Friday, May 12, 2006

A new Da Vinci Code quest from Eurostar

Hello everyone. An anonymous post from the comments in the quest # 24 section informed me of another Da Vinci Code quest going on and the prizes are pretty good there too.

Here is the link for the Eurostar Da Vinci Code webquests
http://quest.eurostar.com/

The best part is it lets Americans to participate in the challenge too even though it's a European based company. I just finished the first part of the challenge and they are definitely harder than the Google webquests. Also, for all those complaining that I give out too many hints on this blog, the puzzles are more structured in a way to prevent explaining , cheating/helping by others.

I am going to go step by step on this blog in the next couple of days on the Eurostar Da Vinci Code quest. If any of you guys find any instructions on the deadline for the competition, let me know.

Watch out on this space for more instructions and the Eurostar Da Vinci Code webquest.

-Student

225 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the "consolation prize" will be a movie ticket or discount for a movie ticket. That would be cool.

Anonymous said...

Oops, above comment was supposed to go with the blog entry below this one. Sorry.

I may try this Euroquest this weekend too. Sounds interesting.

Anonymous said...

has anyone solved the prize puzzle 1? I was able to do it in 4 attempts in 1min 5 seconds.

Anonymous said...

On the Euroquest game, I completed all of the level one games, but I can't figure out the cryptex bonus thing. I don't see any indicator lights, even after spinning each one to every number.

Anonymous said...

you have to confirm your selection of the numbers first before they tell you if they are right or not. To do this click on the symbols under the dials

Anonymous said...

When you complete the first two stage, you learn that the third stage will not be out until May 19th.

Anonymous said...

In the cryptex quest, what's the difference between the yellow circle with the minus symbol (-) and the red circle with the x (x) ?

Obviously, it's telling you something about how close you are to the correct number, but what's the correlation?

Anonymous said...

RE: Rob Blake:

I'm on the magnifier as well and am missing two letters. Its driving me mad! My eyes are getting fuzzy.

Anonymous said...

Rob Blake

look at the brickwork in one of thew building shots, Funnily enough this is the first one I got. I had trouble finding the 3rd letter.

Anonymous said...

All I need now is the 2nd letter of the charater's name. I'm going mad looking for it. I skipped to two other puzzles and all are equally mind-numbing.

Anonymous said...

i made it to level 3 also...these puzzles are really hard. i got six letters too and just can't find the last letter. but i don't think the character is Rob Blake...I found a "G".

maybe it's different for all players, like the other quest??

Anonymous said...

LOL..Rob Blake isn't the character's name..they were referring to the guy who posted above.

As for me, I took 3 min + for the prize puzzle 1 and several attempts. For prize puzzle 2, 4 attempts in around a minute.

Anonymous said...

Am I missing something? How do you find the puzzle prizes? I can't seem to find that...

Anonymous said...

Prize Puzzles that is...

Anonymous said...

Any hints on the 2nd letter? Still stuck on that one...

Anonymous said...

Ok I've been going crazy and blind! I know where the 2nd and 3rd letters should be, but can't find them. Arg!! I don't want to go to another puzzle and lose the other 5 letters I've gotten...

Anonymous said...

anyone know how the heck the gear and two circles one works?!!?!

Anonymous said...

Yes...as the instructions tell you.
Find the inner word that is out of place . Then lock that word in place and find the outer one.

Remember the inner word is the 2nd word.

Anonymous said...

I have a T, B, N, I, and a G. Where can I find the other letters?

Anonymous said...

Those are the 2nd and 3rd letters..see above.

I cannot for the life of me figure out the blueprint puzzle. I get nothing from the hints..as in nothing happens.

Anonymous said...

Nevermind - got the blueprint. Just wish that when the puzzle is "completed" like that, you can see why. Seems that when you complete a puzzle, it goes to the next part almost instanteously.

Anonymous said...

I'm on the film strip challenge. I can't find all the letters. Anyone remember what frame they found there's in?
T, B, N, I, and a G is what I have right now.

Anonymous said...

"Those are the 2nd and 3rd letters..see above."

i don't understand the instructions! 2nd and 3rd letters of what?!! the letters are random! is it an anagram?

i don't see any pattern! HELP!

Anonymous said...

ok. found how to manipulate the gears... how do you 'submit' a place? where do i enter the place names?

Anonymous said...

Did anyone found the letter A?

Anonymous said...

The A is on the market strip..you have to pan to find it.

Anonymous said...

