The REAL game starts... (Puzzle Box 1)

[Rob Veteran]

We've split this off from the previous thread to make it clearer, and easier to follow current events.

[Rob Veteran]

Hey guys, this is a thread to discuss the post-teaser Vanishing Point game at www.vanishingpointgame.com

I'll be updating this first post with new info (with the help of members of the community).

In the mean time, check out www.vanishingpointwiki.com, created by our good friends at unfiction.

This has been split from the previous thread, starting with the post where it was noticed the site had changed.

Cheers.

For newcomers: Check out this guide regarding Alternate Reality Games, again created by our good friends at unfiction.

Week 1 summary thanks to Manish's post

There are 4 boxes. Each with 4 "Easy", "Medium" & "Hard" puzzles to solve. Every week starting from the 8th Jan. 2007, a new box will open.

Point Summary:

Solving 1 "Easy" puzzle = 10 points

Solving 1 "Medium" puzzle = 20 points

Solving 1 "Hard" puzzle = 50 points

Therefore, max. points for each box (just by solving puzzles) = (4x10)+(4x20)+(4x50) = 320 points

Points are also available by:-

Registering = 20 points

Referring others = 10 points per person referred (max. 200 points available by referral, i.e. you will only be awarded for referring 20 people)

Therefore, max. possible points = 20 + (320x4) + (10x20) = 1500 points

More details on how to play

Prizes:

Available prizes

The "Meta" puzzle has only 1 winner. The first person to complete the "Meta" puzzle successfully will have their name printed on every AMD Athalon 64 FX chip manufactured until 31st March 2007.

Box 1 -- 08.01 Time passes...

Video link

Easy Puzzles:

Sundial: HELIOS

• Following times can be seen in an image of the Sun: "2:30", "5:00", "12:00", "1:30", "8:00", "7:00"
  
• Move the sundial to those times
  

Watch Spring: FIVE

• Click on the watch to reveal the spring
  
• Spring snaps into place when the beginning of the spring is moved to just below the first "T" of in the first column
  
• By observing the letters the spring directly crosses through, we get "how many waves"
  
• In the video, Loki waves 5 times
  

Mantle Clock: HONEY

• 2 times can be derived from the Box 1 video: "694 + 42 = 7:36" & "114 + 224 = 3:38"
  
• When observed upside down, they spell "bee gel"
  
• a.k.a. HONEY
  

Gears: TIME TRAVEL

• Place gears into correct position as shown:
  
  
• This reveals a question: "what did he write about?"
  
• The video features a picture of a man between the years "1866" & "1946"
  
  Google or Wikipedia (or whatever) reveals man is H.G. Wells
  
  
• He wrote about TIME TRAVEL
  
  

Medium Puzzles:

Airport: CARTOGRAPHER

• Video reveals a clock with 1-12 in the wrong positions: at 12:00 = 9; at 1:00 = 6; at 2:00 = 4; at 3:00 = 11; at 4:00 = 8; at 5:00 = 12; at 6:00 = 3; at 7:00 = 5; at 8:00 = 10; at 9:00 = 7; at 10:00 = 1; at 11:00 = 2
  
  
• Look at the departures in numerical order, i.e. Stockholm at 1pm is the first, & the departure time corresponds to a number on the weird clock
  
  
• Find this number letter in the place name, e.g. 1pm = 6, therefore you need the 6th letter in Stockholm - "H"
  
  
• Reorder the letters in departure time order
  
  

Cuckoos: BIG BEN

• Click on the clocks & a cuckoo pops out & indicates the value to fill in under its clock
  
  
• A broken cuckoo = 0
  
  
• The 2 missing values can be filled in using the numbers "3" and "7" found in the video
  
  
• This reveals co-ordinates "51?30'02.61"N 0?07'28.66W" to BIG BEN
  Pocket Watches: GREEN
  b>
  • I'm telling you which watches to click on by using a telephone dialpad system, i.e. 1 = 1st watch
    
    
  • Click on 1, 3, 7 & 9, i.e. the watches on the corners of the square
    
    
  • Click on 2, 4, 6 & 8
    
    
  • Click 5
    
    
  • Either from the obvious colour you see or the colour of the disk in the video with a $ in it, you get GREEN
    Current Events: HORIZON
    b>
    • Connect the photos, from left to right, to these dates: "2/14/06", "1/11/06", "10/23/01", "4/27/98", "5/9/06", "10/2/00", "12/31/96", "11/7/95", "10/29/93", "11/26/96". E.g. 1st photo = "2/14/06"
      
      
    • That crosses out the following numbers: "3795211"
      
      
    • Using the video, the Las Vegas sign shows "866", therefore if we join the numbers - "866 3795211"
      
      
    • This number can be dialled & Loki asks "what line separates the earth from the sky?"
      Hard Puzzles:
      u>
      Starfield: WASHINGTON
      b>
      • Click on the book on the left hand side & the first time is unknown ( ? ), which the video reveals to be "3:15"
        
        
      • Use A=1, B=2 & so on, to turn th
        hour
        u> part of each time into a letter - "CONNECT THE MINUTES" is revealed
        
        
      • Th
        minutes
        u> part of each time will give the position of the minute hand on a normal clock, which gives the direction on how to connect the stars, i.e. "3:15" = ":15" as the minute part, therefore connect the star directly right of the Start point
        
        
      • Provides an outline of the state of WASHINGTON
        Calendars: INTERROBANG
        b>
        • Loki mentions the following months in a particular order: "June", "January", "April", "March", "May" and "February"
          
          
        • This order corresponds to the order on the scrap note next to the calendar, i.e. June = 1.
          
