar with all of the puzzles, but I think it will give a pretty good idea for realistic scoring outcomes.
Hey Lee what was ur score for round 1
Wanna hear a funny story? It was the last day for water, I looked at the rules which said last puzzle must be completed by 9:59 am. I thought it was supposed to be midnight or something. It was 9:42 am and I still hadn’t submitted last 2 water scores or the photosynth. I freaked out and started to try to at least get scores submitted (no time for perfection) and finished at 9:57 with a crappy total for water of 108. Now here’s the funny part. A few minutes later I looked at my cell phone and yelled “OOOOOHHH Fuuuu…..”. My husband was like “What’s wrong with you?” It was only Feb 26. It’s a little funnier now, but not much!
633?! Great!
Wow..that’s tough..
Many of us lost these 66 points.. The more people with the 633, the lower our chances, I guess. But hey, nothing’s impossible! Don’t give up yet!
Great discussion here
lol good story lee, but did you still manage to get under 2100?
@ Lee
Something similar:
I had held off from submitting any scores for ANY of the puzzles until Feb. 26th with the thought that “Earth isn’t ‘due’ until the morning of the 27th and it would be best to continue practicing as long as possible.”
To make it short, a friend of mine (also playing) texted me and made me realize that EVERYTHING was due by the following morning. I panicked! I was up ’till 4am finishing the puzzles cause I knew I had a 9:00am meeting at work the next morning (so I couldn’t do any of it there). I came in the next morning, had my meeting, got back to the lab, had lunch, then came back to this forum and realized that the deadline was not EST, it was PST. I had until 12:59pm to finish. And every time someone posts the newest low score, I just want to cringe. Haha
@ Brandon
I think that’s a GREAT idea. I’ll go through it a couple times tonight and get back.
~Kurt
First attempt,
e 39
a 879
f 126
w 50
First attempt total 1094
Second Attempt:
e 38
a 1141 (the one where you have to go to the left then all the way back to the right)
f 94
w 62
2nd total: 1335
Third attempt:
e 46
a 815
f 87
w 38
Total: 986
So glad this forum is here. There aren’t a whole lot of people I know who wouldn’t be bored to tears hearing about the details, and I know better than to subject my wife to more than 5 minutes per day about it!
Lee11 and ocubermensch – would you be willing to say which 50-point range your scores are in? 2000-2050 / 2050-2100 / 2100-2150, etc.?
Lee11 – did you find a way to beat 393 or 791 for the other levels of air?
On another topic:
As far as someone using multiple accounts for this contest, it would be very difficult for one person to complete more than one competitive account. If the only way to get the lowest scores on fire is to play it for hours until you get lucky (and combine skill with luck on level 3 unless you’re outrageously lucky), few people would have the ability to dedicate that kind of time to multiple accounts.
First Attempt:
E: 45
A: 907
F: 125
W: 48
Total: 1125
@Brandon
Nice run!
@ David
There only needs to be ONE person who takes that much time to do the “difficult” and complete multiple competitive accounts. Remember, there’s only one winner.
~Kurt
@Kurt
That’s certainly true, but the number of hours in a day does put a realistic limit on the number of entries even a maniac could accomplish. Maybe 4-5 if they fully dedicated their life to the task, but not 20.
Back to the 633 score…that’s particularly impressive because there’s a way to get something like 715 that looks for all the world to be the most efficient way to solve it. The ball just touches the left-most key and then takes a direct arc to the hole. After seeing that, even a perfectionist would be tempted to assume that it would be tough to shave 15 points off the score, let alone 83.
There’s no way to stumble across that 633 solve by accident…those who got it deserve the advantage they hold.
Since we’ve got a few days to pass before round 2, a new topic to discuss could what strategies people used to get a low score for fire level 3.
My approach was to repeatedly restart the game unless one of the following occurred:
1. at least 3 white circles
2. 2 white circles plus at least 2 hollow circles
3. 1 white circle plus at least 3 hollow circles
4. at least 4 hollow circles
The plan was to play this way for one hour, write down the lowest score, and then play for as long as it took to beat that score (…it took about 4 hours).
Not sure how I’ll manage round two, since this method obviously would not apply. There’s probably no strategy better than crossing one’s fingers, taking great care to avoid mistakes, and hoping for some luck.
“bored to tears”, I love that saying
Lee…I take it you’re not comfortable talking about your scores. Should we stop asking?
Slightly under 2100. The last two digits just happen to be my lucky number so I feel like that’s the secret part.
Fair enough, and thanks for sharing. I assume you’re playing in the US?
Santa Barbara CA – Where are you guys?
Oakland, CA.
@ Brandon
first attempt
Earth: 40
Air: 803 (was lucky there)
Fire: 92
Water: 124 (<- don’t ask -.-)
total: 1059
The difference can be really high..and you’re right, we are familiar with THESE puzzles..so nothing should be decided yet.
Just got my notice saying I had made it to round two. One of 437 Canadians to do so, how many else where?
3497 made it to Round 2 in the United States.
3948 made it to Round 2….Congratualtions to the other 3,496
3497 contestants from the U.S. made it through.
Only 61 from Germany! o_O
Nice Steve,
Your odds are looking decent for a country bid. Any other low scorers from Canada that we’ve seen?
Pueblo, CO here.
@ David,
email me @ marlettfamily@yahoo.com and I will help you out with the fire. It’s a great way to separate yourself from the pack, so I’m not sure why I’m willing to help you, but if you win, you’ll have to send me a souvenir. My strategy is solid and will ALMOST ALWAYS lead to a fire score under 100.
BTW, there is a new photosynth, looks huge. It looks exactly how I imagined it would from the book.
I’m guessing they’re going to make us find the diamond shaped ambigram or the illuminati one. I’m not going to waste too much time on it til I know what I’m looking for.
4th attempt
e 36
a 1141 (there is no hope for getting a decenct score on some of those)
f 99
w 55
Total: 1331
(Air is just too important and it just seems to come down to chance.) ;(
@ Brandon
Are you talking about St. Peter’s? Wasn’t that just the practice photosynth?
5th attempt was good.
31
847
91
48
Total: 1017
@ Casey,
I never noticed it before. Maybe it’s been there all along, but I don’t remember it.
WOWOWOWO
Only 3497??? Also consider all the multiple accounts… if I would’ve known that such few people would move on to round 2 I would’ve spent more time on it.
FML
Please help. Everyone has gotten their emails and my husband and I haven’t. We did everything to our knowledge to sign up with windows live id, it told us it worked, it’s let us sign in to the game with our info. but something must not have been completed. I looked at my email, I did the confirm address for windows live id and got the email that says welcome. I don’t get this live id thing. I feel like crying.
@axl
That’s awesome odds. Probably those other 60 aren’t as crazy about this stuff as all of us are.
You’re practically a shoe-in for your country prize. It likely isn’t as exciting a prospect for you, since you’re a train ride away from the destination, but that’s really cool. I’m sure the hotel is fantastic and a movie premier for a great movie sounds like a great time. Plus, the grand prize is still in play.
This is so fun.
It’s saying I don’t have an inbox on one acct. (Isn’t that what signing up is for?) and the other acct. looks fine but no message.
@ Lee,
I just got mine at 8:02AM today. That was only a few hours ago. I wouldn’t be too worried yet. Check your junk folder, it’s not likely since it’s from MSN to be there but you never know.
Your live ID is most likely your email account that you used when you signed up. It’s likely a hotmail or an msn address or a live.com address. You will have to go to that account to find the email, I think.
If you need more help, just email me, I’ve posted my email on the board.
@ Lee11
You are not alone! I didn’t get an Email either and I signed up just like you did, without a hotmail account.
I have just sent an Email to the contest administrators at Eprize and have received an auto response that they will get back to me within 3 days. I took a guess that since Eprize is the administrator for the contest, they are the people to ask.
My board says that I am qualified for Round 2 and I am sure yours does as well, so hopefully we can continue tomorrow.
Also, we know from Kurt that the contest admins also read this blog, so maybe they will look into it today.
Is there a supposed to be a separate windows live id # apart from my email add and password I used to sign up?
Thanks for the info. Casey. How did you even find an address to email them – I looked everywhere?
Well, if you look at #2 in the contest rules it lists ePrize as contest administrator. I looked them up online and found a toll free number, where I got a recording to Email them. (It ‘s like a spy novel.)
I couldn’t get a live person, just recordings, but you might want to try again, it’s been a couple of hours. I sent the Email to fulfillment@eprizefulfillment.com which seemed to be the place to send questions about current promotions.
I hope that they are reading this blog and see that there is a problem with contestants who registered like we did.
I have a low score for Round 1, too, so I am really concerned about this.
@ Lee11
Hopefully they will write you soon. But if you have that “qualified for round 2″-message, when you sign in..you should be safe.
Keep us informed anyway!
@ Brandon
Thanks
Even if there are only 60..you never know. I will do my best! And I didn’t see Rome before, I’d LOVE to go there!
Besides, you’re right, the grand prize is great motivation!
Ya I’ve gotten those “you qualified” messages, but no emails. Just one question though – did you get your emails by logging into yahoo.com type acct. or did you actually have your email addresses tied into windows live id website?
@ Casey,
Great Detective Work!
@ Brandon
Thanks. I try!
Lee, pretty sure you need a windows live id to register for the contest……. so you wouldnt get the email to your yahoo type acct, however i dont remember the sign up screen was so long ago
Sounds like you guys are really practicing. My classes and work are keeping me far too occupied to practice. I guess I’ll just have to cross my fingers and dive in. I am curious-has anyone read the books? I read Davinci Code and just bought Angels but I had an exam today, so I wanted to wait till I finished to open it. I have a hard time putting a good book down and my exam score was much more important than this contest score, HOWEVER, not nearly as much fun. Good luck!
@ Brenda,
Angels and Demons is a fantastic book. Read it a few months ago.
The email communications that were sent function as a reminder that Round 2 starts tomorrow. Although they also indirectly confirm participation in Round 2, not receiving one is not an indication that you are not a participant. If you completed all the levels of each element and found all the Photosynth ambigrams you should be able to start playing Round 2 tomorrow at 10am PT.
@ illuminati
Thank you for responding!
Is there any way to fix the Email problem for future communications should there be any?
if admins read this board:
Please disqualify people who have multiple entries from the same IP, I do not understand how that would be justified as fair when people like myself only have 1 entry submitted on this IP
It really angers when I read people like David publicly admitting to submitting various entries and people like casey saying things like “David didn’t say, but he could have more than 1 “friend” with a score near or below 2100. If this is so, he will have more than 1 chance at achieving a low final Fire score. This could certainly give him the advantage.”
Cheaters, I thought maybe you didn’t receive an e-mail because you cheated and have multiple entries
Oh well, good luck and I hope a cheater like David, or someone who supports cheating like Casey doesn’t win
@ ocubermensch
You have totally misinterpreted me. I have no idea what score David has and I don’t personally know him. I was just speculating on the possibilities based on David’s previous posts on this forum regarding the strategy he was using. I was reading between the lines when I guessed his score was under 2100 and I was right. I thought his comments were far too detailed and well thought out for his score to be just mediocre.
I certainly do not support cheating and do not understand what I have written that makes you think I do.
ok sry for misinterpreting you
but i still I hope the admins can figure out a way to differentiate between legit entries and multiple entries from cheaters like David
Dumb question…couldn’t find it in the rules…if you happen to get killed on your first attempt will you continue to get attempts until you complete the puzzle as in the first round (as your score mounts ever higher) or are you just out? I am assuming/hoping that isn’t the case.
oh for some reason it sounded like you are really close to david since you seemed to know a lot about david’s multiple entries and scores
my bad
If you look at scoring criteria in the rules, it says
Your score will be determined based on the Scoring Criteria described in Section 5(a) above. You must complete all four (4) puzzles in Round 2 by the required deadline to record a score.
5a rules:
•Puzzle 1 score = (number of rotations) + (number of jumps) + (distance (per grid unit) the sphere traveled) + (number of deaths x 10)
•Puzzle 2 score = (distance (per pixel) the sphere traveled) + (number of ‘air’ tiles used x100);
•Puzzle 3 score = (total number of pegs placed) + (number of rounds needed to complete x10); and
•Puzzle 4 score = (total number of moves) + (number of deaths x10).
So yeah, you can get killed but it’ll really hurt your score greatly
I guess I still just don’t really understand why some people get a “congratulations” reminder and some don’t. That’s weird!
ocubermensch
With all due respect. We have three adults in our home who did the contest, all of us have seperate emails and are all of age. No where in the rules did it state that all three of us couldn’t play (even with the same ip address). All three of us are registered seperately with our real info.
Would you suggest we should all be disqualified as well? (our scores were nothing fabulous but that’s not really the point now is it?)
To all admins:
First of all, thank you for creating a contest that has been very enjoyable so far. Please help those of us on both sides of a debate to clarify the contest rules:
Is it against contest rules to encourage a friend to register, and then to work with them to complete the contest? My friend and I have honestly both worked on it…she has played every puzzle, can reproduce the solutions, and understands all the details of the contest through direct participation. However, being a more avid puzzle person, I was able to find lower scores than her for each level and showed her how to achieve those solutions.
I also openly admit that for all the fire levels, even though she completely understands the method, I did the grunt work of reloading the games because I had more time to devote to the task. I see this as teamwork, although I understand that others here see it otherwise.
Because I would not be able to go to Rome for family reasons, we are using her account as the competitive one. Again, with complete honesty, we are planning to get together to play my round 2 as a practice run, and then attempt hers as the real one. This gives us an advantage, but a puzzle contest is arguably about finding ways to gain an edge while following the rules.
We took great care to read through the rules of this contest, and we would genuinely want to know if we are in violation of the rules by approaching the contest this way. Hopefully you will confirm that my friend and I can continue to play in good conscience.
Thanks, and good luck to all in round 2.
@ David
You didn’t break any rule, the contest rules are made for things they can actually control, besides the trip for Rome is for 2, so it makes sense that contestants solve the puzzles with the person they want to go to Rome with.
@ ocubermensch
I think they’ll do all they can to disqualify people multi-accounting. I don’t think they are going to be doing IP checks, because of the reason Canuckgirl explained. They’ll probably check for registrations with the same e-mail, same name, last name, address, etc And they’ll probably ask potential winners for some kind of identification to match the registration information.
I got an email saying that I am in Round 2. My score is not as good as any here. Was there some kind of draw?
I am enjoying the puzzles.
Qualification for round 2 hast nothing to do with Scores, all you had to do was complete all 4 puzzles and find the clues.
I got a 389 for Air Level 1: Is that a record???
lol
yeah thats chill if you have a couple people in ur household but it sounded like david is simply just getting names of his friends and registering with their info and submitting entries for them and can justify it based on using different identities…
so yeah i’d understand if theres a couple entries in a household but it can be exploited to enter like 10-20 entries based on that which is highly unlikely and i hope admins are checking for that
i think that is a record gamepro, what was ur total score for round 1?
Wow, how on earth (water, air, and fire…bad joke…) did our comments board become so popular?? I seriously get e-mail updates for every single post you guys make LOL. Thanks for keeping the board alive and making it as huge as it’s become.
Round 2 begins tomorrow and it looks like only 3,497 US contestants made it through. I’ve posted the entire e-mail I’ve received from Microsoft up above.
Also, don’t hesitate to check out our main site, AngryWeb
We have a ton of random, yet entertaining stuff for you guys to meander through.
OK, I’m sorry if I’m still stuck on the email thing but the game site clearly say’s “We will send an email reminder” not ” We MIGHT send an email” or “We will send SOME people reminders and not others!” I just think it’s very strange….but WHATEVA!
Where’s David at?
I must have no life because I think I checked this forum like 100 times today!
Lee11, sorry to hear that you haven’t received the email. You had a great score too! Hope it all works out and you’ve no problems logging in tomorrow. Btw, did you check your junk mail settings? Do you have some sort of automatic deletion enabled? I ask because Hotmail tagged the mail from A&D as junk mail for me…and both are part of the same organization!
Ocubermensch, while I understand your frustration, there’s no easy way for the organizers to weed out the multiple accounts. Maybe this IP address method is one way (not too comfortable with all these concepts myself) if there are a large number of submissions associated with the same IP address. However, where I live there are quite a few unsecured wireless networks floating around, so maybe one can get around this check by logging on to different networks for different accounts? I’m not sure…
Cheryl
Yah I definitely checked my junk mail. Oh well, I guess I’m not very special. But thanks anyway!
Re: Lee11, “We will send SOME people reminders and not others!”
Must’ve been written by a Microsoft intern hehehe.
Is the latest Photosynth from St. Peters another puzzle to complete or is it just from the practice round?
David, I think you are taking this a little too seriously. You can still run for Prez. even though you are cheating, as they don’t really vet anyone anyway.
St Peters Photosynth has been there since the beginning. I wandered through it while trying to figure out how to work the thing. It’s nothing new. I think everyone sounds a bit on edge-anticipation? As for those who didn’t receive emails, if you log on and it says you’re on to round 2, I’d just take it at face value. I help my husband run a business from home and if we relied on emails for anything we’d be out of business. As I figure I am one of the older people hanging out here (44), I can suggest a little advice. What is meant to be will be, just have fun and relax. If you’re tense you certainly won’t do well. I figure I’m footing the bill for my next trip to Rome and without the benefit of a glam movie premier, so I’m just going to give it my best shot. Good luck!
I am in Texas by the way. It’s hot and not in a Paris Hilton kind of way…
Hey Brenda, one of my best friends lives in the Woodlands, TX.
Thanks Brenda!
@steve,
lol…you’re right, I should probably relax a bit. still, no one likes to be called a cheater, and I’d rather clarify things now than have my friend go through an inquisition later.
@gamepro,
389! Impressive. By the way, I recall the name gamepro from the ATT / DAR forums on a website called tweleve.org…are you the same person?
FWIW, I’ve not received an e-mail either. Maybe it’s because the word is out that I’m collaborating with a friend, or maybe they learned that I once pulled on a puppy’s tail when I was 4. My account seems to be working fine though.
@Lee11
Glad to know I’m not the only one with an addiction to this forum…I find it all quite exciting. It’s a great break from changing diapers and going to work!
@Lee11
I shop in The Woodlands all the time…I live in Huntsville and there aren’t many options….no crowds or traffic though! My sister and parents live in The Woodlands. It’s about 45 mins south of me but work takes us there frequently so it’s not out of the way. To give you some idea, Huntsville is FINALLY getting a Target store. I’m giddy with anticipation ; )
Oh and where are you Lee?
@Admins
It seems you wanted to make this contest all about skill, but that’s not possible, contestants also have to be lucky.
To get very low scores on round 2:
Earth = skill
Air = perfection/luck
Fire = Some methods can be used to “crack the code” but when you get to the point where you know what the last two numbers are but not the position it’s all about chance. And those 14 points can make you loose the prize.
Water = skill
You should give prizes to the people with the best scores after the Country Winner, it could be the first 20, a score range or the ones that took the least amount of days to submit a final score on each puzzle. The prize could be something like tickets for the movie premiere at a local movie theater.
After the contest is over please post the lowest possible scores for each level and a list of the best scores, if we don’t win at least we can brag a little about our rank lol
Santa Barbara, California
Brenda – I don’t have a Target either. LOL
@gamepro,
How did you get 387? I still can’t seem to beat 393. I assume it’s the same screen (just the ball, a box above it, and the door above the box). I get 393 by going around the right side of the box…working on the left side doesn’t work as well.
Is it possible to get the same low score solving any version of the puzzles?
The Saint Peter’s photosynth is already active I believe. I am trying to figure out how that braclet thing that appears actually works as a map. If anyone else already knows, feel free to share. I think the ambigram is going to be a diamond shape of the first 4, like in the book.
The air one is still killing me. I’ve been practising like a loon and the lowest I can get on level 3 air is 678
OH…PS. Good luck to all. This has been fun. Rome is probably the most amazing place I’ve ever been. I’ve even been to the Scavi where St. Peter’s bones are and did the Angels and Demons tour a few years back.
I’m not really doing the contest to win but I would give anything to go back again.
@ moz,
I am 100% sure that some puzzles have much higher lowest possible scores than others. Water is a great example. Some of the easier water 3 have a minimum score of 55, while one has a 38 (pretty sure that’s the lowest). Earth is the same way, but it’s a little closer, I think
Also, I think the local movie premier tickets idea is great. Unfortunately, I think they already made their budget for this contest and I expect them to stick with it. It does kinda suck that there really isn’t any kind of consolation prize mentioned. A bunch of us worked really hard (to get something for nothing).
@ Eugene,
Why is your web angry? Did someone knock it down with a broom?
i wonder if theres a place you could go to see a list of all the scores obtained by contestants. Also it would be great if there was some way to find out the absolute lowest possible scores per puzzle.
@ Mr. Conductor,
This is the closest thing you’re going to find unless the good admins decide to share with us (if they even know).
zomg 20 mins till new round~
@ Mr. Conductor
I would sure be nice if they’d post all lowest possible scores once the contest finishes, but I doubt it’ll happen.
@ Brandon
It HAS to be known what the lowest scores are and it’s most likely a team of computer programmers/engineers. But will they reveal the full extenet of their accomplishments? I doubt it.
@ Everyone
Does anyone find this odd:
“Remember, if you have the lowest combined score from Round One and Round Two, you will become the potential country winner, and will receive a trip for two to Rome to attend the premiere of Angels & Demons and more.”
Lowest score = POTENTIAL country winner
They’ll definitely do some sort of investigation to make sure you didn’t “cheat.”
~Kurt
@Kurt
The POTENTIAL part could refer to varing laws in different jurisdictions. Here, in Canada, to win you will have to answer a skill testing question to receive the prize, mess that up and no win. 16 celcius today, the only plus side to global warming
So I just tried to start round 2 and it’s still posting the message that the round starts on March 6th @ 10am. Well, it’s 12:53pm on March6th. Where’s round 2?!
10 am Pacific Time
@ Shayna
That is 10 AM PST.
I just saw the final puzzles, and then I went and hid under my blanket!
ahhhhh, it would have helped if i read the whole reminder e-mail. lol
thanks
@ Lee,
How did you see them without doing them?
Is it like a level 4 (harder than level 3)?
That’s what I was hoping for.
It just shows 4 FINAL PUZZLES to click on – practice puzzles are gone.
@ Brandon
I completely agree. While I was hoping (for my sanity) that they’d be like level 3, a part of me was always hoping that I’d open them and they’d be just insane!
@ Lee
Second to Brandon’s response, how did you see ‘em?
~Kurt
be careful wut u say u c how brandon is fishing for info man f u bro
if u want a chance of winning i wouldnt post anything regarding puzzles, except photosynth related stuff but whatever if u wanan give people free stuff
@ Lee11, “I just saw the final puzzles, and then I went and hid under my blanket!”
That really did make me LOL…touche’.
F u? I’m really hoping that doesn’t mean what it obviously means. That’s not cool!
Well if anyone on this board makes it to Rome, send me a postcard.
Earth 1:……156
Air 1:………..4355
Fire 1:………225
Water 1:…..114
Total 1:……4850
Earth 2:……65
Air 2:………..1574
Fire 2:………198
Water 2:…..151
Total 2:…….1988
================
Grand Total: 6838
================
I don’t know whether it’s better to have a beer to keep my hands from shaking uncontrollably when I play or if that will just end up making me too stupid to play at all?!
Just Scored 260 For Fire, Only 476 for Canada.
@ Mr.Conductor
You’re going to have to post an address if you want a postcard. haha. Definitely seems like Round 2′s gonna’ make this a LONG weekend.
I got 54 on Earth. Air is once again freaking killing me!!
Canada here too msiiart
Mr. Conductor – you are sooooo brave jumpin in there – I can hardly bring myself to log myself in there again! Good Job!
Of course I’m fishing for information! I’m not sure what difference it could make knowing the level of difficulty. It’s not like I’m asking everyone to post their entire solutions on this board, though I would appreciate it if they did.
I love the spirited discussion.
@ Lee11 (and Mr.Conductor)
I think by the end of this, we’re going to realize that Mr.Conductor had it right from the beginning; “I’m not gonna’ win, so just have fun and get it over with – don’t let it eat at me.”
Congrats Mr.Conductor. You were the FIRST to finish the POI Contest. You get that title at least!
~Kurt
are they harder than level 3?
Lee11,
You don’t know what touche’ means, look it up. Fu back.
Round 2 – 2075
Total – 5080
Steve – not u – did u see what ocubermensch said to Brandon?
Oh
Earth – 50
Air – 1818
Fire – 125
Water – 82
@ Mark
Good job!
@ Brandon
Aren’t we all?! Haha
~Kurt
you guys are cracking me up.
Ya, I was just trying to say that I hope Ocubermensch didn’t mean what it looked like he meant because there’s no reason to talk to anyone here that way!
@ Mark
You’re the low scorer for now. Congrats.
I am working on the Water puzzle and the direction arrows are not responding. Is anyone else having this problem.I have not had this problem before – in practice or in sample Water puzzles.
My computer may go to sleep if I leave the screen idle for too long and then I don’t know what will happen to my attempt at Water.
And then the arrows worked. What’s up?
Just finished:
Round 1-3497
Round 2 total-3349
Grand total- 6783
@Mark- Congrats you beat me.
Good luck to everyone else! Air killed me (again).
Just finished rd2. rd 1 scores were way off, but total for both was like10,000. Oh well, really enjoyed it all. Good luck everyone.
My son just finished his second round
E-54
Fire- 105
Water – 114 (he screwed up)
Air – 1772
Total round 2 for son: 2045
Round one??? welll….not so hot at 6605.
My turn
Round 1 – 5686
Round 2 – 2453
Total – 8139
Not great but let’s hope it is enough to qualify for Canada. It’s been fun.
I want to know why my son got a wayyyy easier air than I did.
So far for me
Fire: 70
Earth :52
For those of us that did not receive the reminder message, would someone PLEASE post what it said?
@ Canuckgirl- I was wondering how in the world your son managed with a 1772! My air was ridiculously hard too!
total for both rounds:4315
I did the second round.
I messed up Fire and air.
Earth 83
Air 2307 (8-(
Fire 802
Water 97
Totals for both 6992
Fun doing the puzzles!
Congrats Andrea,
You’re in the lead of those who have posted. That looks like a really good score from what I’ve seen here. That might hold up for a while. Air definitely looks like the game changer as predicted.
Anyone mind saying whether fire is still 6 digits using 1-8 or if it’s something else this time?
I have left several comments but they are not showing up. Hopefully I did something right this time.
You can view the puzzles then click the return to puzzles link at the bottom left of the screen. That way you can choose which puzzle you WANT to play.
I have also posted some pics of the puzzles over at Tweleve.org.
You can view comments there without registering. But if you want to view pics you need to register. Here is a link to register: http://tweleve.org/index.php?referrerid=26946
Good luck to everyone. I personally am going to wait to play.
I just wonder if you are in the middle of a puzzle and screw up if you can click that return to puzzles link?
Yes, fire is still the same
@ replay
A copy of the Email has been posted at the top of this page.
It is highlighted in beige.
After i did second round it didn’t let me know what was going to happen next. Do i just wait now for them to anounce it when game is over?
@ casey
Thanks casey! I’ve just been refreshing the page for new comments and didn’t think to go back to the top. :-}
***ATTENTION***
We have crossed the 400 post mark and wanted to know from all of you if you are OK posting here or would you like us to create a forum for this topic to avoid confusion?
Email me at angryweb@gmail.com and let me know!
[quote: We have crossed the 400 post mark and wanted to know from all of you if you are OK posting here or would you like us to create a forum for this topic to avoid confusion?
Email me at angryweb@gmail.com and let me know!]
Will all the posts still show up like they are now. Or will we have two places to see all the posts?
My scores:
Earth: 55
Air: 2184 (which seriously stinks considering the puzzle my son got…hmpf)
Fire: 70
Water: 92
Total Round 2: 2403
My bad, Lee11. It’s all good.
No reason to be “cloak and dagger” (pun intended) about info, because by next week it will all be general knowledge. Whoever wins is gonna have hellof taxes to pay, anyway.
I like posting here, for the record. Not broke…don’t fix.
Oh, I remember way back when I was post 95. Those were the days…
@Lee11: Thank you for acknowledging my “bravery” for jumping in. Bravery comes in many forms, and it just depends on the person. For instance, bravery for me came in liquid form and appeared in front of me taking the form of a brown bottle, and beside it, a small glass capable of holding one liquid ounce.
And to any people who think that getting the answers from a posting site is “cheating” by others showing or telling how to solve the puzzle(s) along with the photosynths, its not. I believe in today’s world, the word “cheating” has less of a stigma on it and has evolved into “advanced forms of teamwork” and everone who posted on this site should be considered teammates.
With that being said, I wish to thank all of you who have helped their fellow teammates get through these past nervewracking weeks and I, personally, could’nt have done it without you all as well.
Good luck to everyone!!
please keep posts here
I like teamwork as well.
I have found at least three puzzles for each level (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). Taking screen shots of them and posting them here: **NO LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES**
I only have a few there but will be updating them later tonight. Remember we all have until next week to play these puzzles.
Has anyone started a puzzle, didn’t like how it was going and clicked the return to puzzles feature?
j
Well I just got done with round 2…Not as good as I hoped it would be. Looks like no Rome for me either
Round 1: 3676
Round 2: 2288
Total: 5964
No Rome but it was fun, wasn’t it?
Watching a documentary about the Titanic at the moment. At least losing the contest is not as bad as being stuck at the bottom of the ocean for all eternity…though it may feel like it at first. And NO, I haven’t taken the time to do the puzzles yet ! I’m dreading that feeling myself and procrastinating-not in the interest of cheating, just plain fear of the unknown. Wish I felt more confident, but I am really dreading AIR. Funny, I don’t usually suffer from air sickness : )
btw posting here is great, thanks for asking
So far..
Round 1 – 3121
and Round 2-
Fire – 79
Water -69
I just have that feeling Air will screw me over…
Total score 4734. im from canada tho
Round 2
Air: 1202 (, wife is not amused)
Earth: 57 (should have done better)
Fire: 105
Water:78
Total Round two: 1442 (I’m pretty proud of that number)
Too bad I sucked so badly in round one bringing my total to 5398
Ok just finished
Earth – 59
Air – 1019
Total – 4347
Great job on Air Kobe!! WOW. I’m seriously annoyed with my luck of the draw there over husband and son.
Looks like you could be in lead in Canada, Jeremy. Canuckgirl may be close in that range too. I don’t think she’s said what her round one score was.
Good luck, eh
OK -
You can quit a game and your score starts over. But it seems that you get the same game until you close down the website and come back in, and then you can get a new (possibly easier) puzzle. Wish I’d known that before I got my air score. Oh well.
@ Adam (and others)
So wait! You can hit the return button, or even close down the browser and it allows you to come back, sign back in and restart?, even on a new puzzle?!
I figured they couldn’t block that option.
@ Canuckgirl’s husband
Awesome scores!
~Kurt
I’m so discouraged. I thought that meant one attempt (no matter what) and I got a super lame air puzzle. And I have tried like hell to figure out an algorithm and I can’t. I don’t know how so many people are getting – like 70′s their only attempt.
Adam,
I thought you only got one try too (haven’t dared to begin yet). So it’s only when you actually complete a puzzle, lousy score or not, that it automatically records that score and shuts you out?
Also — what about the photosynth?
There are some really great scores posted here. Congrats!
Dede
an algorithm for fire that is!
@ j15bell
I’ve tried to find the screen shots you said you posted on twelve.org, but am unable to locate them.
~Kurt
Oh Brandon. Jeremy has nothing to worry from me. My first scores stunk too. I think my final tally was close to 6000. Hubby whooped my butt with his final air score. I didn’t find this place until after I finally finished the air section of phase one and didn’t realize you could even get such low scores. I’ve been practising though.
BTW…Logging in and out of the browser did nothing to change my air puzzle. I had the triangle of starbombs, a wall, it was a nightmare. Darling husband had pretty much a straight line and only a few scattered bombs. I was not amused (he is right).
Lee…seriously, my 70 score in fire was by pure luck.
This was alot of fun!!
@ Lee11
Here’s the problem with attempting to back-calculate (per se) an algorithm for Fire:
If the makers of the contest were smart, they would set up the entire contest to run from one central point (as opposed to treating each computer a player is using as one point). If the computer you’re using Lee11 was a separate point (from which the algorithm was originally working), then you could figure it out. However, if they set it up so that the algorithm is being accessed centrally from all computers playing at one moment, then you’d have no chance to figure it out (unless you were the only person playing at one time, which they help avoid by making the contest international).
Believe me, I gave a lot of thought to attempting to configure the algorithm too, but decided it would be useless. Good luck if you continue though (ya’ never know!)
~Kurt
Kurt,
It is my understanding that you need to register to view pictures on the forum. I listed the link to register above but will do so again. It is free to register.
**NO LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES**
There is a thread dedicated to the game:
**NO LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES**
The first pics should be on pages 11 & 12. I was able to get back on the internet just a few mins ago and am working on getting screen shots of every puzzle that I can find. I will post screenshots of each one I find.
Hope that helps.
j
sorry Kurt. I guess external links are not allowed here. too bad! thought the team work and showing screen shots where they can be posted would help us all.
I can be contacted via email. j15bell@aol.com
***ATTENTION***
NO LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES THAT CAN BE REGARDED AS SPAM. I WILL BAN USERS FOR DOING SO AND IF IT CONTINUES WE WILL CLOSE DOWN COMMENTS OR FORCE USERS TO REGISTER.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR OPEN COMMENTING SYSTEM.
@j15bell
If you would like to display images, please contact me and I will post them here.
Daniel Nasserian,
Again. Sorry.
[quote]NO LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES THAT CAN BE REGARDED AS SPAM.[/quote]
That site could NEVER be regarded spam. It is a very respected site.
I am merely trying to be a part of a community discussing this game. And will continue to do so at the other site. Thank you for the clarification of rules that I didn’t know existed.
Thank you for the heads up that images can be posted on here.
Good luck to all that are playing.
j
@ Lee11
Just wanted you (and others concerned about not getting the Email yesterday) to know I received this very gracious (and quick) response from ePrize customer service.
“Thank you for contacting us regarding the Angels and Demons Path of iIllumination Contest. Your question is very important to us.
We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We have looked into the matter and found that you did qualify for the next round. We have made the appropriate corrections, and you can go ahead and participate tomorrow in the second round.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.”
Are other people finding that if they log out before submitting a score that they get a new air puzzle? Or is it like Canuckgirl said and you have a puzzle basically assigned to you no matter how many times you log out?
I have clicked to play a puzzle, then clicked on the “return to puzzles” link at the lower left. When I clicked on a puzzle to play again I got a new puzzle.
Thanks Casey!
@ j15bell
That’s both amazing and horrible.
Amazing: we get to PRACTICE!!
Horrible: There goes my weekend!!
~Kurt
What does it mean in the rules where it says use of script, macro, or automated system is prohibited?
@Kurt
There goes my weekend too, and well done to all my fellow Canadians!
@ Lee11,
Good question. I don’t know.
I will post that over at Tweleve.org and see if I get an answer.