I'm missing the last letter! Maybe I need to walk away and come back, any tips?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone have a website suggestion to figure out which words are correct for the whell challenge and which one is the imposter? I have figured out all five words on both wheels but i cannot find a good site to figure out the real places from fake one. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

i found 6 words on each wheel. i'm in the same boat as you are. i don't know the real places from the fakes

Anonymous said...

I am pretty sure i have figured out two of them. using the one the beings with O and S and the other that begins with M and Pl any luck with any others (6pm)?

Anonymous said...

GRR i can't find the 2nd letter in the film strip puzzle.. I know who the person is, but i can't find that elusive letter! Any clues, ive searched the buildings but have a severe case of domestic blindness!
Cheers

Anonymous said...

hehe I've finished all the 1st n 2nd stage...waiting for 19th May to roll by...

The film-picture one, I strongly suggest resting your eyes after a while. It tires your eyes out. Also pan all over the picture, formation of shapes in an ordinary picture...often they are embedded in buildings, frameworks or structures.

That forms an anagram of a name of a character in the Da Vinci Code. After the Google quest I'm sure you'll be familiar enough with that character.

The gear one: There are 6-7 legible words for each gear. Click the middle gear to unlock the gears. Only the middle gear should work. Then turn the gear round to spot all the words.

Then fiddle around with the outer ring, by locking it with the middle gear, and turning it to find the words. I strongly recommend you all to record the words and work out the possible combinations of the words.

HINT: Use the clues you're provided with to work out which one is the imposter. Once you worked it out, make the gears align to the right word, and it'll take you to the next stage. The CLUES are LIFESAVERS (in some cases).

Good Luck all!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to double post, but just to reply the anon. person above about the crytex - it works on a similar basis to mastermind.

Red Cross(X) is the wrong number and wrong position (so find another number)

Yellow dash (-) is right number but wrong POSITION, so switch the position with another wrong one. Just beware that the crytex doesn't let you to have the same number on the board at the same time, so switch carefully.

If necessary, record the tries you had on paper. It helps to keep track of the rights and wrongs, but uses more time...

Good Luck once again!

Anonymous said...

I am getting very frustrated on the gears puzzle with the words. I have found 7 words on both the inner and outer gear plates...and I even think I know the imposter combination "R Sq." And I have them showing at the same time....now what? Nothing is happening and I am obviously missing something in the 2 clues given, because they seem meaningless to me! Can anyone give me a hint in the right direction? I am going a little crazy :)

Anonymous said...

put the right combo on the gear, and the game will go on.

Anonymous said...

Blueprint puzzle. For I while I did not see what the clues were. In case you miss it, sequence numbers appear below the pieces but only for a short while. I had to cheat on this one by doing a screen shot (using Irfanview.) Very tough otherwise.

Anonymous said...

If anyone else is stumped with the gears puzzle like I am, email me and we can compare notes. Ill be here all day today. Thanks! schbria@lycoming.edu

Anonymous said...

can anyone tell me the answer to the anagram about a great mans passion?

Anonymous said...

The answer to the gear puzzle is on the first clue. Look carefully. You do not need to find others, just find the imposter and the game will go on (as Anonymous said :))

Anonymous said...

How do you do the sliding puzzle! EVIL!!!

Julie P. (babyofmine) said...

oh MAN! The lightbox puzzle is driving me BATTY!! XD ^o^ I cannot find the 2nd letter of his name. And those clues all y'all are leaving, are just confusing! ROFL Okay, I will take a break and find something that is "differently different" and "often [] embedded in buildings, frameworks or structures." You guys crack me up!

Anonymous said...

okay. i'm going crazy, i think. where on earth is the 2nd letter of the name?! i know which slide i'm supposed to be looking at.......i think it's making me go cross-eyed.

Anonymous said...

Help for the hopeless.

Cheatsheet.

Enter only if your have totally givenup.

http://waelchatila.com/2006/05/13/1147507198391.html

Anonymous said...

About the 2nd letter for lightbox :
First you do need to pan left and right to find it.

Second - it is very cleverly hidden (well duh!) in a building infrastructure.

Jack said...

End of second round... 7 digits... 3 attempts... 39.54 seconds.

Can anyone beat that?

Proof: http://noahk17.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Nice time, Noah. I think a little lucky, but well done. Mine where:
1 - 3 at 56:07
2 - 6 at 1:21:40

Anonymous said...

once again, I do not expect to win anything. I just enjoyed the puzzles which were way more interresting than in google quest.

Anonymous said...

Great man's passion. First think about who the great man might be. Tnen review the guidebook pages until you see the anagram lettes in one word. Then go "d'oh!" At least that's the way I did it.

