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

[Zyphrax]

Argh! I can't register, I'm from the Netherlands.

Global Event my "bottom"

Ah well, might be able to help you guys out, who wants to split the prize money ;)

[Hawx's]

Where do you see anythingo do with time on the site? I think i'm missing a page.

[troist]

i just realised that the pictures in the background of each puzzle box are of the location, the feature i can recognise for the london one is the national portrait gallery (at trafalgar square) so that must be where the event is taking place. not around nelson's column.

look in the background if you can't be bothered to look up the co-ords and you might recognise the place...

the two variables you can send to Userhandler.ashx are init and out, both just give back confusing characters in hex.

[ockypooie]

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!

I registered about 20 minutes ago but have yet to receive an email with link as stated after registering. Has anyone else received one?

[troist]

I registered about 20 minutes ago but have yet to receive an email with link as stated after registering. Has anyone else received one?

i got one... its from [email protected] and all it has in it is:

Thank you for registering an account at The Vanishing Point. To complete your registration, please click the link below.

http://www.vanishingpointgame.com/emailver...mycodegoeshere*

[SuperRob]

Where do you see anythingo do with time on the site? I think i'm missing a page.

OK, so the word clues could be related to the Meta Game, and also what's happening at the sites.

We already know that the Bellagio Fountains will be used to form walls, and the countdown clock will be displayed on the waterwalls. This seems to coincide with "Time Passes ..." posted on the site.

The next one is "Magic Happens ...". Could be related to Loki's magician's garb in the video, and likely there will be a "magic act" at the five locations listed. My guess would be that it is the SAME EVENT happening at each location, so the location itself is probably not important. This is because the event is supposed to be linked with the puzzles that are being solved.

Next is "Memories fade ..." Don't have a handle on that one yet, but again, I'm certain that the locations themselves aren't of importance.

Finally, "People disappear ..." Only in Seattle, still figuring out the coordinates, but I bet it's at the fountains at the Pacific Science Center. Edit: Nope, looks like it's at Gasworks Park.

Something else ... over at UnFiction, they've posted pictures of some of the stamps people are getting on their envelopes. One is of a clock, and the time is set to the same time as the watch in Loki's video. Curiouser and curiouser ...

Edited January 8, 2007 by SuperRob

[troist]

wow... Total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize: $253,500. check the rules for that... microsoft sure wanna promote vista. giving away a prize worth $250k

not only does the winner go into space, they also get $50k in cash and a combination of all the other prizes.

[The_Devil_Inside]

As it also says the cash is to defer the cost of taxes.

Nothing is free in the USA. If you win some "free" you still have to pay the government the sales tax.

For me - sales tax on the grand prize is about $14000

Not to mention the income tax on the $50k and possible other taxes for physical prizes obtained other than sales tax.

So there is some $$ left to play with :)

[SuperRob]

wow... Total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize: $253,500. check the rules for that... microsoft sure wanna promote vista. giving away a prize worth $250k

not only does the winner go into space, they also get $50k in cash and a combination of all the other prizes.

Read that again. The cash is mostly to defray the cost of the taxes, which is likely to be significant. I wouldn't expect to have any cash left over.

[LoD14]

what the hell was the sense of the whole "decoder" thing then? the new found subpages doesn't exist any more!?!?!?!

[SuperRob]

what the hell was the sense of the whole "decoder" thing then? the new found subpages doesn't exist any more!?!?!?!

As I said from the beginning and every time since then ... it was "pre-awareness". It was a way to alert you to the existence of the contest. That's not to say that you might not have more clues that relate to the Meta Puzzle. We're still figuring that stuff out.

[Moroz]

i dont get how the game work so who ever gets the anser first gets the points and no one else can get them?

[The_Devil_Inside]

I think everyone will get points for any puzzle the submit the correct answer to.

That's kinda how it feels anyway. Since winners are being selected via a drawing.

[SuperRob]

From the FAQ ... (italics are my emphasis)

What is the Vanishing Point?

The Vanishing Point is a puzzle challenge that spans the globe. Why? Because I was tasked with giving away incredible prizes, but they didn't say I had to make it easy. Each week, 12 puzzles, themed around an obsession of mine will be presented at www.vanishingpointgame.com. Just registering earns you the chance for some incredible prizes, including the sub-orbital flight of a lifetime. All you have to do is solve my puzzles before they vanish, to earn chances to win'.