I found four different EARTH puzzles so far. Some are prickly!!
Looks like a sub4000 total is going to be needed to have a chance.
@ steve
Have you seen 4000?
@ Lee11,
Here is the answer I got from a fellow Twelever:
They are usually automated tasks/programs that once you start that require as little input from the user to accomplish something.
That’s usually in place to prevent computers making move decisions for you. As long as you are pressing the mouse or keyboard button to move the ball/block/flame then you are in the clear.
@brenda
I got 4153 on my girlfriend’s account, but first round was particularly high on the air part. My personal one is much lower, so I imagine I can come in just under 4000. Some of these cats on here, though, have 1st round scores 200-300 lower than mine. I’m going to do all but air and save it for last.
Round 1:
Earth- 87
Air- 2328
Fire- 241
Water- 122
Total: 2778
Round 2:
Earth- 54
Air- 1285
Fire- 80
Water- 77
Total: 1496
Final Score: 4274
@ j15bell
“Prickly”? Haha
@ Steve
Sub 4000 total?! Uh-oh. That gives me 1500 tops as a goal for Round 2. I think I agree…Air will be last, but I probably won’t “submit” anything ’till thursday anyways.
*sigh* All for Rome!
~Kurt
What seems to be the lowest scores possible? It sucks that we can only get one try.
Victoria has the number one score posted so far!
Congrats, V!
well, didn’t get sub 4k, but got close.
Round 1
Earth – 107
Air – 2233
Fire – 212
Water – 112
Total – 2664
Round 2
Earth – 53
Air – 1067
Fire – 197
Water – 67
Total – 1384
Grand Total – 4048
Nicely done, Gerbie
You take the top spot!
Where you from, Gerb?
I’m near Atlanta, GA, USA.
On a side note, has anyone seen any other forums/boards/etc. where people have been posting scores, experiences, and what not. So far this is the only one I’ve found.
Well, I fell off the water thing twice because apparently their direction of forward was different from mine LOL.
I’m going to revise my prediction of what it will take to win. I think it will be in the 3400-3500 range. For myself I see a possible 3650, but I won’t be able to squeeze out those extra 200 points I wasted on Air in first round.
Gerbzilla – which air puzzle did you do in round 2? All of them looked bad.
Something to make you guys go hmmmmm. (not you Gerbzilla LOL)
I was looking at the low round 1 scores that were posted for air and they don’t seem to be humanly possible. Think about it. (now I don’t know much about computers, so correct me if I’m wrong) Ok, the screen is generally 800 x 600 pixels. In the air round, you score 1 point per pixel that the ball moved PLUS 100 points per each air used. So, if you used 3 airs – that is 300 points before the ball even starts to move. In round 3, you needed at least 3 airs for for the puzzle. With the hole being clear across the other side of the screen on most of the puzzles, that is about 600 pixels away. The numbers don’t add up. Even if you did the one with the ball and the hole in the upper left corner, you need to get to the key then come back again, plus you need to use some winds to do all that. To get to the key would be about 300-400 pixels then they need to get back again. That’s at least 600 pixels with out any winds! So either they used a computer program to play the game or they are full of BS and are trying to psych the rest of us out.
I hope the cheaters are caught and the rest of us who didn’t cheat will have a fair shot at winning this thing.
I think the LOWEST POSSIBLE score for Fire would be a 10 for any puzzle, level 1 OR 2. But for that to happen would mean all flames must be on the lowest level (so you dont have to move the slider) and all inline. Therefore all you would have to do is just hit submit. Then again, what are the odds of that happening?
Did I confuse anyone with what I just said? If I did, im sorry. I just realized on my 4th cup of strong coffee and feeling kinda jittery right now and I cant help myself from rambling on and on and on and on and on and…..GAH!!!!
I wrote a long post on here and it didn’t show up. Oh well. I don’t feel like doing it again.
Mainly what it said was that it doesn’t seem humanly possible to get such low round 1 air scores given that the screen is 800×600 pixels and they scored 1 point for every pixel that the ball moved plus 100 points for every air used.
I just hope the cheaters are caught and the rest of us who didn’t cheat will get a fair shot at winning this.
Oh, sorry … it just showed up. Don’t know why it didn’t show up the first time.
Mr. Conductor
The lowest score possible would be a 1 on fire. If you moved 1 slider and didn’t let go until until it was in the postion you wanted the score board would say 1 when you finally let go. Then if you hit submit and it happened to be correct, you scored a 1. If you needed another shot, they add on 10 points for being wrong, so the second least score would be a 12.
@Annie
I saw your post, quite lengthy but I got what you said. Basically what your saying is, the smaller the computer screen, the smaller the score?
This will probably get me banned, but oh well. Did you know you can practice in round 2 as much as your little hearts desire? Even if you complete the puzzle? Yes, it’s true folks! The game does not stream from the main server. It downloads everything associated with that puzzle to you computer the instant you click on it. So, what you can do is click on E, A, F, or W and allow it to download, then switch off your internet connection. You can play as much as you want and the score will never be recorded. On Air, for instance, you could get your system set up for the lowest possible score that works, then switch your connection back on, reset your tiles and knock it out. “Why”, you might ask, am I doing this? Because I’m angry at whoever designed the Air puzzle. It required too much luck, and I blew it on my try before I knew how to beat the system. My total is going to come in around 3750 now because of that thing. Way too high to go anywhere, nonetheless Rome.
Steve,
do you mean to just close down your browser or actually turn off your Wifi?
Haven’t dared try Round 2 yet, but practice will help.
Thanks.
Dede
Jeez, so many posts in one day! Don’t people have to work Fridays anymore?
Round 2 has been a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT, in my opinion. It’s the exact same thing as Round 1! There you clicked on “Do not submit score” button, here you click on “Return to Puzzles”…that’s about it. I’m not in the running for any prize, but I thought it’d be fun to get just one attempt where people get to test whatever strategies they learned in Round 1. That way, those whose claim to low scores was that they sat in front of the computers for over a 100 hours would be weeded out. Instead, it turned out to be another slog.
I believe that while the individual puzzles are very well thought out, the organizers dropped the ball on how they came together. At the end of this contest, the winner will have around 3400 points, 3000 of which will be from Air. Cutting down Air scores by a factor of 10 would’ve made this contest a good match-up of skill vs. persistence vs. logic. Very sad indeed…
Cheryl
Steve in K.C.,
Just read your post. Wonderful! Very smart of you to think of this and very nice of you to share. I’m super impressed! As you can tell from my prior post, I fully concur with your opinion of this contest as well.
Cheryl
Mr. Conductor
I don’t think so. From what I understand, the basic screen is 800×600 pixels. So, who ever made the puzzle used this as a base. My screen happens to be 1024×768, but the measurements from the puzzle corresponded to the 800×600. For example. In round 1 there was a puzzle with the ball at the lower bottom of the screen and the hole on the lower right. Since the ball and hole were not on the very edges of the puzzle, the length between them was probably around 600 pixels (100 off each end), now you add on 1 wind at 100 points, you have 700 points before the ball even moves! Each little bounce the ball takes during its travels adds on pixels … so people claiming that they did that puzzle with 650 points are full of shit.
But Annie. I have seen screen shots of the solved air puzzles with the low scores. If I hadn’t seen them I never would have believed it myself. I hated Air too and got frustrated. I wish I’d figured out how to get the scores lower before I submitted round one but c’est la vie. What I didn’t like was the the variation of air puzzles on Round two. I thought my son had a really easy one in comparison to mine, then my husband’s came up and I was all…No friggen way!! His was simple.
I was getting some really low scores on Air when I was just goofing around after submitting round one.
@ Gerbzilla
I have mentioned a place several times. Specifically here:
j15bell, on March 6th, 2009 at 11:41 am said: so you should scroll up and find that.
I am trying to collect screen shots of all the puzzles in round 2 and post them.
j
and once I have found what I think are all the puzzles I will give that link to the admin here.
OFF TOPIC*******
Just an FYI. DST starts tomorrow. 2am 3/8/09
dst?
The only defence that I do have for the inclusion of Air is to help avoid a bunch of first place ties.
BTW, Is there going to be a winner from Antarctica? I’m changing my country to there if so.
daylight savings time. spring ahead on the clocks.
Re: j15bell
Once you have that link, click on “Contact Us” at the top of the page, and we’ll make sure to post it up asap. Thanks.
-Eugene, Editor-in-Chief
Btw, has anyone figured out the point of the St. Peter’s Basilica Photosynth? Are we now looking for the 4-element ambigram now?
will it be available to view to a contestant before they complete the puzzles. or can they try to find it before that?
the ambigram
do you even have to find it?
@ j15bell
Have you found any more than three Earth puzzles? I thought for some reason I heard there were four, but have been unable to pop up a fourth.
~Kurt
The St. Peter’s photosynth was the one used for practice. I don’t think it is new.
Okay, I’m going to assume the throne of a brief leader.
Totals:
Rnd 1 2466
Rnd 2 1262
Combo 3728
Air blows…literally.
http://gs86.photobucket.com/groups/k105/F153Q1Q6XG/
that is my first attempt to show the screen shots of the puzzles I have found so far. it is my first attempt at doing this photobucket thing.
password is: tweleve
yes it is spelled that way because that is the forum I kinda stick to.
j
@ j15bell
I have screen shots of two Earth puzzles you don’t have. I’ll send them to you via email.
~Kurt
I have found:
4 earth puzzles
3 air puzzles
1 fire
1 water
found another air puzzle too.
j15bell. In addition to the air puzzles you had screen shots for there were two more. Mine had like a pyramid of starbombs, and husbands was not on your screen screen shots either.
@ j15bell
My bad. I only had one extra Earth puzzle, but it’s still one you didn’t have. I sent it over to ya’.
Looks like we might be working as a team to compile an inventory of puzzles, so I figure it’s easiest to stick with your photobucket site (no use confusing people with multiple sites).
~Kurt
@ j15bell, Air #2 is the one I used. Had it set up to get an 850ish score but barely missed the hole and then it banked in making my score 1052 before I could react. Actually, I did react, but the cancel button is slower than the ball.
Is this the longest AngryWeb comment board ever?
I have no idea what the St. Peter’s photosynth is about. I think its just pretty pictures for people to look at. I think I played through the whole thing and came to that conclusion. Maybe admin could throw us a bone here.
I like posting.
@ Steve
Congrats on the Round 2 score – that’s really good.
What puzzle scores did you get for Round 2?
~Kurt
Kurt,
E 50
A 1042
F 103
W 67
I got the same E and W on 3 different accounts with girlfriend and brother, so I’m pretty sure those might be the lowest possible, but who knows. I was satisfied with Fire, because I have a new system I’m using for it, but it’s very complicated to explain. It still relies on the luck of the draw quite a bit. Air sucks and blows, as I’ve already mentioned.
allrighty then. we have:
5 earth
5 air
1 fire – pointless to look for more than one.
1 water
Re: Steve in k.c.
I believe it might actually be the longest. This article alone received over 1,300 hits the other day lol.
@ Steve
The lowest I can make out on Earth (thus far) is 38. I’d comment on the others, but I haven’t gone through anything but Earth yet.
~Kurt
Wow, I must be lazy on earth.
5 earth
6 air
4 water
puzzles
Air #2 was also giving me a lot of trouble…I thought I was going to get it the high 900′s but I can’t get it to go in the hole w/o adding another air….the only one I’ve completed so far is water-63.
been busy trying to get these puzzles to randomly change. sometimes they just keep showing me the same ones.
anyone compiled what the lowest score is for each level?
Looks like the lowest reported (here at least) are:
E – 38
A – 1019
F – 80
W – 63
Total = 1200
Anyone know of anything lower?
I believe the lowest thought for Round 1 was around 2050, so lowest contest total (thus far) might be 3250.
~Kurt
spent too much time on this today.
gotta go feed my family and finish the Tanga puzzles for today.
Just saw a fellow Canadian’s score
round 1
2672
round 2
E 65
A 1107
F 95
W 74
2672+1341=4013
Sooo close to breaking 4000
My totals were:
Round 1
E- 87 (17,31,39)
A- 2111 (523, 710, 878)
F- 198 (70, 24, 104) I accidently hit submit on 1st- argh!
W- 92 (15, 30, 47)
Total = 2488
Round 2
E- 43
A- 980
F- 96
W- 63
Total = 1182
Combined total 3670
I am sure that after seeing Kurt’s thread I have no chance. Oh well- it was fun anyways.
Here are my husband’s totals:
Round 1
E- 93 (16,35,42)
A- 2145 (510, 714, 921)
F- 182 (12, 57 113)
W- 93 (15, 30, 48)
Total = 2513
Round 2
E- 40
A- 976
F- 78
W- 63
Total = 1157
Grand total = 3670 Same score as me!
I decided to post these because I have been searching and searching for scores, and I have not been able to find as many as I wanted to. So, I figure I’ll put both of ours out there and maybe more people will post there scores. Thanks to everyone who has already posted : )
Great Scores Estepha, you’re in the lead
@ Estepha
Awesome scores! Wouldn’t it be great if you and your husband end up the top score – battling out a tie breaker for who wins (assuming you’d take each other to Rome respectively). Haha
I have to ask, where did you pull out sub-1000 scores on Air. I’ve been trying the different puzzles all day and can’t seem to get below 1100 or so.
As far as Earth, I’ve tried other puzzles and 38 still seems to be my lowest (it was on Earth Puzzle #15 according to j15bell’s photobucket listing). I’ll let ya’ know if I find anything else though.
~Kurt
** Correction **
Earth Puzzle #5 (not 15)
Kurt
I am not sure what # “air” puzzle it was. It had two ledges separated in the middle of the screen with the starting point on the upper left and bombs in line with the ledges. There was one key to the upper right with the ending point just above it. My description probably doesn’t do it justice. I kept trying and trying and I could not break under 1300 until I found this puzzle. Good luck : )
@ Estepha
Thanks! It’s Air #2 (according to j15bell’s listing). We’ll see how long it takes for the contest to pop that one up for me (seems to be my limiting factor).
But with 976 on Air and also 78 on Fire, we’ve got a new Round 2 lowest possible score of 1155 (and I’m sure it’ll keep going down).
~Kurt
Round 1 Total: 2119
Round 2 Total: 1176
Grand Total: 3295
Air was a pain!
@ James
Well there goes my chance! Haha (unless I can manage Round 2 in under 850 total).
Awesome job though!
If you don’t mind saying, what were your puzzle scores?
~Kurt
Round 1:
Earth=16, 26, 39 81
Air= 394, 635, 844 1873
Fire=1, 11, 68 80
Water= 14, 31, 40 85
Round 1 Total: 2119
Round 2:
Earth= 40
Air=999
Fire=72
Water=65
Round 2 Total: 1176
Grand Total: 3295
After reading this post I noticed there are much lower scores than mine oh well! it was fun
James: I guarantee you are close to the top. By the time round 1 was nearing an end, I decided I would like to win, but don’t have enough free time. So I figured I would settle with a score close to the top:
Round 1:
Earth: 16, 26, 31 – 73
Air: 399, 645, 843 – 1887
Fire: 1, 56 (I was running out of time), 77 – 134
Water: 14, 32, 40
Total: 2180
Round 2:
Earth: 39
Air: 952
Fire: 90 (accidentally hit submit)
Water: 63
Total: 1144
Grand Total: 3324
After seeing James’ scores, I know I am not going to win. It was fun though. I despised air at first, but then I liked the logic behind it in the end. Fire was the level I hated most, because I was wanting to solve through logic, and Fire depended more on how much time you had to keep resubmitting. I don’t have that sort of time. 2111 was the easiest way to 1 on level 1, btw.
OMG, i’m screwed! I got the email “congrats, you are one of 437 ppl from canada”, great i thought, that is, until i blew it. Oh well, i’ll have to find another way to Rome, :O(
Or maybe i’ll get incredibly lucky and everyone else from here will do really bad
Good luck everyone
PS….is there any way of finding your own ranking within your country?
@ David
I know there much be a much lower total score out there because of all the much lower Air and Fire scores posted through these forums and blogs. Great Job are you in the US?
I actually took about 2 weeks for all the puzzles combined
@ James
I am in the US. Are you also? The super low scores posted as possible for Fire are for the most part unlikely, because the combinations are frequently changing, and to get a 1in level three appeared to be impossible (I never saw more than three in the 1 row at once). It appeared that you had to use logic and luck to solve that level. On Air, 799 may be possible on level 3 of round 1, but I seriously doubt more than a handful of people got there. I used a week to figure out the lowest scores I could find, and tried to give myself more time on fire in round 1, but in the end only had a few hours. Work has been BUSY! Great job on your end, too!
Just because I sucked overall in comparison…I want to feel good about something
Has anyone beat my round two fire score yet of 70?
I swear I thought I saw a 63 somewhere but not sure. (lie to me…make me feel better …. please…LOL)
Since I have a better chance of making it to Rome via personal invite from the Pope, I’ll pass along another helpful point for those interested:
Using Air Puzzle #2 (look up j15bell’s pictures) it’s possible to get sub-900 (I haven’t submitted anything, so I don’t know the exact value)
~Kurt
Canuckgirl: I don’t care what anyone says. You are the all-time supreme champion of Fire in round two!
@ Canuckgirl
I’ve been keeping track and you are still the fire champion!
@Kurt
I don’t doubt that at all. I only submitted 952 because the ball was moving too quickly at the end for me to stop the game.
(
@ David
I think that’s going to be a point of hatred for a lot of people. Luckily I haven’t run into it yet, but I almost submitted an Earth puzzle earlier today cause I still had the habit of practicing in my head from Round 1. Soooo lucky my computer decided to take that moment to freeze for a bit (not like it really matters – no way I’m going to Rome).
Is Round 2 just like Round 1 in that you can still play the puzzles once you finish? Maybe I should just submit ‘em and get it over with.
~ Kurt
Woohoo!!! Thanks David and Casey!! (I still think it was a big combo of sheer luck as I literally did a random guess at the beginning of the puzzle, but I’ll take it!!)
@ Canuckgirl
No being modest. That was Aaaaaaall skill.
@Kurt
It lets you play the round 1 puzzles again for fun, but once you are done with the puzzles on round two, it looks like there is no way to play them again.
Going back to round one, I am remembering why I accepted 645. That puzzle is really hard to line up. If anyone wants to try, it was the one where the ball starts just above three keys. You have to get the ball going to the right and make it barely touch the first key before you shoot it off to the right using a total of three airs.
-David
Not to the right! Get it going to the left and then to the right!
@ David
Aaahh! I guess I’ll just keep plugging away at Round 2 then.
Do-de-do-de-doooooo…
The Round 2 Earth puzzle where there are 8 blocks radiating out from the center at the start…
Has anyone even solved that one? I have this eerie feeling that it’ll end up being the lowest score map for Earth, but I can’t even get the first key.
@Kurt,
I was in position to solve that one for 40 or 41.
-David
canuck girl, since we are competing against eachother…what was your combined score? I’ll still be happy with winning the T.V!!!
Kurt
For a sub 900 on Air Puzzle #2 are you able to jump the ball from one platform to the other only using one wind.
@ David
I was worried about that. I know there’s another puzzle I can get 38 on, but it’s pretty straight forward. This puzzle just seems so open to different gameplay that it seems so much more likely to have some hidden possible score of 20 or something.
I finally got the first key, but I’m already up to 42 and still have one key left. And I’ll never remember what I did in order to repeat it. Aaaahh!
@ TBC
I used three winds on the puzzle. One before the first platform, one inbetween the two, and one after the second platform.
~Kurt
@Kurt
Thanks
Don’t know how much of a difference it’ll make now but worth a try.
OH Stacey…You don’t have to worry about me overall!! LOL. My combined score is around 6000. I totally blew air on round 1. I’m pleased with my second round scores but I could not get the air puzzle to change to another one (and boy did I try)
I went over to that place that j15 posted and it looks like we have been totally smoked by someone named Ace up here in Canadaland. Kudos to him.
I had so much fun doing these though. Nice to have some challenges (logic puzzles). I found a puzzle place that looks like the water puzzles were based on. I’ve been playing it all night. If you google bloxorz you can find them if you feel like doing more watertype puzzles.
Seriously though. If someone from this website wins the trip…Make sure you send a request to the Vatican to tour the SCAVI so you can see the necropolis under St. Peters. It was probably still the highlight of our trip. You literally can see what they suspect are the bones of St. Peter (as in the book). (it’s a little freaky that they are kind of in tupperware type containers..but that aside) It’s an incredible experience. Our guide was amazing, and there were only 5 of us allowed in per tour. I think they have loosened up the guidelines a bit to allow more people through now but I can realistically see more than 10 per tour given the space constraints down there. It truly is an experience though and you need to get permission from the Vatican, the contact info is on the Vatican’s website under Scavi (just don’t mention it’s because of the book or you’ll probably get refused. We were on our 2nd honeymoon so I used that in our request).
@ TBC
If you’re able to find a way to jump from the first platform to the second with only one wind (nothing inbetween), let me know! I tried for so long to position myself JUST RIGHT, but nothing got past that bomb on the edge of the second platform. If you’re able to though, I’m sure you could cut down around 100, make it sub-800.
~Kurt
Canuck girl, you’ve beat me!!! I had a combined of 5526! Maybe i’ll have better luck with rrrrroll up the rrrrrimm.
What was the website that was posted, do you still have it?
@ Canuckgirl
That’s so cool you were able to use your second honeymoon as a bargaining chip to see the SCAVI.
And I completely agree – if someone on this forum wins the contest, PLEASE post it. It’d be cool to know that we all helped; in a way, we would all win.
@ Eugene
The password to j15bell’s photobucket link is “tweleve,” not “tewelve.”
@ Stacey
The link is posted at the very top of the page.
And the password is “tweleve” with that extra ‘e’
Actually Kurt, It was technically our 1st honeymoon as we had never really taken one (a weekend in NY on our 5th was the closest thing to a honeymoon we had). We just couldn’t afford it. So after 4 kids, and 15 years of marriage, we finally got our real honeymoon. It was spectacular. I would go back in a heartbeat and if I had my way we’d retire in Florence. (it’ll never happen but oh, to dream!!)
G’night all…don’t forget to reset your clocks tonight!!!!
@Kurt
Yeah I’ve been trying to make that elusive jump for a couple of hours now but still no joy, not sure if its possible but I’ll let you know if I make it.
@Kurt
I thought I had figured out a way to get between 30 and 35 on that puzzle when I got to the 40 or 41. The least number of moves getting to the keys will put you in a place where you have to decide which to go for first, as each one will be easy to get to then.
-David
Round 1
E- 85 (17, 32, 36)
A- 2176 (446, 792, 938)
F- 113 (38, 28, 47)
W- 86 (14, 30, 42)
Round 2
E- 41
A- 1250
F- 64
W- 63
Total
3878
I managed to get 42 on Fire for round two. Believe me, I was surprised to get it. I did pretty well on round 1 for Fire as well. But no threat of winning a trip to Rome. I had a hard time with the Air puzzles. I tried over and over, even after posting my scores and couldn’t get near the posted low scores.
Round 1
E – 101 (31,38,32)
A – 2411 (644,844,923)
F – 143 (24,26,93)
W – 92 (14,30,48)
Round 2
E – 53
A – 1024
F – 42
W – 63
Total 3929
Can someone please help on the St Peter’s photosynth? We have been done with the puzzles and are stuck on this last photosynth. We have found, in brown lettering, 2 earths, 1 water, air, fire, & illuminati, and a red letter C. We are trying to get the system to accept that we have found them, seen them, and want to complete this nerve racking game!!!
Ellen, I’m not sure if the St. Peter’s phsynth is required. I think it’s only meant for entertainment. Of course, I never read rules either.
@ Ellen
The St. Peter’s photosynth has always been there to be used for practice only. It is not part of the the final round.
@ David
Haha. There goes MORE time. Now I’m going to be determined to get that puzzle figured out.
@ Justin
Nice job!
@ Puzzled
Awesome Fire score!
@ Canuckgirl
I can definitely understand that. I’m glad to hear you did eventually get to take the “official” honeymoon. And you never know, Florence may be more within your reach than you think. Anything’s possible.
~Kurt
if St peter photosynth is not part of the game why is there earth, fire etc in the pics, how do you get them to accept when you find them as nothing tells you that they have been found?
@ Elaine
It was just used to practice using Photosynth and what the symbols would look like if you found them. You never could actually enter them as found.
Elaine, where did you find those? Can you describe where they are, or your process?
thanks for that casey and to steve, if you look on top of the dome with the gold ball on top, the fire symbol is on there, I think it is just below the people or overhead in black lettering
is there a photosynth puzzle for round two, as the puzzles are the same as round one again. Don’t understand the point of that! PUZZLED!!
It IS there, Elaine. How weird? Maybe it’s for tie breaker.
Well I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring.
Round 1
E – 73 (16, 26, 31)
A – 1933 (416, 710, 807)
F – 64 (1, 12, 51)
W – 86 (14, 30, 42)
Total – 2156
Round 2
E – 38
A – 945
F – 51
W – 63
Total – 1097
Grand Total – 3253
I doubt I’ll win because I wasn’t as sharp in Round 1 Air (all 3 levels) as I should’ve been. The contest was very enjoyable though.
@ Everyone
I haven’t been able to figure out the lowest possible scores for Round 1 Earth (all 3 levels), or Round 1 Water (level 3). Apparently the best scores are 15, 20, 30, and 38 respectively. If anyone is so inclined I’d love to see those move sequences. Thanks!
@ Kurt
I tried like hell to get the ball into the exit on Round 2 Air #2 by just using 3 tiles, but I couldn’t quite do it. The trail of the ball would skirt the edge of the exit oh so tantalizingly close it was excruciating to watch! If you’re able to pull that off I tip my hat off to you.
Good luck to those of you still playing!
Uuurgh. I feel so stupid. I have tried **forever** to get even close to the 38 for Earth #5 – just cannot do it. I hate that I’m missing something obvious.
Wow Carl, Great job! You from US? That’s a tough score to beat!
Looks like the low water score wasn’t hard to find. I’ve seen a whole bunch of 63s
Thanks for clearing this up! I had never seen St Peter’s photosynth before until after I had done the others. I guess we just didn’t notice.
But for those looking, Illuminati is on the obelisk on the left of the pair you will see. Fire is on the dome below the spire. Earth is by the clock on the right (on the lower left side) and again on the left in the same area. Air is on the columned building, pitched structure under the Latin word that starts BVRGH etc. Water is on the shield of 5 tablet looking items in between the area where both Earths are located. And use the slide show feature and you will be directed to a white star on a statue and it will light up a red C, as well as take you to all the elements, all in brown.
Now we can enjoy our weekend because we are finished. Our scores aren’t as low as what I’ve read here, but we’re happy we played and finished!! We knew going in we weren’t going to be in the top 100, (or 1000) never mind the best score in the U.S. But good luck for the person who does and kick some butt for the rest of us!!
@ Brandon
Ann Arbor, MI. Yes, the water puzzles seemed pretty straight forward. Have you submitted any Round 2 scores yet?
@ Everyone
I found a seventh Air puzzle. And as Air always seems to have something up it’s sleeve, you can get sub-800 on this one (4 winds).
I’ll send it to j15bell soon so you can look at it.
~Kurt
@ Everyone
I just completed the Air with 741 and it popped back to the main screen in “PRACTICE MODE”
What the heck is that?!
@ Kurt
I think you accidentally signed into the practice mode section of the game. I think there are really only 6 air puzzles and you are maybe doing Practice Air. It would be easy to make this mistake because the start screens where you pick which puzzle you want to do look exactly alike. Could this be what happened?
Ok. I’ve redirected the site, signed out, closed the browser…anything short of turning the computer off and it still has me in PRACTICE MODE. Still only four puzzles, so it’s definitely still Round 2. Maybe I unlocked practice mode by getting a ridiculous Air score? Haha (wishful thinking.)
Anyways, while we (or maybe only I) wait for this to be figured out, here’s the new lowest score tally:
E – 38 (Carl finally was able to find it, good job)
A – 741
F – 42 (awesome job Puzzled)
W – 63 (seems everyone’s found it)
Total = 884
With Round 1 lowest around 2050, that puts the combined total around 2934 (BELOW 3000!!!)
~Kurt
Thats the practice mode puzzle if it has two walls on both sides and a bomb and key in the middle and you just have to swing the ball from the left to the right side through the key with 4 tiles. I remember getting around a 750 on that too
Hi everyone from the Great White North (well more like dull grey), just finished the thing, here are my scores, looks like I won’t be leaving North America for a while
Round 1
E 90
A 2137
F 118
W 98
Round 2
E 38
A 955
F 87
W 67
2443+1147=3590
Oh well, it was fun, off to the LCBO!
@ Justin
How the heck do I get out of practice mode?
at the top bar click on contest, then solve the puzzles
@ Justin
Funny how it works once you tell me, but not the multiple times before. Oh-well. Thanks!
I guess my dreams of 741 are false. Darn! I’ll have to settle for 870 or something.
Earth 38 Too c-s to do the others yet…
@ Sunny
What was your Round 1 score?
Steve, you must be in SW ontario
….you’ve beat my score! Congrats. I’m just looking for the tv prize….
@ Kurt
just over 2400, that’s why I’m not anxious to tackle the rest of them. Fire seems to be pure luck or psychic ability to get a score as low as those posted here, so I’m not ready to tackle that one yet…and air…. @!**&&** Need I say more???
@ Stacey
In Stratford. Do you know any other low scores for Canada? Chin up, there is going to be that skill testing question! Anything can happen!
@ Kurt
Have you actually managed to do the air puzzle in less than 900 yet. I’ve been trying with just the three tiles like you said but only seem to be able to get it to just miss the hole by about one pixel on Air Puzzle #2.
Round 1
Earth: 16 – 29 – 32
Air: 453 – 610 – 766
Fire: 4 – 17 – 49
Water: 16 – 34 – 46
Total – 2073
Round 2
Earth – 39 – Actually wrote out this one on paper
Air – 801 -My second best air score, I exited out after my other one which was about 17 points lower
Fire – 42 – This puzzle happened purely by luck, i am so happy
Water – 63 – Apparently there is a lower one
Total = 945
Grand Total- 3018
Can anyone freaking break 3000, is it possible???
I really hope I have a shot at this thing, but knowing that people are more obsessive than me at puzzles, i say my chances are at the bottom of the ocean…
Steve:
I’m in London, wow, talk about a small world!!! WIndy as hell tonight! Someone else on here said someone named ace is kicking some serious booty, but i really can’t confirm…
[Round 1]
Earth: 16 – 22 – 31 (69)
Air: 392 (thought I had the record here but I saw a 389!! how the heck is that possible??? – 612 – 770 (1774)
Fire: 1 – 11 – 50 (62)
Water: 14- 31 – 43 (98)
Total 4 Round 1= 1905
==========================================
[Round 2]
Earth – (38) <———-is this the lowest possible?
Air – (815) Greatjob to the person that got this record
Fire – 33 [the solution was 88842] and after playing it over and over I noticed there was another one very similar 84882 that helped with this one!!!
Water – 63 (Is there really a lower score then this???)
Total = 949
Grand Total: 1905 + 949= 2854 ROME HERE I COME! Well, if not then at least I am proud of myself! my brother came in about 100 points over mine, and my cousin was right in between us two… Good luck @ everyone
@ ghost rider
where are you from so I can just give up now…
Some amazing scores being posted here. If they’re real, they’re very impressive. Congrats.
Ghost Rider,
How did you manage to get 5 digit codes for fire? That would certainly give you the edge over the rest of us.
Ghost rider,
can you post screen shot of your total score, use image shack for hosting its free..
FML
Edit—— Round 1 Score was 2003 and round 2 score was 949
Grand Total= 2952
ha ha I thought something looked wrong Sorry for the false alarm!
More than anything else, I’m just amazed at those spectacular scores for round 1 air. It’s as though there’s a totally different, out-of-the-box strategy that you must have used to achieve it. I know that many things seem impossible until you see it, and then you can appreciate it…but boy those scores seem impossible! I’ve been proven wrong so many times before though…
Please share how you got those round 1 air scores!
Btw ghostrider, your round 1 total is 2003
@ David lol I wish it was 888442
@FM what is imageshak?
your round 1 score for water is 88 not 98
can you take screen shot of your game screen please
imageshack.us free image hosting post url there
thanks
Hmmm…something smells a little fishy. You’d think that someone who had dedicated their life to this contest would know their first round score like the back of their hand….and that someone who was trying to psych out the competition might add up fake numbers incorrectly and then need to add a new post to correct it.
Press “print screen” on your keyboard of your game screen that shows your score
then paste it in paint, save, go to http://imageshack.us/
upload it…
and post URL here
if your score is what you say it is, i’ll just quit now and save myself time
thanks i really appreciate it
FMLFML, you need to chill. You sound like the gestapo. “Papers! Let me see your papers!!”
David Air 1 was 392 I used 3 winds on the level with the exit directly above you (I don’t see how it is humanly possible to get anything better than that, but I see that someone got 389 that is out of sight!!!!!!
Air 2 was the puzzle with the 3 keys on it
Air 3 I really can’t remember which one it was (Jax had the best Air 2 and 3 scores for round 1 I don’t see how it was possible to get those WOW)
Fire the code was 888442
Water total IS 98 water 3 was 53
@everyone I wouldn’t worry about my score, my friend just got a much lower one:) BTW I’m from the U.S.
signing up for imageshack now thaks FM!
Holy Canolli…those scores!!!! I’m glad I’m not playing for Rome!! Amazing…I am in awe.
Please share more about your round 1 Air2 score. There’s a way to get 714 that barely touches the left key and then arcs through the others to the door. And then, incredibly, there’s a way to get 633 by positioning the second and third icons near the middle key, sucking the ball around the left key and rifling it towards the door. Every puzzle-loving bone in my body feels convinced that 633 is the most-efficient, optimal score for that board.
Can you explain with specifics (or a screenshot of the puzzle just before completion) how even lower scores are possible? I didn’t believe 633 either before I saw it, so my incredulousness is not because I don’t believe you…only because I can’t wrap my head around it.
This is fun.
@lila I didn’t dedicate my life to this contest, I played it the first 4 days for round 1 and I’ve played it these couple days for round 2. I got in a hurry because I had already closed out my browser I simply mis-typed the beginning number of water 3′s total ( I did awful on that one) thus, is why my total score was OFF lol it should have been 2942 and someone else I know has 2822
yeah seriously david i even calculated the minimum pixels required to travel for air 2 puzzle and i don’t see how a score lower than 633 is possible………
also david this is not fun, i wasted a lot of time on this shit and i didnt even get close haha
oh well at least i can go back to worrying about real shit now
I’m also a little skeptical of Jax’s scores, since there’s another forum about this contest where the most prominent poster is “Jaxs”. That poster has mediocre scores. Maybe it’s a different person, but still a notable coincidence.
Jax and Ghost Rider – I promise to eat crow if proven wrong.
Ghost Rider – ( any score under 3000 is serious) why on earth would someone so serious about this game and thinking they had a chance? Why would you and your friend submit your scores only 2 days into the final?