Julie P. (babyofmine) said...

Okay, I don't know how all y'all got those tiny, tiny times on the second round. It took me almost that long to figure out how to type the numbers in all the slots. LOL I was feeling pretty good about 7 tries in 4 minutes. ROFL Y'all will have to post if you win any prizes. :D

Anonymous said...

My Wife just callled and she said I received a Cryptex in the mail from Sky Castle entertainment. I have not ordered on so I assume this is the 1 in 10,000 Cryptex prize. She said it is very heavy and looks well made.

Anonymous said...

Yeah Right./..

Anonymous said...

Anyone recieve their e-mail from the google quest?

Anonymous said...

I realize people are not to trusting on the internet but What do I have to gain in fooling you? If I knew you and could see the outcome of the Joke then maybe it would be worth it but form me to just lie. Its dumb and Im quite offened that you would suggest that my wife lied to me.

Anonymous said...

he's probably telling the truth, I have a cryptex as well:

http://www.geocities.com/smokinjoe_1977/cryptex.bmp

Anonymous said...

Anybody got the email from Google?

Anonymous said...

i haven't yet...

Anonymous said...

warpirate, what time did you submit the last puzzle, so we know what time is for sure a finalist...

Anonymous said...

Puzzle completion form was submitted within 3-4 min after the last puzzle was released.

Anonymous said...

It sucks because my page would not load. I kept getting error messages. It took me at least 5 minutes before I could even access the puzzles.

Anonymous said...

warpirate...where do you live? In the states?

Anonymous said...

mine (this is the anonymous above w/ pic) was mailed regular mail to montana. i finished the puzzle at about 1:04.

Anonymous said...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jcuckoo/my_photos

Anonymous said...

Warpirate is NOT lyig. I just received my cryptex in the mail as well. It's very cool, Its about 4 inches long and weighs about a little under a pound. I'm so excited!!! Good luck to all the other 9,999 second round contestents!!

Anonymous said...

^^ Nice! Can't wait to get home and check the mail... :)

Anonymous said...

Hmmm.. I submitted at 1:09. I hope I still have a chance!

Anonymous said...

WarPirate done be upset it just the nature of the folk to fuss. I for one thank you for giving us a heads up. It give all us out here hope, and that is something.
t

Anonymous said...

Are folk getting different code listed on the back of there boxes?

From ebay item 7619980164
The back of the box has a Cryptex Code: Grail
t

Anonymous said...

I got mine today as well. I was at work when I read some people were starting to get them. I figured there is little to no chance I got one. When I came home I saw a little white box on my porch. I am embarrassed to say I was a little excited. I don't know if anyone else can relate...but I had to laugh...all I could think of was the movie "A Christmas Story", when Ralphie was waiting for his "Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring" and he locked himself in the bathroom to decode the "Drink your ovaltine" message. LOL

Anonymous said...

mine said grail

Anonymous said...

So apparently the puzzle is available for 48 hours to access, but once you start you can not stop. I wonder if you will still be able to go on google to look up info.

Anonymous said...

dude yes Ovaltine. I feel the some way. When I was growing up they made children shoe by a company name Red Goose and Buster Brown. In the shoe was a plastic egg with (cool???) stuff. 15 cents of junk and the shoe cost a mint. Drove my parents crazy. We are so drive my the americain ad firms. BBBUtttt I want my decoder ring now.

t

Anonymous said...

Grail

Anonymous said...

Just got mine in the mail. Codeword: Grail.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how many people actually entered the contest...I wish I knew 10,000 out of how many...

Anonymous said...

I don't care how many got whittled down to 10,000...I want to know how many of the 10,000 are gonna take the time to compete for the final game against me.

Anonymous said...

I see that people are getting the cryptex in mail, but has anybody received e-mail yet? I have not been home to check my mail, as it usually shows up late afternoon anyway. Are they coming regular mail, UPS, FEDEX, DHL?

Anonymous said...

The mail doesn't come to my house until 1pm pst...I'm getting so anxious knowing that people are already getting theirs...I hope I made the cut.

Anonymous said...

Just got mine in the mail as well. My time was 1:09, so anybody under that should get it. Sorta chinsy really, but for free, who cares :p

Anonymous said...

They are coming via US Mail.

Anonymous said...

I have a PO box, so had it sent to the school i work at. Just called, mail not in. I can get anything done. Burning time, wish I was more adult. So it goes.
t

Anonymous said...

LOL! You dont even need to have the first two letters: AIL is enough to open it on my cryptex. Kinda sad.

-S

Anonymous said...