What are the prizes?

I'm giving away all kinds of stuff: a trip into sub-orbital space to see to the ultimate vista, computers, devices and software. To see the full list of prizes check here, but I'll let you in on a little secret. If you are the first person to find and solve my secret puzzle, you can have your name engraved and immortalized on an AMD chip for a production run through March 31, 2007.

How do you play?

Here's the game: click on a puzzle box when the countdown hits zero, and you'll find a page with a dozen puzzles for you to solve and earn points (entries) for a chance to win the prizes. Watch footage of real world events that I have staged around the world, and then try the puzzles online. I've embedded in the real world events key information that you will need in order to solve the puzzles.

How can you earn points?

Each time you solve a puzzle correctly, you earn a specific number of points (entries) listed on each puzzle. There are easy to hard puzzles - I've done my best to challenge you. At the end of the sweepstakes, each point is good for one sweepstakes entry. The more points you have the more chances you have to win. Here is a list of how to earn points.

What are the real world events?

To make it more fun and challenging for you, I have arranged special events in cities around the globe over the next few weeks - one every week. Each will be an unusual spectacle, and you will have to look carefully, because hidden in these events are the pieces you'll need to solve the online puzzles.

What if I can't be at an event?

No problem. After each real world event, I will broadcast footage of the event on www.vanishingpointgame.com so that you can see what you missed.

If you're going to broadcast the events, why should I show up live?

Each live event will be amazing. I've arranged some spectacular feats that the world has never seen before and should not be missed. Plus, for those of you over 21 who can show up at the final Seattle event, I've arranged for an extra special celebration.

Will prizes be given away at events?

Prizes will not be given out at events. Prizes will be awarded on or about February 2, 2007 after the January 30, 2007 deadline for earning points. Once the final points are calculated, a random drawing will determine who the prize winners are, and which prizes they will receive. For complete details click here.

Will someone really get to experience "sub-orbital flight"?

Yes. One grand prize winner will win a seat on a sub-orbital flight on Rocketplane. For all the prize details, click here.

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.

When does the sweepstakes begin and end?

The Sweepstakes begins at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time ("PT") on January 8, 2007 and ends at 9:00 p.m. PT on January 30, 2007 ("Promotion Period").

21 and over for the event in Seattle? Booze, huh? :)

Also, note that the puzzles are indeed timed, so you need to finish them in the week they're available (possibly faster, it's hard to say).

[Moroz]

I think everyone will get points for any puzzle the submit the correct answer to.

That's kinda how it feels anyway. Since winners are being selected via a drawing.

so anyone can get ansers from someone and win?

[SuperRob]

so anyone can get ansers from someone and win?

Yes, save for the Meta Puzzle. It's also worth noting that since each point is an entry in a sweepstakes, it's possible some people won't want to share info. After all, the prizes only go to individuals, not groups.

[The_Devil_Inside]

so anyone can get ansers from someone and win?

Yeah that's kinda what I've been thinking....

we can all band together and level the playing field for the drawing...

or....not....

[mad_onion]

hmm while it technically will be into space. its very low or you only have zero gravity for a couple of minutes but i guess its better than nothing.

[RuudJacobs.NET]

god-dammit.. I can't participate because I'm living in The Netherlands, how can microsoft be so dutch.. come on...

I happen to be the smartest person in the world and they just ignore me and my whole country... :laugh:

[vpLoki]

I don't know about you - but I'm feeling lucky. So I used this email address for registration:

[email protected]

Maybe we can all have a little luck on our side - by using this as a referral for your registration!

[servermanninja]

lol - quick thinking!

[spenser.d]

hmm while it technically will be into space. its very low or you only have zero gravity for a couple of minutes but i guess its better than nothing.

Yes, you will only have zero-gravity for a few minutes, as you are going into sub-orbital space. You can't get all the way out of the earth's atmosphere in a rocketplane. You'll still be 1-up-ing just about everyone on the planet though.