@DAVID
Jax, on March 8th, 2009 at 4:34 pm Said:
Round 1
Earth: 16 – 29 – 32
Air: 453 – [610] – [766]
Fire: 4 – 17 – 49
Water: 16 – 34 – 46
Total – 2073
Round 2
Earth – 39 – Actually wrote out this one on paper
Air – 801 -My second best air score, I exited out after my other one which was about 17 points lower
Fire – 42 – This puzzle happened purely by luck, i am so happy
Water – 63 – Apparently there is a lower one
Total = 945 (beat me by 4 points!)
Grand Total- 3018
I certainly don’t have the record, (but I thought I did have) also I want to know how it is possible to get the 389 I cannot be below 392 I do have screen shots and even a u-tube video of Everything!!! but I will wait a few days to show them;) However, since round 1 is over I would like to see how the 389 is possible
yo ghostrider can you please at least post a screenshot of your round 1 score
thanks
@Lee
I don’t know about my friend but this weekend was the only time I could work on the puzzles I have to work all next week:(
I hate to be one of those people who says “I don’t believe it”, but certain things don’t add up. If Ghostrider’s serious about the game, why would he submit scores after only 2 days of trying? Also, the friend who supposedly did better already must have already had better scores yet Ghostrider said Rome here I come? And 2 minutes into his posts he says ” Oh but don’t worry about my score because my friend just posted one” 120 pts. less? It makes no sense!
@Ghost Rider,
Well sure, I’d be interested to hear how Jax got 610 just as much as how you got 612. If I saw one I’d believe the other.
If I saw neither, well…
Ok – that makes sense, sorry and congrats!
Hey, he could be like people on other forums that are posting way lower scores to throw other people off and get other people to give up now. Im not saying I dont believe his scores as all them see plausible. I just dont believe his friends score, as I curious to know how he shaved off an additional 120 pts.
Lee11,
I feel the same way. I usually get a bit annoyed at people who say “I don’t believe it”, because usually it’s just an inability to accept that others might have been more skilled or creative than oneself. I’ve been guilty of this plenty of times, so it’s usually best to give the benefit of the doubt.
That said, my instinct says that all of you who still feel your scores are competitive…don’t give up. They might be more competitive than recent posts would lead you to believe.
are there any photosynth puzzles that have not been found already for round 2
@Kurt,
In an earlier post, you mentioned that you solved a round 2 air puzzle (the one we’re calling #2) using only three icons. Did you actually see this completed, or did it look like it could probably work given your arrangement?
I ask because I was sure that I had it lined up, and the only way to be sure was to let it play out. After gathering the courage, I was surprised to see the ball go right past the door but not in it. It seems that a 3 icon solve on this level is the holy grail.
Has anyone seen it done?
ey david wut u think of ghostrider’s scores, legit or not
@FMLFML,
I’d like to assume honesty in everyone. In this case, it would require simultaneously accepting that 1. multiple scores previously thought impossible are in fact possible, (and not just beating but shattering previous bests), 2. that someone with such extraordinary skill and scores would incorrectly state their first round score, 3. that they would have time to join the forum conversation but not time to experiment more in the coming days, and 4. that they would choose to announce the “score to beat” with four days to go.
These are all possible, but that’s what would be required to accept the claims as true.
the agony of it all…I am going back to my original plan…do the best I can and not give a crap how anyone else is doing…I used to play competitive sports and there were plenty of times opponents would use psych tactics to throw you off…it seems this post has been invaded by those who would cast doubt on those with excellent scores…hmmmmm…I wonder
Not that I care about seeing a screen shot but did ghostrider ever show you guys one on that photo thing you were talking about?
he didn’t
Well, the ROUND 1 Air Map Level 2 with the 3 keys that gives the 610 score, I calculated the minimum pixels:
Distance is 309 with no initial curve to the left, around 473 with curve to left
However, I mis calculated the curve needed to get the key on far left, so I suppose you could knock off a couple points, but a straight line using 3 tiles would give min score of about 609, HOWEVER, that’s with not getting the key on the left
The screenshot I have it now doesn’t allow me to check the pixels, but I am almost 100% sure that min score would be well over 610, I am even suprised 633 is possible but I suppose if you barely touch key on the left
I’m bored – somebody say something.
Oh yeah! I fed some ostriches and emus with my kids today. Isn’t that the most exiting thing ever?!
Do you mean that the ostriches and emus ate your children, or that you and your children fed them something else? Either way sounds exciting, but I’m hoping for the latter.
also instead of having tie break round they shoulda made it so top 100 scores qualify for a 3rd round where scores get reset, and you literally only get 1 chance to solve the puzzle (if you exit out you lose your shot) and no fire since thats just purely luck
@ David
@ Lee11
Too funny!! I needed that laugh after trying that Air #2.
I’m with you about the “almost in”, David. There is **no freakin’ way** that dang ball will go into that hole. Someone, (Kurt?) PLEASE make sure you keep your air vent placements for later and post them ’cause I, for one, would like to see it work or know how you did make it work.
David – That made me laugh my ass off! We actually fed them what looked like rabbit food.
also, i’m trying to reproduce ghostrider’s fire score based on the code given…
even if he started with all 8s? and then somehow moved to 442 for the other 3, no way his score could be 33 and it would require extremely lucky guessing and/or lots of time and considering how long the puzzles have been up, and how he amazingly scored 800 on air for round 2, not to mention sleeping(or maybe he’s a tweaker) is really quite amazing
Ok well I was gonna “practice” but I accidently submited a horrible score for fire, so I figured “what the hell, I may as well finish and get it over with” so here are my stats:
Round 1: 2437 Note: I only had about 8 hours before the end date on these.
Round 2: 1148
Final Total: 3585
In hindsight, if I would have started the round 1 puzzles before 1 day until they ended my round one score would have been E=80 A=1853 F=78 W=100
then my final would have been 2111+1148=3259, which of course, still isn’t nearly as low as most of you guys here great job, also my fire score was 122 so even if I could have gotten an 70 (which I had but tried for more, then blew it lol) that would have helped my score by 52 points making it 3207 <———–still nothing to shout about, but a little better at least—-
Also at least I still have the record for Air Level 1
lol here is the “proof”
http://photobucket.com/gamepro
I really missed the boat on this game
Have a great time in Rome (whoever wins it)
Gamepro.
No score greater than zero on fire is impossible, but the odds against getting a 33 are quite staggering, probably in the ballpark of 80,000 to 1 if the game is played without mistakes. The odds that any one contestant would have the good fortune to hit that is slim, but it’s not too hard to believe. The odds that the one person to hit it would also be the one person that already has the lowest score, by far, is very, very, very small.
Skill and obsessive persistence on fire could probably get someone a score around 55. Anything below that is either due to incredibly good luck, or a combination of skill, persistence, and very good luck. But there’s nothing short of royal-flush luck that can get a 33.
Gamepro,
I’m excited to see your Air1 solve. What’s the password for the photo link?
Thanks,
David
Other than the scores reported by Jax and Ghost Rider, is 952 the lowest anyone has officially seen for air (round 2)?
Time change sucks!
Sorry about that David, it should be angelsanddemons all lowercase try that and see if it works
I got a 925 originally for air 2.
let me know if that doesn’t work for some reason
Sorry David, wrong album here it is
http://photobucket.com/gamepro09
and the password is: angelsanddemons
BTW David what were your final scores?
389 is spectacular. I was hoping to see a screenshot of how you did it. Could you describe it? I assume it’s just one up, one right, and one left. Any tricks that made it better than the 393 some of us got, or is it just a matter of getting everything right down to the last pixel?
I haven’t said my scores yet…keeping my cards close to my vest for now.
…and 925? Some of you air people are just incredible. The scores you find are inspiring. I’ve been proud of configurations I’ve found that look like they’ll be around 965.
just like most of the players here I took the fire levels very seriously and those are the ones I “dedicated my life to” I used pencil and paper and I got very very lucky but here is how it happend play-by-play.
This is sort of a secret, but here is the “logic” of the game
about 70% of the combinations have at least 1 set of numbers that are doubles in them.
88, 66, 33, etc. (not particularly together but somewhere in the solution) So, I first tried that theory, first with eights.
888888
then I hit submit=16
It then showed that there were 3 in the correct spot and 3 that was not in the solution (so 3 8′s was in the solution somewhere)
then I changed the 3rd 8 to a 4 the fourth 8 to another 4 the fifth 8 to a 2 and the sixth 8 to
another 2 (this was my mistake because I knew there were 3 8′s in the solution!!)
then I hit submit=30
8 8 4 4 2 2
Now it shows 4 in the correct spot! And 2 in the solution but not in order (which means one is an 8 from before and another is a 4 or 2 that is out of place)
So I changed the first 4 back to 8 the first 2 to a 3 (accidently) then to 4 and BOOM!
Complete at 33!.
I don’t really care who believes me or not cause like I said I KNOW I am not the lowest in the U.S. So, I am not packing my suitcase just yet.
I do have screenshots of round 2 and some nice youtube videos of round 1 which I will show prob on the very last 10 min of the game, after all there are other prizes to be won besides the trip!
gamepro, that pw does not work to your air 1 score
but if it shows it I will be eating crow, but i will be dishing some crow out later on in the week as well
389 this is AMAZING!!! I bet that is the game record I am having a large serving of crow right now hahaha excellent job.
@Ghost Rider,
Any reason not to post a screen-shot of one of your amazing air scores from round 1? I’d love to see where you placed the icons.
I’ll get the crow out of the fridge so it’s good and ready.
David here is a tip for air 2.
use the board that the ball starts out at the far left, and then the exit is at the top right of the screen.
use 4 winds right wind just below and to the right of the start, up wind after the first set of mines, up wind directly above the key, then check it…. it should be somewhere around 820 to 831 if you hit stop just as you think it would exit- but instead it passes it right up.
Then get left wind, and position it just after the last up wind, and then let it go, and it should go in at about 923 to 935 somewhere around there, just keep tweaking it to get it.
I do not see how it is possible to get it without that fourth wind I tried over and over with no luck, if someone really has just used 3 tiles on that level, just let us know where to position them.
ghostrider Thank you it was very trying to get that score, but I just kept at it. Also those are some amazing scores you boast it “LOOKS” like you may be in the lead thus far??
I had a great time, I just wish I hadn’t messed up with fire, and with all of round 1, but I didn’t have any time, had to take scores WAY below my potential. But I really liked the air puzzles –tho most people hated them– because it was all skill, and I like figuring out angles etc. I hope that the game designers will post the lowest possible scores for each level, and then open them back up so that we can at least have something to try and have more bragging rights:)
Gamepro
Gamepro,
Great job all around. And thanks for sharing your round 2 air pointers with all of us. Whoever goes to Rome should definitely send you a St. Peter’s snowglobe.
David the screen shots that I have is like gamepros only when it says you have completed the level and the u-tube vids I have are mainly of water and earth but I do have one with my 392 air 1 score it is the same board that gamepro used i am trying still, to duplicate that 389.
@David
Well Well you are prying for others scores and screenshots but you won’t tell your own or show your own hmmm seems fishy to me. You must have a score below mine but I think I will at least know the winner at least i hope I do!!!!
@Ghost Rider,
I’m enjoying this exchange and hope you don’t mind the healthy skepticism. This is always half the fun of a puzzle contest.
Showing a screenshot of 392 will not help to convince anyone, as that’s in the neighborhood of what’s known to be possible.
Describing how a score of 33 might be achieved will not help to convince anyone, as that kind of reverse engineering is easy to make up. (And why not save yourself 6 points and start with 111111 instead?)
However, showing a screenshot within 20 points of 610 on air 2 or 710 on air 3 would be enough to silence your doubters. And showing a screenshot from round 1 would not decrease your odds of winning in any way.
That should be easy, right?
Sure, I make no bones about scouring these forums in hopes of getting a tip that could help my scores. I’m sure lots of people here do.
It’s posted a long way up, but I did post my strategy for getting a low score in fire. Other than that I honestly don’t have much to offer, since I haven’t gotten any scores that are lower than the lowest others have posted.
I’m keeping my score to myself in the slim chance that it’s one of the lowest. That way others with similar scores won’t know what they need to aim for in the final days.
David my scores were Air 2 (610) and Air 3 (770) (where did you get those much lower scores from?) are they the scores you are claiming to have gotten?
also I never said anything about having a screenshot of the air 1 392 I have a u-tube vid of it. And it was the record until gamepros 389 so why not want to show it off? Why is it that you won’t tell your scores? by showing my round 1 scores before the end of the contests or at least close to the end to me seems pointless because round 1 is over and it doesnt matter what a player can do now with round 1 it’s on to round 2 for better or for worse. I say show your scores what have you got to lose DAVID!!!!!!
Air 2 612
My bad on the typo…I intended to write 770 (although I got the 610 right, and that’s the one we’d love to see).
To answer your fair question “what have you got to lose” by giving my score:
if I say the exact number, and if there’s a logical low number (give or take 10 points) that we can expect to get in round two, then another competitor would have a specific idea of how much more perfectionism they’d need to apply to round to to match or beat that score. Asking for a ballpark number from round one would be fair though…it was under 2100.
I’ve answered your question (I hope). Do you have a response to mine, or are you cleverly using a good offense as a way to skirt the issue?
@ David
.
If you don’t object I’d like to write you a PM or E-Mail or something like that.
Cannot write you for the next 10 hours though, I’m on a trip to the Netherlands.
@ everyone
Would be interesting to know how many people didn’t end Round 2 yet.. I couldn’t wait.
axl d,
Sure, and the timing might be good. It’s time for me to go to sleep know…I probably won’t be back on this forum until tomorrow evening (I live in California, PCT).
Have a safe flight,
David
@ David
My apologies, I had to sign off last night to save my sanity.
But to your question (the sub-900 score on Air Puzzle No.2 for Round 2): You are completely correct. I had it set up in a way that looked like it would work perfectly, but last night I decided (after realizing I had no earthly chance of winning this thing) to just submit it and bask in my 15 seconds of glory. However, the ball just glances over the goal and doesn’t go in (despite the fact that it covers nearly 2/3 of the goal in the process.
So after two hours straight of inching the inching the winds all over the place, I had to give up and sign off. I’m going to keep working at it this week (slowly), but you are completely right, it doesn’t seem to work.
@ TBC
I know you’ve tried the same thing and now after having tried to submit it myself, I can definitely understand your frustration.
@ Ghost Rider
Awesome job!
@ Everyone
I have to say I don’t like the way the forum has changed since last night. One person puts up a score that is QUITE amazing, it happens to be added wrong and a bunch of people start bashing. Whether Ghost Rider is trying to pull our chain as a tactic, really did get a simply amazing score, or whatever, it’s a contest; a game.
Whether you believe one way or the other, keep trying your best (I know I will) and just have fun. I’ve already lost the contest (that I know), but who cares. I’m having fun trying to figure out the best scores. I’m here to have fun and it’s much better with a fun community to back each other up.
Let’s keep having fun.
~Kurt
@ ghostrider
Congratulations, what amazing scores! What is even more mind boggling is your friend, who you say has 130 points LESS than you do. Is that correct? Would you or your friend be wiling to post these numbers, too? Painful as it is, I would love to see how he/she managed to accomplish this.
Thanks for sharing with us and congrats again.
http://i42.tinypic.com/5n9dp5.jpg
my total (i’am from Italy)
@axl d
I haven’t even attempted one of the round 2 puzzles yet.
I was one of those players that flew into the round 1 Earth puzzles and for some reason (prob impatience and time constraints) didn’t pay attention to the fact that I didn’t HAVE to submit the scores but DID anyway. Really, really bad Earth round 1 scores. Then like GamePro time just got by me and I did the other three puzzles on the morning of the last day. So I have no hope of getting a low score total. My own fault and there is nothing to prove that I COULD have achieved a low score anyway.
So I am taking my time this round and waited to see what was up, how many different puzzles were available and how exactly I could squeak out a way to practice these even if it was only in my head or on paper.
So you can count me as one who hasn’t played yet. But no one need worry about what my final score will be. It will be high.
@everyone
I have e-mailed the mods here to correct the password for the photobucket. I hope to get back to that as I have had messages that there are still more puzzles I have not found yet. Eventually, if they allow us to have fun with the puzzles when this is done perhaps several players will provide us with some screenshots of their best scores. If they would like me to post them in that photobucket album I will. Just let me know. A kind of “A&D Players Hall of Fame” would be nice.
Also! I wholeheartedly agree with you David!!! It seems unsportsmanlike to flame another poster for any reason. I have played competitive sports (semi-pro tennis and tri-state volleyball competitions). The loudest complainers were the worst competitors. Wins for those were by pure luck and not skill. And in all the years of playing now that I am approaching 60. Karma is a biatch baby!!!
You can have the answers…but you still gotta take the test.
Some can’t handle the pressure. So be it.
@ David
You’re just great! I’m from Germany..
“Have a save flight?”
The Netherlands border is about three miles from my habitation..and I’m already back (way earlier than I thought).
Uhm.. sorry, but HOW can I contact you (via mail or else)? -.-
@ Kurt
Well said indeed. Had a lot of fun with the puzzles and this forum so far. Thx again @ all.
@ assa77
did you get a mail with the information how many people from Italy are involved?
Nice score there! I’m curious..
Maybe the “61″ for Germany was just some kind of error..
@ j15bell
Not even ATTEMPTED? Man..I’d call THAT patience..and I imagined me to be composed.
Hmm..In fact I believe in the meatime I became addicted to this contest..well, I have to wait now at least till friday..long time.
@axl d
from Italt 180 players
@ assa77
YOU, my friend, are the luckiest of any of us because you are already in Italy!! I got married in Ravello last May and it was paradise. I love Italy. The only area I haven’t been is the northeast area. My chances of winning this are waning (putting it mildly). I haven’t attempted three of the puzzles yet but I scored 2425 on Round 1 so I don’t think I am a threat to anyone here. I would have to get an amazing low fire score and be a whiz at air- which I am not. I must say, for those who question the 33 someone mentioned on fire, I got a 33 in round one just by lucky guesses. It happens, people do win the lottery once in awhile. I doubt it will happen again… : (
@ assa77
I left you a post but it disappeared…suffice it to say I think you are the luckiest of all…you are already in Italy!! I got married in Ravello last May. It was amazing.
I haven’t had a chance to finish round 2. I’m a photographer and I’ve had a busy weekend…I don’t think I’m much of a threat with a 2425 in Round 1…
now it pops up…
Sorry Canuckgirl,
i just got a 62 on round 2 fire
(like 5 moves or so)
Chugiakian
;o)
____
Canuckgirl, on March 7th, 2009 at 6:47 pm Said:
Just because I sucked overall in comparison…I want to feel good about something
Has anyone beat my round two fire score yet of 70?
I swear I thought I saw a 63 somewhere but not sure. (lie to me…make me feel better …. please…LOL)
@ ghostrider
http://i40.tinypic.com/34nkvt1.jpg
That was my game, how could I improve?
Thanks
Just wondering if these scores are any good for the second round???
Earth 95
Air 1563
Fire 257
Water 218
@chugiakian
My heart was already shattered last night when I saw Ghostriders scores…. wahhhhh!! J/K.
Kudos to all!!
I’ve been replaying the round one puzzles again. I wish I had had more time for round one as I only found the contest the day before it was all due. It’s been fun though!!
To the admins of this site. Thanks for letting us play here and chit chat. Congrats to all on amazing scores! I guess I have to keep saving my airline points to get back to Rome now!!
http://i42.tinypic.com/10hocya.jpg
I improved!
assa77,
to improve your score even more, move your first wind to the right some more and your middle wind barely down a little bit, it should be somewhere around 915 and 922!! Go for the record!!:) Great Job so far.
David,
Way to go with your Round 1 scores. You and Ghost Rider might be going head to head.
if your total is sub 2000, but I hope it was lower:)
then plus 38, 921 or better (I know you can do it) 65, and 63<—–is this the lowest water score? Your total would be 3087 that would be awesome!!! GO FOR IT!
If you don’t mind email me your scores gamepro08@gmail.com I am compiling the lowest scores to see what the lowest possible could be for both rounds.
Good Luck,
Gamepro
My phothosynth does not work properly, I was only able to do the AIR puzzle and was not able to look for the other three remaining. Was very dissapointing, since it was so much fun.
Now I can’t not play the second level boo, boo!!!
I am soooooooo ticked off. I was finally “practicing” the air puzzle. I know that I turned off my internet connection (wifi button was off). Played. When I had a set up close to what I wanted and hit the button to start the ball rolling and it went into it’s home I got that window about not being connected. Turned on the wifi button and my score had registered. 0_o
aaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!
So my air for round 2: 1053
boo! hiss!!!!
I’m done “practicing” for today! :Þ
@assa77 how did you manage to get a 35 on earth what board did you use
@ axl d
Thanks!! I’m glad to see we’re back to having fun.
@ j15bell
That’s the EXACT worry I’ve had this entire time. I sympathize for you.
@ assa77
I bet you used the Earth puzzle with the 8 blocks radiating from the center at the outset. Am i right? I haven’t been able to finish the puzzle more than once, but I’ve had this nagging feeling it has a low score in there somewhere (’cause most people will give up on it early).
~ Kurt
Hey Guys,
On which earth board are you getting 38 or 39? My sister and I are stumped on that one.
Thanks for the help!
@ sim
I was able to get a 38 on board #5 (follow the link at the top of the post)
Thanks Steve!
Whats going to be funny is when we find out someone with a score of 4256 or something ends up winning. It’ll be hilarious if you disqualify yourself if you leave your puzzle to practice all of them and it turns out only people who make one attempt at the first puzzle assigned (like the game said you’d get) and submit that one score are the only ones still eligible. I think thatd be a great ending to all this complaining about these lowest scores.
@justin
I was just thinking that…..
Hi gang,
Just wanted to say that after a good night’s sleep and reading your comments, I agree that challenging other people’s scores doesn’t add anything positive to these forums. My apologies – let’s keep this fun.
Gotta run, will be back tonight. Good luck.
David
2nd round score is
Earth 57
Air 1485
Fire 164
water 138
I got tired with air and took the 1485. My first round was so bad, I am now just playing for fun.
Is there a photosynthe portion to the 2nd round? I didn’t see anything.
Also are we suppose to do anything with the St. Peters picture on the right?
Thanks
Hey David,
I just got a 632 on Air 2 I think it is extremely hard just to get that let alone some of the “other” scores on here, but who knows, maybe it is possible. I wasn’t quick enough to get a screenshot but I will try to duplicate it if I can.
Gamepro
just as a note of reference. Husband’s air puzzle has not been screen captured yet for level two. It is very very similar to the Air#2 puzzle but it goes in the opposite direction with maybe a few less bomby things.
Here is another way to look at this whole thing. I’m done, score submitted, it is in the hands of the illuminati. But by one accounting I, and all Canadians win, because we on a per capita basis, have the highest participation rate in this game then any other country. whoo who, we win!
@steve
Woohoo! Even though i have a better chance of winning roll up the rim, than winning a trip to rome. It was fun!
Earth 38 Water 63
No time to fool with the other two yet. I’ve started the book and am enjoying it more than the puzzles…at least I can revisit Rome through the book, don’t think it will happen through the contest. I haven’t dared practice what has been suggested for fear of what was mentioned above-one shot to win. Not to mention driving myself nuts doing it…
@Gamepro
That 632 is from Round 1 Air Level 2, right?
what’s the lowest score so far for Air Round 2?
The lowest I’ve noticed is 952 and possibly 741 but I wasn’t sure if it was for round 1 or 2. Sorry I’m not more help. I’d be curious to know that myself if anyone has a more solid answer.
the 741 was achieved on the practice round for air and was a false alarm. 952 is still the lowest score I think that’s been achieved and posted so far.
well 952 is the lowest score that’s been posted that seems achievable as it has been repeated by more than one person. A 801 and 815 were claimed but I don’t know about the authenticity.
Moz,
I really don’t know what the lowest score is, Jax and Ghostrider have scores for round 2 air in the low 800′s the lowest I was able to get in the time I played them was 925. And yes, that 632 was on Air level 1 puzzle 2 with the 3 keys….. I have tried to duplicate it, but it is proving to be a daunting task, like I said before, I don’t see how a 610 or 612 is even possible. I guess we just wait and see after the contest???
@axl d,
Sorry for my late reply…busy day. Do you know how we could send PM’s to one another? I’m embarrassed to say I don’t…let me know if you still want to pursue that.
@gamepro,
thanks for your comments above. sent you an e-mail.
@Kurt
thanks for your reply!
(sorry if I forgot anyone)
Me neither
..
Could you send a word to Gestiefelter-Kater@web.de? Thx
David,
Thanks for the email I sent you one back…..BTW Goodluck!
@axl d,
done
You know, I think that the scoring for air is not nearly as precise as the rules describe. It seems to assign points in chunks, and if you happen to get the ball in the hole just before the next chunk is added on, you don’t get charged for the difference between the two numbers.
For example, as your score rises from 1000 to 1024 to 1047, you could get credit for a score of 1024 even if you really got 1046. I could certainly be wrong about this, but that’s what it seems like.
I think you’re definitely right about that. Btw thx for the mail..
@Stacey
Yeah…roll up the rim…you have to be in Quebec to win anything. There was even a big article about it on one of the newsprograms. Something about a law in Quebec that you have to guarantee a certain number of wins in any lottery/game type thing there. It’s wierd.
All I know is I haven’t even won a cookie yet.
anyone from Canada get below 3587 yet? That seems to be the score to beat.
@steve (from Canada)…you were soooo close!!
@canuck girl
Where are you from…..apparently not from quebec, lol….i’m in London (on)
Who got the 3587 score?
I’m in Mississulgy. I lived in London briefly for a work term in University though. I lived in London Towers next to the funeral home downtown. .. great massage school on the main floor (inexpensive)
. LOL..no not Quebec, but it’s a lovely place to visit.
3587 is the score from that Ace fellow I mentioned earlier.
Is it just me or is the puzzle site down right now?
That would be a twist, huh?
It’s not loading for me either right now, Brandon.
It’s seems to be OK now.
I remember reading some replies saying things like “I hope I win the tv” or “aiming for a lower prize”, and I wonder why do they think they can win individual prizes.
As far as I know the Grand Winner gets everything, and the country winner gets only the Trip to Rome package. And that’s the only 2 kind of winners.
Moz, you are correct. There is only ONE prize per country plus ONE grand prize for best country winner!
The country winners also get a Vespa along with the trip to Rome.
As far as I could tell from reading the rules, the grand prize winner is also the winner for their country. Only seven winners world wide.
I posted earlier, but now that everyone is showing lowest possible scores, i figured i might as well show the ones i got on a non-qualifying competitor. It was too late for him to submit his scores, therefore not qualifying.
Here is what i managed on the second air puzzle of round 1
http://s596.photobucket.com/albums/tt49/KobeF_/
KobeF,
Nice job with that air puzzle…that’s lower than almost anyone got for that level. You won’t believe it, but Lee11 figured out a way to get 633! And gamepro tweaked that solution and got a 632.
Air just killed me – again~! Best wishes to whomever wins!
I am having so much trouble figuring out the Fire puzzle in Round 2, I don’t know what the combination is. I’m no where near winning haha, I just wanna finish to say I finished! Anyone think they can help me with fire!?
Daniel,
Fire is mostly pure luck. However, David said he gave some pointers above about how to solve it. I certainly am not one to give advice on “FIRE” because I was “practicing” and ended up getting what I think is an awful score on fire. But, if you click the submit button when the level first talks, hopefully it will show two or more solid white dots, that means you have that many correct in the solution. Note: I had one that had 4 ones in the solution!! Then just use process of elimination as you click on the levers and then hit submit, use the games feedback to help you out. But, I’d check David’s direction of that one if I were you, I think he said that he posted pointers on it early on.
I hope that this helps you in some way and good luck with the contest.
Gamepro
lol bad typo– talks? a level talks now, lol I meant, when the level first starts* my bad;)
Gamepro
So, it sounds like the lowest (credible) score for air, round 1, level 2, is 632.
I did get a 382 in level 1, which I think is lower than the lowest posted score.
Ghost Rider, I’ll gladly trade you an image of my 382 for an image of your 612 (or 770 or 815).
That said, your total for round one seems to be 1993 not 2003 (or 1905), so forgive me if I’m a little skeptical.
Is anybody below 630 for level 2, 780 for level 3 or 820 for round 2?
I saw Jax posted 801 (and mentioned 801-17=784) on Round 2, but nobody seems to be between 820 and 950, which seems a little surprising.
Dave
Dave H, what was your total score for round 1?
I’d rather not say yet.
did you get 820 for round 2 air?
No (and not 630 or 780 either)
Well then David can you e-mail me and tell me the tips you have for me finding the Fire answer for Round 2. I have tried and even got 4 correct dots but after that it never seems to work. My e-mail is Gstaraw617@aol.com, thanks David
Dave H.
Can I see the screen shot of that 382 on Air Level 1?
you can email it here gamepro08@gmail.com
Gamepro
The 815 (let along the 784) doesn’t even seem feasible to me on the air round 2 as the lowest score mentioned at this point is 952 i believe. This would mean that not only would you need to eliminate one tile, but you would also have to eliminate close to an additional 30 points from a path that already seems to take a straight line to the goal. Also, why would you tell the entire competition that they can shave 140 points off their overall score still?, since you know everyone who is playing competitively is waiting until Thursday to submit scores for hopes of learning about possibly lower scores. (Though I don’t think its possible to do lower than 38-952-60ish-63)
Dave H,
WTG I just matched it!!!:D
Gamepro
Justin,
I got a 925 on Air 2 Puzzle 2 (see j15bells photobucket file for the exclaimation!) also Aslass?? got a 35 on Earth, and many people have in the low 40′s for Fire, but I haven’t seen anything “posted” about anything lower for water as of yet.
well I finally have time to invest and play these puzzles. ofc as I stated above I mistakenly officially finished air of all puzzles.
and then add the high score I had from the first round which is why I have never worried about getting a competitive score.
but it will be fun to try and get a low score on my remaining three puzzles.
j
(a) Grand Prize Determination: The potential Grand Prize winner will be the eligible entrant who receives the lowest combined score from Round 1 and Round 2, regardless of which country the entrant is from. Awarding the Grand Prize to the potential Grand Prize winner is subject to the requirements set forth in Section 8, below. In the event that two (2) or more entrants are tied after Round 2, then the entrant who received the lowest score on Round 2 Puzzle 3 will be deemed the potential Grand Prize winner. In the event a tie still remains, further ties will be broken as set forth in the “Breaking Ties” section below.
(b) Country Winner Determination: Winners will also be announced for each eligible country. The entrant from each country who receives the lowest combined score from Round 1 and Round 2, when compared to all other eligible scores submitted by entrants residing in the same country, will be the potential Country Winner for his/her respective country. The Grand Prize Winner will also be the Country Winner for his/her country. Awarding any Country Winner prize is subject to the requirements set forth in Section 8, below and the following tie breaker criteria (if applicable).
(c) Breaking Ties: In the event that two (2) or more entrants are tied for awarding of any prize after Round 2, then the entrant who received the lowest score on Round 2 Puzzle 3 (as described above in section 5(b) will be deemed the potential prize winner. In the event a tie still remains, further ties will be broken by comparing the scores each tied entrant received during each of the following puzzles, until the tie is broken: Round 1 Puzzle 3, level 3; Round 1 Puzzle 3, level 2; Round 1 Puzzle 3, level 1; Round 2 Puzzle 2; Round 1 Puzzle 2, level 3; Round 1 Puzzle 2, level 2; Round 1 Puzzle 2, level 1; Round 2 Puzzle 1; Round 1 Puzzle 1, level 3; Round 1 Puzzle 1, level 2; Round 1 Puzzle 1, level 1; Round 2 Puzzle 4; Round 1 Puzzle 4, level 3; Round 1 Puzzle 4, level 2; and Round 1 Puzzle 4 level 1.
(d) Tie Breaker Round: In the event a tie still remains, all tied entrants will be instructed to play a Tie-Breaker Round. The Tie-Breaker Round will consist of the same four (4) puzzles as previous Rounds. All puzzles in this Tie-Breaker Round will be available at the same time. Each puzzle will have one (1) level of play and each tied entrant will be given only one (1) chance to play each puzzle. The Tie-Breaker Round will be scored using the same Scoring Criteria as set forth in Section 5(a), and any remaining ties will be broken as set forth in the “Breaking Ties” section above.
Hi Daniel,
I’ll try to give a quick answer here to your fire question. The advice I gave earlier in this thread wouldn’t be helpful…that was a suggestion on how to get a score of 50-60 during the first round provided that 1. you already had a basic solving strategy and 2. you were willing to devote 3-4 hours to the task.
If you’re not worried about your score and just want to solve it, this is probably the simplest way:
1. For your first 8 guesses, use 111111, 222222, 333333, etc. The number of solid white circles will tell you how many of each of those numbers are in the code.
2. Next, pick a number that you’ve proven is in the code, and pick a number that’s not in the code (i.e. the computer showed you no circles when you used only that number in step 1). For example, let’s say you know there are two 1′s but zero 2′s in the code. Guess any code using two 1′s and all the rest 2′s. If you get two hollow circles, they’re both in the wrong place. If you get one solid circle and one hollow circle, then one of them is in the right place. Keep experimenting until you find where the two 1′s are located, as shown by two solid white circles in the computer’s response.
Once you find where the first numbers are located, keep those numbers in their correct places for all subsequent guesses.
3. You can use a similar strategy for the remaining numbers. For example, let’s say you learned from step 2 that the first and last numbers of the code are 1; and let’s say that you know from step 1 that there is one 3 in the code (or two 3′s, or three 3′s, it doesn’t matter). Leave the 1′s in their correct places, put one 3 in the code (or two 3′s, or three 3′s, etc.), and fill the rest with 2′s again. Experiment until you get 3 solid circles, proving that your 3′s are now in the correct place (along with the two 1′s).
Repeating this method for the remaining places will solve the puzzle before too long. Not a prize-winning strategy, but a way to get the satisfaction of crossing the finish line.
Good luck!
The last sentence in step 3 above could use a revision:
Experiment until you get all solid circles, proving that your 3’s are now in the correct place (along with the two 1’s).
(substituted the word “all” for “three”)
New Air Level 1 Record: 379!!!!!!!
Gamepro
Genius
Are you still going AROUND the block or do you jump over it?
officially done. it’s 5am in the morning and I’m going to bed now.
still too embarrassed to post my first level. =o
EARTH 46 + AIR 1053 + FIRE 83 + WATER 64 = 1246
hehe still going around the block. Dave H sent me a sc of his 382 and after I matched it, I kept tweaking and tweaking and I finally completely moved one of the winds and it worked! I really hope they post all the levels lowest scores and then re-open ALL the puzzles, at least if we don’t win the trip and other prizes we can still having some bragging rights LOL.
Gamepro
@ Daniel and others
hi there. my suggestion for fire is:
Define “circle” as hollow OR solid circle, “hcircle” as a hollow circle and “scircle” as a solid circle.
1. Take a pencil and draw two columns, first column you mark with a “r” (=right), the second with a “f” (= false).
Just joking..