Hmm, upon further review it comes open with just IL. Even more sad lmao

-S

Anonymous said...

santa claus
the tooth fairy
the easter bunny
the boogie man
george W

now the two letter secret decoding ring
sad sad indeed
t

Anonymous said...

I got mine in at about 1:09, but I live out in the country and have a PO Box, but the Post Office folks know who I am and will get it to me. I'm guessing that if I did get it then it is in the city and will take an extra day to get here. Still no email though.

I also will participate in the final round though...

Anonymous said...

I got mine in teh mail but no email. I finished at 1:05 est

Anonymous said...

I got mine in teh mail but no email. I finished at 1:05 est

Anonymous said...

i havent got it..i finished at 1:05..got the confirmation email but no email about cryptex....

Anonymous said...

holy crap i didnt beleive all of these people saying they got theirs and then i checked my mailbox just in case and it was there!

tells you the word to open it on the back of the box tho.. i thought it would be another puzzle to open it..

NET MAN said...

Closed ebay auctions show highest current selling price of $56 plus $9 s/h

See Item number: 7620002871

Anonymous said...

I just got mine in the mail, I live in South Texas....so I figured it would take forever, but I got it. It does infact only open with the "IL" of GRAIL. When you open it up you'll see it's all in the way they cast it....there are only two "key holes" located at the end.

Good luck to all the finalist.

I still haven't gotten the e-mail...what does it say?

Anonymous said...

from ebay item 7620002871

The official authorized mini-cryptex replica from the movie. Opens with password you set. Change the password at any time
Are there instruction to do this?
t

Anonymous said...

According to the closed auction on e-bay referenced above...it claims that you can change the code at any time. I guess that is correct, as long as the word ends in "IL" (seeing as that's all it takes to open it) because there no physical way to change the code...so don't get your hopes up on being able to change the code.

Anonymous said...

Here's the link the company that makes these things.....Note in the first picture how the insert only has two "KEY HOLES", which explains why the "AI" will open it.

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?catid=52

Anonymous said...

Thanks, man. I didnt get one but now i can. This is awesome!!!

Anonymous said...

If you open the cryptex on IL and look at the circles from inside, you would see that each ring has opening at one place to allow the key to slide out. Line up the opening and slide out the key. [Essentialy the way any, lock-key system works]
So if you can move the letters on top to your desired word, you can change the password.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the noble collection site
a blowup of the 4 inch show 5 knoches
which the 6 inch shows only 2 knoches
t

Anonymous said...

Ebay sellers are selling more than one. How did theses sellers acquire more than on. Doesn't seem right.

Anonymous said...

I recieved my cryptex in the regular mail this afternoon. I also figured out how to change the code word to open it: the right end cap screws off, the next peice comes off, there are 2 screws in the side, unscrew them and then you can slide the letter pieces off...slide off the last 2 letter pieces and put them back on whatever you want the last 2 letters of your new word to be, then put it all back together same way you took it apart. Only the last 2 letters matter, the others do nothing.. By the way.. I live in Illinois, got cryptex hours ago but no email yet either.

Anonymous said...

I also e-mailed the company that makes the cryptex (noble collection) to ask how to change the code that opens it, they replied "If you have one, you DON'T have one of ours because we didn't ship any out yet." So...this leads me to believe that the ones we have are going to be very rare and editions that not just anyone will be able to buy, therefore, those of you selling yours on Ebay might want to think twice before selling them, especially for the same price that everyone will be able to buy them for.

Anonymous said...

I also e-mailed the company that makes the cryptex (noble collection) to ask how to change the code that opens it, they replied "If you have one, you DON'T have one of ours because we didn't ship any out yet." So...this leads me to believe that the ones we have are going to be very rare and editions that not just anyone will be able to buy, therefore, those of you selling yours on Ebay might want to think twice before selling them, especially for the same price that everyone will be able to buy them for.

Anonymous said...

Yep confirmed -- just got mine... it's exactly as everyone has said!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jcuckoo/my_photos

These are NOT my pictures, but it's exactly like the one I got.

Anonymous said...

5. The Promotion is open from 06:00 GMT (01:00 EST) on 3 May 2006 and will run until 21:00 GMT (16:00 EST) on 30 May 2006.

7. To be eligible for the Grand Final, you must be available to travel to London, arriving no later than 14 June 2006 and then to travel to Paris until 16 June 2006 ........

Anonymous said...

Is there going to be a proper update? we need more info

Anonymous said...

I just got mine in the mail too. My time was 1:09. It's smaller and heavier than I thought it would be. I still haven't recieved the email yet.