          
        • Mark in the dates on the months using the note, to give a
          cube
          
          
        • This gives "?!" a.k.a. an INTERROBANG
          Repair Table: WRINKLE
          b>
          • The video reveals the following images: "dalmations", "trombones", "mice", "ball", "route sign", "playing card - Jack" & "cat"
            
            
          • Each images has a number associated with it: "101 dalmations", "76 trombones", "3 blind mice", "8 ball", "route 66", "blackjack 21" & "9 lives of a cat"
            
            
          • Fill in these numbers on the digital clocks
            
            
          • Using morse code, where - is a dash & | is a dot, WRINKLE is uncovered
            Hourglasses: CANDELABRA
            b>
            • Click Start 3 times so all hourglasses have run out of time
              
              
            • Click on the 12-sec & 4-sec hourglass switch, & click Start
              
              
            • Click on the 7-sec & 4-sec hourglass switch, & click Start
              
              
            • Click on the 7-sec & 4-sec hourglass switch, & click Start
              
              
            • "GRAINS" is revealed
              
              
            • The video features hourglasses with @ symbols everywhere, which hints towards emailing "[email protected]"
              
              
            • Emails back with an auto response
              Meta Puzzle:
              u>
              • By completetin
                all
                u> the above puzzles, a
                video
                is unlocked
                
                
              • At the end of the video, "/on_the_run" flashes a few times
                
                
              • This revealed "
                http://www.vanishingpointgame.com/on_the_run"
                
                
              • Next step was to contact Loki...
                
                
              • Emailing her at [email protected] leads to an email message saying:

                Life is a mix of work and play. You've found play...

                
                

                ~L

              • Emailing her at [email protected] leads to an email message saying:

                Hmmm. Not quite what I had in mind. Try harder - then listen closely.

                
                

                ~L

              • Then some genius had the idea to ring MS & ask to be transferred to Loki
                
                
              • This connects you to the following message: "Awesome work. All knowledge eventually needs effective diagnosis."
                
                
              • Put the first letters to give "AWAKENED", which led to "
                http://www.vanishingpointgame.com/awakened"
                
                
              • The number given on the site requires you to provide a fax number
                
                
              • You receive a
                fax
                
                
              • It also reveals Loki's name is "L. Kitsume"
                
                
              • This AT&T building is now an AMD building & the phone number is "408 749 4000" & use extension "x55654" from the fax
                
                
              • The following message is heard:

                Hi, this is Loki. Or rather her electronic footprint left behind on this machine.

                
                

                Funny how the inanimate world retains traces of things long after they've disappeared, isn't it?

                
                

                If you're calling about the murmuring rock project, it's on hold indefinitely, unfortunately.

              • Google or Wikipedia (or whatever) murmuring rock & you encouter the word/name Lorelei
                
                
              • Implying Loki's real name is Lorelei Kitsume & that's basically where we're at
                
                
              • Also a bunch of white squares have been found in the individual puzzles:
                location
                and
                zoomed in versions
                
                

[deffjeff]

now the home page is completely gone

[bhoch]

it seems that the enitre site just went offline, for me at least.

[Hawx's]

Ya same here. What's going on?

I hope this doesn't mean we have to start over again trying to find a new site and what not

[mherron75]

it's back up with a different home page now...

[troist]

woah! new page everyone :D

edit: first prize looks awesome!!!

http://www.vanishingpointgame.com/prizes.aspx

[The_Devil_Inside]

ooh we can register on the page now! :D

<edit>

or not...

Server Error in '/' Application.
Parser Error 
Description: An error occurred during the parsing of a resource required to service this request. Please review the following specific parse error details and modify your source file appropriately. 

Parser Error Message: Could not load the assembly 'App_Web_register.aspx.cdcab7d2'. Make sure that it is compiled before accessing the page.

Source Error: 

Line 1:  <%@ page language="C#" autoeventwireup="true" inherits="register, App_Web_register.aspx.cdcab7d2" %>
Line 2:  
Line 3:  <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">


Source File: /register.aspx	Line: 1 

Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.42; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.210

</edit>

[Minority]

Yeah, very different. How exciting.

8 hours till we get a new puzzle.

"The Vanishing Point is a puzzle challenge spanning the world, with prizes that go beyond it. Each week, twelve puzzles will be posted along with footage of an unusual real world event. Each puzzle consists of an online element and a real world element which must be combined to arrive at the correct answer.

To join your fellow players and take part in a puzzle challenge spanning the planet, you can either show up at the physical location when a countdown hits zero, or check online to view recorded footage of the event."

We're going to have to find people who are willing to go to the cities/coordinates at the countdown times. They haven't finalized everything, check out Singapore on the third one, TBD. Last minute, eh.