-Spenser

[Crucify]

Interesting tid bit about the RocketPlane.

here?s how your adventure may look

? Day One

Arrive at Oklahoma City. Met at the airport by a Rocketplane representative and escorted to your hotel. Evening free to relax.

? Day Two

We?ll start the day early with a breakfast orientation. By 8 am, you?ll be onsite at our training facility, beginning a full day of educational sessions and hands-on simulator training. Your time in the altitude chamber is sure to be a highlight of the day. Real astronauts and cosmonauts spend months training on simulators to prepare for space missions. In four days, we?ll give you a taste of that training. The day ends with dinner.

? Day Three

The morning will be spent learning the same survival skills taught to real astronauts. The training will be intense but the focus will be on fun. After lunch, we?ll depart for Burns Flat, the home of our Spaceport. You?ll spend the afternoon touring the facility and meeting those who will help make your space flight dream come true. Accommodations will be arranged for you near the Spaceport.

? Day Four

It?s time to learn everything there is to know about the Rocketplane XP. Special Rocketplane XP simulators will be used to help prepare you for spaceflight. (Note?We know that nothing on earth can prepare you for the thrill of going suborbital, but we?re going to do our best to get you ready for your amazing adventure.)

? Day Five

It?s another full day of simulations and training. You?ll learn the history of spaceflight, the technology that makes it possible, and how the Rocketplane XP?s communication systems work during spaceflight. The final phase of your civilian astronaut spaceflight training is conducted in the air, high above Oklahoma. The day ends with a graduation ceremony. You?ll have completed four full days of training exercises and be ready to fly into suborbital space.

? Day Six

The big day has arrived. After a review of the Rocketplane XP?s safety features and procedures, you?ll buckle into your window seat and prepare for launch. You?ll go where few have gone before?beyond the edge of space where astronauts are made.

"The Rocketplane XP will take off from the runway at the Oklahoma Spaceport, taking off just like a conventional business jet. The XP will take off using J-85 jet engines, and climb for about 15 minutes, to an altitude of 40,000 feet. At this point, your pilot will flip a switch to ignite the powerful rocket engine, pulling up into a nearly vertical climb. The rocket engine burns for approximately 70 seconds, accelerating the XP to more than 3500 feet per second.

As the engines cut off, you will feel the sensation of weightlessness as the vehicle soars into space. Out the window is a spectacular view of Earth, a view only a small, select group of people have ever seen.

Within minutes, you begin the descent. Under the load of several Gs pushing you down into your seat, you are on the roller coaster ride of all time. The XP?s specially designed thermal protection system safely transfers away the heat re-entry, slowing your descent.

As the Rocketplane XP slows and enters the lower atmosphere, the pilot restarts the jet engines and beings the final leg of the flight back to the spaceport and a conventional runway landing.

You return to Oklahoma Spaceport and are greeted by family and friends eager to hear about your experience."

[null_]

I recieved the letter and USB Memory Key in the mail today inside of a black envelope. Same letter as everyone else has gotten, and the cipher key and video are the same as what was posted here before, but I'll attach that image to this post. Interesting that I'd get one of these right after trying to figure out the L0KI stuff on the CES Keynote video :|

[.Markus]

Interesting tid bit about the RocketPlane.

"The Rocketplane XP will take off from the runway at the Oklahoma Spaceport, taking off just like a conventional business jet. The XP will take off using J-85 jet engines, and climb for about 15 minutes, to an altitude of 40,000 feet. At this point, your pilot will flip a switch to ignite the powerful rocket engine, pulling up into a nearly vertical climb. The rocket engine burns for approximately 70 seconds, accelerating the XP to more than 3500 feet per second.

As the engines cut off, you will feel the sensation of weightlessness as the vehicle soars into space. Out the window is a spectacular view of Earth, a view only a small, select group of people have ever seen.

Within minutes, you begin the descent. Under the load of several Gs pushing you down into your seat, you are on the roller coaster ride of all time. The XP's specially designed thermal protection system safely transfers away the heat re-entry, slowing your descent.

As the Rocketplane XP slows and enters the lower atmosphere, the pilot restarts the jet engines and beings the final leg of the flight back to the spaceport and a conventional runway landing.

You return to Oklahoma Spaceport and are greeted by family and friends eager to hear about your experience."

Just reading that makes me sick :x