Anonymous said...

I'm a New York who got the cyptex, but no email yet..

Anonymous said...

I received mine today in Texas, but still no email. I'm a little disappointed in the construction of this thing though. The aesthetic is kinda ruined by the fact that the dials don't lock into place on each letter. They just spin freely. C'mon noblecollections.com is selling these things for $59! Even my cheap locker combo lock gives me the satisfying 'click' when I turn the dials. Also the dials are plastic. The weight is great though! I'd like to punch someone in the face while holding it.

Anonymous said...

I agree with anon@3:00pm -- This cryptex is different... you can't buy it on the website. Here's why. It's the same as the small version that noblecollection sells for $59, but it has the 2 locking teeth of the larger 6" version that sells for $125. The small versions have 5 or 6 locking teeth, but the Google ones only have 2! So you can't buy these online! :)

Anonymous said...

"Final Phase. Finalists will be mailed via U.S. postal service, for scheduled delivery by May 18, 2006, a limited edition Cryptex replica and a screenshot of 4 codes (the "Finalist Prize"). One of the included codes will open the Cryptex. Inside will be a scroll with instructions on how to access the Final Puzzle Challenge online."

This was taken directly from the official rules of the contest. I received a cryptex, but only used the code on the box to open it. I didn't receive "a screenshot of 4 codes". Maybe only the finalists received a cryptex with the 4 codes and the rest of us got a consolation prize. Anyone get the "screenshot of 4 codes"?????

Anonymous said...

i'd rather have ones that are more professionally made and need all 5 dials to be correct to open!

Anonymous said...

"The weight is great though! I'd like to punch someone in the face while holding it."

lmao!!!

*still waiting for mine* :'(

Anonymous said...

i definately didnt get a cryptex and played all the levels, submitting the info on the last one. I also got the confirmation emails but no cryptex. The rules seem to be bent alot considering the delivery should have been on the 18th. They might have also swithced up the screenshots as well. If you got a cryptex, you are a finalist

Anonymous said...

Still no cryptex, still no email. Feeling rather envious at the moment, although everyone who got a cryptex probably deserved it more than me.

Anonymous said...

anyone get one in North Carolina

Anonymous said...

I was bored paying with my crytex when I realized that even though the key has only two 'teeth', when you look inside the cryptex, all five rings of letters have one opening. I hope this makes sense. The word that should open the cryptex (if the key had all five teeth) is "VBYIL". I'm sure it doesn't mean anything and it's just another example of how cheaply made these things are.

Anonymous said...

You can change the code to what ever you want. Once you open it, there are two screws, take those out and then you can make the "holes" line up with what ever letter you want. My real code was WGKIL

Anonymous said...

i have alittle insight (maybe) on the idea that the cryptex finalists were chosen at RANDOM, well...i completed one quest on my email, also completed one using my boyfriends email...i finished the last puzzle very quickly then imidiately logged on w/ boyfriends and finished that one, today recieved 2 cryptexes in the mail at same time. my sister and friend also completed quests and submited at at the same tiime I did and they both recieved their cryptex in the mail today. so, if it was random, what would be the chances that i would have recieved 2 -randomly-? and that both my sister and friend who completed in the same amount of time that i did would BOTH also recieve one?
My "theory" is that it was based on who were the top 10,000 to finish the last challenge in the shortest amount of time.
just a thought

Anonymous said...

I agree with anon 6:23 100%

Anonymous said...

i finished the last puzzle in a minute or less - yet i haven't gotten any notification. so i'm not sure that's correct.

Anonymous said...

Wondering if anyone from CT got their Crpytex yet? Someone mentioned Boston....

Anonymous said...

It was based on how much memory you use up on Gmail. If you use a lot of space they realize you have been a loyal Google user and reward you for it. New users who only registered because of the Da Vinci Code Challenge get the shaft!

Anonymous said...

G R A I L is what it is supposed to be to open it but only the I L matters it should say code: GRAIL on the bottom of the box

Anonymous said...

i just got my finalist email

Anonymous said...

Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

While you wait, Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and discounts from our Quest partners.

Anonymous said...

JUST GOT MY EMAIL!!! COPY AND PASTED..HERE'S WHAT IT SAID, WOOHOO!!

Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

While you wait, Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and discounts from our Quest partners.



NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. Open only to legal residents located and residing in the 50 United States and D.C., 13 years or older as of 4/17/06. Phase 1 of Contest ends at 1:00 pm EDT on 5/11/06. Final Phase of Contest ends at 1:00 p.m. EDT on 5/21/06. Eligibility, prize and travel restrictions apply. Contest subject to Official Rules.