Edited January 8, 2007 by Minority

[jbrunt1990]

Knew it, its space..

[Hawx's]

Holy crap

I new it was a trip to space.

Everyone you should put my email down as a referral and give me yours so i can refer you

[email protected]

[DaveLegg Developer]

Sometimes it sucks to be 17 :cry:

Who can enter?

This sweepstakes is open only to individuals 18 years or older (or have reached the age of majority in Country of residence) at time of entry who are legal residents of the following Countries: Australia, Canada (except the Province of Quebec), Germany, Singapore, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain and the United States and District of Columbia. Void in the Province of Quebec and where prohibited by law.

[Emon]

"The first individual to correctly solve the Meta Puzzle will automatically receive the AMD Signature Chip Bonus, which means their name will be inscribed on each AMD Athlon 64 FX chip manufactured from the time of the award through March 31, 2007."

[LAWLESS]

I was wrong about the space elevator ( but already knew it then when I researched the subject and found out to be possible in 10 years ) but I knew I was right about the space trip. Thanx all to provide me the background for that.

[SuperRob]

The Vanishing Point is a puzzle challenge spanning the world, with prizes that go beyond it. Each week, twelve puzzles will be posted along with footage of an unusual real world event. Each puzzle consists of an online element and a real world element which must be combined to arrive at the correct answer.

To join your fellow players and take part in a puzzle challenge spanning the planet, you can either show up at the physical location when a countdown hits zero, or check online to view recorded footage of the event.

Think you've got what it takes to solve my puzzles and reach the Vanishing Point? Hurry, things in my world tend to disappear...

Easy Puzzles: 10 points

Medium Puzzles: 20 points

Hard Puzzles: 50 points

Registration: 20 points (one time only)

You can earn ten (10) additional points each time your valid e-mail address is listed as the "Referring Party" during the registration process completed by another sweepstakes participant. Limit: Twenty (20) listings for two hundred (200) additional points.

At the end of the campaign, each point you earn will get you a ticket into the sweepstakes where you can win any of these prizes

Looks like you don't have to be first ... just smart and lucky.

By the way, you can register now. Anyone want to use my e-mail address as a referral? superrob at (NOSPAM) gmail dot com. I'll set up a conga line at my site for when I hit the referral limit.

Edited January 8, 2007 by SuperRob

[troist]

the london event is at trafalgar square for all you londoners... i'll see you there.

co-ords for london are 51 30' 29.21 N 0 7' 41.27 W... which is between the two fountains and in front of nelson.

my email is [email protected] if we're gonna do a referral thingy...

[Ashl]

Ahh.. well I can't take part.. too young

[Hawx's]

Looks like you don't have to be first ... just smart and lucky.

By the way, you can register now. Anyone want to use my e-mail address as a referral? superrob at (NOSPAM) gmail dot com. I'll set up a conga line at my site for when I hit the referral limit.

Hey if you refer me i'll refer you or anyone else that wants to

[troist]

if you decompile the SWF theres nothing really interesting in there, the actionscript files are just like last time too. it looks like the puzzle boxes might be openable at one point (i don't know how) and i presume this will link you to another page.

[SuperRob]

the london event is at trafalgar square for all you londoners... i'll see you there.

co-ords for london are 51 30' 29.21 N 0 7' 41.27 W... which is between the two fountains and in front of nelson.

How'd you find those coordinates?

If Microsoft is sticking with the fountains as the ongoing theme for the game, then it stands to reason that the one in Seattle would be at the Pacific Science Center, at the fountains behind Key Arena.

[Hawx's]

I don't see anything on there about a meta puzzle.

[troist]

How'd you find those coordinates?

If Microsoft is sticking with the fountains as the ongoing theme for the game, then it stands to reason that the one in Seattle would be at the Pacific Science Center, at the fountains behind Key Arena.

click puzzle box 3, then hover over the union jack... the co-ords come up, it works for all of the locations.

edit: now.asmx is still there, and theres a file called userhandler.ashx to handle logging in and out as far as i can tell... send it a blank GET variable of out and it'll log you out, although it appears to be that just refreshing will log you out.

[hyper4ctive]

I just registered and finally got thru all the errors...the website must be flooding with ARG enthusiasts...anyway, I logged in but cant see my name and points yet...can we still refer ppl after registration?

If we can I'll gladly refer you...in the mean time, my email addie is me[at]jiarenlau.com

time to get some sleep...its 5am now, will wake up at 12 noon when the countdown reaches zero...see ya'll there!

[Karl Sheldon]

This 1st puzzle looks to have something to with time, and highlights the feature of 'Shadow Copies' in Vista - hinting at OSX Timetravel stuff - the keynote had that in it too - yes.

So lets look at th eclocks and the 'timeless' frame in the Loki video again. For sure the fountains tonight hold more clues and again this focuses on clocks ticking - so no I am stuck. Seeking a point in time. Hmm.

[KidMojo]

The coordinates for Los Angeles are 34? 4' 26.11'' N and 118? 21' 18.98'' W which seems to be near the center of the Pan Pacific Park.