2. Submit 123456. If you don’t have 6 circles,
3. submit 234567. If you don’t have 6 circles,
4. submit 345678. If you don’t have 6 circles, stop. Give up.
5. Count the circles, you had at 2., 3. and 4.
If the number is the same in all steps,
6. submit 456781 (, 567812,678123..) until the number of one step is NOT the same as in the other steps or until 812345.
Otherwise do directly:
7. If the number of circles changes from one step to another, than you got information.
Rules:
a) If you have one circle less in step A than you have in step B, write the first number of step A in the column “f” and write the last number of step B in the column “r”.
b) On the other hand, if you have one circle more in step A than in step B, write the first number of step A in the column “r”, the last number of step B in “f”.
c) If both steps have the same number of circles and you know, that the last number of step B is in “f”, then the first number of step A is in “f”.
d) If both steps have the same number of circles and you know, that the last number of step B is in “r”, then the first number of step A is in “r”.
8. Check all other steps for information. If you don’t have all numbers (1-8) in any column, go to 6.
9. Take the step with the most scircles and the fewest hcircles, combine all information from all steps, choose your numbers and try.
So far, I will give an example to illustrate what you can do.
http://img15.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=fireexample.png
Example (near worst case scenario)
2. Result: 1 scircle + 2 hcircles = 3 circles
3. Result: 2 scircles + 0 hcircles = 2 circles
4. Result: 0 scircles + 3 hcircles = 3 circles
The number of circles is not the same in all steps => go to 7.
123456 was step A, one more circle than in 234567 (step B). => b) write the number “1” in “r” and “7” in “f”.
8. Check the other steps. Now, step A is 234567, step B is 345678. One circle less in A than in B => a) write the number “2” in “f” and “8” in “r”. We still need more information about the numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6. => go to 6.
6. submit 456781 ( d) the first number of step A is in “r”, the “3”. Still need more information. => go to 6.
6. submit 567812 ( c) the first number of step A is in “f”, the “4”. Still need more information. => go to 6.
6. submit 678123 ( d) the first number of step A is in “r”, the “5”.
In the first step (123456) we had three circles. We know that 1, 3 and 5 are right. Thus, “6” has to be false.
FINAL RESULTS: column “r”: 1,3,5,8; column “f”: 2,4,6,7
9. In the second step we had most scircles (2) and fewest hcircles (0). It was 234567. We know from our columns, that 2,4,6 and 7 are false => sure: number “3” is on second position, number “5” on fourth position.
In the last step we had most scircles (2) and second fewest hcircles (1). It was 678123. We still know that 2, 6 and 7 are false. The “1” on fourth position can’t be right, cause the “5” is already on fourth position. => the hcircle is the “1”. => the scircles are “8” and “3”. => sure: number “8” is on third position, number “3” on sixth position.
Last thought: The second most scircles (1) we find in step 1 and in step 5 along with two hcircles. We are looking for the first and the fifth position.
Step 1: First position: “1”, Fifth position:” 5”; Step 5: First position: “5”, Fifth position: “1”
That means four possibilities for the final result:
1. 138513
2. 138553
3. 538513
4. 538553
If 2. would be right, than the first step had given us two scircles => 2. False.
If 3. would be right, than the fifth step had given us two scircles => 3. False.
If 4. would be right, the solution had no number “1” in it, but “1” is in column “r”. => 4. False.
Thus, 138513 is the solution. Points needed: 99.
Observance: For this example coming to 9. you did not even need to try something.
Have fun!
@ Daniel and others
http://img15.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=fireexample.png
Hmm..I wanted to post another suggestion for a solution of fire..but it doesn’t work. If anyone is interested, write me
Gestiefelter-Kater@web.de
Regards
@gamepro
Could you send me a screenshot of your 379?
Glad to be done…
Round 2:
Earth:41
Air:965
Fire:86
Water:62
Total: 1154
Really 62 on water?
which puzzle?
So, IS there a photosynth for St.Peters’s? Has anyone found it yet? I’ve been looking like a maniac and can’t find it!
thanks…
There is a photosynth, there seems to be consensus that you don’t have to find anything in there, but nobody knows for sure.
Let me clarify…is there a “SYMBOL” to be found in the
St. Peters’s photosynth like we did for all the other puzzles??
@ redbird985
There is no photosynth for Round 2.
The St Peters photosynth has been there since the beginning. Unless it has something to do with a tie breaker, I don’t think there is any use for it other than practice.
Finally finished, waited forever to get my desired fire score.
Earth Round 1: 16-22-31
Round 2: 35
Air Round 1: 390-633-790
Round 2: 933
Fire Round 1: 1-1-45
Round 2: 40
Water Round 1: 14-30-31
Round 2: 63
Total Score= 3075
I am just goofing around now but I managed to get air 1, level 1 at 418! That is miraculous for me.
GREAT scores Kevin
Got it to 405 now. Geez where were these abilities when it was actually counting…LOL
@Kevin S
Do you mind sharing your 31 on water level 3? That is much lower than anything I’ve seen posted!
Air Level 1: 379
http://photobucket.com/gamepro09
Wow Kevin, nice scores! Where are you from?
Gamepro
Yeah me too, the lowest I was able to get on Water was 38! It must have been one of those really complicated ones that I just passed right by and didn’t try lol
Gamepro
damn, looks like i have no chance
Ocuber,
what were your totals? BTW you are from Canada right?
Gamepro
Cynthia,
Do you mind sharing what Round 2 water board you used to get the 62?
Gamepro
Round 1 – 12588
Round 2 – 4488
Total – 17076
I know compared to you all, I did terrible, so who ever wins congrats!!!
THANK TO ALL for the info about there not being a ‘symbol’ in the St. Peter’s photosynth to find….
Some what are the lowest scores (those that can be proven that is) for each level of Round 2
Earth???
Air????
Fire???
Water????
Gamepro
My 399 for 1 round Air
http://i44.tinypic.com/255m9mu.jpg
Water 63, here:
http://i43.tinypic.com/1zd0m87.jpg
Kevin S.
Looks like you’re the champ! It’s just a matter of time until the doubters on this forum question your score. In an effort to keep things positive round here, you should post a screenshot of your score so that you can get the unqualified praise you deserve!
Great job,
Lila
P.S. Any chance you’re in Canada?
Water Round 2 was in a water puzzle not shown in the screenshots linked to above. It kinda looked like Water #4 but had glass tiles to the right and above the block in the starting location.
lol, there’s nothing to doubt about Kevin S. score. Every score he got has already been achieved by a few other people. Plus, Kevin S. seems to have really taken his time to achieve the lowest score possible based off his round 1 scores, so I’m going to say that the 933 for air round 2 is the lowest possible for that puzzle.
I got 936 for air round 2, and I could’ve probably shaved off a couple points but it automatically submitted my score, man i spent so much time on this shit and I get fuked because of that level 2 round 1 air map with the 3 keys, I mis calculated the pixels required to complete it so i completely disregarded it… and thats 60 points right there
anyway gg, have fun in rome and uh hopefully 1 day ill be able 2 go there
@Justin
Well, I’ve never seen a 31 for water level 3. I do trust Kevin, but someone else might point out that it wouldn’t be hard to make a list of lowest scores they’ve read about and claim it as their score.
A screen shot would keep those kind of doubters away.
Again, I believe the numbers are real…great job!
Kevin,
Forget the screenshot…would you please share with us how you got 31 for level 3 water in round 1? That’s such an amazing score. How on earth did you get 7 points better than anyone else?
After seeing all the unbelievable new scores in air, I believe that anything is possible. I hope you’ll let us know how you did it.
Thanks and congrats,
David
Sorry if some of your comments aren’t showing up. Our spam filter is catching some. Upon review if they don’t have any content that could be regarded as spam, they will be approved.
Hi people! I’m wondering – is anyone else questioning that air round 2 just doesn’t seem right. I don’t know about you guys, but the puzzle that seems to have the “obvious lowest score” for us just doesn’t seem right. (If that makes any sense)
@ Lee11
Do you mean you think it has changed somehow?
@Lee11
Are you saying that you think another air puzzle could have a lower score?
I mean it just seems too obvious and doesn’t allow for much range of skill. I’ve gone to all the other air puzzles countless times and they all seem to be way too counter-conducive to your score. Does anyone else feel this way?
I can tell you straight up. If you guys getting the low scores on the Air2 puzzle from round two you would have gotten even lower on the puzzle my dearest husband had. It was very similar but almost reversed. Like the ball started where the hole is in that screen shot and the door near where the ball originates. (There were less starbombs too)
@Canuckgirl
Really? There’s a 7th air puzzle that you can get an even lower score on? That puzzle must be super rare then, bc I think I went through the air puzzles in round two at least 250 times to makes sure I had played all of them and ensure I had the puzzle that could achieve the lowest score (Until I didn’t hit stop in time and submitted a score of 1250, oh well, I wasn’t going to win anyways)
LOL justin. I swear to Tom, there was another puzzle. Now I’m sitting here wondering if my mind is playing tricks on me but I specifically remember his going from right to left not the other way, but it was almost the same thing just reversed (again…less star bombs).
Has anyone else seen this puzzle that Canuckgirl is talking about? I have personally been through the puzzles 1000 times and never seen one like this?!
Well if it does exist, it’ll be the first air puzzle where the ball doesn’t start on the left or in the middle.
You can just calculate the minimum amount of pixels needed to travel from the beginning to the end using the shortest path on each map… and then calculate the distance using a slope calculator…. and then it becomes obvious which map is the shortest..
Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. Tom knows I haven’t had much sleep lately!! LOL. In my own brain I am convinced though it went right to left. hmmm. (I just figured out how to do screen captures now so no help there…sorry gang)
PS. If anyone is wondering about the Tom referrences. About two years ago when Tom Cruise was in his crazy rant mode someone publicly proclaimed him bigger than Jesus and the next coming of Christ….it’s a running joke in our house to replace God with Tom, or say Thomas H Cruise instead of swearing. Force of habit in my typing
@cynthia
Wow, I can’t beat 66 on that one.
Round 1:
Earth} 16, 26, 34
Air } 394, 635, 832
Fire} 1, 14, 58
Water} 14, 32, 39
Round 1 Points=2095
Still working on round 2………. Can someone tell me how 62 is obtained on round 2 water? as well as 925 on round 2 air.
I totally agree with you, Lee. It was intuitively obvious which air was the one to use. There is at least 200 points between that one and the next lowest possible score. Some of them had minimum scores of around 1500. What were they thinking when they set up that round?
Considering some of us have spent more time chatting with each other this past week than we have with our families, I say we all have a beer at the same time tonight – being that it’s the last night we’ll be playing together and all!
I’ll more than likely be doing that at any given time that you choose, but go ahead. Pick the time: How about 7EDT, 10PDT?
10 pdt, is that the same as PST – Pacific standard?
Great idea there
Don’t wanna be a drag but I guess I’ll bring forward the beer.. 10 PDT would mean 6 am for me.
My dad would like it though..he having breakfast shortly before leaving for work and me, sitting there with the bottle.
Actually not bad at all.. but I guess I’ll sleep in.
Cheers!
Finally done…I don’t drink beer here, but I’ll have a glass of bubbly. A decent imported beer is a 90 mile round trip from me & I don’t have any at the moment…ever try Nastro?…fantastica
Sorry I meant 39 for water, 31 is impossible.
CHEERS!
Sooooo happy I finally did these puzzles. Can’t spend time on them tomorrow. If you haven’t gotten around to them yet. GIDDY UP!
and good luck!
Thanks Kevin. That was driving me crazy. So, what is your actual grand total for the game?
does anyone know if we have to find anything in the 5th photosynth picture?
@ Ian
You don’t have to find anything is the photosynth picture.
Hi,
Anybody here want to help an old guy from Volvo!
Ghostrider,
Are you the man to beat? I heard some incredible scores on AIR!
Brandon, 10pm – yep! Beers!
Cheers!
i’VE GOT MY BEER!
@gamepro
I’ve been trying, and I just can’t reproduce your 379. Could you email me a full-size screenshot so I can see exactly where your winds are?
Thanks,
Dave
Dave H.
I put that screen shot in my photobucket account just scroll above and click on the link and you’ll see it, I did make it that kind of screen shot, since those are the kind most people perfer, but I think the screenshot showing the message you have completed level 1 Air etc is more effective!
Gamepro
I must be missing something…the main rectangle in your screenshot is only ~600 pixels wide whereas mine is 700. I’m thinking photobucket shrunk it or something. I swear my winds are in the same place, but it just doesn’t work!
That is weird, I think that is the thing with screen shots, especially something so touchy as the pixels in those air puzzles. Because I did the same thing with your sc of 382 and it did not work, I had to move and tweak several times to get it to work! I promise it DOES work!
Dave H,
Have you did your Air Round 2 puzzle yet, if so what was your score?
If you would rather not tell the whole board, just email me.
Gamepro
@Decipher Guy
Hey! How you doin’? Lot’s of info above to use including screenshots of some of the available round 2 puzzles (see the link at the very top of the page). You don’t have much time left.
j
So… the contest ends tomorrow, and this is my story:
I found out about the contest the the night before the last day, I finished all puzzles in one day and my total score was 2343 a few days later I found this website and at first I was feeling pretty good about my scores but as I kept going down and reading I started to see very low scores on Air and Fire. But I still thought I had a chance hoping that the people with good scores would make silly mistakes and ruin their scores. Then round 2 came and one day I was practicing with Fire round 1, I got a very bad score and the score got submitted and I thought WTF? At first I just didn’t understand but then I realized I must have clicked the Play button for Round 2 because in my mind I had the image and location of that button from Round 1… So I got kind of angry and at the same time I laughed. *sigh* Irony is awesome…
But still I finished all puzzles, if someone with a score of about 150 points better than mine ends up winning then I think I’ll go insane.
good luck to everyone
OMG I thought we were gonna party tonight! Am I the only one here?
I don’t know who posted that comment as me but that was not me I did get 31 on water 3 it wasn’t a typo. I used the board that starts out with a lot of glass tiles on a huge platform. I noticed that I could cut several steps off my score by starting in a different way than I did when I got 38 but whomever posted claiming to be me please don’t speak for me anymore! good luck tomorrow everyone
@Kevin S
Yeah, I noticed that the name was slightly different, but I guess it was just wishful thinking.
I’d really like to know how you did it if you remember…I really thought I did a thorough job of trying all the possibilities in Water. If you want to wait until after Round 2 closes, that’s good.
Thanks,
Dave
I’m wondering if more fantastic scores are going to come out of the woodwork this morning. Obviously, the best strategy would have been to keep your mouth shut until the game was over and read everyone else’s posts, doing the puzzles in the last minute when the truly lowest scores were found. I couldn’t do it, though. I just enjoyed playing and talking with you all too much.
This was so much fun. Three cheers for Dan Brown and Robert Langdon! May he return in another couple of years or so so we can do this again.
Contest ends in 2 hours 15 mins
@David(The one that doesn’t want to share scores)
if you see this before the contest ends, just send me an e-mail to thebestemailservice@gmail.com saying it’s you.
100 minutes left..
Make sure you’re not too late!
@ axl d
We’re on daylight savings time now, so really only 35 minutes left!
really? Sorry there!! -.-
Remember when I was complaining about not getting my confirmation email last week? Check out the email I just got from the contest admin:
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you very much for contacting us.
We have checked our records and do not have the email addresses listed
in your previous email as a confirmed winners. As detailed in the
Official Rules, all winning plays are emailed as the page starts to
load, regardless of what appears on your screen. If you had been a
winner, an email would have been sent to the email address you used to
register.
Should you need any additional clarification, or have any other
questions regarding this promotion, please do not hesitate to contact us
directly.
Thank you for your time,
ePrize Customer Service
Are you sure they are talking about this contest??
I assume you’ll be contacting them. A very curious development. I hope it works out for you.
Ten minutes to go, there’s no point in keeping this information secret. Kurt was right. There is a way to do that Air 2nd puzzle with three tiles. He was on the right track, but had not tweaked it enough to get it in the hole. I managed a 905 on that puzzle.
They are already talking about winners in that Email and that is not possible. I really think whoever replied to Lee’s question got their contests mixed up. I hope that is all it is.
@ Brandon
Wow! Did you get a screenshot?
Yes, I indicated in my initial email which contest this was for. I called them and left them a message, but they still only return your message via email within 3 business days. So basically, if there’s anyone that didn’t get their email, take care of it now. You can call 877-837-7493 select the “prize fulfillment” option. There were quite a few other people in the same situation as well, and I’m sure they would feel the way I do.
I’ve seen very low scores, and it’s not like I have any chance of winning. But I think we deserve the same recognition as everyone else for “COMPLETING” this contest. Ya know what I’m sayin?
Great Job Brandon I see you kept that secret right to end just like me:D I got an 858 Air Round 2 and a 34 Earth!!
Great job everyone and good luck!
I got 830 on round 2 air.
I also got 784 on round 1, level 3 air, which I think is better than the other confirmed scores.
Is anybody ready to explain how to get those low scores in water (31, 62)?
How many people are under 3000 total?
My wife got 2972.
I got 858 for Air Round 2 as well. I thought that was the lowest possible, but 830…. wow
@ Casey,
Sorry, no screenshot. Maybe gamepro has one.
Dave H,
Awesome job do you have a screen shot? If so, email me
Gamepro
Now that the contest is over, I was wondering what strategies people had for the Air section. To me it seemed to be a matter of endless tweaking, but chances are there’s more to it that that. If someone is willing to share, I’m all ears.
Cheryl
I tried to post it to j15bell’s photobucket, but I’m not sure it worked.
I also posted it here:
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv245/sodg/830.png
Can you guys see it in either place?
lol my solution was similar to Dave’s except for the air tile in the middle. I tried to put it there a few times, but then I tried something else.
Great score, Dave! Congrats! Hope you’re not german.
@moz
, meant a total 3082.
Exactly the same for me
I’m curious about the scores of FMLFML, David, ocubermensch and all the others. What about Jax, Ghost Rider (the phenomenal air scores) and the 31 water level from Kevin? Any screenshots?
The contest was all fun.
@ admins
Would you mind unlocking the Round 2 Puzzles? I guess I’m not the only one who’d like to try to achieve the best scores that were and will be posted.
OK, I’ve been trying to keep track of the final scores being posted. It would be great if contests like these would list the top 30 finishers, but they usually don’t do that.
Here is what I have so far.
Ghost Rider’s Friend – 2822
Ghost Rider – 2952
Dave H’s Wife – 2972
Jax – 3018
Ghost Rider’s Cousin – Between 3000-3050 ?
Ghost Rider’s Brother – Between 3000-3050 ?
Kevin S. – 3075
Axl d – 3082 (Germany)
Carl -3253
James -3295
David #2- 3324
Anyone else want to add to the list? There are plenty at 3400 plus but there must many more in the lower range.
lol axl, I had 2108 for round 1, I thought it was a low score until i saw the 633 on that air map round 1 and then I realized I have no chance for round 2
Round 1:
Earth:
16-25-31
Air:
393-697-793
Fire:
1-1-62
Water:
15-30-43
Total: 2108
Round 2:
Earth:
38
Air:
936
Fire:
58
Water:
63
Total: 1095
Contest Total: 3203
what are your scores axl
I have a grand total of 9349. I suppose I won’t get the e-mail then LOL.
@ ocubermensch
yeah..you’re definitely right..I just thought NOOOOO as someone posted the 633..
Round 1:
Earth:
15-25-31
Air:
393-699-794
Fire:
1-1-41
Water:
14-30-38
Total: 2082
Round 2:
Earth:
37
Air:
858
Fire:
42
Water:
63
Total: 1000
Contest Total: 3082
hope I did no literal error..
I wish I could party like my score was 1999.
It has been such a pleasure playing this game and talking with all of you guys! May all of us make it to Rome someday, someway or another, and best of luck to all of you guys!
Good one Steve!
Lee, what were your scores? Since you are the person that made the possibility of 633 sore public… you prolly have good score… i dunt remember seeing it earlier plz post
Hello all,
Echoing the sentiments of others above, I also really appreciate all of you who contributed to this forum. These puzzles are the sort of things you just can’t share with most of your friends – at least not in the obsessive detail that some of us crave.
Here are the not-quite-good-enough scores that my friend and I thought had a chance:
Round 1:
Earth 16 / 24 / 31
Air 393 / 699 (damn!) / 791
Fire 1 / 1 / 45
Water 14 / 30 / 38
Round 1 total 2083
Round 2
Earth 34
Air 931
Fire 35 (honest!)
Water 63
Round 2 total 1063
Grand total 3146
Special thanks to the puzzle creators, Lee11 for being the 633 pioneer, and Gamepro for his incredible screenshots and helpful collaboration.
Hope to see you all again at the Deception Point online contest (…do a Google search and you’ll get it)
David
My score was 2094 for R1 and 1097 for R2 = 3191 total. My round 2 scores should have been a lot better, but when I saw the super low scores posted last weekend, I didn’t see a need to try very hard. Oh Well!
Eugene, I bet you didn’t realize how big this board would get. Thanks for putting it up!
@david
I may be tired from travelling, but there’s a contest for deception point? I googled, nothing….like i said, i’m tired but do you know when it starts….? Or am i jumping the gun?
@Stacey,
I was only kidding…I just picked Deception Point because it was another Dan Brown book (sorry to get your hopes up).
@daivd
DAMN IT!!!
Maybe his next book (soleman’s key or something like that) will be a big hit!!!! I’m addicted now….
Well, it’s been fun. Let’s all sock away some funds and get to Rome somehow! I plan to be there no later than September! Ciao!
Hi all,
I thought I was doing pretty well until I found this board. The scores you found on the air puzzles are insane. I had a great strategy for the Fire puzzles that I thought would put me ahead, and a unique 3 tile solve for the air puzzle round 2 using a left blowing tile on the right end and a decent bounce on the ball. Well played by the leaders.
Round 1:
Earth: 15 / 22 / 30
Air: 389 / 698 / 828
Fire: 1 / 25 / 26
Water: 14 / 30 / 42
Round 1 total: 2120
Round 2:
Earth: 38
Air: 920
Fire: 18
Water: 63
Round 2 total: 1039
Grand total 3159
Well Gang…those scores are amazing!!! This has really been enjoyable finding people to play and chat with the game about. I am so impressed with those scores…Holy cow!!
For any Canadians on there if you’d like to win a new GM car you can play the game based on “24″ from Global tv’s website. I don’t know if I’m allowed to post a link here. You have 24 levels to complete each day. Each level you complete you get an entry into the contest. You can play up to 24 times per day. Finalists will be flown to Toronto after the draw and select one of three keys to a new car. One of each set of three keys (I think that is how I read it) opens the new car. The games aren’t nearly as challenging as those on this contest at all but hey…what the heck.
@ gdesignr
What was your Fire puzzle strategy? An 18 for Fire is pretty spectacular!
Gdesignr, those fire scores are incredible. The only way I can imagine getting those is if you detected some sort of pattern in the code generator (or if you set up 20,000 different computers on an automated system).
Great scores…I hope you’ll share your method for getting such low fire scores.
@Lee11
I certainly did not LOL. And it all started with my comment, “Discuss “The Path of Illumination Contest” here
” expecting like 2 or 3 people to actually comment. This is pretty wild – although I suppose things are going to quiet down now that Round 2′s over. I guess there’s still the Tie Breaker round – for those who made it through, congrats!
This game rocked. Even with my pitiful and pathetic 9000+ score LOL, I definitely had fun and I think it’s about time to get psyched about the movie. May 15th can’t come sooner. And when the heck will they announce the release date for The Solomon Key (if that’s what the 3rd book is even called now lol)? Perhaps they’ll even have another game for it once the film’s made several years from now and we’ll start another forum here at AngryWeb
-Eugene
Was there a way to access the easiest puzzles? Someone said something about a trick when round 1 was going on. My air round 2 had two keys to hit, starting on the left and going to the right then back again and included a barrier. very different than this one. http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv245/sodg/830.png
@ Cowgirl
Every player had the option to choose from several puzzles in each Round. You just had to click where it said Return to Puzzles (on the lower left of the screen) to exit out of any you wanted to change.
@casey- In Round 1 you could play until you got a score you wanted to keep but I thought in Round 2 once you started playing you had to take the score.
exactly right! and I am writing e-prize to have them throughly check that the winning player did only do the first puzzle given to them, because a lot of people not frenqueting this board did not know you could cheat like that and yes, that is cheating because the rules specify that you only get ONE CHANCE in round 2! E-prize will be checking that every potential winner did in fact, use only one screen the first board they were given and that will knock out all those low fire scores and air scores. personally I followed the rules and I used the first air round 2 fire round 2 earth round 2 and water round 2 puzzles I was given and I still got a total of 3300! So for those that CHEATED and got low scores don’t start packing your suit cases just yet, there WILL be a FULL INVESTIGATION!!! oh i got a first time score of 1000 with air and I used the board with two keys vertical of eathother
@ Cowgirl
No, actually it turned out that you could look at all the puzzles and choose in Round 2, as well. If you completed a puzzle (the sphere or block fell through the hole), then your score was final, but you could play the puzzles over and over to practice. You just had to be careful not to complete the level before you were ready. A lot of people were surprised to find this was possible in Round 2.
Well Mike, you can still get around that by creating multiple accounts (an for the super paranoid like myself, I created a separate account on a different IP) and use the fake account to figure out all the solutions to all the puzzles…..
also, some air maps had shorter distance than others so it would be unfair to people who got a longer air map
also they couldve easily programmed a way to prevent from people to repedately play the round 2 puzzles
so i highly doubt theyll do anything, but it would be interesting
@Mike,
Correct me if I’m wrong (too lazy to look it up), but I thought the rules said that you’d only get one chance “to complete the puzzles”. While the wording is misleading, a literal interpretation would be that you could start the puzzles as many times as you’d like, but you could only complete them once. And that’s exactly what it turned out to be.
Clearly they designed the contest so that we could restart the puzzles at will. You might have wished that it had been designed differently, but those that won followed the rules.
@Lee11
A belated reply, but I very much agree with your comments about some of the crazy options for air in round 2. A couple of them were worth checking out, but a few were laughable…you’d probably need at least 8 icons and would be lucky to score under 3000.
They were so clearly unusable that I thought they might be a trick…that you only had to get one key, not all of them, to open the door. I tested that on the silliest screens, but of course it didn’t work.
One of them was so hard that I wouldn’t be surprised if no one put in the time to complete it. It would be funny if completing it, with any score, got the game to credit you with a score of 500 and a comment “we didn’t think anyone would complete this, congratulations!”.
@ocubermensch,
LOL – You created a second account for yourself on a different IP!
I’m impressed that you’d admit to that after your self-righteous rant calling other people cheaters just for teaming up with friends on separate accounts…and you were asking the authorities to invalidate the entries of people who share the same computer! I guess it’s all part of the gamesmanship of true competition. Too funny.
It makes more sense now.
@casey So how did you look at all the puzzles?
@ Canuckgirl
Thanks for the link! And congrats to all the winners!
@ Cowgirl
It was the same as in Round 1. After viewing a puzzle, you just had to click on the -Return to Puzzles- button and confirm that you wanted to exit. After that, you were able to restart from the beginning. In this way you could eventually cycle through all the available puzzles.
Fire Strategy:
First I should warn you that I love statistics and probability. The odds of winning on the first guess were 1 in 262,144. Pretty impossible. But depending on your first guess and the resulting score your odds of winning on the second guess could be much much better. There were only about 11 possible first guesses that were statistically different from each other. Of these I wanted one that only cost 3 points, so if I needed 6 points on the second guess I would still be in the teens with a maximum score of 19. Some testing showed that 1,1,1,2,2,3 or some variation of 3 the same, 2 the same, and one unique (1,6,3,3,1,1, etc) would give 17 possible score results where the next guess would have a 1 in 6000 or better chance of winning, with 12 of those being 1 in 700 or better. Much better odds. Collectively these second guesses with great odds came up about 1 in 10 plays, or about 1 great chance to win every minute of playing. I figured at most it would take 10 hours to get a score in the teens. It took 2. If you liked this game you should check out a board/online game called Mastermind.
My biggest disappointment was when the final fire puzzle was the same as the Round 1 Level 3 fire puzzle. I was banking on it being 8 columns by 10 numbers high, giving most players a score over 100. My biggest mistake was thinking that the Fire puzzle would be the one to decide the winner, and not the Air puzzle. The Air one was just crazy with the possible point totals between different puzzles and even within the same puzzle. I wish I had been able to find this board earlier as I would have been clued into that fact. Oddly the normal places like unfiction, steeplemedia, and hitcontests were all pretty dead in regards to this contest. Probably due to most normal players having a bad memory of the DaVinci Code contest and all of its problems.
David,
I did the same thing with checking single keys on the air puzzles. I spent at least a little time with each of the ridiculous ones just to see if there was something not immediately obvious about them. I thought I could find another “633″, but no such luck this time!
@ gdesignr
Thanks for the explanation. I especially think it’s amazing that you got 18 after only 2 hours. You had the odds but also some luck!
Thanks to those willing to share their scores, here is the updated list.
Ghost Rider’s Friend – 2822
Ghost Rider – 2952
Dave H’s Wife – 2972
Jax – 3018
Ghost Rider’s Cousin – Between 3000-3050 ?
Ghost Rider’s Brother – Between 3000-3050 ?
Kevin S. – 3075
Axl d – 3082 (Germany)
David #1 – 3146
gdesignr – 3159
Lee11 – 3191
Ocubermensch – 3203
Carl -3253
Jojo – 3276 (from another forum)
James -3295
David #2- 3324
ROFL David you got me
to all those like me that followed the rules it might pay off so dont count yourself out yet. Here is the response I got from the contest officials.
Dear Michael,
Thank you very much for contacting us.
We have taken your requests/accusations in consideration, and have concluded the following as a result.
The programmers of each puzzle, and level of puzzle, of each category: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, designed each puzzle, to execute in a random order fashion. Therefore, some contestants received a different puzzle at any given time, on any given puzzle category. In return, some puzzles created lower possible scores than others. As a result, contestants could “pick-and-choose” which puzzle they felt could give them the lowest possible score to the best of their ability for Round 1 Only.
However, for Round 2, contestants could only play each puzzle one time, and thus the score when completed, was automatically submitted. Our system has a designated number of times each one contestant’s username was allowed to access puzzles using the “Return to puzzles” tab on the game site. That designated number (un-disclosed) was determined based upon; the odds of how many screens would have to be cycled through before playing each puzzle/stage one time.
All Round 1 puzzles were, and still are, available throughout Round 2, and that is the only “practice” a contestant was allowed to acquire for Round 2 puzzles.
This contest was a skill based contest, with the exception of Fire, which required a little bit of luck. In Round 2 our rules and regulations will be enforced and the only potential winners from each country or providence will have not exceeded the maximum number of plays designated for Round 2 regardless of total score, as to protect the puzzles and contestants, from being subjected to a “process of elimination” approach, giving some players an advantage over others.
If you are a potential Grand Prize, or Country winner you will be notified by the email you registered for the contest with.
If you have any more questions regarding this promotion, please do not hesitate to contact us
Thank you for your time,
ePrize Customer Service
@Mike Well, that still leaves me out because I “practiced” and still just got 2585!!! I really messed up with fire.
@everyone what are the lowest scores that people actually submitted for each level? and who else found the 34 solution for Earth? Also was the 62 for water ever verified?
Gamepro
whoa! big typo there, my total was 3585 lol I wish it was that low ROFLMAO.
Gamepro
@gamepro
I got 34 for earth.
I could never find the 62 for water round 2 or the 31 for water level 3.
@ Dave H
What about the 20 for earth Round 1, level 2? ^^
Yeah; I got 15/20/30 in earth round 1.
Just great! You would surely be a worthy winner.
Does anyone believe the tie breaker round will be necessary?
Dave H,
Great Job! What did you get for all of round 1? As you know, I am compiling the lowest scores (verified) for both Round One and Round Two.
I wonder what the designated number of plays was? hmmmm interesting.
Gamepro
As someone who is not in line to win regardless of how the rules are defined, I feel I can objectively say that it would be a travesty if contestants were disqualified for playing the puzzles multiple times.
It would be fine if the game would only allow each contestant to play a specific number of times. It would also be fine if all contestants could play as many times as they’d like, but could only complete the puzzles once. But how in the world would is it reasonable to set up the contest so that you are free to play each puzzle multiple times, and then impose an unknowable, arbitrary number that’s only revealed after the contest is over? Why would you not make that number clear to all contestants at the outset?
In my mind, without question, the winners are the ones who got the lowest scores using legitimate accounts. Anything else would award the prize to the most literal rule interpreter, but not the best contestant. It would be like giving the title of valedictorian to the student with the best attendance record.
First of all I guess I am in that group of posters that are caught up in the spam filter so I am hoping this post will show up.
Here is a copy and paste from the rules:
~~~~~~~~~~
Each puzzle will have only one (1) level of play and you will have only one (1) chance to complete each puzzle. The first score you receive on each puzzle will be your final score and it will be automatically submitted.
~~~~~~~~~~
The literal interpretation of this IMHO is that a player will have only one chance to COMPLETE each puzzle. Unlike round one where you could decline to submit a score – once the level is complete (the ball makes it way into the hole) you will receive a score.
So if you don’t complete a puzzle by clicking return to puzzles you are ok. And I agree. Unless it states so in the rules you can click that return to puzzles link all you want.
Now. How about a ruling on this next one:
~~~~~~~~~~
For all entrants: In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder, at time of entry, of the Windows Live ID used to register for the Contest will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these Official Rules. The “authorized account holder of the Windows Live ID” is the natural person assigned a Windows Live ID address by Microsoft. The entrant may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address or Windows Live ID.
~~~~~~~~~~
IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE AS TO ANY ENTRY. Whom needs to dispute the entry of a winner?
And for those who created multiple accounts. Just. Don’t. Get. Caught. If you are even considered a winner.
~~~~~~~~~~
Any attempt by any entrant to submit more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different email addresses, Windows Live ID numbers, identities or any other method will void that entrant’s entries/plays and he/she will be disqualified from further participation in the Contest.
~~~~~~~~~~
Do the rules state the number of entries? Or the number of entries per Live ID accounts?
All in all not too different than any other online game problem. Someday, someone will create one that seems fair to everyone.
eh! Don’t think so.
j
David, I wouldn’t worry about anything Mike said. It says right in the response he posted that each contestant had a designated number of times you could access “return to puzzles”. So if anyone reached that max, I’m sure that option wouldn’t have worked for them anymore. Mike needs to read the official rules. It says in round 2 each player has only 1 chance to “COMPLETE” each puzzle. Not only 1 chance to play it. Believe me Mike, the administrators have to be very careful with their wording. If it were the way you are saying, imagine the legal issues the contest could run into over this. Again, the rules say “1 chance to complete”, not “1 chance to play the puzzle”. Big difference there buddy!
with all due respect David the best player would be the person that followed the rules and didn’t try to “cheat” the system. there is no where in the rules that say a player can go through the puzzles to find a better more suited puzzle. Most of us didn’t even know you could go out of a puzzle and come back in and have a new puzzle. heck I was afraid that my computer was going to shutdown suddenly during a puzzle and lock me out of the contest for good as i’m sure several others were. any one can become THE BEST with enough time with the puzzles. that does not make you the best, what makes you the best is either doing the first puzzle that comes to you, or if you knew about the return to puzzles tab and that it would work then to make sure you LOOK not TRY OVER AND OVER each of the puzzles to figure out which one you could get a better score at. You can take someone that has never played a game in their life and then have them practice these games 9 or 10 hours a day, using only one board and that person would become the best. THE BEST is defined as the person that can take the first puzzle they like and then play it with skill practice does not take skill anyone can practice and before an expert that proves nothing. the contest said ONE CHANCE not one chance if you aren’t sly and cunning enough to figure out how to beat the system and cheat, but ONE CHANCE so everyone that went through all the puzzles more than one time will be disqualified! Oh joy joy…. finally a contest that is FAIR!