For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG.


©2006 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| See official rules | See Prizing |
Google is a trademark of Google Inc.

© 2006 Sony Pictures Digital Inc. All rights reserved.
Sony Pictures Webmaster C/O Sony Pictures Digital
9050 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232-2518

Anonymous said...

just got my email as well, yesssssssssssssss!

Anonymous said...

oh no!!! i just got an email saying i'm not a finalist! :'( i totally thought i was! :''(

Anonymous said...

I AM A FINALIST GOT MY EMAIL

Anonymous said...

same here... I finished mine at 10:19am Pacific time... someone said they finished at 7:20pm pacific and got a cryptex wtf...

Anonymous said...

Got my email; I'm a finalist!

Anonymous said...

so...anonymous that has two cryptexes (not sure on spelling of more than one cryptex). You want to be really nice to me (us) and tell us what the puzzles in the final round are like so that we know what to expect? I'm sure that's why you have two...to be better prepared for the final round.

Anonymous said...

(And to the above poster, I've never had a gmail account and registered just for the contest.)

Anonymous said...

I and my sister are two finalists so soon we'll have two cryptexes hanging around the house. I'd given up hope when it didn't come in earlier.

Anonymous said...

wtf the rules said one prize per households...

Anonymous said...

got my email and got the cryptex too. Anyone else from NC. [this is the response to the "anonymous" above]

Anonymous said...

I got the email, but not the cryptex yet...the post office sucks here though (in GA)

Anonymous said...

Okay, I feel like a total moron. I can't solve the cryptex at the end of level 1. I'm changing the numbers on the dials with the arrows, but it won't stop on some of the numbers. Is there something I'm missing? Is there somewhere to click to make it stop on the right number? I have all the numbers right according the this indicaters, but I can't get most of the numbers to come up on another space on the dial. What am I doing wrong?

Anonymous said...

I got my cryptex today... I live in Idaho. That means everyone should get theirs soon!

Anonymous said...

Received email:)
NOT A FINALIST. Though others have finished before you, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded! Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and discounts from our Quest partners...
Blah, blah and blah... more blah...

Hey, but I expected that :)

Anonymous said...

people probably just thought they did it in 3 minutes i thought i had done it in 3 min but then looked back at my instant message history and realized it was 5 min when i IM someone that i was done

Anonymous said...

I just got the not a finalis email. Thank god it came tonight, so I do not waste any more time. Doing the puzzle was fun, waiting around sucked. I finished the last puzzle sometime between 15 and 18 minute. Not good enought, bummed. Good luck everyone. Hope someone from here wins the big stuff.
t

Anonymous said...

Got the email last night & the Crptex in mail today. I wanna thank everyone and the student blog for guiding in the right direction when I was stuck! Thanks you guys!!! And good luck to everyone

Anonymous said...

sorry cryptex

Anonymous said...

The rules state that only one prize per household/family is allowed (except for the grand prize winner, who will also have a cryptex), so anyone who has 2 cryptexes, or where there are 2 people in the same house that both got cryptexes (such as husband or wife, or brother and sister), will be disqualified if one of them is the grand prize winner. They prob didn't check it now during the first phase, but you can bet they will check that the grand prize winner did not have 2 cryptexes sent to the same address....

Anonymous said...

Hi anon 9:06 pm. The directions state that if you have another number on the dial, then it cannot be repeated. In otherwords, the reason your dial won't stop on some of the numbers is because those numbers are elsewhere on the cryptex and cant be repeated. Hope this helps.

Anonymous said...

Ummm. Received a cryptex, but no email congratulating me. Did anyone else get a cryptex but no email?

Anonymous said...

received the email as a finalist last night......but no cryptex yet :(

Anonymous said...

Seems anonymous @ 9:51 am is: (1)simply a sore loser, (2) absolutely clueless, or (3) completely illiterate. Perhaps reading classes would help...as the rules clearly state nothing regarding 1 per household. Where do some people come up with this crap. The correct explanation of rules clearly states "Participants can only enter this Contest under one (1) e-mail address/Google ID"

Anonymous said...

Got a confirmation email after I submitted my final puzzle (1:09), received a cryptex, no sign of a congratulatory email. Not sure what's going on.

Anonymous said...

I checked Ebay today one of the the Google DaVinci quest cryptexes is selling for over 180.00

Anonymous said...

Seems anonymous @ 1:53 needs those reading classes: Limit one (1) prize person/family/household with the exception of the Grand Prize winner who will have also won a Finalist Prize. 7 lines above section 6.

