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


Recommended Posts

Come on, people. It's obvious that she works at Microsoft, that's who's sponsoring the game. When you e-mail her at vanishingpointgame.com, you get, "Life is a mix of work and play. You found play ..." That tells you to e-mail her at work.

E-mailing her at Microsoft.com gets, "Hmmm. Not quite what I had in mind. Try harder - then listen closely."

That means she has another job. There's something in the video that should clue you in. The fact that what you get is an Out of Office reply could be significant, or it could just be that Microsoft is using Exchange and it was the only way to set up an autoresponder.

when emailing Loki at vanishingpointgame.com she wrote something about mix of work and play where this is play.

Maybe she meant that [email protected] is her play address and we need to find her true work-address?

Where is Loki working at? Microsoft ?

Greetings... Jabba

@SuperRob: ok you won by 1 minute ;-)

Aaron Coldiron is in the team doing the Vista launch. he was involved with the free laptops that were sent out that included the decoder puzzle boxes for the bloggers.. my guess is that it is a red herring.

ah right guess the emails back from him are a small error then

Is there a way to have this thread moved to a "members only" category? Imagine if this thread showed up on Digg. Our chances of winning would decrease dramatically.

I came expecting to help solve these puzzles, but they have all been solved in 12 hrs! Maybe next week.

Hi there, i am not sure if this is a new or old post. But i watched the movie of the woman and you know how it says that things will be there one min and not the next. Have a look at the side of her shades just before she picks up the watches. Just before she does there is something written on them. I can not make it out from the website stream. Then when she picks up the watches it is gone. Thought i would throw in my observation.

Cheers :D

since i'm at work right now and the firewall forbids me to see the videos - are there any static download links (accessable with wget)?

How many videos are there?

Las Vegas video, 2 youtube videos, intro video on vpg.com, "reward" video after solving the first puzzlebox...

Maybe we should listen to the background noise in the videos - but as i wrote above, i wasnt able to watch any video til now.

Jabba

You know, I've been wondering. Loki's GPA is 3.1416. We all pretty much assumed it was Pi, but Pi is 3.14159. Most schools round to the fourth decimal place, but I can't help but wonder ...

E-mailed the word "Pi" to Loki at Microsoft, but didn't get a response back. Hmmm.

Edit: Response was just late. Same as before.

Curiouser ... the wording of her response is resonating with me. "Try harder -- then listen closely."

Wouldn't you need to listen closely, THEN try harder? Hmmm ...

Edited by SuperRob
when i emailed loki (at) microsoft.com, i got a really weird email back. anyone else get it? you'd know what it is if you did...

had a different name on it, along with a few phone numbers. i called one, and got an email back with the whole "not what i'm looking for", so i think it's a specific number sent to specific people....could be wrong though....

anyhow, lemme know plz...

I got an email from Aaron???

Come on, people. It's obvious that she works at Microsoft, that's who's sponsoring the game. When you e-mail her at vanishingpointgame.com, you get, "Life is a mix of work and play. You found play ..." That tells you to e-mail her at work.

E-mailing her at Microsoft.com gets, "Hmmm. Not quite what I had in mind. Try harder - then listen closely."

That means she has another job. There's something in the video that should clue you in. The fact that what you get is an Out of Office reply could be significant, or it could just be that Microsoft is using Exchange and it was the only way to set up an autoresponder.

how about sending an email to @amd.com as they are part of the sponsors too and reward this time deals with Athlon chips?

Is there a way to have this thread moved to a "members only" category? Imagine if this thread showed up on Digg. Our chances of winning would decrease dramatically.

I came expecting to help solve these puzzles, but they have all been solved in 12 hrs! Maybe next week.

No otherwise a google search might not return this thread, in which case no new commers would join and input.

These kind of events also supply new users for the Neowin forums.

Not that is got me anywhere but...

Pi ok we got that clue I think,

The symbol in the boxes throughout the flash games looks to be Pi in a box.

Pi squared ?? Something to do with Pythagoras

Tried Pythagoras@ ms / amd / vpg - No Good

Oh and Loki / Pi / Pythag @42 also nothing yet

!!

So something just occurred to me. If they're using an exchange autoresponder, then it doesn't matter what we send in the message, just that we send it to the right account. Getting a "Getting Warmer" response from the Loki account shows that she's there, but that's not the account we're looking for.

Then I stumbled across something. We need to find HER. Not Loki. What's her REAL NAME*? We know what she studied (what was the second major? I couldn't hear it clearly ... sounded like "star charts", but that's not it), we know her GPA, and we know who she works for.