Mike – I’m afraid you’re just not getting it. The official rules say that you only get to “COMPLETE” them once. People who kept playing DID NOT COMPLETE THE PUZZLES! They waited till the end and completed them ONCE!
Mike,
I READ the rules and realized that it said one chance to complete each puzzle. Took it literal. So I put the question to the players on this blog. Not keeping it to myself. I think there are many on this blog that went beyond playing a fair game, some out and out lied but the good outweighed the bad. This blog held the attention of some very good sports.
What you are saying is basically flaming every player that attempted this game. Sounds like sour grapes to me. IMHO
@Mike,
I don’t disagree that what you are describing may have been an acceptable way of designing a puzzle contest.
However, what would be unfair, or at least unnecessary, would be giving contestants the opportunity to play more often than they wished us to, while leaving their interpretation of the rules unstated and open to interpretation. Combining the ambiguity of the rule (…it’s very reasonable to interpret “once chance to complete” as “start as often as you like, you just can’t play again once you’ve finished”) with the freedom to actually play unlimited times…it’s as though they were baiting people into playing against one interpretation of the rules.
If this is what they were doing, there just isn’t any good reason to operate that way, since a simple statement of their preferred interpretation of the rules, at any time before or during the contest, would have sufficed.
Mike,
Have you received a finite answer from the administrators that they agree with you and your interpretation?
That would be odd and not within their SOP. I have written to them to. They never commit to an answer. It is always vague. Ofc I’m sure it is a CYA tactic.
j
all I have to say is write them yourself I just posted the response I got from them, mainly for cowgirl and others that weren’t aware that you could riffle through puzzles and play each one as much as you wanted. In my opinion I think that is cheating and apparently so do the contest officals.
Hey, someone on comingsoon.net said that we over here at angryweb are “kind of like a club!” Sweet!
Although the puzzles were really fun, I think the people that designed contest failed round 2……. their rules were really confusing and the fact that they implemented return to puzzles round 2 sorta contradicts the rules…. and now they mention that there are a certain number of times you could use return to puzzle… this was never mentioned in the rules… oh well, has anyone received a notification of winning or being sent to tie breaker round?
Oh wow ePrize really stepped in it. First off, Mike is the squeeky wheel right now. If you have an opinion on this you should email ePrize (find the details in the bottom of the official rules)
The problem is this:
One camp says that the rules and software both support the idea that you can only “complete” each puzzle once, but you can play as many times as you want.
The other camp says that you can only “play” each puzzle once. If you re-read the email from Microsoft on 3-5-09 you will see it contributed to this belief by stating “Unlike Round One, you will have only ONE chance to play each puzzle in Round Two”.
So the rules say “complete” and the email said “play”. The software supported “complete” when it could have been locked down to only allow 1 play, but people who didn’t want to risk testing that idea were screwed.
Both sides have a point. But now ePrize is making up a new set of rules. Both sides should be ANGRY about this new set of rules. Think about who this new rule supports. People who practiced a little, but not alot. That means both camps above would be screwed and some middle group would win. This middle group violated the “one play” idea by playing multiple puzzles, but didn’t bother spending the time of the “complete” camp. The other set of people that might benefit from this new set of rules would be people with illegal multiple accounts who practiced on one account and then finally entered with another.
So Mike, you should be as angry with this new ruling as well as everyone who has a super low score from playing multiple times. I hope everyone is writing ePrize to tell them they need to pick between the rules “complete” or the email “play” and that there is no legitimate middle ground.
woohoo! I’m still in the running!!!!! Can’t say i’ve practiced (didn’t know you could in round 2) with a combined score of 5526….there still could be hope
I agree with Cynthia. I am also confused as to why Mike seems so pleased with this response from ePrize. Clearly, these new secret rules are glaringly unfair to any player belonging to the “one try-one puzzle” group. Mike, if you had gotten one of the really complicated Air puzzles as your first random choice without knowing you had the ability to pick another, you would and should be irate. It gave complete advantage to anyone who happened to pull up one of the easier puzzles.
I also resent Mike’s constant accusation that people who interpreted the rules as “complete a play” are deliberate cheaters. Many of the people commenting on this forum were serious about this contest and spent a lot of time on it. No one wanted to jeopardize their chances by doing something that would or even might cause them to be disqualified. The “complete a play” group truly believed they were following the rules as written.
Round 2 contestants were presented with different puzzles of varying difficulty. The game board allowed players to cycle through the choices. Combine these 2 things with the official rules and one could very logically conclude that the “complete a puzzle” interpretation was correct.
I am a veteran on MANY games/puzzles, and I have to STRONGLY disagree with Mike. Puzzle/games such as this one have “vague at best” rules. A MAJOR part of the game is to determine what the challenge is, and how to best approach that challenge. As an example, in the contest, we had the choice of several puzzles for each level. NO WHERE in the “rules” did it even mention that there might have been several puzzles, and it is far more logical to assume that there would have been one puzzle at each level. But, that is what it’s all about. The “rules” of the game ARE WHATEVER the game will let you do. The rules are implemented in the software, NOT written on some text document. If you chose to play the first puzzle you ran across, you should learn from your mistake. The whole point of these games is to reward the player who works the hardest and applies the “best” logic. I have won many games, and I have been beaten many times by someone who was smarter than me. We play these types of games because we DON’T want the winner determined by our name being pulled out of hat. We don’t want the “luck of the draw” (which puzzle yoiu play vs which puzzle I play) to determine the winner. The winner should be the one who plays the hardest! It would be a travesty to have players DQ’ed for doing what the software allowed, but a narrow interpretation of the rules disallowed.
I’m impressed with the last several posts here, which have done an excellent job identifying the actual flaws in the apparent “compromise”. The issue is not whether one interpretation of the rules is better than another, but that contestants had to take a risky leap of faith with any interpretation.
One could even argue that “one chance to play” still would allow someone to start but not complete a puzzle multiple times. If a baseball game is rained out in the third inning, all official statistics would show that no game was played that day. A game is only officially “played” when played to a certain point of completion.
Like it or not, the only way to win a puzzle contest involving thousands of people is to bend all the rules to the point of breaking them, without ever breaking them. If you use an automated system to enter your answers, that’s cheating because there’s a rule that forbids it. But if you sign up your wife for a separate account and gain an advantage that way, and if the rules don’t forbid such a tactic…then that’s fair game. If a reasonable interpretation of the rules allows you to start each puzzle repeatedly, that has to be fair game too.
You don’t have to like the reality of a “bend but don’t break the rules” philosophy, but if you don’t accept it you will never win these kinds of contests. It’s up to the contest creators to define the rules clearly enough to minimize bending.
I just wanted to be the 900th poster. I think I should get a prize. Like a trip to Rome or something.
Here’s another analogy just for fun:
Let’s say there was going to be a competition to determine the best runner in town. Should it be a sprint or a marathon? No right answer. If you could only have one contest, there would be an argument either way.
The race-planners decide to hold a marathon. Some are unhappy, but at least the contest makes sense to the competitors.
Then, after the marathon is over, the race-planners feel bad for the sprinters. They decide to award the trophy to the person who ran the first mile the fastest.
That is not a good way to choose the best runner.
Ok….is there a cut-off score for those that received the email to compete in round 2. I got a combined score of 2034 for round 1, but never received an email and it wouldn’t show the puzzles to me when I logged in. Is this rigged?
@wtf…..
i got a first round total of 3406, it may depend on what country your in…..i’m in canada.
As probably said earlier. Why the active return to puzzle button in Round 2? The fact that the administrators of the puzzle allowed that to be active should allow the use of it as often as it COULD be used.
I also think that this is the most active blog/forum about this puzzle contest on the internet. You can be sure they are reading every post. Several someone’s are being paid to do so. At least that is the norm.
j
Geez….a bunch of lawyers on here. Anyway, the low score will be the winner in each respective country. Who cares the legality? It’s a game. Besides, if you can afford the taxes, you can afford the trip itself. Airline tickets and hotels are cheap right now. Winning this contest is not financially efficient. I only wished that the puzzles that required real skill and ingenuity would have been much more complex. Which brings me to my next idea. Why not have a contest like that? The toughest problems in the world? Not arbitrary world hunger type of anomalies, but real solvable challenges. Then you’d have some great minds involved.
Here’s a little something I remember from the rules: Feel free to correct me. It says something about taking chance out of the mix and that skill will be the sole determining factor. That was only achieved if everyone DID go through the puzzles and find the lowest possible scores. I’m too lazy to find it and copy and paste it here. Read through it for yourselves. They did a hell-of-a-job designing this and I think they deserve “mad props.” It must have taken an incredible amount of dedication to win this and I give the most sincere congratulations to the winners.
-B
@ Steve
I think you’re totally on to something there. I think that there are probably 50 or so geniuses or so playing this game posting on this board. After years of difficulty admitting it publicly, I’m one and I’m pretty sure that most of you are too.
@ All
Wouldn’t it be something if we could all work together to do something real? Can you imagine if message boards worked like big ol’ think tanks? The problem is that most of the smartest people in the world never really find themselves in situations where they can really make a difference in world affairs while those with privelege and political motives are the ones that affect policy.
I happen to be a bit drunk right now, but I seriously think we should, as a group, consider the possibilities regarding a large group of geniuses collaborating on things besides puzzles. Perhaps in a decade, we can meet in Rome.
Whaddya think?
@ Lee
Doncha know? It’s the 1000th post and I’m going to win. I’ll be hitting refresh from now ’til Wednesday. It’s not like anyone else here is competitive or anything. I’M GONNA WIN!!!
tee hee
@ Brandon
Until you get there this group should try to solve the 2009 MUMS Puzzle Hunt before anyone else can. If you can!
j
@Brandon,
Wait a minute…are you saying that spending 100 consecutive hours guessing code sequences or moving air-blowing icons one pixel at a time isn’t the best use of our collective talents?
I was certain that if I could only get 858 on round 2 air, that the economic markets would stabilize and wind energy would become a sustainable alternative to oil. (I might have been right, too…never did get that 858).
Seriously though, with all due respect to the very smart people who did well on this contest…these sorts of puzzles require 25% smarts and 75% obsessive-compulsive disorders. Those of us still posting may be better suited to data entry than international politics.
Alas..man..why do you always have to be right David? ^^
After reading Brandons statement I was inexplicably just feeling great but THEN something hit me with truth and I fell..fell deep..in my armchair.
Sigh..never mind! Brandon, what’s the plan?!
After careful consideration I have decided that both sides have a vaild argument and are actually tied. Given that, the winner should be picked according to the rules for breaking ties.
@steve in k.c. – I’m in, as long as there is a nicely overvalued prize and a set of sketchy rules…
I didn’t get the e-mail saying I passed Round 1, but when I logged in, it said I was eligible to complete Round 2. When I log in now, it says both are complete and winners are being notified by e-mail. I know I didn’t win, but if I didn’t get an e-mail the first time, why should I expect one if I won?
Lee11, do you have an e-mail to go with the phone number? I just keep getting a busy signal when I try to call.
Thanks! And congrats to the winners, whoever you are!
Rachael, it’s fulfillment@eprizefulfillment.com
I stumbled upon this forum about two weeks ago (too bad I didn’t discover it earlier) and this is my first post. I’m usually lazy when it comes to posting but recent comments have made it hard for me to keep my mouth shut!
Mike, while I see your point, I agree with David in that if the organizers made something possible (multiple attempts in this case) and didn’t explicitly forbid it in the rules, then it cannot be considered “cheating” in the strict sense of the word. So disqualification based on this would be unfair.
That said, I take objection to this concept that David presents as fact: “the only way to win a puzzle contest involving thousands of people is to bend all the rules to the point of breaking them”, in his own words. THIS IS NOT TRUE, PEOPLE! David may believe in it and others like Kurt and Brandon may support it…it still is just a case of people justifying their actions. My wife won the Da Vinci contest by Eurostar from the US (the contest had more than a million participants) and I can assure you that she did not come even close to bending any of the rules.
I’m totally fine with people bending the rules of a contest without breaking them if they feel so inclined, but to say that that’s the only way to win is to minimize the accomplishments of those who followed the rules not only in letter but also in spirit.
If you are emailing ePrize you might want to try this
Found on their site (eprize.com) in the text of the Contact Us page:
questions@eprize.com
The subject of your email should include:
The Angels & Demons Path of Illumination Contest
@Ramesh,
Thanks for your comments and congrats to your wife. We may end up disagreeing, but you’ve at least partially misunderstood my perspective on these contests. I happen to believe that bending rules is in the spirit of puzzle contests, is part of the fun, and is honorable. It adds to my respect for the winners, as long as no rules were broken.
As to the Da Vinci Code contest…unless you’re referring to a completely different competition then the one I played in the US, the winner of that contest absolutely, positively, beyond-all-shadow-of-a-doubt is a person who both bent and broke the rules. Any claim to the contrary is silly.
The final round included a 9×9 sudoko-style puzzle (among other puzzles) that would have taken even a genius at least 10-15 minutes to solve. As it was, the solution to the final puzzles were posted online, and those of us who wanted a competitive score had to use the known answers to get the lowest scores. (Or alternatively, to solve it ourselves using multiple accounts). By memorizing every answer, practicing on a second account, and completing the final section as fast as humanly possible, a time of about 3 minutes could be achieved. The winner got a time of about 2 minutes, 15 seconds….and used an automated mouse macro to achieve it.
So the winner of the DVC contest (at least the one that I played in the US) bent the spirit of the rules by knowing the solutions before ever logging on to the final round, and broke an explicit rule by using an automated mouse to win it. Had they not used the macro (which is still creative and impressive in its own way), I would tip my cap for all the other rule-bending that helped them to win.
@ David
Ramesh is referring to the Eurostar Quest Contest which came right after the DVC contest. There were 5 finalists from 5 different countries including the United States. How did you miss it?
@Ramesh
Your wife must have fantastic Fire scores in the Path of Illumination Contest!!
OMG, OMG!!! I didn’t get an email either!! The rules clearly state I should receive an email. Somebody get the president on the line!
@ David
The Eurostar Quest:
http://tinyurl.com/chf5cd
http://tinyurl.com/dcev9r
@Ramesh,
Looks like I was wrong about which contest you meant…my apologies to you and your wife. (thanks, Casey)
But that other DVC contest is a perfect example of what it typically takes to win a big contest
@David, thanks for the response. Just to be clear, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful…just happened to disagree with your claim around the need to bend the rules, that’s all. I fully agree with you on the way the Google Da Vinci Code contest was won. There was a lot of “rule-bending” involved…whether it constituted rule breaking, I don’t know since I didn’t read the rules closely. But that’s the problem with bending the rules…it’s one big gray area without any clear lines–you say the winner “bent the spirit of the rules by knowing the solutions before ever logging on”, others might claim that trading solutions online or collaborating with friends are along the same lines (though to different degrees).
@Casey, Fire scores are good, but the fact that over 80% of the total score came from Air made those numbers largely inconsequential. Also, since one could restart fire over and over, even the fire strategies didn’t matter!
@Ramesh,
Essentially we are saying the same thing. For any contest with large numbers of people playing, if you happen to be someone who doesn’t liberally interpret to rules to gain as much of an advantage as possible, you will almost always lose to those who will. It helps to view this rule-bending as a positive thing in the spirit of the game.
Every contest has people crying “cheater” against those who bend the rules a little further than they feel comfortable doing so themselves. My point is that those people who make these complaints will eventually need to surrender to the reality of contest rule-bending, or they will always be crying on the sidelines.
Figured out how to reboot my account. Gonna try and lower my scores.
@ steve in k.c.
Regarding the discussion on bending the rules, I’d say that it really doesn’t matter if a game is well designed. A good game design will block out the ability to go beyond the rules. There have been plenty of online games that worked fine, with the best people winning based on their skill. The most recent was probably the Doritos Quest. Typically games get in trouble most when they give players too much time to push the boundaries. Even the famous Volvo Hunt(1) had some people crazy as they released different countries according to their time zones yet some US players went and played the puzzles in other countries and got a few hours head start on what was going on. The best games seem to make everyone start at the same time, and the first to finish is the winner. That way there is no time to find a way to bend the rules. Of course it might be possible to make a game like this one where people have unlimited play over a week. It almost worked out very well, and would have if they had just told people that is what the rules were, instead of sending out that misleading email.
@ Cynthia
None ot the 3 finalists in the Doritos Contest ever solved the final puzzle on their own. Each of them quickly grabbed the solution when it was posted on a forum by the person who actually did solve it. While this was not cheating, the way to have won that contest was by taking advantage of opportunity and being on the right forum at the right time.
@casey
Dang, I didn’t know that. Clearly I was not on the right forum. Actually I remember getting tired and making a guess and going to sleep. I don’t understand why some games want you to play in the middle of the night. So I take it the person who posted it was disqualified somehow since they weren’t a finalist? Screwy. Still, the game was well designed… there is nothing a game maker can do to stop people from sharing the answers.
@ steve in k.c.
Sorry, do you mean, you can practice the Round 2 Puzzles as well? Would love to try to get the 34 in earth.
Yeah, for Volvo #1, solving Japan’s puzzle when it came out (it was the only one that came out early) backfired on quite a few people. The puzzles were actually different in each country, and a bunch of the people who had been very quick in previous rounds ended up submitting Japan’s answer to the US puzzle in the first couple minutes, not realizing that the US puzzle was different.
@ cynthia
The actual Doritos puzzle solver did not make it to the finals due to insurance considerations. Apparently, the contest officials felt he was somehow not fit enough to compete in the final challenge which involved several rigorous physical tests. The sad thing turned out to be that he had solved the final puzzle hours before posting the solution online. I am sure he thought he had waited long enough to safely secure his position in the top three.
I agree with you that the contest was well designed, though.
I just sent the administrators an email and got them to reset my 2nd round.
Steve, how did you manage that? Is that true? Or a joke that I’m just not getting?!
Does anyone know when they will anounce the winners or are they not gonna tell you when its over?? I mean hate waiting…
Does anyone know when they will anounce the winners or are they not gonna tell you when its over?? I mean i hate waiting…
Ups,sorry for the second one….
@ Jules
The winners will be notified around March 28.
So… does anyone know about or where to find other online puzzle or similar contests going on at the moment or starting soon?
@moz
Try the New Hunts section of tweleve.org
@casey
Yes, but the tie-breaker round starts on Friday, which means either they will have notified and validated the winner before then or that a ton of people will be doing the tiebreaker.
Looking forward to finding out which…
@ Dave H
You said that your wife received a score of 2972. Would you or she be willing to post the break down on that? I would love to see exactly how it was done!
ty Dave.
I have tried to leave a few puzzle links on here but am caught up in the spam filter.
There is an especially nice puzzle hunt starting soon. It’s the MUMS Puzzle Hunt. If you google that you will find the site. You can form teams to compete in this puzzle hunt.
This blog filters all external links. However I feel if everyone here knows of a few puzzle sites you could start a new blog or continue this one. I posted a list of them several days ago and the mods censored the entire post.
I did post a link to what Dave mentioned early on. I think it was the first day of Round 2.
round 1:
15/20/30
382/633/784
1/1/31
14/30/38
Round 2
34
830
66
63
I’m not 100% sure I am remembering the Fire Round 2 score right…it was definitely sixty-something, so if it doesn’t add up, that is why.
Great score, Dave. Thanks! Congratulations.
Folks…we gotta rally. We need 57 more posts to reach 1,000…so man-up!
Post.
Does that count? Actually, I should be answering that myself since I’m the admin lol. (The answer’s yes)
Happy St. Patricks Day All! I’m drinkin me ale right now!
59
or is that 55? I’m sleepy
Happy St Patty’s…I have no ale : (
49
Attention folks!
Brandon is lurking.
so has anyone been notified that they got into tie breaker or that they won? if so, what was your score
also, wut happen to ghostrider? i wanted to see proof of his scores
@ocubermensch
The winner won’t be notified until March 28th, and the tiebreaker is just if there is an amazing tie that can’t first be broken by a variety of other means (rules section 6c). First they compare Fire Round 2 scores and if they aren’t tied then the lowest fire score wins it. If they are tied then they compare Fire Round 1 Level 3, then level 2, and so on. Basically the odds of their being an actual tie where 2 people had the exact same scores on every single puzzle is very very slim, especially since they are cooking the rules so they can pick whoever they want as the winner. There won’t be a tiebreaker round.
It would be kinda cool if they took the person with the lowest score who played by the rules, and had them do a tiebreaker with the person with the lowest score that only played through once per the Microsoft email. Of course it would be hard to tell who was the top scorer of people that played through only once as a better player could have received worse puzzles.
Honestly I wonder how big a percentage of people played it one way or the other.
I’m just posting to post
thumbs up to everyone @ angry web!!!
+1 on the post count! =)
Thanks for the thumbs up Alba. We hoped you found our site a good resource for this contest. Had I know we would have had such a massive amount of traffic, I would have launched a forum for you all.
If anybody has ideas or suggestions for another contest, shoot us an email. It seems like some of you created a sort of connection on here that I would love to help you keep!
Daniel
Angry Web Founder
Thank you for the contact info. I e-mailed them the other day and got an auto-response saying they’ll answer by tomorrow. We’ll see. In the meantime, I guess I’m going to go back to Alchemist Dar. I love the dialog you’ve all had and am kind of sad that the contest is almost officially over… We probably need a forum to list new/upcoming treasure hunts/contests.
Nasserian..cool name. Anagram of Renaissan. Both “c” and “e” are lost. Hm. You took the middle with “d” for Daniel.
*cough*
sorry..
@ axl d
other anagrams:
Salaried Nannies
Nine Island Areas
Hey! Nothing better to do on here till the next game.
So let’s have our own. Post something to anagram. Next person post the anagram and something new to anagram.
Anagram this: angels and demons
I guess things can end even worse… google:
Resident Evil 5 body parts lost in London
Sounds like a threat. *chuckle*
Whoa! I never realized this until now, but if you write “Angels and Demons” backwards, it spells
S-N-O-M-E-D dna S-L-E-G-N-A.
Totally creepy…especially the “dna” part. But what does it mean?
@steve in k.c.
a)you’re drunk
b)you’ve got too much time on your hands
c)a little bit of both
you can also spell masons….
or
masons legend
dangles men so
Name Gods Lens
@ Stacey
Got a response out of you.
@steve in k.c.
tease
Angels and Demons=
O’ S A N D M A N ‘S LEGEND
Gamepro
Great scores Dave! Now, what were your own? since those were your “wifes” what your YOUR scores?
Angram this:
B I F A D E S K C U R E R E D I R U N
Gamepro
Hint: it’s related to this contest;)
Unbaked Curried Fries?
Fun Druid Icebreakers?
(hi gamepro)
Aha!
Air sucked, fire burned!
AAAAAH..i had “air”, “fire” and “burns”..but I still wasn’t able to solve it. -.-
The icebreakers are even better
Hi axl d!
We at 1000 posts yet?
Hi David!
Need some more I guess.
What’s that?
1. Hard hum
2. Backward gun
Hmmm……
Hint:
Concentrate on pronunciation, not orthography.
Naturally you search for synonyms of hum and gun..
that’s what I was trying for the second part…tag? (gat) revlover?
still thinking…
not gat, not revolver
if you … someone, you plunder
rifle? pistol?
try rifle ^^
I may be new to this type of puzzle…do the words “hard” and “backward” just mean “anagram the following words”, so that the answer is something like:
gins (anagram of sing = hum)
flier (anagram of gun = rifle)
No..no anagram here.
“Hard” means: you pronounce it hard.
my first english verbal riddle and it seems to be not good enough..sorry but maybe you’ll still solve it!
Example:
“drain”, hard: “train”
btw..”sing” isn’t right..
18 posts til 1000.. ^^
It’s more likely that the puzzle is excellent but the guessers aren’t good enough.
hum = drone?
trone elfir?
no..not drone
(gotta go to sleep now…don’t want you to think I’m abandoning your puzzle or ignoring any upcoming replies you might post)
see you tomorrow
thx
There was a man called Lightyear in Toy Story..
@ steve
Deoxyribonucleic acid
@axl
and
I’m totally goint to be at work when the 1000th post comes around. Bummer
I wanted it so bad.
Okay, one more post before I leave.
So, a guy with a chicken on his head walks into a bar, and he says to the bartender, “Hey buddy, can I get a cocktail?”
@ steve
I was refering to your spooky “snomed dna slegna”..
Great Job David!!!
It was Air sucked, Fire Burned
Gamepro
Dave H,
Did you ever answer what YOUR scores were?
Gamepro
Angram this: Secrets of The Alchemist Dar lol
btw you can’t use Secrets of Michael Stadther lol
Gamepro
Dave,
Have you received any emails from Angels and Demons yet?
Gamepro
When are the winners going to be announced?
Gamepro
Where can you see the # of posts at? Am I close?
Gamepro
Well, I had a great time on this Contest, on to the next!!!
Gamepro
Did I get it!!!! Am I the 1000th poster???
hehe but I wasted one with the smiley!! oops. LMAO
Gamepro
Ok. Well, I’m gonna go now, like I said I had a great time here, doing this contest with everyone, eventhough I bombed in the fire round!! lol
Gamepro
Where is Brandon?
^^
@axl
is the answer Buzzriffle?
Gamepro
I mean Buzzrifle?
Gamepro lol:)
I got the same scores as my wife, except a 40 on Fire level 1 and a higher score (39?) on fire level 3.
Therefore, once she was done, I didn’t bother doing Air Round 2 and Fire Round 2 since I couldn’t catch her without a miracle of luck in Fire.
I haven’t received any emails from them.
Those were excellent scores. I have a feeling that you and your wife will be headed to Rome soon;)
Gamepro
no -.-
Ok..obviously the riddle was either too bad or too hard (= too bad).
1. synonym for hum: “buzz”. => hard hum: “puzz”, pronounced P U Z Z
2. synonym for gun: “rifle”, pronounced: R I F L => backward gun: L F I R
=> PUZZLFIR = Puzzl(e) Fir(e) or Fire Puzzle.. well.
Sorry Dave
The “no” wasn’t supposed to mean, that you’re not going to Rome. ^^
Ok..gotta practice. ^^
1. On your mark, ready, ..!
2. synonym for (to) pace, (to) step or (to) 1.
3. single letter or plural of “is”
Ok – I’m pissed. This issure I’m having with eprize has gotten ridiculous. I know I’m not close to winning – but not the point. I sent eprize 2 more emails explaining not only the time and effort I put into this contest, but also that we had to submit personal info. such as date of birth, phone number and addresses to sign up for this thing. I told them that this has happened to many people and it is wrong that we did not receive the validation that we deserve for finishing the contest because of a mistake on their part. They reply to me each time with a shorter and more stern response – “We do not have your email address!” To me this response is absolutely unacceptable! Let me know what you guys think!
Oops – I meant “issue”.
@Lee11
I’m confused, first by the fact that you are getting emails back from ePrize, where I haven’t (it’s day 3 ePrize!), second I’m not sure what you mean when you say “this has happened to many people”. Did they not send you a confirmation email after Round 1? but you still got to play round 2? or are you talking about something else altogether?
If you are talking about the email, I remember something screwed up when I first signed up for the contest. You had to first sign in with your Live ID account, then you had to register on the contest site. The registration form had the email address pre-populated with some variation of my Live ID email address, but it was messed up, with something else in front of it. I fixed it and everything seemed fine and worked fine. Maybe you didn’t, and that is why they don’t show your email address? Can’t they look you up by name?
Cynthia,
I was wondering if you’d mind taking a screen shot of your 62 (water) score? No one else has admitted to getting anything any lower than 63 Great Job!! You can post it to photobucket and then provide us with the link, that would be sooooooo cool!
Gamepro
@ Lee11
When I signed up for the contest I used a non msn/Hotmail address. This meant I had to confirm my address by clicking on a link in the Email they sent to me upon registering. I finally was able to do this after fishing their Email out of my spam folder. (I still never got the Round 2 notification.)
If you used another kind of Email to enter like I did, were you able to confirm the address by clicking on the link they sent? Could this have anything to do with it?
@ axl d
I know, so I put “and” which is dna backwards.
So Gamepro comes out of nowhere and bombards the board to capture the 1000th post. Cherry picker.
Hell Yeah!!!
And I love me, some, Cherries!!! hehe
So, I did get it huh? AWESOME!
lol, it was blindly, because I couldn’t see number of posts
Gamepro
lol
Mr. Wong, I hope you can turn this long topic into some revenue.
Sorry guys,
I’ve been up to other things and it looks like I missed my shot at the 1000.
I can’t believe we’re not talking about brackets. I know a bunch of you probably aren’t into sports, but I figured with the competitive nature of you all…
I have two misses so far. Unfortunately one of them I had going to the sweet 16. Anyone doing better?
@ Eugene,
It’s time to start trying to negotiate with advertisers. You may have found a great niche here. If I were you, I’d be thinking of ways to develop this into some revenue. Good luck.
@ gamepro
Well, now I’m embarrassed. The truth is I actually got a 63 on water. I made the mistake of copying my score from my notepad instead of from the screen. When you guys caught my mistake instead of fessing up I thought it might be helpful to see if you could maybe get a better score than me on the one water puzzle I wasn’t sure of, and it might be good to have the competition chase a one point gain on water instead of a bigger gain on fire or air, back when I thought I or my friends might still be competitive. Who knew I’d still be around at this point chatting about this crazy contest. Sorry if I sent anyone on a wild goosechase…
I won!!!
I got email and faxed in my declaration forms and they sent confirmation of my win!!!
I had just under 3600 total so now I know most of you were full of crap about your low scores! :-p
@YEah Baby
Where are you from?
Yeah Baby,
LOL you know the drill, take a screenshot of this proposed email in order to cast the doubt from everyone, besides, I don’t think they are gonna choose the winners until the 28th!!! BTW what country are you from?
Gamepro
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Wow! What a difference a week makes. lol.
Gamepro
@Cynthia,
Thank you so much for clearing that up! It takes a very good sport and honest person to admit their “misleadings…..umm wild goosechases as it was lol” I have total respect for you, for that act a lone!
Also, I kind of Dig the fact that you used it as a game/competetive tactic!
Now, Ghost Rider…… Do you have anything to say? BTW (Yeah Baby) (I’m not saying you are..), but if you are just trying to lie about getting an email this soon, just to agrivate us here, then you are definately succeeding on my part lol. However, if you truly did get an email stating that you WON, then Congratulations!!! All I ask is that you just take a screen shot of it and then you can block out “sensitive infomation: name, birth date, etc.” if you choose.
Also, please say what country you competed from.
Gamepro.
You guys are funny. You really need to be doing stand up. I just wandered back in to see if you were still here. I haven’t gotten any emails. I didn’t do repeat attempts and I did score considerably less than 3600, so I agree…liar liar pants on fire! Have a good night and behave while I’m gone. Don’t torment each other! So what post is this 1014? That should be worth something…
@ Dave H and others
I’m sorry. Yeah baby seems to be right.
We got the e-mail from eprize as well and we already faxed the notarized affidavits back to them.
I wanted to wait until everything is done and confirmed before claiming that I’m going to go to Rome….yesterday was a busy day..
All I can say is that we’ve got an email from eprize in german, saying that we have won. (The Country Prize..Trip to rome etc.)
I’m now waiting for a confirmation that our fax has arrived.
I’m very sorry that just today I’m not online any more, though Dave and others will surely have questions.
Will be back in about 12-14 hours.
Congrats to the other Country Winners!
Oh, forgot..sorry.
Congrats to you, Yeah Baby!
According to the letter, Yeah Baby is the Canadian champion.
Dave H did not say yet if he is or is not the US champion.
I also forgot to say –Congratulation Yeah Baby and Axl d!!
Congratulations Yeah Baby!!! Thank you for posting the email. Can you say exactly what your final score was?
Gamepro
Also Congrats to Axl as well!!!:D
Dave? Are you the US winner!!!
Gamepro
Yeah Baby’s letter was actually posted last night. For some reason the timestamp on it seems to be incorrect. Gamepro and I are not really psychic.
Dear G*** *****,
Congratulations! You have been selected to receive a prize in the The Angels & Demons Path of Illumination Contest, administered by ePrize.
You have been selected as the winner of a trip for you and one (1) travel companion to Rome, Italy for the premiere of the Angels & Demons movie; a Vespa S 125 or Vespa S 150 (“Vespa”); and a piece of jewelry (a camerlengo cross and matching chain necklace) designed by Damiani. Please see the attached Official Rules for further prize details and eligibility requirements. This prize has an approximate retail value of $16,287 USD (approximately 12,263.87 Euros).
In order to claim your prize, please follow the instructions below.
In order to confirm your win, the Release and Declaration of Compliance (“declaration”) attached to this email must be completed by you, the prize winner. Your travel companion(s) must complete the Canadian Travel Companion Declaration of Liability & Publicity Release. Please return the original completed copies signed within three (3) calendar days of the date of this win email notification. If you do not return the declarations within this timeframe, another winner will be selected. In order to ensure that you meet this deadline, please fax your documents to us at 248-336-5580. After you fax your documents in to us, please be sure to send the originals by mail. You can find the mailing address at the top of the winner’s declaration. Prize fulfillment will begin within 8 to 10 weeks after winner confirmation.
The Official Rules of the promotion are also attached to this email. Please refer to them for any questions you may have. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Prize Fulfillment Services by replying to this email. Please be sure to keep the original subject line.
If you are unable to open the attached PDF files you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website for free. The URL is http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Congratulations again and thank you for your continued patronage of Microsoft Corporation.
Prize Fulfillment Services
fulfillment@eprizefulfillment.com
Hi there!
@ gamepro and casey
Thank you!!
You’re right..seems Yeah Baby is from Canada.
Hmm..would be interesting to know who won the grand prize. Dave? ^^
Thanks for the congrats…Will be much happier when I have tickets and Vespa in my hands though
I got confirmation that they received my fax so one more step to go! See you there Axl d
I am from Canada, not posting my final score though
Dear G*** *****,
Congratulations on your recent win in the Angels & Demons International Promotion Contest!
You have won a 7 Finalists Trip to Rome and more. We have received your documentation and your eligibility has been approved. No additional action is required from you at this time. Your will either be contacted or receive your prize within the guidelines outlined within the official rules.
To review the official rules, please visit http://.eprize.net//?page=rules.