I'm not 9:51, but it is a bit irritating- my wife didn't play b/c we saw that in the rules.

Anonymous said...

FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN

Has anyone else found this clue since being accepted into the finals?

Anonymous said...

Thanks anonymous 2:25.
I'm anon 9:51, and I can assure anon 1:33 that I am not a sore loser, since I already received my cryptex yesterday, as well as my email....So maybe anon 1:33 should take reading classes. English isn't even my first language, and I understand the rules better than this idiot....go read something (I recommend the rules of this competition)....I am happy to see that the rest of the finalists and me have that idiot to compete with - I'm 1/10000 step closer to the grand prize!!

Anonymous said...

im a finalist!!! and now im pretty nervous! anyone have any ideas on what will be included in the final, or tips maybe. so..., whos gonna do it first and post here to give the rest of us the heads up?? by the way anyone know why the guy who made this page hasn't updated yet, wonder if he got in?

Anonymous said...

anon @ 2:34

Yeah, I saw that in the video too. have not seen any hide nor hair of it.

Anonymous said...

Ha! There are people on Ebay selling their cryptex for 1000 dollars. The one whos auctions is almost over is selling for 100 dollars plus shipping. There are 30 or so on ebay right now. I think i will wait if i decide to sell mine until there aren't as many available.

Anonymous said...

I find it so interesting some people are so overly concerned with what other people do. This is a damn game. Who cares who got more cryptexes than so and so. Who cares about the conspiracy theory of how some people got the cryptex and some others didn't. WHO CARES....people should mind there own business, there's only 1 grand prize, so I'm sure after it is awarded to ONE person, there will still be people bitchin' and whining that they should have got it because of whatever reason they they perceive. I got my cryptex yesterday, I'm now focusing on trying to outsmart everyone else for the final quiz, and I'm realizing how it's not that hard, with everyone here concerned about such petty minor stuff.

Anonymous said...

the only unfair advantage that I may agree with is the fact that the puzzle is based on time...those with two can do the puzzle, take their time, know all the answers, then go back and answer quickly. This leaves anyone with one shot pretty much no chance.

Anonymous said...

The second letter is along the rails, I had a heck of a time finding it. It keeps moving when I tried to click on it.

Anonymous said...

I don't think that google will only have one set of answers for the solutions. Even though the first 24 days of the puzzle were painfully easy, I have faith that the final round will be more of a challenge...or I will have wasted all this time for nothing, lol. I'm hoping that it's so hard that not everyone can finish.

Anonymous said...

Anon who found "FIND THE VITRUVIAN MAN" in the video. I found that too. I know in the book, with the murder of the first dude (forgot his name, it's been I while since I read it) they mentioned that his body was in the position of the virtuvian man. In the video there is a clip where it shows this scene (it's very short near the end). I've watched it a few times, but haven't seen anything jump out to me. Has anyone else seen anything? The next clue perhaps?

J

Anonymous said...

FindTheVitruvianMan.com leads to the sony pictures website for the da vinci code if anyone was wondering.

j

Anonymous said...

TO: j
It have notice that there are two eight point star in the wooden floor. The star on the right side (point view viewer) that for just a moment flashes white. It is very hard to make out because the whole shot has flood ligh on the body. But it seems to me the star glow independent of that light. Its very quick so you have to run it a few times.
There is a semi-tree to the star because you move the mouse over the left star and it glow then starts the video. Wish I knew what the star signafied. 8 points ??? Give a try
t

Anonymous said...

I'm starting to think that the guy who made the website isn't in the finals. He last posted on friday. I know someone said this already, but I wanted to repeat the theory because it's looking like they are right.

Anonymous said...

Stuck on the level 2 sliding tiles puzzle. God it's annoying.

Anonymous said...

Waiting for ~May 19th~ for both! Stupid stupid stupid!

Anonymous said...

I've been following your quest from the world premiere of The Da Vinci Code in Hong Kong. actually had the privilege of holding some of the Jewels in my hand today.
http://www.da-vinci-code-jewelry.com
http://www.davincijewels.com/

Anonymous said...

Indy. Did you click the question mark> At the bottom it shows the numbers of the order the strips go in. It is brief so work fast you only get two looks. Hope this helps!

Anonymous said...

The will be numbered I think into the twenties. Just put them in order according to the numbers - 1,2,3,4,5...... but you have to look quick. Is the screen shot you posted the one with the numbers showing? I can't tell.

Anonymous said...