*Within the context of the game, obviously.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I've always preferred this possibility. There is something that feels good about the idea that all matter in the universe will eventually come back together and maybe even result in another big bang. The idea that the universe would fizzle out over the eons and forever drift apart is a little depressing. I realize it is not logical to let a basic human desire for life to have a grand everlasting meaning change the way I feel about a scientific theory, but I am human, so that is how I feel :-).
    • Windoze 11 could finally go to hell, instead of making me savor yet another error I've never had. "Bad Pool Caller" or whatever TF cryptic crap0la message it is. Adding salt to injury, it says something along these lines (on the blank black screen after it hard stops): "Your windoze needs to restart. You can restart." NO WAY SHERLOCK. The PEECEE, look, it's *blocked*, I can do jack sh1t with it as it is and you say that it needs to restart? Further, that I can restart? What am I supposed to do, take a herbal bath? Sudo a sandwich? Timewaster pile of useless slop and errors, coded by monkeys and force-fed on us by a pedo-founded corporation, that's all there is to it. Now, let's have a fun weekend trying to handle the error, which after a quick internet check can basically be due to EVERYTHING, from memory faults to drivers to motherboard issues. Thanks M$.
    • Zen Browser 1.21.3b by Razvan Serea Zen Browser is a privacy-focused, open-source web browser built on Mozilla Firefox, offering users a secure and customizable browsing experience. It emphasizes privacy by blocking trackers, ads, and ensuring your data isn't collected. With Zen Mods, users can enhance their browser experience with various customization options, including features like split views and vertical tabs. The browser is designed for efficiency, providing fast browsing speeds and a lightweight interface. Zen Browser prioritizes user control over the browsing experience, offering a minimal yet powerful alternative to traditional web browsers while keeping your online activity private. Zen Browser’s DRM limitation Zen Browser currently lacks support for DRM-protected content, meaning streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max are inaccessible. This is due to the absence of a Widevine license, which requires significant costs and is financially unfeasible for the developer. Additionally, applying for this license would require Zen to be part of a larger company, similar to Mozilla or Brave. Therefore, DRM-protected media won't be supported in Zen Browser for the foreseeable future. Zen Browser offers features that improve user experience, privacy, and customization: Privacy-Focused: Blocks trackers and minimizes data collection. Automatic Updates: Keeps the browser updated with security patches. Zen Mods: Customizable themes and layouts. Workspaces: Organize tabs into different workspaces. Compact Mode: Maximizes screen space by minimizing UI elements. Zen Glance: Quick website previews. Split Views: View multiple tabs in the same window. Sidebar: Access bookmarks and tools quickly. Vertical Tabs: Manage tabs vertically. Container Tabs: Separate browsing sessions. Fast Profile Switcher: Switch between profiles easily. Tab Folders: Organize tabs into folders. Customizable UI: Personalize browser interface. Security Features: Inherits Firefox’s robust security. Fast Performance: Lightweight and optimized for speed. Zen Mods Customization: Deep customization with mods. Quick Access: Easy access to favorite websites. Open Source: Built on Mozilla Firefox with community collaboration. Community-Driven: Active development and feedback from users. GitHub Repository: Contribute and review the source code. Zen Browser 1.21.3b changelog: New Features Updated to Firefox 152.0.1 Fixes Fixed transparency not working after updating to 1.21.2b (#14259) Fixed frequent crashes affecting users with Intel Raptor Lake processors Fixed an issue on macOS where choosing a PDF option, such as "Save as PDF", from the system print dialog would send the job to your printer instead of saving a file. Other minor bug fixes and improvements. Download: Zen Browser | 90.2 MB (Open Source) Download: Zen Browser ARM64 | Other Operating Systems View: Zen Browser Home Page | Screenshots 1 | 2 | Reddit Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Get 1-year and $60 of Sam's Club value for just $15 with Auto-renew by Steven Parker Become a Sam's Club Member Now! Shop Premium-Quality Products and Enjoy Incredible Perks, and Savings. Today's highlighted deal comes via our Gift Cards section of the Neowin Deals store, where for only a limited time, you can save 75% off a Sam's Club 1 Year Membership with Auto-Renew. Sam’s Club is a membership warehouse club, a limited-item business model that offers members quality products at an exceptional value unmatched by traditional retail. From groceries and kitchen supplies to electronics and furniture, Sam's Club has great deals on the items you want! By redeeming and signing up as a member, you'll be paying just $20 for a 1 year Sam's Club membership (normally $50.) You'll receive a complimentary household card for more savings from already low-priced items. Sign up now and save money on all your food and decor. Find great deals on groceries, kitchen supplies, electronic, furniture & more Get discounts on hotels, rental car, live events, attractions, movies, & more Save up to 60% on hotel accommodations around the world Get a complimentary household card for more savings from already low-priced items Although it was published quite some time ago, Sam's Club members can enjoy discounts like this. Important Details For a physical membership card after online membership registration, present your phone number or email along with a valid ID at Sam’s Club Membership Services in any US Sam's Club location to have your membership card printed. This membership offer is only available to new Sam's Club members in the USA. It is not valid for membership renewals, for those with a current membership, or those who were Sam’s Club members less than 6 months prior to the current date. To check your renewal date, please check your billing statement or your online account, or chat with an associate. Promotion code is non-transferable Offer valid for new Sam’s Club members only; not valid for membership renewals, for those with a current membership, or those who were Sam’s Club members less than 6 months prior to the current date. Auto Renew: By accepting this offer, you authorize annual recurring charges to any card on file for your Sam's Club membership fee(s) plus any applicable taxes at then-current rate every year until you cancel. Current rates, which may change, are $50 for Club level and $110 for Plus level. Visit SamsClub.com or a club or call 1-888-746-7726 for full terms or to cancel auto-renewal. Valid at over 597 U.S. Sam’s Club locations. Find a location near you. Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Access options: desktop & mobile Membership MUST be activated within 30 days Membership expires 1 YEAR from the date the Sam's Club membership is activated Limit 1 per person, may buy 1 additional as gift This Sam's Club 1 Year Membership normally costs $60, but can now be yours for just $15, for a limited time, that's a saving of $45 (70%) off! For specifications, and terms, please click the link below. Get 1-year of Sam's Club with Auto-renew for just $15 (was $60) This deal is only available to U.S. residents. Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • Microsoft, why can't I just turn off Copilot on my MS account (in order to stop OneDrive from wanting to summarize everything, ahem) in a way that doesn't break OneNote instead?
  • Recent Achievements

    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      580
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      190
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      78
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      77
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      72
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!