Should you have any additional questions, please reply directly to this email.
Sincerely,
ePrize Fulfillment Services
I’m still claiming Antarctica citizenship, so that I can wn. ;~)
$16,287 USD!!
Oy vey…
Strange..hm..no we haven’t got the confirmation yet. Faxed the documents on Friday morning(your time). The three calender days are over by now. But if they didn’t get the fax, they surely would have answered (?). Still..well, hope everything’s fine.
@ Yeah Baby
Could you tell me, when did you send the fax? And have you even asked for a confirmation?
Thanks
Congrats winners! So I’m curious, did you play the game a bunch of times? or just a few? I’m just wondering which side of the rules they decided to come down on.
Different countries have different laws for paying taxes on the prizes, but I know in the US that if you dispute the displayed value of the prize that there is room to fight it come tax time. I believe that at the time the prize is awarded you need to do some leg work to price the trip as if you booked it yourself. Print out airfare prices, hotel prices, etc. You need to do it when you win, and not next year when it is tax time. Look around online for more details (I haven’t done this myself). The scooter might be worth up to $4,000 but I can’t imagine that trip really costing anyone $12k so you don’t want to pay taxes on that much unless you have to. Taxes could easily be $4000 on the prize, and if you win the grand prize they could easily jump up to the $20,000 range. Ouch!
You know, if you just ignore the taxes, you can then go into politics.
@axl d
Sent friday morning last week and they sent me that second email within an hour of my fax. I didn’t ask for confirmation they just sent that second email saying no further action
@Cynthia
I am in Canada and one of the forms they sent was the one to avoid the US Withholding tax on prize winnings so hope I don’t have to pay any…Canada you don’t pay anything on winnings even lottery, if you win $20million you get it all…then pay tax on interest it earns
The US winner (whoever you are) should carefully read Cynthia’s last post. She is quite right. Not a lot of people know it, but it is possible to dispute the value of prize winnings when it comes to taxes.
Congrats Yeah Baby from Canada and all the country winners!!! How wonderful.
Since we have kinda gotten to know each other on here can I share a little brag?
For those in the US who have kids and get Disney XD channel. My oldest son is going to be on tonight’s episode of Aaron Stone. If you catch it look for the redhead playing video games with the character Charlie. It’s his first time in a series (actually on the air..he’s done a few pilots, commercials, and short films). We dont’ get it in Canada until august earliest so if someone does catch it, let me know how he did. We are kinda bummed we don’t get to see it tonight, but excited for him at the same time.
LOL…scratch the above message. I guess they reorganized the episodes after filming. If you are so inclined you can see my dearest child NEXT week same time, same channel….LOL. (Thank goodness I have friends in the US who were keeping an eye out)
btw -.-
1. On your mark, ready, ..!
2. synonym for (to) pace, (to) step or (to) 1.
3. single letter or plural of “is”
the solution
1. “go”
2. (to) “stride”
3. “r” (pronounced “are”)
Ghost Rider
no worries..that was the last one
Lee11 -
I’ve been getting the runaround from eprize as well. It’s so screwed up.
In the meantime: CONGRATULATIONS to all you winners! Have lots of fun in Rome. Visit the Sistine Chaple for me (it was closed due to a Catholic Holiday when I was there so I never made it in).
Axl d and Gamepro – Your names are familiar… are you Trovers?
@ Rachael
don’t know what a trover is. If you mean some kind of contest..no. This is my first one.
Thanks!
Trovers? Uhm.. sorry
@ Yeah Baby
Still no confirmation from eprize yet. Maybe they want to reply in german..hm.
OH….to the winners. Send an email to the Scavi office at the Vatican NOW to arrange for a tour of the archeological dig under St. Peters. You will NOT be disappointed and would be icing on cake in relation to the movie. You will be exactly where they talked about in the book!
Yep, I’m a former “Trover”
What name did you use forums Rachael?
Axl D- nice puzzle:)
I don’t understand why the U.S Winner hasn’t indentified themselves yet? What’s the big deal, the contest is over why not “let it all hang out” now lol?
And why are people still saying that they won’t tell their final score? Am I missing something here? Is there still more left to do with the puzzle/contest?
Own up to your brilliance, so that we can give you the pats on the back, and congratulations that you deserve!
even if you aren’t completely “Verified” yet, still let us know that you have at least been considered.
So far out of 7 countries we have winners that have admitted they have won from 2, maybe 3, people.
Axl D: German Winner
Yeahbaby: Canadian Winner
Steve “I’m still claiming Antarctica citizenship, so that I can win. ;~) ?????
There are still several other people/countries (including the largest competition one, USA, that has not come forward.
My questions is: Why Not?
Gamepro
It must not be me. I haven’t heard from anyone…
: (
I won 1st place for “Best Decorated” at a cupcake decorating contest at my daughters school this past weekend! Please fans – hold your applause, I’ll sign autographs later!
@Lee11
We already knew that, Lee11…it was on every major cable news network last night. Couldn’t miss it. I didn’t catch all of it, but something about too many sprinkles.
@all of the canadians on here:
I’ve actually won 5 coffees with roll up the rim!!!!! My luck is changing!
@axl d
I sent my original declaration by mail on Monday. I hope you get your confirmations. It would be bad to have won and then get passed over cause a fax did not go through properly!
My Dad is from Zwickau, near Dresden, but sprechen Sie Deutsches Schlechtes … Ich hoffe, Sie in Rom zu sehen!
@Stacey
I haven’t won anything from Timmy’s yet! This years’ is dry, last year I won a $50 gift card and quite a few java’s and donuts..but this year I don’t see near as many winners.
@axl d
I meant Ich sprechen Sie Deutsches Schlechtes..not my Dad it’s his Mother tongue so he speaks quite well… lol
@Canuckgirl
Thanks for the tip…They want 90 days notice but I sent anyways with what I think will be our dates May 13-18. Will see if they let us in!
@ Yeah Baby
Thank you very much!
Yeah, I hope we’ll meet in Rome.
.
A part of mine is rooted in the German Democratic Republic, but maybe I’ll get the opportunity to explain that to you in a few weeks.
I guess I will try to contact eprize again in a few hours. Keep your fingers crossed for me
@Gamepro
I used Blueroses. Only did a coupld of posts. I got scared off by the brilliance and depth of the other players. I kept coming back hoping that I’d eventually have some sort of insight to share though.
If they don’t get back to you yeah baby don’t sweat it too much. They didn’t even let us know until we actually arrived in Rome that we were confirmed (even though they had run my credit card almost immediately).
If they don’t confirm or get back to you. Call the Scavi office directly when you get there. The other two on our tour literally walked into the Scavi office (you have to sweet talk the Swiss guard a bit) and asked if there was space available. (again…. a little warning. Don’t tell them you are there for the screening of Angels and demons…they aren’t too fond of Mr. Brown over at the Vatican, give them some fabulous line, like a honeymoon, or birthday or whatever). If you don’t get the confirmation, I’ll give you directions to the Scavi Office. (it’s almost like a little gift shop)
If you are standing in the square looking directly at St. Peters the office is attached to ST. Peters on the left. You’ll probably see Swiss guards to the left. Just keep going to the corner of the basilica (outside front left). Tell the Swiss guards you would like to make an inquiry in the Scavi office and they should let you through. You can even tell them you had confirmation of a scavi tour but it arrived after you left Canada and would like to confirm the appointment time. (we did that actually upon our arrival).
Have a FABULOUS time. I’ll see if I can dig up the name of a wonderful local restaurant as well. It’s a little out of the way but the food was to die for, and it was all locals….just let the waiter order for you. The only thing I told him was “no tripe” and we both got fabulous food, just mouth watering delicious.
Stacey!!! NO fair. I have not won even a cookie this year!!
Hello Everyone,
I just thought you might like to try my puzzle. There are small prizes that will be awarded to the first person to “Complete” the whole puzzle.
The answer needs to be put in after the ending back slash, / and before the .htm extention. Example: http://www.freewebs.com/gvcollegestuden … gtondc.htm (where washingtondc would be where you will need to put your solution(s) at.
so here is the website http://www.freewebs.com/gvcollegestudent/
don’t forget that the ending is .htm and not .html
Here is the puzzle have fun.
I occur once in every minute, twice in every moment, but not once in a thousand years.
I am eighteen, but sometimes nine. I begin to correct but also direct. I start actions, and I get many reactions.
8 26 13 23
14+3-3
26+0
2×3+2+2+1×3
To solve this, you have to dial into your inner code solver.
REALXLIVDC
Solve the seven puzzles and put your answer (in all lowercase) after the / sign in the following address http://www.freewebs.com/gvcollegestudent/(you answer goes here).htm
Your answer will be put in after the / sign and before the htm (make sure it is htm and NOT html) and use exact capitalizations for your answer(s)
combine all answers first to last. Use all lowercase. Also there is no need to PM, Email or Post your answers…. You will know when you have the right answer.
Also, for future refrence, the spelling and or grammar of these clues may or may not be intentional, please use your best judgement.
Good Luck,
Gamepro
@gamepro
I think I have the first one is it m? The rest I am still working on. One thing that doesn’t make sense to me 14+3-3 isn’t that still 14? 14+3=17 17-3=14 I don’t get it. AJ
@ AJ and others
Ok, we have
1. M
2. “I am eighteen, but sometimes nine..”
You could pronounce that “a teen, but sometimes nine”, but that doesn’t help, does it?
Hm..the checksum of 18 is 9.
But most probable for me is some link to golf. A normal golf course has 18 holes. “I am eighteen” could mean “I am the last one/hole” or “I am the END”. Some golf courses have only 9 holes. So the last hole is sometimes the nineth. “..but sometimes nine”. Too far-fetched? ^^
3. I guess, the solution will have few or no number at all in it.
8 (+18) =26
26 (-13) = 13 (difference between 18 and 13: 5)
13 (+10)= 23 (difference between 13 and 10: 3)
23 (-9)= 14 (difference between 10 and 9: 1)
14 in the alphabet is “N”
But maybe it’s easier, like: HZMW (that would be 8, 26, 13, 23 in the alphabet).
maybe it’s linguistic. Fourteenplusthreeminusthree
4. and 5. Very suspicious
Twentysixpluszero
I don’t get it. ok..very unlikely but: 14 = N, 26 = Z
6. 13?? Would mean a “M”
7. REALXLIVDC
If the “I” would be an “E” that’s an anagram of “clever axl d”
-.- just kidding
“LXLIVDC” are Latin numbers, but “REA” wouldn’t fit.
The words “dial into” are keeping me occupied.
The numbers for the letters on the mobile phone would be: 7325954832. Re-translated in the alphabet:
GCBEIEDHCB or GCYIEDHCB but unfortunately that doesn’t make sense ^^.
Conclusion: Help!!
I have a feeling, steve in k.c. or David will solve it.
Concerning 4. and 5…what about:
0 = O?
So 14+3-3 = 14+0 = N+O = NO .
And 26+0 = Z+O = ZO.
That would flavour the whole thing with some vowels.
Mendnnozomgcyiedhcb. YEAH! That should it be.
@Axl D If you write the alphabet forwards like a-z then backwards z-a using HZMW you get SAND so M ? SAND ? ? ? ?
Wow this is tough!
AJ
Hey! maybe it is like this
M Golfs and ?????????? like talking about two people doing something for example M Golfs and S Runs over? I’m stumped! But I did notice with REALXLIVDC that after REA LXLIVDC are all roman numerals hmmm. 50 10 50 1 5 50 100 very interesting
AJ.
Does anyone know how to stop getting all the comments emailed to me? No offense, but getting like 5 emails a day regarding a contest that is over, at least for me, is sort of annoying.
So any ideas how to stop the emails?
@ AJ
SAND is really interesting..a backward alphabet..why not
?
What about “I begin to correct but also direct. I start actions, and I get many reactions.”? “Golf” doesn’t really fit..neither does “end”..hm, any ideas? Sounds like a “god” or something.
Hm..I’ll try again tomorrow morning.
@ AJ
sorry, no idea
I tried some things but nothing worked.
backward alphabet on
REALXLIVDC:
IVZOCOREWX
If “END” would be right..maybe in #3 the difference sequence isn’t 5,3,1 but 5,3,2 (primes). Than we had:
Men do no zom iv zo core w(a)x
@ Gamepro
Any hints?
Are we on the right track?
14 +3 -3
14 + T(hree) =17..-3=14=N
=> nt??
Men don’t…?
-.- No worries, I’m fine.
@yeah baby….
where are you from (just curious)
I think I almost got it!
M
?
S A N D (reverse alphaebet of the numbers)
M A N (reverse alphabet of the numbers)
REAL ????????
oh it’s so close I can feel it!
AJ.
GREAT!!
Mr Sandman? Bravo AJ! You’ll get it!
Duh! lol I had it right there in front of my face! lol But I still can’t get that last one, any ideas?
AJ.
hey who won in amerika???
Excellent Job Axl D and AJ!
You are definately on the right track! When you think you have the answer “Try it out” by putting it at the end of that website address! Good Luck.
P.S. make sure you use .htm after the answer.
Gamepro
@ AJ
I’m pretty sure about the “r” of “Mr”.
“r” is 18th in the normal alphabet, but 9th in the backward alphabet (that idea of yours was ingenious).
So Mr Sandman is good..but I tried for hours to solve the code REALXL..
I’m sure, you’ll make it! Could be that I won’t be online for the next week..but surely not very frequently..
Good luck!
@AJ
I got in, thanks to your genius with the reverse alphabet. Is there a way to get in touch to pass the last bit on to you? You guys got the hard part, and I got the simple part…
Let me know!
@Stacey
I’m from Toronto, but I’ve been displaced to Mississauga! Growing up and settling down ya know
I’m pretty certain on the correct cipher…but the key is killing me. It should be obvious, but I just can’t get it to work. I really wish the analytical part of my brain would shut off so I could see the creative solutions to the puzzles…
BTW – Anyone hear who the US winner is yet?
@ Yeah baby. We are neighbours!!! I’m in Mississugly too.
Still trying to find that great restaurant for you. I’ve had a million things on the go this week but I’ll take a look maybe tomorrow.
any word on how to stop getting all the email replies yet?
I see this at the bottom, but know what that means! Help please.
“You are subscribed to this post. See comment notification emails to unsubscribe.”
oh wait I think I figured it out! In the email there is a subscription link
ey hoo wun in us
Ok so…my total score from both rounds was 3485…I’m suspicious that the apparent Canadian winner only came in with 3600. Also the angels and demons website says they will anounce the winners shortly.
Does something come in the mail or just by email?
Is my score competitive?
Tim,
I am sure that all of the winners know who they are by now. The finalists are most likely waiting until the official announcement is made before saying anything. My guess is the US winner might be Dave H, who has won or been a finalist in several other contests of this type. He reported a score of 2972.
Keep in mind that there was just a small number of Canadians playing, so a relatively higher score could easily have won there. Yeah Baby only had to have the best score in Canada to win that country’s prize.
Yes!! Puh..
, finally..the confirmation. I’m so glad. 
Thx to all of you for your comments!
Well done Rachael! I wasn’t able to solve the code..
. Maybe you or AJ will share the solution?
@axl d
Have fun in Rome! With gamepro’s puzzle, you’re there, with the exception of the “REALXLIVDC”. It was converted into numbers using a phone, but why assume that the numbers you get have to be converted into letters? Aren’t the numbers in themselves the answer to the clue?
When you get in, let me know. I have a very good idea on the right cipher, but don’t think I’m heading in the right direction on the key… or vice-versa…actually…now that I think about it, I don’t think I am sure about anything…
Why is it taking so long for the winners of the Angels & Demons Contest to be announced? I know that I didn’t win but it would be interesting to find out where I ranked amongst the 437 from Canada.
It would be great if they would show your ranking after a contest is done, but rarely do they bother. Typically after a contest is finished they never spend another minute on the website.
There are instructions in the rules on how to get a list of the winners if you really want to know who won, but it won’t have their scores or anything so I’m not sure there is much point.
Where did the previous posts (the ones actually about the “Angels and Demons” contest) go?
Never mind…I found them
Thx Rachael!
til then, axl
Ok..I’ll think about it and tomorrow I’ll share my thoughts about the next puzzle.
hello who won the angels and demons contest in the US? what was their score?
~chu sum twat
Rachael and All,
Try another “honest” president for the keyword;)
Gamepro
thx gamepro
I got it. The cipher is correct, Rachael!
As gamepro said, you just need another president.
Tell me if you’re there. Will try the next level now..
I was wondering the same thing!
Yay!!! I was really starting to wonder if I was on a wild goose chase! Now I have to think about the new one.
Thanks for the addtional hint gamepro
It was much needed!
Hey everyone!
Be sure to bookmark this thread because we will be making this a non sticky entry now that the contest has died down. The thread will remain open but will be in chronological order with the rest of the site.
@ Yeah Baby
I got another email with the information that the premiere will be on the 4th of may. Is that a typo? I thought it was the 14th.. Did you get that email? Concerning a blog, etc..
Thx, axl d
@ axl d
Yeah May 4th. Seems like we are getting an early pre-release viewing.
And I sent my pic to join Sony Pictures blog too.
But still no word on my Vespa!
I hope the earthquakes settle down before you guys go. Take care of yourselves. And pass on my congrats to the other winners!
@axl d
I think your english is much better than many Americans I know.
Maybe the first step we should take is to make sure we’re both working off of the same info (I don’t know about you, but some of the letters kind of blended into the background for me). Here’s what I have:
First set: cedetinemronshluein
Second set: rseaekhad
Once we’re on the same page, we can start trying to make sense out it.
First set: I think you skipped the “g” of the word “something” in the third last line.
still have no idea though..
Second set: Agree.
@ gamepro
Do we need any anagrams here?
Thanks for catching that missing “g”. I remember writing it down at some point because I thought of the suffix “ing”.
Okay, rambling thinking out loud follows:
So, we have 20 letters in the first set and 9 in the second. The first set couldn’t be one word, so we’re looking for a group of smaller words, which could also mean that we aren’t looking for a 9 letter word… What is the “something alike”? “Hearing” and “Seeing”…? What is in the clue that would tell us what to do with these letters? Does “two track mind” mean that there are two different approaches we need to take with them? It’s also odd that that particular line, and the one below it are the only two without either a bolded or italized letter in them. It says “I didn’t see a rhyme” – which is something you wouldn’t see, but rather hear, and the clue does rhyme.
(Like I said, just lots of rambling thoughts, but sometimes it helps to get them all out and prune from there)
@gamepro
The clue was very nice – the last one wasn’t so natural to read, but this one flowed nicely. I also like the ending of two of the lines: “rhyme” and “reason”, when I can’t find either in this clue
Hi! I can`t believe it! I found other winners!
I am the “winner” of Spain. I don`t speak English well so I could understand yeah baby and axl d ,are the winners of Canada and ¿¿Germany? ¿¿or USA??jeje
Today I sent the photo you requested for the blog.
See you in Rome! I’m happppppppyyyyyyyy!!
Greetings from Spain!
Congratulations Spain!
It is great to hear from another winner. From the sounds of things it looks like there will be a blog with pictures of the winners which is pretty exciting. Typically you never know who won or anything about the contest once it is over.
Spain winner, do you mind posting your score?
¿Puede usted fijar su resultado?
Congrats Spain!
You’re right, Yeah Baby is from Canady, I’m from Germany..
See you soon!
Quote: “@gamepro
The clue was very nice – the last one wasn’t so natural to read, but this one flowed nicely. I also like the ending of two of the lines: “rhyme” and “reason”, when I can’t find either in this clue”
@Rachel and Everyone
For the level that you are talking about, think about a code/cipher that requires you to use only two selections. And if that isn’t enough just ask Samuel M.;)
Good Luck!
Gamepro
Congratulations, Spain!
Yep, I was missing a couple of letters. The next one looks like it’s going to be fun
Ive heard that there’s an Italian actor playing character Father Simeon in Angels and Demons this character IS NOT IN THE BOOK–was added to the film!! He’s famous in Italy known as the George Clooney of Italy— name is Cosimo Fusco wonder if this changes the book/film and how????? I think he definitely is a twist.
WTG Rachel! Axl d, google Samuel Morse, and you’ll know what code to use;)
Don’t give up too soon lol:)
Gamepro
-.- morse..ok. Thx gamepro and Rachael. Just weak of me. But “llama” nearly put me over the edge. Never would have thought, that could be an English word
, originally Spanish, right?
Well..I’m back..haven’t read the clue yet, though.
Lets see..
hi! Cynthia I dónt remember the final exactly score. about 2000 R1 and 1000 R2. But I´m not sure!
Axl d, have you got new information about the trip? Yesterday I wrote because they hadnt received my reply to the blog! Incredible! I sent my photo few days ago… Ah! Congratulations to you too!!
thanks to all!!
axl d -
*** The numbers probably would be dry, but it said that it was a unique pattern. Maybe something like the pattern in The Da Vinci Code where you add one number to the one before it (ie. 112358132134…) where it looks random, but really has a method behind the madness? Although that doesn’t answer your valid question about why it would be so long… unless gamepro wants to see if we can do basic math? And regarding permutation: I had to look up what that meant, and have no clue how to apply it to this…but we can’t rule it out yet.
*** One argument in favor of the numerical answer is that there isn’t the reminder “to use the correct case” like there were on the other clues.
*** With the Cesar shift, it might work if we move it over 5 or 10 places? I’m going to check that out now.
*** Do you know of any other Roman codes?
Okay, I got the permutation: It pretty much looks like a numerical key to descramble words… But where would we find the key? And how could we use 5 or 10? I tried counting out every 10 letters; every 5 letters; every 5 then 10 then 5, etc.; every 10 then 5 then 10, etc and couldn’t find a word in any of them.
The Fibonacci Sequence was just the first pattered number I could think of (I am so happy you knew the name of it, it was driving me crazy last night, but I was too busy to go find my book!). There might be a roman number pattern based off of 5 or 10?
I have no clue. I am very much stumped. I should have a little bit of free time when I get home from work that maybe I can do some google searches to see what I can find. But I’ll keep thinking about possibilities until then.
Kind of a random question: Are we the only two still working on this? Didn’t AJ solve the majority of the first puzzle? I haven’t seen anything from her in a long while. And does anyone know of any other current contests going on? (Other than Dar, which may or may not still be active?)
@ Yeah Baby and Spain
I got another email in German saying that they will contact me next week for the exact flight information. It’s close now..
yes me too!
of Tom rksdkadkski jajaja i don`t remember the surname…
do you know who are the winners of the other countries??
I think this trip will be fun!
@axl d and everyone.
D=500 C=100 etc. Think about what is one both hands and feet, you have mentioned it already!
Good Luck
Gamepro
Okay axl d…gamepro took pity on us and let us in on the Roman Numeral thing. But I don’t know what direction we’re supposed to head in with the hands and feet. There’s 10 fingers and toes…they are also called digits. I don’t get how to convert “A” into a Roman Numeral though…
The winners are announced! Congrats to all the others!!
http://www.angelsanddemons.msn.com
@ Dave H
So, your wife is Mary, right?
oh!! Thankss!
Ahhh!! I’m nervous!!! I look like a little girl!! jaja
Congratulations to all the winners!
So, Dave your family wins another contest. Well done! What was your stepmother’s score??
And who was Ghostrider?
@axl & Spain
Yeah got the email from Tom Kopczynski too.
5 nights instead of 3 Yes!
So looks like I get the longer trip
Really excited now…but still no vespa!
Congratulations everyone!
@axl and everyone
You’re answer starts out with a Roman Numeral, no shifting or any ciphers at all. Just count your way to victory.
@Dave H and Step-Mother Great Job! I have a feeling that she will win it all:D
Gamepro
axl d-
Looking at gamepro’s new hint…I counted every 10 letters, and each one was a roman numeral. It didn’t work when I typed it in (as Roman Numerals or a standard number) though.
Counting every 5 didn’t land on all Roman Numerals.
Can you make anything out of his hint? I’m so happy he’s helping us so much on this one.
axl d-
I’m going to be no help on this next one. I’ve never been able to see the pictures in these things.
Woah! I think I saw the word: ROSIE
@ axl d
This is the first one I’ve ever seen…you might want to definately check with your friend and make sure I’m right. If I am, that’s pretty cool.
hello!!! axl d yeah baby, have you seen the hotel ? is the Westin Excelsior Rome! look at:http://excelsior.hotelinroma.com/galeria-de-fotos.html?source=-westin+hotel+excelsior
In the page http://www.angelsandemons.msn.com There are pictures and descriptions of the prizes.
I don’t know… Maybe we’re supposed to only look at words within the brackets? (there’s that whole thing about snakes in a coil, but it’s outside of the “Clue Brackets”) But the words outside of the brackets are really weird. I don’t know…
I definitely agree with the every third word thing though.
But how do we use the key “together” as gamepro said. There’s that obvious emphasis on “together”.
Still no further with the clue. It’s kind of funny we had so many posts that they had to completely move the thread.
Thanks for the confirmation about the word “ROSIE”. Still no clue what to do with it, but it’s nice to know that people weren’t just making it up when they said they could see something in the pictures
Still searching for some Rosie Cipher
That box thing..you really think it’s about the brackets? Hm.. 
Keep on looking
No…I don’t think it’s about the brackets. That little paragraph thing at the end is so weird that it has to be part of the clue… Wasn’t there a cipher in the Treasure Trove book where you put the letters in a 5×5 box? Is there something like that where ROSIE would be the key? It is a 5 letter word?
Random afterthought: That whole first part of the clue seems dedicated to finding the key – which was found in the picture box – ROSIE. Maybe that’s all we need to go with the “in the box” thing?
Which would leave: “deep within the words” and “every three” to solve the snake paragraph. Maybe we need to match the answer “together” with the ROSIE key? Or do we actually have to use it to decode the paragraph? We should look for various keyword ciphers that might fit.
Good thoughts, great breakdown..but still.
Do you think, it’s important that it’s “with in the words” and not “within the words”..I think about the spaces.. hmm.. and what’s “pei”?? “Pei”, “vera”, “your” (instead of you’re)..these are suspicious, no?
But if it’s a cipher, why no hint, which cipher to use?
The spaces could be something…however, in the US a lot of people mess up and use “your” instead of “you’re” and “with in” instead of “within”. It could just be a mistake, or something we are supposed to take note of – I don’t know?
Those are definately suspicious, so it probably is part of the clue… I googled the words that stood out the most and most of their definitions didn’t seem to make much sense in the sentance (except for “iota”):
iota, veil, oscar, pei, vera
When you count…all of these are the every third word.
When I googled ciphers, there’s only one that I found that uses a keyword (Keyword Cipher), which is basically just a fancy way to do a Cesar Shift, but I don’t know how to make it work with what we have (or if it’s even right). I tried decoding the whole sentance/paragraph, every third word, every third letter, the third letter within every third word…nothing. I even did the Keyword Cipher with a shift to the third letter (c)…still nothing.
I have to admit, I am very much stumped…
@ axl & Spain
Received the itinerary by email today…Will be in Rome Sunday May 3rd 11:00am! Til May 8th. Hotel is Westin Excelsior !
Wow finally feels real!
YES! That’s great news, thx Gary. We haven’t received that email yet, but we won’t stay till May 8th, cause it’s only three nights for us Europeans..
Congrats again guys!!! Gary aka Yeah Baby, did you hear back from the Vatican on the Scavi thing?
No they never sent me anything back.
Maybe next time…Thanks for the tip though
Rachel,
You have already mentioned what cipher to use, think about those companion books. After figuring out what cipher to use, take your keyword and follow the clues and you should start solving it quickly from then on. As for the language, most of it is unintentional, I did this whole game in a very very short time, and I rushed big time on it, so there will be many mistakes in the future also lol.
within every three words look for something “together” that also corresponds with the cipher as well.
I hope this helps.
Gamepro
thx gamepro..I don’t know that treasure trove book.. I hope I found the right thing in wikipedia
@Rachael:
So it’s a 5×5 box..rosie
ROSIE
ABCDF
GHKLM
NPQTU
VWXYZ
right? It’s without “j”?
ok, every third word:
best, coil, better, cost, iota, veil, oscar, pei, site, vera and going
referring to ROSIE:
bESt, cOIl, bettER, cOSt, IOta, vEIl, OScar, pEI, SIte, vERa, gOIng
would mean
ES OI ER OS IO EI OS EI SI ER OI
How do you solve that, Rachael? Do we need to go one letter upwards in the box?
tried one letter down: “FCBDBAB…”
and one letter up: “ZXWYZV…”
neither worked
Where did the other posts go? The newer ones?
Sorry if there was a glitch there. It should be fixed now.
Wonderful job axl!
You’ve got the right letter combos. In the 5×5, instead of numbers, do letters. And you pair c and k together.
R O S I E
R A B c/k D E
O F G H ETC……
S
I
E
Remember my joke a while back about gamepro wanting to know if we could do basic math? Apparently that wasn’t too far of a leap. See you when you get to the next clue.
Gampro: Thank you for the help. I never participated in Treasure Trove, but I heard about it later when I got into Dar. That was a pretty neat way to do the clue.
Axl: You really did make the big connection. Sorry my grid didn’t line up the way it’s supposed to. Let me know if you need help with it!
That “space in the lot” is not “j” but “q” in english, right? But does that help?
ROSIE
ABCDF
GHJKL
MNPTU
VWXYZ
oh, you already did it ?
Great job. Don’t understand a word, though 
.
“instead of numbers, do letters.” I thought, I tried it with letters “FCDB..”etc
alright, so the grid has rosie going down on the left?
hm, feeling like a helpless whelp
ah..got an idea..just a moment
no..thought it’s like a crossword
That would leave one letter for a two letter-pair, like “ES” would be “E” across, “S” down, solution: “x”
But x, i, v, h, r, y, h, y, o, v, i doesn’t work either..
, pretty desperate.
oh maan..that’s unfortunate..got it..finally
Try this Axl
R O S I E
R A B C D E
O F G H I K
S L M N O P
I Q R S T U
E V W X Y Z
Good Luck…….
I figured I’d give ya a shove, because if you don’t have any knowledge of ATT or DAR then it would be extremely harder to figure out this cipher.
Gamepro
hmmmm that didn’t come out that good let me try again
**R*O*S*I*E
R*A*B*C*D*E
O*F*G*H*I*K
S*L*M*N*O*P
I*Q*R*S*T*U
E*V*W*X*Y*Z
Sorry about all the *’s but it’s the only way to try to get the right format. Hope this helps ES=P ect.
Gamepro
Thx again Rachael and gamepro!
Ok..you’re right. It’s all about maths now.
Adding the numbers in the brackets is probable..then minus the fourth number INSIDE a bracket or add all numbers in a row minus every fourth little bracket-sum?
Hm. It’s 9 brackets per row, with few exceptions.
Is “make up” another expression for “multiply”? Rewind=division?
Hm..oh I’m happy I’m at the next clue..but I’m so tired.. tomorrow, same time? ^^
@ gamepro: thx, but I got it already..Racheals hint was crucial.. and then I first did across, THEN down.. -.-
it was the other way around
Great, that you’re trying to help me so hard!
Good night everybody
YEAH!!!
Already done with the math riddle 
If you need help Rachael, tell me or c u at the next clue
That was very fast axl!
I definately need help with the math riddle. I did the math in each brackets (which gave a lot of negative numbers), then added all of them together, and then subtracted every fourth number. I didn’t get the whole “not make up my mind” or “rewind” thing (thought rewind might mean to do it backwards…). Any help would be very much appreciated
There is no “minus” in the brackets..adding up is a good idea, though. But not all of them together. You need the sum of each bracket.
If you do that, you will see, that there is a difference between (some of) every fourth number and the rest.
Rewind and backwards is a good connection as well. Remember the first riddle? The “Sandman”-thing?
sorry..there ARE minus signs..in every fourth bracket..thats the thing with “not make up my mind”
Hi…I think that’s what I tried, but I’m still lost (and confused…)
I added all the numbers in the brackets (for the first four brackets, I got: -3, -8, -1, 5). Or are you saying they need to be: 7, 12, 25, 53? If it’s the second set of numbers, then I don’t know where a negative would come (unless it’s the “Take Away” every 4th, so you add the negative sign…) I’m confusing myself. I’m going to try something and see if it works.
Nope… I think I am over thinking it. The sad part is, math is my favorite/best subject, but I don’t have a clue how to work this…
Hey Rachael!
Sorry for the late reply..was in a playhouse today.
Ok.
The first four numbers:
7, 12, 25, 5
cause 29 – 4 -10 -10 = 5.
7, 12, 25 are three letters in a special alphabet (think of the “sandman”).
5 is a letter as well but not in the “special alphabet”.
Ok?
It’s one o’clock a.m…I go to sleep. Tell me if I should be more exact.
Good luck! Definitely need your help with the next one.. -.-
@ Gary and Ana
Countdown begins: Only 10 days to go..
Got the itinerary as well!
Saturday 20:00 eastern I am on the way…
@Spain
That's weird. I have direct flight there and back all the way from Canada!
It will be worth it though stopover or no stopover!
See you all on Sunday!
Thank you axl. It turned out that I was doing the math the way it was supposed to be done, but I had messed up the actual math execution here and there, which is why it didn’t work out. Thanks again! Did the last bit of your letters seem to make no sense to you?
I’m looking at the new one. The highest US denomination currently in circulation is the $100.00 with Benjamin Franklin, but I don’t think that sounds like a fish. With the emphasis on the number “2″, I thought the $20.00 bill with Andrew Jackson, but that doesn’t sound like fish to me either. I’m going to see if I can figure anything out.
WTG on the last one!
yes, the last word obviously was “saying”, not “sabimg”
gamepro exchanged unintentionally one alphabet for the other, b=y=2, m=n=14
Ah..ok, so we’re looking for some president on a banknote. I didn’t understand that “adorned the highest note” thing.
Two questions?
Why do you think it’s the American currency? But ok..that’s probable.
But why “currently”? Adorned seems to refer to the past..so William McKinley, Grover Cleveland, James Madison, Salmon P. Chase or Woodrow Wilson could help?
Wait..salmon..that’s a fish, right? ^^
“It has more to do with the currency”.. 10.000 dollar note..hmm..
A dollar cipher or something? Chase cipher? Any ideas?
We need 11 letters.
your turn
We have 44+42+38+34 letters. All divisible by 2. Hm..maybe the 2 also means that it’s not mono-alphabetic..
ok..
hi! I’ve also received the itinerary too… but I don’tunderstand why i `m going to Zurich for go to Rome! There are direct flights from my city. The flight back to Barcelona,this city is a 1,100 km of my town! Why! . How about your flight? Am I the only idiot who is going around the world to get to Rome?
Countdown: 6 days!!
Hi axl. Sorry I’ve been off the grid. There was a pretty bad fever being passed around my house so I haven’t had any time to readdress the clue.
I wondered the same thing about if it would be American currency, but started leaning in that direction solely for the fact that the key to one of the previous ciphers was an American president. (pretty scientific guess, huh?
) It could be a Euro, but I would expect something to guide us to which country to use (since each has their own person on the front, right?).