Yes! Better. Now arrange the pieces by clicking them and dragging them to their correctly numbered place. and Voila you have completed the puzzle!

Anonymous said...

Google’s going into the questing businesses!?! Hooray!

Anonymous said...

i cannot find the A in the booksale filmstrip for the LIFE of me. can anyone give me another hint?

Anonymous said...

Has anyone completed the final challenge for the Google game? I just looked and saw that it's available to play.

Anonymous said...

I went to the site and chickened out. Going to wait until Saturday am. Seeing the movie tonight for inspiration. Good Luck to all who are participating!

Anonymous said...

This old man at the bookstore is very annoying.

Anonymous said...

For the sliding puzzle help, go to http://www.balmoralsoftware.com and download sliding release 4.1

It works very well.

Anonymous said...

Anyone complete the 3rd Prize puzzle? My time is 2:57 in 6 tries. I am sure it is already beaten, I just want to know by how much.

Anonymous said...

you beat me, i had 4:00 in 6 tries

Anonymous said...

Apparently the final quest begins!

Anonymous said...

stoopid chess... Well, send me a postcard cause I certainly won't be winning those trips :'-(

Anonymous said...

I hear these will be the 5
sudoku
restoration (combining dirt to form one central dirt pile)
curator (placing paintings so they all fit in limited space)
chess (must win in 3 moves)
jigsaw puzzle (picture is moving)

Anonymous said...

OMG I was on challange 3 and I clicked a link (in my email) and it opened in my da vinci game window! now I have to start all over again!! STUPID STUPID GOOGLE with their no restore point!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to go give it a try. I'll let you all know how I do. but if one of you win because of what I post here you have to take me with you. fair is fair

db

Anonymous said...

Well I finshed...man... the other 24 helped very little in prep! Good luck you guys! I don't know how long it took me... probably too long I know that much!

TR

Anonymous said...

How many pieces are on the chess board when it starts? I know it might vary from person to person, but is it like 6 (give or take), or a lot more?

Anonymous said...

a lot more on mine. mine i think was almost 15ish. Can't remember very well though... too stressed

TR

Anonymous said...

Well so much for preparing! I do not think there is any preparing you can do for those of you that are waiting to take it..There are no questions...just puzzles. That $%&*!#@ restoration one took me forever. And I did not like the chess one in the least bit. I know how to play chess, but the way they do it confuses me. I think it took me 45 min to finish

Anonymous said...

I am working on the Eurostar quest. Stuck on the 7th Grand Master name on the Louvre Puzzle. It is the one on the side that only has 1 name.

Anonymous said...

I'm playing the Eurostar also... Stuck on the Freemason's Hall Cypher thing.... I was never good at these things!

Anonymous said...

George washington was one. start with that and the rest fall into place.

Anonymous said...

Uh Oh... on the pipes one (by Marais) there seems to be a glitch. I was only half way done lockin in some pieces and i double clicked really quick and tried to pull it down and it told me I had solved it! Weird!

TR

Anonymous said...

Just finished the final quest on google davincicode thing...took me more than 4 hours to finish the 5 challenges...I know I am not winning, but would love to know how others did.

May the winner enjoy the prizes, and may there be no hidden fees :-) Amen!

Anonymous said...

Having problems on Euroquest - Louvre determining the 7 Grand Masters of the Priory of Sion...

I have 6, but can't find the 7th.. :(

Anyone at least know of a list of names to search on (from the book, please!)

Anonymous said...

Cypher - the biggest clue is on the front page (before you start). Use that clue and you have the rest done.

i don't think you need any other clue than that. And front page, is the page BEFORE you even get to LOADING the puzzle in.

Also, you might want to change all the OTHER letters to some letter

i.e. A -> Z B-> Z, etc, after you get the above clue. And then change them to the appropriate items so you don't have a whole lot of messed up "rights"

Anonymous said...

Pyramid

Like the person with 6, I too have 6. 2 on each side and obviously I'm presuming there is one on the 4th.

Anonymous said...

Even those who have the answers and cheated for the final phase, I still do not understand how they are solving all five in 5 minutes!

Anonymous said...

on the pyramid, I have 2 on 2 sides, and 1 on each of the other two... Still looking for the last name.

In case some of you need more clues, it is the people's first and last names, and one of them (not surprisely) is Da Vinci.

Anonymous said...

Charles Nodier does it exist?

Anonymous said...

i am on the final phase and i have a cryptex waiting for me could any one help in guessing te sequences

Anonymous said...

pyramid question: do any of the names overlap?

Anonymous said...

The 6 names I've found do NOT overlap. Still looking for the 7th...