I’m thinking the president that sounds like fish, would lead us to the number on the note (“note” would mean it has to be paper money, and not a coin like a quarter or nickle or something?). But I can’t find an 11 letter currency number.
Good thought on the possibility of a non-mono-alphabetic cipher. One thing that struck me odd was the mix of Upper and Lower Case letters towards the end. Some were familiar (Xi – Xenon; He – Helium; Pb – Lead on the periodic table of elements), but Gu and Rr made no sense. Although I have no idea how that could help us…if it means anything in the first place. But it might be something to look in to?
@ Spain
! Not all flights though..^^
All roads lead to Rome
It’s a direct flight for me, 130 minutes.
@ Rachael
Get well soon!!
^^ ok, agree..it’s the American currency. But you didn’t respond to the “Salmon-thing”. Can you tell me, why?
I think it’s pretty probable, that the “fish hint” is an allusion to SALMON P. Chase, who adorned the 10.000 dollar note more than fifty years ago. You said something about an 11 letter currency number. 10.000 = ten thousand = 11 letters. What do you think?
Periodic table of elements..just great
..but you’re right..Rr and Gu wouldn’t make sense. Weird..
Thank you! Definitely feeling better today.
I didn’t respond to the Salmon and 10,000 thing because you know more about American Presidents than I do (I had no clue what you were talking about
). But it makes perfect sense. So…now what do we do with it? How does it relate to two?
I tried a keyword substitution with tenthousand, and then tried shifting it to the right two and every other letter and no luck. Any ideas?
You know, it’s going to be pretty lonely trying to figure all these out on my own while you’re in Rome!
Don’t worry..I’ll be back (too) soon.
Well..tenthousand may be right..but except for the “2″ there is no other hint..”fair play, don’t cheat”..that’s not important, is it?
He said, he’s said “already 2 much”, so it should not be too difficult from here. But I’ve no clue at all. Got the feeling to bounce against some barrier here.
Shifting..keyword substitution..yeah maybe. But I guess we need another backup from gamepro or do you have another ingenious approach?
I don’t think the “fair play, don’t cheat” thing is part of it…although we could technically be breaking rules by collaborating, but I think gamepro would have given us the smack down a while ago if that was the case…
It really did sound like we should have no problems after we got the right 11 letter word, but I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall.
“Another” ingenious approach? Since when did I get a first
I’m kind of stuck on a shifted cipher for some reason. It has to work one of these times 
I wonder how many more of these there are.
gamepro?
I’m sorry, Rachael..I won’t be online very long for the next days. Hope, you’ll get to the next level though! Will try to get in touch with you all when I’m in Rome.
Otherwise til next week!
Fair play? I believe the wording was (play fair). That has a lot to do with it;) You all are doing very good. Good luck in Rome Axl D
If you still are stumped, just go back and read the clues flavor text, you’ll get it I just know it. Hope this helps.
Gamepro
BTW, working together is awesome, and I like to see teamwork!!
Gamepro – I’m sure that clue was supposed to help…and I’m sure I’ll kick myself in the behind when we finally get it (like I did with all the others…)
Thanks for stopping in to give us nudges (in some cases, huge shoves) in the right direction along the way.
Axl – Have fun! You and the other winners definitely earned your trip. Eat some Chocolate/Limoné Gelato for me! Hopefully I’ll have a solve or two done before you get back.
Hi Rachael!
).
Have a few minutes..
I was travelling today morning by train when I solved it finally..
It's another play fair cipher (Thx gamepro! Sometimes you just don't see the wood for the trees..
Try the box
TENHO
USADB
CFGIJ/K
LMPQR
VWXYZ
The first word you'll decipher sounds like fish
.
Great riddle, gamepro!
Tomorrow, same time, I'm back for another five minutes to see your thoughts on the next clue, Rachael
.
Have a good weekend!! 3 days!!
Countdown -52.5hrs
@Spain
I have a direct flight there and back, strange they could not put you on one direct.
@winners
See you all on Sunday, in Roma! WOW finally here…I am already packed !
Hi! Gary , i think so… but they changed my flight…now, i 'll return to my city but "there and back" at indirect flight… I´m going to Zurich and Frankfurt! jajaja
I'll take a photo in each airport… and i`ll say to my friends… I win a trip … around to Europe!
It's so amazing!
Winners , what're you wearing to go to premiere? We could go in pajama?? it's a fashion style! jaja
Countdown to go to Zurich and Rome: 48 hours!!
24 hours for us
4.5hrs til take off!
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! i`m nervious!!!
Gary and Axld goooooood fly!!!
16 hours til take off!
Axl, way to go! I never even thought to google "playfair". I didn't realize that was the name of the cipher. I've been out of town since Thursday, and just now got back to a computer. Hope you are having/had fun on your trip!
Looking at the new clue, here's my breakdown of what I thought was important in the clue:
"Train room king hef"
"the wall of knowledge"
"only way"
"Reflect" – Reverse? Backwards alphabet? Write the words backwards?
"Punctual" – Look for punctuation errors? (I don't have a way to bold, or change colors for emphasis, so I've added four asterisks around the thing that seems out of place)
– second line: ****might could help**** him and ****;**** I was ****refering you**** but I realize it might be hard ****,**** work. ("might could" is incorrect grammar – so is it on purpose, or not? Why random comma, missing the word "to", why the other random comma?)
– fourth line: Dungeon (Why capital?)
– fourth line: …hef" **** ***** I just know… (Why no punctuation between [hef"] and [I just know]?)
– seventh line: Also I have found a clue ****,**** that was on the back of a ****P**** ainting of Queen Joline ****,**** the king****s****…. (Why extra commas? Why is the "P" in painting capital? Why are there no possessive apostrophes?)
– ninth line: …learn that, you may have… (Why random comma?)
– ninth line: some clues… (Why is first letter lower case?)
Are the names symbolic or a clue?
I know I didn't give much (pretty much just a reiteration of the clue), but sometimes just thinking it "out loud" helps me organize my thoughts.
This was my first time looking at it, so I think I'll have to let it sink in a bit, and then revisit it. I really hope you're having tons of fun!
"Only Way" – "One Way" – "Trapdoor Cipher"? It's a huge stretch, and I don't know how to make it work, but it's a possibility…
Hello @ all!!
We didn't get all too close though. Neither was the grand prize winner announced but Dave's family will surely have good chances. (Btw, Dave, your dad and I would like to exchange e-mail addresses, it's Gestiefelter-Kater@web.de)
The Europeans are back from Rome by now (hope, everyone has landed well!). It was great fun! Tom Hanks was obviously in very good mood.
The movie was quite good, even if there are some major differences to the book. Nevertheless advisable.
Our tour guide on the path of illumination tour did a great job in my opinion, very interesting historic things and a good summary of the book. And the hotel.. Well it is the no. 1 in Rome and you could see and feel that. Would've liked the idea of staying another few days there.
Thx again to all of you, hope everyone is fine and the Americans and Canadians will get back without complications!!
@ Rachael
!
I have still some things to do here but I'll be back to think about the riddles with you shortly. Looking forward to it
Axl-
Welcome back! I'm happy to hear you had fun. I was wondering if the movie would be worth seeing ("The Da Vinci Code" was a bit disappointing, but I think that's because of the hair…). Did you get to see the Pope's office, and all that too?
Sorry I haven't made much (any) progress on the clue while you were gone. It's just not as fun doing it by yourself. It's kind of sad when I'm dreaming about a King locking up a guy in a dungeon with a stone and him finding a clue on the back of a painting of a Queen. Then in my dream I go into a rant because I wonder how it is he can get a note out when he's supposed to be a prisoner in a dungeon… (yes, these are the weird dreams that Gamepro has driven me to… Thanks Gamepro!
)
Thx Rachael
, we were at St. Peter's Square but I hadn't enough time to do more in the Vatican. A few more days..
Your nightmare sounds just great!
You did well, very good summary here. I didn't even notice all the little errors.
Hm.. my first thoughts:
First of all, could you please tell me, what "hef" means? -.- I thought, that's not a word at all, that's why I was sure, it had to be some kind of anagram.
..but maybe you have a solution for this when I wake up tomorrow 
.
. Good night!
Also you have to be right about "only way", the "wall of knowledge" and maybe that "reflect"-thing.
"Puncual": I agree concerning the capital letters and the funny comma placement but what do you think about the morse signs? They are punctual right? Maybe you haven't seen them, they are far down at the site. That would definitely be one of the clues that are "right before" our "eyes", right? If I'm not mistaken, the translation would be:
"ud orpem ekn muan"
But the sentence with "reflect" comes just before the punctual hint..maybe we need to use the reverse alphabet here. The spaces between some of the morse signs are odd as well.. I'm just too tired to examine that further now..
I hope I'm not dreaming about King Salone and some stones though
I never even saw the Morse code (good eyes!). I got "and make me proud" out of it. (Reflect the Morse code then translate). I tried to type that in as the answer, but I guess we're still missing something since it didn't work.
As far as I know, "hef" isn't an English word. But at least with your guidance, we're making progress (definitely couldn't have done that without you, thank you!).
who was the US winner and what was their score?
Well done!! I guess that means, we are a good team
!
Unfortunately I don't have the feeling that I'm getting any closer to the solution. Anagrams would be just too difficult cause there are way too many possibilities. There has to be another hint which cipher to use. But I don't see it. "…andmakemeproud" hmm..
Adding some more "mistakes" to your list:
first line: "recieved" ("i" and "e" transposed)
second line: "Naturaly" (missing "l"), "refering" (missing "r")
fourth line: "recieved" ("i" and "e" transposed)
ninth line: "it is called, " (another random comma)
There are always two spaces after the end of a sentence but probably that won't be important at all.
As I said..I don't think I'm getting closer here.
Most conspicious are the capital letters D (Dungeon) T (Train) P (Painting) R (Reflect)
Maybe without the "T". Maybe with the "s" (some).
Then the "random" commas.
@ gamepro
Should we concentrate on these or is every literal error important?
I'm not sure if the missing letters or misspelled words mean anything. I was thinking about it last night (yep, right before I went to sleep, no wonder I have weird dreams), and it says "punctual"…nothing about grammar. But, technically, the capital letters aren't about punctuation either. But we are in agreement that it's too suspicious to make the letter a capital, especially when one of the words (Reflect) was obviously a hint.
Maybe we have to add the other capital letters? I don't have the clue pulled up, but off the top of my head, I know there is K (King), S (Solone), Q (Queen), J (J…. keep thinking it's something like Jilone, or something like that). Maybe anagram the capital letters? Or match them to their reversed alphabet? I think it's called the Atbash cipher? Something to try when I get home (lunch break is just about over). Hopefully you'll have something waiting for me
Sorry to disappoint you
. Much work to do and the weekend is getting worse.. At first view I think your idea with the capital letters unfortunately doesn't work..hm..don't give up! 
I won't either but I think I will be more of use on monday and the following days.. Good night! 
Back home now
At least it isn't snowing!
Really great time! Had a little guide book of top ten things to see and do in Rome and we got through nine of them..Sistine Chapel and Vaticano were great…Collosio and ruins wow! The Path to Illumination tour was excellent learned so much from the guide.
The water course of that dinner was different though lol.
@ Ana
I will send you email to your address, can you send my address to everyone else who sends to you
@ Axl and Ana
I did phone Tom about Grand Prize and other prizes. He said they decided to mail jewelry so we would not have trouble crossing border with a giant gold cross
And his Microsoft contact was in charge of grand prize awarding, but he was in Rome for the premiere with us so Tom could not talk to him about it yet. As soon as he does he will contact us and let us know…Good Luck!
@ Gary
You're so right! Good to hear that you're back and everything's fine.
"The water course was different"
Thx for calling Tom! Great news there..but did you ask him about the Vespa? Well..I guess that other guy will tell us about it. I'm still hoping, that they'll just give that car to the Europeans cause they don't know what else to do with it.
Okay… I've been trying. I've worked on trying to find any hint as to the cipher in the clue, and nothing. I even got desperate and started to Google "and make me proud" just to find it's a quote from (among other things) "Stripes". I tried to plug in Stripes, Bill Murray, and even John Winger (all lower case) to see if any of them would work.
They didn't. I felt so good after deciphering the Morse Code, now I just feel like a hopeless idiot. But we'll get it – eventually.
On a very different note: Hear anything about your cross and Vespa? Have you fully recovered from your trip? I'm excited to see the movie. Just a few more days!
As far as I know, we'll get the cross via mail, concerning the Vespa we're still waiting for information.
Have a nice time in the theater!
Tell me if you enjoyed it!
oh! where is my last comment¿¿??
:O
Hi Ana! Did you receive one of my emails?
si! ayer noche deje un comentario para todos aquí! pero no se porque lo han borrado!!
Os decía que tengo e-mails de todos pero que no se muy bien de quien son algunos!! es un tremendo lio! no se quien es quien ! ni quien pide que!
Para evitar confusión , os enviaré un e-mail grupal para que tengaís las direcciones, ok??
Por cierto , ha sido un placer conoceros! me lo pase genial en Roma! unos días inolvidables!! Ahora toca buscar
otro concurso con viaje de regalo para reunirnos en otro lugar del mundo!!
Sois todos geniaaaaaaaaaaaaaales!!!
Un abrazooooo!!!! y suerte !!!
No es ninguno problema, Ana
! Hoy he hablado un poco con Pilar. Tu idioma no es muy facil para mi pero creo que al menos nos hemos entendado 
. Tienes razon. Los dias estaban genial. Nos informa cuando has encontrado un otro concurso!
Saludos
Ains, I'm idiot! I wrote in Spanish! jajajjaja! I'm sorry!
Of course, if I find some interesting contest, I will tell you!
Saludos!!!
This is Rachael…
I had another weird dream. The clue was written in the center of a bumper on a truck in front of me. When I shifted to the left a little bit, I could see there was a hidden part of the clue on the left part of the bumper. So I looked to the right side of the bumper, and there was the rest of the clue. It had something to do with "Sol" on the left and "Luna" on the right.
My brain's just driving home the point that we're missing something. *Sigh* Happy thoughts…we'll get it. Guten Nacht! Talk to you later!
Hey Rachael! Your dreams are quite interesting
, just imagine you really solve it while sleeping o_O. Do you think we have a chance without gamepro's help?
Am I to search for a Rachael Beal now? ^^
What's keeping me more occupied at the moment is the question why you changed your name..
Trust me, I've been trying… I've been trying to dream up a solution to "The Secrets of the Alchemist Dar" too, but that hasn't panned out either… We definitely have the ability to figure it out without gamepro's help…it will just take a lot longer, and we'll have to make sure we think outside of the box a lot more than we are. Maybe he isn't helping this time because it's the final clue and we have to prove ourselves? Or maybe someone else has already won, so it's not that big of a priority anymore? Who knows? Just don't give up.
You're more occupied about my name? You need to focus! We have another mystery to solve.
The user name "Rachael" was already taken for the "Intense Debate", so I had to keep trying until I found one that wasn't taken. I'm not too fond of the fact that now my full name is out there…but what can I do? At least my full name won't be known on any other threads I choose to post to. You can search for a Rachael Beal if you want to, but there are quite a few of us. I'm not sure if you'd know which one was the real me, even if you could find it 
It's not very fair that now you know my full name, but I don't know yours. Or is your real name Axl?
Hmm..ok, so I know that you're still trying. Well..then I guess we're going to solve it pretty soon!
Ok..I have tried many things..but still not getting closer. I'll tell you succinct what I've done. Maybe you have an idea.
I tried a play fair puzzle, that 5×5 box with the name Drado and the cipher text DTPR or KSDKSTPQJR (S) or backwards cause of the "only way"-clue. Maybe we have more luck with Salone or Joline instead of Drado..I haven't checked that by now.
Another thing..we've already solved a morse code..why not another one? At least we have many weird commas = dashes and for example a missing dot after the word "hef". Besides we have some odd (=bigger) spaces between some words and sentences. Weird dashes, dots, spaces..Sounds like morse, right? I really thought that could be it, but I wasn't able to get any sense out of the text yet. But still…maybe you are!
Ok..let's say the punctuation is really referring to a morse code that you are going to solve. That would still leave so many questions. What about the capital letters and the lower case "s" at the end of the text? It HAS to mean something. What about the other clues and that "hef-word". If it's NOT an anagram, what could it be? If IT IS an anagram, why haven't we found that solution yet?
*sigh* Bed time for me..
Ok, one more.. Concerning the anagram:
other possible words within the anagram: knight, night, make..man,I'm tired 
"Go for the man in kir!" ^^
I like "O hanker for timing" or "No time for harking"
You've been working hard! I don't know about the Morse…I mean, it makes sense that maybe the Morse code is supposed to lead us in that direction, but there's nothing that seems to stick out (it was kind of obvious, after you knew the answer, when it came to the italicized and bolded letters in one of the previous clues) but there's nothing that stands out on this. One question, where's the final "S" that you are talking about? I can't find it anywhere.
You know, the main problem is that NOTHING, except the Morse and quotes (especially "hef") points to a clue. I can't find a hint of cipher text, or cipher… but I'll keep trying. Hopefully I'll have something for you before you get up tomorrow.
Hey All, Just wanted to let you know that I haven't been avoiding anyone, I've just been having issues with internet service:( Try looking at the periods, commas, question marks, etc. and see what you have LEFT.
The above is a nice clue if you figure out what it means, but I didn't want to give you all a "give-away" clue on this one so that you all can figure it out together:)
still barely around;-)
Gamepro
P.S. The complete puzzle still has not been solved!
Thx gamepro!
It would help though, if you could tell us that every little error or double space or any other abnormalities in the text are intended. But maybe that would already be too much information..hm..well, we'll try to find out! 
@ Rachael
At first, that hint seems to be pretty clear, doesn't it? LEFT..so what's left of the dots etc. (letters or words). Obviously there is no single question mark in the entire text, so maybe he's referring to the odd punctuation and spaces, that could be the question marks, no? Do you think, "periods" mean dots? Or is it really another counting riddle..
I'm afraid, today and the weekend I'm busy again
..hope, you're doing well though!
Thanks gamepro! It's nice to know we still have a shot!
axl-
It sounds like it's all punctuation – no spaces or anything else mattering. It is strange he said "question mark" but there's none in there…
If you do the letters to the left of the punctuation (including the initial part talking about receiving a note from Drado) you get:
opddkmdepnesfgeeedetyteltlsl
And if you do the words to the left of the punctuation (I didn't include words to the left of quotation marks…), you get:
dradohelpandhardworkhimfriendsalonehelpdungeonfreeclueshimselfsomethingclueJonlinewifecalledknowledgeoutway
thatmewellthatpunctualeyesarrival
I tried to read the letters backwards (Reflect) as well as the words, but it was just nonsense.
Add in "and make me proud" from the Morse, and I am just as confused as I was when we first started
Maybe you can use your anagram skills to come up with something from the letters? I'm going to be busy this weekend too (there's an exchange student from Germany staying with us, and it's her birthday tomorrow), but I'll try to sneak in some time here and there to work on it. At least I didn't have any weird dreams again! (although the fact that in my dream more of the clue was revealed when I looked to the LEFT of the bumper is kind of weird
)
No problem, an anagram of dradohelpandhardworkhimfriendsalonehelpdungeonfreeclueshimselfsomethingclueJonlinewifecalledknowledgeoutway
thatmewellthatpunctualeyesarrival shouldn't take too long. ^^
Good night, sent you an email..
Okay, I'm just checking in during my lunch break. I also tried the words (and letters) that had a punctuation to the left of them, but that isn't making any sense either. For a little bit, I was getting a bunch of "I's and "A"s and thought that could be Morse, but then it came up with some "T's and "Y".
I'll keep trying though.
I got my Vespa!!
S 150cc
Well not yet but at least I have email from Vespa rep asking if I can come pick it up
YES I CAN!
Great news!
Congrats Gary! I'm still waiting for a similar email 
The guy from Italy won the Grand Prize
Well I will post my score now… 3540… not good enough I guess
Congrats to Cristiano…enjoy the car.
WOW! Congrats Cristiano!!..That score really has to be low
..I was sure that I'm not the winner, though 
. Sorry for you Dave and your family, was pretty sure that you'll make it. Anyway..well done..well done, Christiano!! Did you get even below 2900? o_O My 3082 wasn't enough by far. Never mind, Gary! 
Next time is our time!! 
The answer you are looking for is 5 words…
Gamepro
5 words??^^ Well, if the morse code at the end gives us 4 words we already mentioned..then the rest of the text would only encode one single word.. (!)
Sorry, gamepro..that one is just too hard for me. There are too many unsolved riddles (in fact Rachael managed the backward morse code and I didn't decipher anything ^^). Maybe some of them are just to set us on the wrong track, I don't know. It's a pitty..this time your hints just couldn't help me 
. And I've already spent too much time with this puzzle. I feel a bit sorry for Drado, though 
. Poor guy. But maybe Rachael will rescue him 
! Good luck Rachael!
Axl don't give up too soon. The morse code is used as an example of how to get the REAL answer. The answer is 5 words starting with a word that means Labor;) You have did a great job so far, and congrats on all you have done!
Gamepro
Axl d, don't give up the first word to the answer means Labor. Keep trying you'll get it!
I posted a similar comment earlier but I don't see it?
Anyway hope you continue with it. Also, the morse code is just used as an example of how to find the REAL answer.
gamepro
Hey Axl –
Just back from my vacation and wanted to check in to see if you won Gamepro's hunt yet
I couldn't have deciphered the Morse without you pointing out that it was even there at the bottom of the page. And you would have figured it out if you hadn't been completely sleep deprived from your return trip from Rome. Keep working on it!
Gamepro-
Thanks for checking back in with us. I'm agreeing with Axl about this clue. I've spent way too much time on it and haven't gotten anywhere. During my lunch break, I'm going to have to see if I can apply any of your new hints to make some sense out of it. Thank you!
Hi Axl-
I understand what you are saying. Every time you think you've escaped, he sucks you back in to his evil cipher game. He's a Mad Genius! I can hear him working on his evil laugh right now. If we don't watch out, he'll throw us into the Dungeon with Drado. (j/k Gamepro…sort of…)
Okay…the first thing I thought of when he said "Labor" was "Work". Looking at a thesaurus, that seems to be the most likely first word. But how do we decipher what he's given us to actually give us the clear text "Work"?
I was still leaning towards the letters to the left of punctuations, but to spell the words backwards (Ex. abcdefg would be gfedcba). But that didn't work. I even tried using the first letter of the words to the left of punctuations…but that didn't work either.
Trying to use your Morse, I got these marks:
.. ;,. . ,,. ,. ,,"". ,,,,"." ,"." ,. ,". . . ,
The spaces between the letters were based on the big spaces between sentences, except for the first two, which were the two separate lines from Gamepro telling us to go save Drado.
So, backwards: – . . .- .- .- .—- .– .- .– . .–. .. (leaving out the ") doesn't give anything of meaning.
There's no hint as to how to split markings, so I don't know. Also, I'm not entirely sure how that would utilize "see what you have LEFT". I don't see anything "LEFT". I think the Reflect is the clue to write the words/letters backwards, but I don't get "LEFT".
I also tried the first and last letters of the word to the right of the punctuation (punctuation to the left). I didn't fully go through all the letters, but here's what I have:
First letter of the word to the right of the punctuation: jniwhmiaia (backwards: a i aim h win j).
(Seeing the words "AIM" and especially "WIN" made me all warm and fuzzy, until I realized nothing else made sense).
I couldn't get anything from the last letters in the words to the right of the punctuation.
If the answer is translating Morse, then we should probably try to figure out a logical way to get the word "work" out of it ( .– — .-. -.- ). That is assuming, of course, that we are correct on the first word being "work".
Okay…I'm getting more and more frustrated. I need to go and take some deep breaths. I'll talk to you later. Hopefully I'll dream up the answer tonight.
Good night!
Rbeal and Axl d, Great job on figuring out the first word is Work now look to the LEFT of the punctuation and follow the morse code example your secord word is hard so Work Hard….. Hope this helps. Hurry DRADO is counting on YOU Mawahahaha caugh caugh see I can't do the evil laugh very good:)
Gamepro
My goodness. You know Gamepro…with what we were given in the clue, there was no way I was going to solve that on my own. Thank you so much for the extra help. It was VERY much needed. I still think you're an evil genius…just one with a slight cold
Axl – I'll e-mail you the answer if you didn't get it on your own yet…
First I've read your e-mail, Rachael..and I just thought: How the hell did she solve that??
Never mind, great work there! I still don't get all the other clues but maybe (or probably) we'll need that later.. Ok, thx gamepro! I'll puzzle about the next one with aid of this brilliant lady.
That's alright…you can keep believing that I had an epiphany. I don't mind
The funny thing is, I actually solved it a while ago, but it didn't stand out as a solve, so I disregarded it. I guess that just goes to show that you can't ignore anything.
My initial thoughts? They were a bit scrambled, but here I go:
WW1: Enigma, Playfair, Number 1 instead of Roman Numeral I – shift one place?
Double: Double just stands out. Maybe two alphabets? Or, like you've suggested, two Playfair Ciphers?
Two Steps: Two steps, Morse? Shift and then decipher?
Boudinot Agencies: Fictional Website online – online treasure hunt (sound familiar)? Site is no longer available.
How they kept secrets: Site is down, so I can't research it.
Out of Place: Again, a letter out of place, a shift?
Binded: No clue, but it stands out.
Trans form: Transformation Cipher?
Position: With the capital, this must be important, and again leads me to believe there is a shift changing a letter's position.
Drado: I thought we were done with him!
Okay, so you know where my mind is leaning. I tried a substitution cipher with a shift up and then down 1, but that didn't work. It's interesting to note that he gave us punctuation marks in the ciphered text. I also wonder if the grouping of 5's mean anything.
Were you able to get anywhere with the Playfair Ciphers?
I have five minutes ^^.. uhm.. no, it doesn't seem to be playfair.
Concerning "Ouf of Place"..The word "sure" seems out of place, don't you think? Or only the "s" of "sure"..hm. Yeah..can't find much about the Boudinot Agencies as well..but it's noticeable that he punctuated "Boudinot Agencies". That's why I thought these could be two key words..both have eight letters..and the cipher text contains 112 letters, divisible by 8. Two steps.. hm.
"sure" didn't seem out of place, but I think that's because of the "and" above it. Looking at it, I'm still thinking substitution and transpostion (at least definately transposition – Trans and then "under stand my Position" – Trans Position – Transposition. But I'm not entirely sure of the mechanics yet… With "two steps" it could be a rail transposition cipher with two steps down. And it's definitely odd that "Boudinot Agencies" was underlined, so that could be the key word in a Substitution Cipher which we would have to do first, and then the Transposition? Or the transposition first and then the substitution? That would take care of the "Two Steps". But I don't get "binded" which strikes me as odd. I don't have time to keep working on it right now, but should be able to start on it again in about an hour. Let me know if you think I'm on the right track at all.
I'm stuck. I've tried Substitution then Transposition, and a bunch of others with a keyword and then Transposition. I don't know how to transpose it, but I found a tool online that does it a bunch of different ways, and none of them are giving me anything legible. I'm positive that I am right about using Transposition at some point – but I can't answer the when or how part of the question…
How are you doing Axl? Haven't heard from you for a little bit. You haven't gotten so frustrated that you've given up, have you?
Hey Rachael
!
Another weekend without internet coming. So, I'm really embarassed to say that I've done nothing and will do nothing for the next few days. Sorry 
. There are some appointments on monday as well but I might be able to check in the evening. From wednesday on it should get a bit calmer around me..
Don't worry. I won't give up on this one so fast, promise.
But I'm very busy at the moment.
I'm pretty sure that you're ritght about the transposition, very good idea. Hmm..have you tried the One Time Pad? I'll join this again soon.. Don't give up!
One time pad, Übchi, Double Transformation..sent you an email..maybe we're already close.
Good night everyone
Axl,
You're right. We were right there. I've got the answer and it's the Double Columnar Transformation Cipher. The next clue looks to be the last. And it's a BIG one. 5 puzzles in one, and we have to get all 5 right to get to the end. I'll give you a little bit to try and finish this solve (you're right there!) before I e-mail the answer. Thanks for not giving up on me! I hope your week calms down soon. We'll REALLY need to work together on this last one.
Wow, again you're dumbfounding me..
Help! What did you do?
I've tried the Double Columnar Transformation for the last two hours now and am not able to get any sense out of the letters.
In between I suddenly had the two words:
"To save.." at the beginning..but that was everything..
Axl,
Truthfully, I don't know how to explain the decoding. It took me some time to figure out how the cipher even works for me to begin trying to decode it. The first couple of words are: "to get to the…" I'll send an e-mail later today (when I have a lot more time) with a detailed explanation of how I did it.
In the meantime, keep trying!
“Just don’t give up tryong to do what you really want to do. Where there is love nad inspiration, There is no chance to go wreong…
Rachael….are you sure that you aren't gamepro's evil wife or sister or something? ^^
You guys really know how to crack a (ger)man.
Come now Axl, you can't put me anywhere near the same category as Gamepro. He's just as devious as King Salone! Did my explanation make any sense? I tried to make it as clear as I could…
^^ ok, admittedly..I was wrong to put you in gamepro's category
, sorry. I'm still wondering which explanation you mean.
For the explanation, I was talking about how to decode his last message. I know you figured it out, but I'm just wondering if my explanation had anything to do with it, or if it just confused you more :0
You mean the hint "to get to the" ? That helped me a lot!
Thx!
YEAH, I think I have it..gimme some minutes..
Omg, gamepro..what are you doing?? I haven't read everything yet..maybe we can make a movie from it or a book or something
.
Ok, Rachael. Before trying to solve the riddles I'd like to clarify the story with your help. I have some problems understanding everything.
I have no idea what that could possibly mean. Wildly guessing: "you have to decide in favor of ONE thing and you'll get everything your heart desires"?
So..King Hefalone is dead, right? He commited suicide? And now, King Salone is the husband of Queen Joline. A bit strange, no? Hef vowed revenge and was full of hatred and then he just took "his" (own) life? Hm..ok.. The other way it wouldn't make sense right? "Took his life" could mean, he murdered King Salone but obviously that evil guy is alive.
A Train Room, located just outside of Maco. Uhm..a Train Room is some kind of military training centre? Some problems with the language here, sorry.. And then.."his brother Salone were head rulers.." ??? Sounds like King Salone is not just ONE person. Schizophrenic maybe..that would explain many things..^^
Ok..then "Loads of junk for poor" ok..I guess I understand that..but then "take only within, thou heart will all bestow"??
Ok..now I'm going for the first riddle..
I'm happy you're in
The new one's a doozy, isn't it? Okay – Hef committed suicide in his rage. Usually they go after the person(s) that made them mad, not themselves, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was actually murdered or something. But they said suicide. I think Joline is married to Salone now…I am still a little unsure about that part. It's called "Train Room" in this clue, but in the military, it's usually just a big field that you train on. I think that's where the "Train Room King Hef" clue comes in (to tell you which door to choose at the end). I think it was saying that both King Hef and King Salone were joint rulers of the same kingdom – or rulers of two different kingdoms (but with how evil Salone and Joline sound…it wouldn't surprise me if they were both a little crazy – locking all those people up in the dungeon for no real reason…). With the "Loads of junk for poor" clue, I think that's what is supposed to lead us to the painting, which leads us to the trapdoor. The grammar on that is off…way off… So it's probably a clue that we have to somehow figure out.
There are so many things, but only 5 official puzzles that we have to worry about. I think we should decide what those 5 are. At the end he says that we need to prove that we didn't stumble upon 5 certain things. I think the "Loads of junk" leads us to the painting, "The Wall of Knowledge" leads us to the trap door, the "LOST" stones lead us through one door, and then there's the choice of the final door are 4 of the 5 clues. But I can't figure out what the 5th one should be. And we also have to watch out for fake out codes and ploys. The first three are alphabetic, and the last two are numeric. The thing that gets me on the "LOST" stones is that it says the 9th number, but if you spell out LOST with the numbers we were given, you can't get 9 numbers, only a max of 8. No matter what order the LOST letters are in. The Wall of Knowledge is going to be fun. Obviously, the string of numbers are important if he took the time to repost the correct ones. But what do we do with them?
I guess there's also the initial string of numbers and roman numerals (blank + blank – blank +…..) which could be the 5th code. But what does it lead to? And also, that one would have to be an alphabetic solve according to what we are asked for at the bottom. Unless we do the numbers and then convert it roman numerals. But I think it asks for the 16th letter or something. That would have to be a huge number if we actually did the math.
Those were my initial thoughts on the clues given. Most of my thoughts are still jumbled (trying to sort through the HUGE amount of information we were given). How about you?
I tried what your idea, but I couldn't get any words out of it. That doesn't mean anything though since the clue said "it didn't make sense at first sight". The problem is, when I did it that way I was only able to get 15 letters.
I agree. We have so much info…but I don't see any USEFUL information in any of it… We could always try a cheat: Figure out the total number of answer combinations -26*26*26*26*26*9*9*9*4 (assuming none of the numbers are double digits) for a total number of possibilities of 34,646,092,416.
It might just be faster to try those billions of possibilities than to actually figure this riddle out
I'll do some research into a possible cipher for what we're hoping is the first clue. Good night!
-.- Yeah, I know..it's difficult to count to 16..sorry.
Other thought:
The number line is to the left of a picture of our stone..maybe we're wrong and the number line doesn't give us (at least) 16 letters. Maybe "Train room king Hef" belongs to the answer. Hm..but that dot at the end of the line would again point out that it's more than just a word we're searching for. *sigh* Where have I seen this roman/arabian number mix before?
Ok, forget the dot..that could just belong to the sentence above.. I went by train for three hours today and tried everything that came in my mind. Again I have the feeling that it's just not solvable. But the problem with gamepro's riddles is..if you have the solution you see that it was way easier than you thought in the first place. That's why I'm pretty sure that you'll be right concerning door 4 in the end. But that first clue..I don't know.
1. We know the answer is alphabetic.
2. We know it must have at least 16 letters.
3. At least the Roman numerals we'll have to take together. What do I mean? You see the passage "2III"? It's very probable that the "III" stands for a "3" (the "3" again could stand for something else of course..) cause I don't think we'll have "I" "I" "I", hoping that one number stands for one letter explicitly, cause THAT would mean we'd have a letter three times in a row and that's highly improbable.
But why another type of numerals?? I thought maybe we have to multiplicate the Roman numerals or something but one of the biggest questions is the "8I10".
Hm..another thing:
Ancient Rome..Joline and the others are born in the late 19th century. The morse code or whatever..Drado solved it cause he used an old method his father told him. So that method has to be really old which would again could refer to the morse code. But I haven't discovered anything reasonable yet.
You could say finally I haven't achieved anything. And I'm sure that I have spent more time on gamepro's puzzle than on the path of illumination contest by now. -.-
I agree that the "Train room King Hef" could go with the number/letter string. It did take the time to mention that it was the same stone with that information added just to the left of the words. (Left…like my dream again…hmmm?)
I had already tried making the Roman Numerals their own number, but that still kept us from reaching 16 characters. Unless, we interpret it as:
34 66 14136 8 1 10 6 5 1811 2 1 1 1 1 10 17 5 1 615
But that would give us 4 of the same letters in a row…which, as you said, is highly improbable.
Unless we combine the III together as a 3, but then it wouldn't make sense to do the IX as 1 and 10 or VI as 5 and 1.
Maybe we are somehow supposed to use this in conjunction with the "They who solves my riddle of life, shall have the golden box and save thy life" line? But what would we do with the + and – signs? We have gamepro's 6th puzzle (I think he listed it as puzzle 5, but again, I'm counting Mr. Sandman as the first puzzle) with addition and subtraction, but I don't see any hint in this new clue telling us what to do with it.
I don't get how we're supposed to start. I can't see ANY clue telling us what we're supposed to do. Drado just seems to somehow know everything.
Reading Gamepro's "Also I will say, every puzzle is solvable and I have tried not to make them to hard… Please don't give up.. just read the clue carefully." – I would have to say that he has highly over estimated us (me, at least). I think I'm going to rot in that dungeon.
I can't find anything on the internet that looks applicable to this string of Roman/Arabic numerals…but as always, I'll keep trying. I'm sure you're feeling pretty frustrated right now – but I hope you'll keep trying. Most of the solves I've gotten were because you said something that got my brain moving in the right direction. I doubt I'd be able to get this one solved on my own. Try to dream up an answer – or have an epiphany
– and I'll do the same!
I tried to reply to your comment about "sigh* Where have I seen this roman/arabian number mix before?" but it won't let me:
That was one of my first thoughts, and the first thing I thought about was Gamepro's clue number 4. It wasn't a mix of Roman and Regular numbers, but it was the only one that involved Roman Numerals…I just don't know how to use it.
Then there is his clue number 6 which used the math, but nothing in this clue tells us how to do it. I don't know…
Yep, you're definitely right.."every puzzle is solvable"
..I'd say after we've rescued Drado, we are going to push Gamepro in OUR dungeon and then we'll make OUR riddle for HIM..MUAHAHAHA^^..wait..I'm not yet in the position to laugh. 
Good to read that my thoughts help you. It's the same for me with your advisements. So, either we will both be slayed together with poor Drado or we're going to rescue everyone!
Yes..the past riddles. Hmm..I've already thought about that as well.
ok..brainstorming. What do you think about this:
rules
1. always adding up
2. a "+" behind a number means "forward alphabet"
3. a "-" behind a number means "backward alphabet"
For example:
34+ => 3+4= 7, in the alphabet: letter "G"
66 – => 6+6= 12, in the backward alphabet: letter "O"
14136+ => 1+4+1+3+6= 15, in the alphabet: letter "O"
8I10+ => ?? I don't know yet what to do with the Roman Numerals
Suggestions would be "Good …" or "go on .." or something
.
@ gamepro: Has Drado had less information than we have?
You're better at the evil laugh than I expected! Have you been practicing? I know we'll come out victorious. The question is, will we be the first ones to solve it?
I tried the idea you gave. Questions: would it be a positive or negative for the last number? And how do we get at least 16 characters?
For this, I did 8I10 as 8+1+10 (19) (S), 6V as 6+5 (11) (K), etc. The letters mad e a LITTLE bit more sense that way:
gooskpviwl
You know, I feel bad. You are at least coming up with some smart ideas to try…while I'm just the naysayer. I think my mind is just stuck in a logical box, which is making it hard for me to come up with creative solutions… I'm not going to give up, but I'm starting to wonder if you'd do better on your own… Oh well…time to do more research.
Come on Rachael! That's not true. You're doing great work here. On the contrary..these..(wait..how did you call it) creative solutions
are very improbable to help. That's why I asked gamepro if Drado maybe didn't have all the information we have. Cause that would mean that the story text possibly could contain the clue on how to solve everything with logical thoughts. The rules I came up with are just a wildly guessing game.
No..you don't have to feel bad at all. We NEED a logical solution here..but until we (you) have no idea I'll try to do everything that's coming in my mind.
By the way….uhm..^^..I'll tell you THAT by email.
What is most frustrating:
Drado couldn't know about the 16 letters minimum, neither about the alphabetic solution. Cause he got this information not until the end from Salone himself.
So HOW on earth has he done it?
rules
and it wouldn't work for the 615 at the end anyway.
"+" means multiplicate, "-" means divide and maybe alternating:
34+ => 3*4 = 12 => letter "L"
66- => 6:6 = 1 => letter "A"
14136+ => 1*4 = 4; 4:1 = 4; 4*3 = 12; 12:6 = 2 => letter "B"
8I10 => no idea
@ gamepro
Are you still out there somewhere?
Wow…I checked your e-mail, and that was definitely not something I was expecting. And thank you for your kind words. I think that was the motivation I needed. It's pretty disheartening, but knowing you're in my corner is a big help. And I'll cheer you along when you need it too!
Okay, with your new Rules: How would we get our 16 letters again? And like you said, what would we do with the last number and the Roman Numerals. Is there any chance that we shouldn't be interpreting the Roman Numerals as numbers, but perhaps as actual letters? I don't get the III, but maybe in the long run it would make sense? For this clue, it just says "he knew what he had to do, and at last Drado received his answer". It doesn't say what that answer told him to do. And he didn't take any action after finding that answer until he saw the message above his head. Could it be possible we're just spinning our wheels on something that really isn't a clue? Did we somehow miscount? Is this one of those misleading puzzles that he had an answer to, but didn't use to find his way out of the dungeon?
That would make the words above his head (leading us to the painting?) as the first clue?
OK: Brainstorming here:
"find the trap door, find the painting, guess at the stones, the picture and the door"
1. Trap Door: Dots and Lines lead to the Trap Door?
2. Find the Painting: That's from the "Lost Junk" clue
3. Guess at the Stones: LOST-push the numbers in the order of their letters from the Wall of Knowledge clue
4. The Picture: Another part of the Wall of Knowledge clue – I mean there are at least three, possibly more parts to that one clue? Or is this the picture of the Stone with the Numbers/Roman Numerals on it?
5. The Door: The golden door to walk through at the end.
Perhaps, rather than doing the stone picture first, like Drado does, we have to solve it in the order the King gives us at the end. Meaning the Dots and Lines on the Wall of Knowledge would be the first step?
Questions for Gamepro:
1. Are you sure no one has solved this yet?
2. Is it really solvable?
3. Concerning "not to make them to hard" – What exactly is your definition of: "Too hard"?
If we do it in the above order, that means that the clue we've been working on (if it turns out to be one we really have to solve) would be numerical. We'd need a minimum of 9 numbers. But it also means the LOST numbers clue would really be alphabetic, and we'd need at least 10 letters.
- I know in our other e-mails, I was pretty sure we had to do it in the order Drado did…but that could have just been me trying to be overly logical…
What are your thoughts?
I'm grateful for every new idea.
And the new order sounds great!
Ok then..let's try the dots and lines first.
But before that I just want you to know my thoughts about some other things you wrote:
- If "find the painting" refers to the "loads of junk" clue..I don't know..as I said I have problems with the language here..but Queen Joline wears a necklace right? And that would be near to her "heart". And also we find the word "bestow" in connection with the necklace below at the golden doors.
So maybe the answer would have been "ruby and onyx necklace" or something? I know.. -.- a bit far-fetched. Well..maybe it helps you.
- Concerning the "LOST-riddle" and the problem that we need ten letters: In the middle of the wall of knowledge we have that sequence of 19 numbers so if we push the numbers we could get the needed letters…although it says "push the numbers in the order of their letters"
.
Well..ok..let's get to the dots and lines!
I have the clear suspicion that it has nothing to do with morse. The distances are odd, don't you think?
IF it's morse, than in the second row we have two dots and two lines very near to each other. But there is no letter in the morse code standing for "dot, dot, dash, dash". Maybe backwards..that would mean a "z".
Hm..again, I have the feeling that it has nothing to do with morse. Maybe something totally different. The distances seem to be consciously so irregular. Maybe we have to connect the lines (or dots) with a pencil or something. Or we have to use a mirror..
Do you actually think that it's morse?
Okay – that was kind of weird…4 "different?" people posting the same website to view the movie? Hmmm….
Axl, just before I drifted off last night, my mind turned back to the riddle…and I thought "Binary Code". 1's and 0's? I don't know where we'd break it down though (the spaces between the dots and lines aren't overly defined in a number of places), but it's a thought.
It also said he solved a piece of the "Wall of Knowledge" puzzle telling him where the trap door is, but not which piece. We could be on the wrong track…again. Or, we could have been on the right track, and I derailed us…
- With your idea about the Loads of Junk and Joline picture, I like it. I was thinking something like… "Look behind Joline", but yours makes more sense
With that clue…the grammar is way off. It isn't a language thing, it's just weird. But we'll figure it out. Eventually 
Sorry I didn't have the whole (any part of this) thing solved before you got up
But I'll keep trying.
More randomness: Taking the string of (correct) numbers from the LOST picture, and using the backwards alphabet, I got: uzsyxxtwyvzvwvvtxtw, which phonetically could somehow be construed as: use six twelves ….. ww txt w (web site?) Using the forward alphabet, there's nothing.
Okay, back to the drawing board.
I have this clear picture in my mind:
Gamepro couching in a hammock on Bora Bora grinning and laughing as evil as possible.
Binary Code? Well..maybe..I don't know..what about the distances then? Hm..but possible..
You know..I think I have found something. It's not a brilliant awareness but..I'm pretty sure that it means something. I'll write you per email..it's about that number line on the wall of knowledge.
Use six twelves!
You're simply the best. Very creative, keep at it!
Gamepro
. So, I'd really love to help her but I don't want to put more and more time in something where I don't have the feeling to advance. So, I'll do a break at this point until you want to tell us something helpful.
We're stuck. If we only need the stone to go through the correct golden door, then we have this number. But that's everything we've achieved.
An idea concerning the number line 61823… was to read it as: "6, 18, 23, .." since the numerical value ascends and the difference between the numbers seems to be important cause you changed one number afterwards and the consequence was that the following numbers had to be adjusted. But the differences would be "12, 5, .." etc and that leads us into a dead end. The related letters would be "L, E, .." etc but the word doesn't make sense. Maybe an answer is just the number sequence 12, 5, etc.. but we don't think so.
You called it "Treasure Hunt For Everyone". Well, I don't know how many people other than me and Rachael are trying or have tried to solve it. We've found that riddle in another forum where you posted it more than three years ago. So IF you were not lying to us then nobody has yet been able to solve it for 40 months or so.
And if you want it to get solved then you should give us a hand cause I don't want to guess another few years and I don't know how long you can stress Rachael's patience. At least talk to us cause we don't know if maybe it really isn't solvable and you're just messing around with us or you don't follow the discussion any more.
If there is a prize then Rachael would surely have deserved to win it, I already told her that I don't want it since I already won something in this path of illumination contest but I had to promise to share if it's something one can share
Axl –
That's right, you did promise, and I'll hold you to it
Gamepro –
The thing is, we feel like we're out there – on our own – with no direction. We can't find anything in the clue to help us even know where to start. Looking at your past clues, there was always something to help us know what we were supposed to do to complete the solve…even if it sometimes felt like a bit of a stretch. But in this one – well, it feels like that bit of information was left out. We have so much given to us, but I sincerely believe the important "this is a hint of what you have to do to solve this" part is not there. And if this riddle has been out there for 3 years with no solve…that is worrisome.
I do understand that it is a puzzle – I don't expect you to hold our hands and walk us to the solve. But it would be nice to have a little bit of reassurance that you're still out there and that we do in fact have all the information we need to complete the solve.
Could you review your puzzle, looking at it from an outside perspective, and verify for me that this puzzle can be solved with the information given? Please? Pretty please? It's not very nice to make a girl beg…
Axl (again) –
I'm at the point now that I am confused and disheartened. If I don't come up with some sort of an epiphany after working on it a little bit today when I get home from work, I think I'll have to put it on the shelf for a little bit. I really think we're missing information, like a puzzle missing a couple of pieces can never be the whole picture. And I don't like that feeling.
WOW! I have been gone for some time and I check back in just today and find that you all have made such a huge progress with this puzzle. CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that is still sticking with it.
Rachel, yes, I promise it is solvable and it is NOT just a joke. Since you have found the other forum(s) then you will find a lot of great hints on those forums.
For the first part you need to USE the stone with the decoded part of the numbers and roman numerals for example
Stone= Train Room King Hef Roman Numerals/Numbers=34+66-14136+8I10+6V+1811-2III-IX+17VI+615
3, 4+6=10, 6-1=5, 4, 13, 6+8=14, etc….
A K N I G H
As for the next part you all were right to use the Loads of Junk with the painting's dots and lines (it is NOT morse code) Try lining the two clues up together–
I really have been out of touch and not devilishly reading your pleas for help without doing anything. You all are doing awesome, and I will prob be away for a little more time as well:( Good Luck!!!
Don't Give Up!!!
Gamepro
Puh..thx gamepro
. I thought you were gone 
.
Ok, Rachael..now we have the first two parts. The next letters concerning the second part should be "F, K, N..", right? I'll try some things to detect them by counting to 5 or back 3 before goint to bed. Good luck!
-.- not wallo(fknowledge..) but wall "O"
man..slow off the mark
Ok..I've got another answer..still need to find the trap door though..Drado, we're near!
Your turn Rachael..I'll have to sleep a bit^^
-.- gamepro..I thought THAT would be the LAST puzzle.. obviously it is not. How many more do we have to solve?
OK….I just got home from work, and it looks like you've completed everything Axl. So, does that mean we have another clue after this one?
Gamepro- Thank you so much for checking back in with us. I really thought you had left us. And it's really nice to know that the puzzle is solvable. Axl said that I solved part of it (must have been on accident
Now I have to go and see what the two of you are talking about. You sure know how to suck us back in
Okay – like Axl, I should really be asleep. And I'm on my way right after this.
I think Axl will have earned the award, should we ever get to it. I've been able to solve the first two clues (THANK YOU GAMEPRO!) But that's it. I think Gamepro fried my brain with all the other ciphers… But Axl already has the solve. I think I know all the letters it should be, but I don't know how to make the third clue match up with the letters I think they are. (For those curious, I think those three letters should be: V, E, and S)
Okay, bed time. Maybe I'll do better once I'm all refreshed in the morning. Good night everyone!
*YAWN*, *STRETCH*
Good morning everyone.
I really must have been tired yesterday. I was pretty sure that the next riddle has nothing to do with Drado..but today I read everything carefully and well..he's in trouble again. ^^ How could I possibly overlook the word "Drado". o_O
Anyways..Rachael, you're SO close. Very good work. In fact, you have all the answers by now. You'll be there in no time.
Next puzzle: I solved the first pretty obvious thing but I have the feeling that it won't matter really. Hm, what do you say?
Good morning Axl. Thanks for reminding me of the way you thought the numbers should be broken. That was my missing link
Okay, the next one. (Is there even a last one, or does Gamepro create a new one as soon as we solve one, so that we never really get one step closer to the end? That would be evil, Gamepro…)
Here are my initial impressions (I only have time to write the thoughts down, no time to actually work on this yet):
- There are dots and dashes within the words – Morse?
- The suns and moons are a direct pull from "The Secrets of the Alchemist Dar". In there, it seems they are Quinary (base 5 numbers):
* 0 = A white sun – ○
* 1 = A black sun – ●
* 2 = A left facing black moon – Left Crescent
* 3 = A right facing black moon – Right Crescent
* 4 = A left facing white moon – Moon
- Did you notice that there are invisible numbers and that in these instructions, it says "Use Exact Case" instead of "lower case"?
- "Blind" was in quotation marks. I don't know if that's a reference to the hidden numbers that we are "blind" to, or if that's a cipher or something we'd have to use.
Okay, that's all for my initial impressions. I better get to work. I'll do what I can on this during my lunch break.
PS: WAY TO GO AXL – you solved that last one all on your own! I'm going to have trouble keeping up with you! Talk to you later.
There are also hidden letters.
Ok…where to start?
First I didn't solve it on my own at all! Your thoughts and Gamepro's additional clues were crucial..as I said..alone I'd probably have died in this dungeon or my brain would have exploded or something.
Concerning the new puzzle..
1. The dots and lines are indeed morse signs and the hidden letters fit as well. That is the little piece that I was already able to solve. But I don't know if we can use it. Yep..exact case..I saw that as well.
2. Wow! Than you, Rachael!! That is very helpful. I was totally overstrained with these moons. I haven't made these Alchemist Dar thing. Ok.. I'll see what I can do with that information.
3. The word "blind"..maybe..well observed!
By the way. It exists a hieroglyphic alphabet, so..the signs can be translated..but nothing makes sense yet.
I really should keep working, but I'm taking a quick break to get absorbed in this…again…
First – You pretty much did solve it. But I'm willing to admit that we make a pretty good team
Especially with Gamepro's guiding hand.
1. I really can't wait to try and decode the dots and dashes, as well as the hidden letters.
It also said something about 26 letters, but 25 in the box? Did that make ANY sense to you at all?
2. I'm happy I was able to help with the suns and moons. They are Quinary in the Alchemist Dar…but Gamepro might have another use for them…guess we'll see. I really wish I could win that blue fairy ring…but I'd have to win the red one too, just to be able to afford the taxes so I could keep the blue one…*sigh* that is assuming the game is still on anyway.
3. Maybe
I'll have to do some Egyptian research, I guess. Did the Morse give any hint as to what to do? Especially with the strange decoded letters at the bottom? Or with the 10, 1 and 0's that were hidden?
hmm…I had some things to do..so I haven't tried anything..but 25 in a box? Sounds like a 5×5 playfair box, no?
!
No..the morse doesn't give us a(n obvious) hint and I've no idea what we are supposed to do with the 10's and 0's, too.
I'll check back tomorrow in the evening. Good luck, Rachael
You're very welcome, Drado. Now, could you please do Axl and me a favor and stop getting yourself into trouble?
Axl,
Good night, sleep well!
Playfair sounds good…so…what would be the keyword…hmmm, I've got another few minutes of my lunch break to look and see. Hopefully I'll have something (anything!) for you when you wake up, so that I can feel like I contributed something to this one
And a hidden 3 after the title at the top (I don't know if that's on purpose, but unlike other previous clues, there are no brackets showing where the clue begins and ends…).
OK, now it's REALLY time to get to work. I'll check back in during lunch.
Were you able to find out something?
11 weeks ago Gamepro absorbed us, starting with the words:
"Hello Everyone,
I just thought you might like to try my puzzle. There are small prizes that will be awarded to the first person to "Complete" the whole puzzle."
Rachael, I am scared. Can you please tell me why the word "complete" is in quotation marks?
didn't work..maybe "blind" is the keyword..
Sigh..no success. I still don't know what to do with the hieroglyphics, moons and numbers.
I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to check in before you tried those…I tried the morse words and blind, as well as the straight letters. If you're right about the playfair cipher (and I'm pretty sure you are), we probably have to use the version where I and J are in the same box. That way, we still keep all 26 letters in play (as opposed to dropping the Q). Out of curiosity, what pairs are you using to find the letter? I was trying the suns and moons since, with quinary, there would be 5 different types (even though only 4 were used). The suns and moons were in pairs, except for that little one all on it's own at the end…
I haven't even started with the hieroglyphs. I'm wondering if there are any other letters or numbers that we are missing somewhere? I tried to go to a couple of the old clues to see if there was a "3" at the end of any of them, but the sites are down. It looks like it's all of Freeweb….
Has it seriously been 11 weeks? He really can suck us in, can't he? And just when I'm ready to give up and throw in the towel, he does it again! He's a genius – granted, an evil genius – but a genius none the less.
"Complete" was in quotation marks? That really makes me think I was right about him creating a new puzzle as soon as we solve one, so that there is no real end. It's like on the movie "National Treasure" –
Scene 1:
1: And the treasure?
2: No, no. But we found another clue that led us here.
1: Yeah, and that'll lead you to another clue. And that's all you'll ever find, is another clue. Don't you get it, ***Rachael and Axl?***
Scene 2:
2: I can explain, but I don't have time. It was necessary. And you saw the cipher.
1: And that will lead to another clue, that will lead to another clue! There is no treasure. I wasted years of my life. And now you've destroyed yours. And you pulled me into all this.
I'm scared too, Axl. Gamepro doesn't put things in "quotations" without a reason… I wish I had an answer to that question for you…
Axl – I'm not feeling very well today (and last night), so I'm not going to be working on this until I feel better. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you know I didn't disappear on you. I'll check back in as soon as I feel up to it. Good luck!
@ Rachael
.
I sent you a mail
@ Gamepro
We need help again, the puzzles contain just too few information. How many of them are there still to do?
Is it right to read the first two hieroglyphics as "D, N"?
Is a playfair square involved and should we find the key word in the suns and moons?
What about the quinary idea? Do we actually need Drado's hidden morse message?
Too many questions..
Hi Axl,
I'm back. Still really tired, but feeling much better than yesterday. I'm at lunch right now, so I don't have much time to write. I know you know of the letters, dots, dashes, and box of numbers within the main text. However, the clue says: "look high and low and all around". Did you find these too?
Above the main clue (within the instructions and above), there is hidden:
– Treasure Hunt For Everyone
– Everyone Can Discover Something New
– 3
– 9
And at the very bottom is hidden:
– Create a at
I don't know how that would be helpful…but there has to be a reason for it, right? At least the 3 and 9 which were very deliberate. I read your e-mail, and you understand perfectly what I was saying about the Quinary. (I'm also unsure about the math, but as of now, that doesn't seem to be a big deal with Dar – on a side note, "dar" is in the answer key…) The quinary doesn't come up with anything USEFUL, but it's something. I am in no way ahead of you on this. I just have a bit of familiarity with "The Secrets of the Alchemist Dar". But that hasn't been solved yet (not that I know of anyway), and that is supposed to end this September I believe (after two or three years, I can't remember). Winner or no winner, again this is assuming that the game is still even on (there was some legal issues between the Publishers and the Author…not a lot of information has been shared about what is happening with that).
OK – I see where you are coming from. With the last puzzle getting Drado out of the Dungeon, all the information was there, but there were no hints telling us how to use what where. It was pretty much guessing "I think this stone needs to be used with this number/roman number string, and I think this is how the numbers should be broken" type of thing. There was nothing hinting at WHAT to do. I feel a little different about this clue. We're stuck, but at least we've got this:
***There is a puzzle that has sun and moon symbols on it. there are 26 letters involved, with a box that only holds 25??
– That is a pretty nice allusion to the playfair cipher with 26 letters (meaning a combined i/j). Now, the question is how to find the keyword. And what is the coded text?
***And another that needs a certain kind of light to see, but i am "blind" as a bat you see.
– The other puzzle must be the Hieroglyphs (unless it's the hidden letters, numbers, morse, etc.). So, what would be a certain kind of light that could work with the computer? In the Alchemist Dar, you have to hold two pages up (one on top of the other) and hold it up to the light. Separate, the pictures don't make sense, but overlapped, you can read words. But, for an online hunt, I don't see how we could do that. Or what we would hold up in front of it?
***Answer Key: Use the key to find your answer's answer.
– Although this seems pretty straight forward, I wouldn't be surprised if there is more to this once we solve the others. So the first step is to complete the other puzzles, before we move on to this one.
So-
1. Figure out the key word and coded text to use in the playfair cipher.
2. Figure out what the certain kind of light is that we have to use with the Hieroglyphs (which I'm still a little shaky on)
3. Figure out what to do with the hidden words (possibly could have just forgotten to change their color) and numbers (the 3 and 9 were deliberate) from the instructions.
Yep, I summed up, but I'm still a little foggy today. That's about the best I can do right now… Plus, it helps if I can separate things into individual tasks. It doesn't seem so daunting then
Hey Rachael!
Hm..it would be really great if we could break it down to your three points. But I don't have a clue how you could do that summary 1., 2. and 3.
The problem with "1." is that the playfair box seems to be connected to the suns and moons (both in p.s.). By the way..why is the p.s. above the parting line near the hieroglyphics and not near the suns and moons then?
Concerning 2.: The hieroglyphics don't seem to be connected to the "certain light". For me it's very probable that the certain light thing refers to the 10's, 1's and 0's because if you mark that area than you have a certain blue light
. Why don't you think the hieroglyphics are just the normal alphabet? If you google it you'll find it very soon. For example the "hand" stands for a "d". It's pretty clear for me. Or were there hieroglyphics involved in that "Dar Quest"?
3. The hidden words..yes..well observed again from you!
The "9" is in front of the word "solutions". A weird idea: Maybe it's the 9th level and we have to combine all the solutions we got til now to a final answer?? I'm naive, I know^^.
Have you tried the keyword "bat" yet? Me not.
Hm..I still have the feeling that you are somehow more in the know than I am. As you see I'd have never been able to break everything down to these three points as I don't see the reasons for that (yet). I agree that we have to use the last thing with the key for the answer's answer in the end.
But you know, as I obviously have no success with my conclusions, it'll be be even more probable that you're right about all of that!
I wonder why it's posting multiples of our posts? 1: It does seem to be connected to the suns and moons, which is why I thought of doing something like the ROSIE clue, but with the symbols for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Unfortunately, nothing I've done has yielded a result. (Just tried "bat", nothing…) I don't understand the positioning of the p.s. either. It seemed kind of odd. 2: I agree with your light assessment. But, then what do we do with the 10, 1, and 0 string? And the hieroglyphs? I was able to translate the letters, but it doesn't really make any sense. The "dna" if reversed is "and", but I can't get anything out of any of the others. Unless we're supposed to match the letter up with the word(s) in the answer key? 3: It could be. I don't know. It's not naive, it's creative! With the way things are going, it could really wind up being ANYTHING. I don't think I know any more. We're just looking at it in different ways, which is why we're making such a good team
You could break it down, but as you said, you didn't see a reason. I did, because I like to try and make something big and complex small and compartmentalized. It's just the way I process information. I'm still working on it, but I can't get into my e-mail, so any correspondence should be through here, for a little while at least.
Hi Gamepro,
Axl and I were e-mailing back and forth, and it sounds like we're in agreement. We don't really see an incentive to continue on.
1. We don't know what the prize is. All that was said at the very beginning was "small prizes". We've put in an awful lot of time and effort to not really know what we're working for.
2. The clues have gotten more and more vague as we've progressed. Looking back, and trying to see it as someone who hasn't solved the clues yet, clues 1 – 7 had all the information needed to complete a solve. However, once Drado enters the picture, the coded text is in there but the information needed to decipher the clue is missing. Unless you know how the clue is supposed to work, I don't think you would have any idea on how to start.
3. It used to be fun. There used to be a sense of accomplishment. That isn't there any more. Now, it feels like we're trying to read your mind.
4. There is no end in sight. We're on clue 11. How far is this supposed to go? And with them becoming increasingly vague… again, please refer to points 2 and 3.
Like Axl, I think I'm going to have to withdraw from your hunt. It just isn't fun any longer. I do hope someone saves poor Drado from the king and himself someday though.
@ Gamepro
-.- what can I say? Even if you don't write anything you are able to suck us back in that evil game of yours.
We made it somehow to your next level. Rachael came up with a brilliant idea and with combined forces we solved it. Level 10 now..just to your information. And I'd really like to know how many are there still waiting for us.
Wow..Rachael, we have posted SOOO much^^..going for the 100th page soon… -.- does anyone know how to fix this problem? We're not spamming around..
Still working on the problem. The issue is actually with "Intense Debate" which we are using for comments. They have not upgraded their software to be compatible with the WordPress upgrade. It should be fixed soon.
@axl and rachael and everyone!!! I cannot disclose how many levels there are, but I can tell you that everything is solvable and the levels will seem to "end" but are NOT over! I will let you know more once you reach THAT level. The reason that "complete" is in quotes, is because many players thought they had reached the end after solving the 7 part beginning puzzle, so I had to clear that up for them. I really hope that you'll stick with it as long as you can GREAT JOB so far…..
Gamepro
P.S as mentioned before there are other forums and boards that have some really good tips and hints on them if you search for them.
P.S.S All information needed to solve the puzzles IS obtainable and no need to read my mind;) lol
HAVE FUN!!!
The comments should be fixed now. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Do you guy’s believe in Michael Jackson dead? I honestly not. His is a legend for me and I fan of his lyrics for a years . Even my kind’s love it, there is a big loss for us. I still don’t believe in that, so sad.
OK – Is it just me, or does a bit of Dan Brown's cover for "The Lost Symbol" look a bit like something from Dar?
He put his eye to the hole. He just managed to spy some people sitting in deckchairs chanting, before a finger came out of nowhere and poked him in the eye. As he staggered back, the people started chanting, “Fourteen, fourteen, fourteen…”
Hello,
Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Charlie
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Thanks
You might have checked off the ‘email when someone replies’ feature. I’ll see what I can do.
Daniel
Admin
We are trying to clean things up a bit =)
And look…you can reply! A bit late but cool nonetheless.
Hmm..tough again
sixteenth century man..Elton John? In the lyrics we have the number “two”.
Think french.. penser? two= deux?
What do you think?
“I cannot lie” some sort of god?
Guess I’ll be back Monday. Til then good luck!
axl d
Hello! To get the winners’ list, this is the email address. In the subject box type this: “The Angels & Demons Path of Illumination Contest, Winners’ List Request,” and send it
to: winlistrequests@eprizefulfillment.com
Regards, BOB.
I just realized that I was trying to make some sense out of what I deciphered (thinking it was French or something), and now I see what it was really saying…wow, I’m slow on the uptake…
With the new one, “seaek” could sound like “seek”. I just keep honing in on the “what could I be seeing or ***hearing*** from this site”. Any ideas?
Hmm..yeah..seeing or hearing..absolutely no idea yet. Maybe my english is just not good enough for this.
or “see a dark h”..could refer to the word “what”..hm..unlikely..what do you think, Rachael?
First I thought of a iamb or trochee. But it’s neither.
Concerning “seeing”:
An anagram of the bold letters would be “see a hard k”
Anagram of the cursive letters: something with “determine..”?
Will go to bed now..but I guess I’ll need another hint or your help, Rachael..
^^ hmm..ok, thx. See you in about three weeks
!!
Then finally we’ll get to know the other winners.
Thank you for the additional hint gamepro. I’m pretty sure I’m on the right track now, but I think I might be missing a few letters to decode, because I was able to decipher the first two words, but the last bit makes no sense, but to be sure I entered it into the website, but it came back as “page not found”. But I think you have me pointed in the right direction now.
axl d – for the first two decipherd words, I got “i like”. How are you coming along? Excited about your trip?
To be honest..I have absolutely no idea
. The more I read your hints the more I have the feeling that my brain is empty..no great feeling actually. ^^
.
.
“Two selections”..what’s a selection concerning a cipher? Does that mean, we have to use two letters at a time to encode the bold and cursive text? Who is Samuel M.?
That’s brutal.
“I like” the idea that you’re right about the first two words
Sorry that I’m no use on this one
Good luck, though! I guess, I’m out…
Yeah..I’m really looking forward to the trip!
But there are still some things to do..
Definately don’t give up. I had no clue what to do until gamepro gave us the additional hint. I might have to hold out for another hint on this next one too…it looks like the answer is all numerical (“no letters to find in the answers”), and with the answers on the hands OR feet – I thought of 10 (10 fingers / 10 toes). The thing getting me is “something about rome and their great men”. The first thought is Roman Numerals which obviously doesn’t work…then there is Cesar, but I don’t know how a Cesar shift could work in this case either. So my head is doing laps trying to wrap itself around this one. Maybe time will let it all sink in.
I’m sure you have a lot to do – packing, getting the flight and hotel details…etc. Are you going to stay a few extra days on your own, or are you just going to stay as long as the contest lets you? I am so excited for all of the winners! A little jelouse, but mostly excited!
Quote: “it looks like the answer is all numerical (”no letters to find in the answers”)”
Hm..don’t you think, an all numerical answer would be too dry? And if so, why would it be so long?
I like your idea about the number 10. Or maybe 5. I guess we are to use the 10 or 5 somehow.
Yes..Cesar shift seems to be very probable..but did you notice? There are too many vowels for the Cesar shift, too many “A”‘s. Or maybe vowels are substituted for other vowels..hm. What about some kind of permutation? Any new inspiration?
No
, I won’t stay longer..have to get back as soon as possible. It wasn’t easy to plan. I’d thought, the premiere would be a week later… 
Thx and great score, Spain!
.
I’m now also waiting for the flight tickets and the detailed information concerning the trip and the prizes.
Since I haven’t sent a photo, they can’t receive it
@ you and Yeah Baby
!
Once you have your tickets and/or detailed information, please tell me
*** Fibonacci! Great idea! He’s Italian..not from Rome though. But what about the 5 or 10 concerning “hands and feet”?
*** Very good observation.. So it’s getting more probable that it’s all numerical.
*** I have already tried that at first.. Maybe we have to shift it over 1, 1, 2, 3..the fibonacci-code..? I’ll try this in a minute. But still..why “hands or feet”?
*** no, sorry
Permutation..well I thought it could be something like this: code text: “vhiealonucaaelt–l”
permutation: 32514
VHIEA LONUC AAELT –L
IHAVE NOCLU EATAL L
i have no clue at all
It would explain the quantity of the vowels but not the quantaty of the “x”.
Sigh..no, no success til now.
We’ll need another hint, don’t you think?
@gamepro
Fibonacci, permutation, Caesar shift, the number “10″, an all numerical answer..
Is either of these thoughts useful?
Yeah, that’s him
.
No, I don’t know the other winners. It’s a bit odd that the U.S. winner didn’t want to post something in this forum. But I guess, it’s Dave H, he had a below 3000 total.
That would mean Spain, Canada, Germany and potentially the U.S..still no idea about the U.K., France and Italy winners. I guess we’ll have to wait another two weeks..
Hm..thx gamepro. Your hint at least SEEMS to be pretty explicit.
@ Rachael
Now, it HAS to be something with the “X”=10 (or “V”=5) or not??
How could a “X” help us here? Cesar shift..doesn’t work. Just translating..too easy and what to do with K, S, U etc. ??
Last bit would be:
ADXACAXCAD = a 510 a 100 a 110 a 500
I don’t get it. Gamepro only gave us one half-new idea..and that was the Roman Numeral thing. So he has to believe, that we don’t need more. I cannot imagine, that we need a very different cipher..aaaah.. ^^ Need some breakfast..
XC= 90, not 110 -.-
Nope; that’s my stepmother.
Okay…I feel kinda stupid now. I got in. I was right about the counting every 10 letters, but don’t overthink it. Each number stands on its own.
^^ sorry..but I wasn’t sure, since you didn’t post for a long time. See you soon!
@ gamepro and Rachael
.
Thx again.. I’m a bit slow on the uptake..
@ Rachael
..we can exercise ourselves in patience..
No worries about the picture, I’ll tell you. I can’t see anything as well but a good friend of mine is a pro in this. I’m sure, it won’t take him long. I’ll meet him Sunday..so..
Great!
What do you think about “think inside the box many spaces without one in the lot”
I guess we’re supposed to examine always three words at a time, right?
Til tomorrow!
yeah..I hope it’ll be THAT hotel
pretty cool