ScavengerHunt
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Google unveils Allo-assisted 'Stranger Things' scavenger hunt
Google is trying hard to get folks using its AI-gifted Allo messenger service, so it has jumped on a popular Netflix show. It has revealed some Stranger Things tie-ins for Halloween, including a sticker pack and an AI-assisted scavenger hunt. If you're in New York City today (October 28th) and want to participate, you just ask Google Assistant "Where is Barb," a reference to the character who just kind of ... disappeared from the show.
Anonymous Twitter user sends SF citizens on cash goose chase
If you need cash and don't mind chasing Twitter clues around San Francisco, you're in luck. A group called @HiddenCash, apparently led by a wealthy real estate developer, has decided to try a "social experiment" by sharing their good fortune with random strangers. They choose hiding paces around the city like the underside of a park bench or a parking meter, then cache money-stuffed envelopes labeled "@HiddenCash -- Tweet when you find." Though that makes our "PR stunt" antennae twitch, they told the Bold Italic that they have "no commercial interest" and just want to draw attention to the massive income inequity in San Francisco. For critics who though the money could be better used, they added that they already donate to needy charities and encourage those who find the cash to do the same. We're not sure if we're buying all that, but what the hell -- judging by their Twitter feed, a lot of people have had fun with it so far.
Defcon 20 badges meld hieroglyphs, circuitry and cryptography for hacker scavenger hunt
Every year, the world's hacker population descends upon Las Vegas to trade notes, sit in on informational talks and compete in friendly contests -- all in the name of Defcon. But this time out, it's the conference's ever-evolving smart badges that've caught our eye, owing mostly to what lurks beneath. Designed by Ryan Clarke -- the mastermind behind the gathering's Mystery Box challenge -- these hackable IDs, issued according to status (Press, Human, Goons, vendors, etc), come embedded with an LED, a multi-core processor, IR transmitter and accompanying hieroglyphic graphic. But that's not all that makes these high-tech tags so special. Turns out, each one contains a game, buried within its open source software, that's encoded with several cryptographic, linguistic and mathematical layers. Shying away from hardware-focused hacks of the past, Clarke built this year's scavenger hunt-like game to be more inclusive of attendee skills, as it'll force conference-goers interested in cracking its code to break down social barriers and collaborate with other highly-specialized nerds. What's the end game, you ask? Well, according to Clarke, the puzzle is a continuation of last year's secret agent story (played out by a real-life actor) involving "a [mysterious] society of computer elites." It's not the sort of payoff we'd be after -- something greener and covered with a certain Ben Franklin's face would suffice -- but it sounds intriguing enough. Click on the source below to read more about the makings of this geek sport. And may the pastiest neckbeard win!
SOE promotes player-run events
Socialization is the key ingredient in any MMO, I think we can all agree with that. So why is it we don't hear about more in-game events run by the players in our favorite MMOs? Everquest's Community Manager Lydia Pope has recently made a plea for the players of any SOE game to advertise for their special events and let the world know about them. She also states that if the SOE community runs more events, SOE will find new ways of supporting them. This includes SOE's help in spreading the word for you, and even the chance for someone at SOE to attend these gatherings.If you're interested in doing something like this, but you're wondering what type of event to do, there are many fine examples cited. For example, you could create a scavenger hunt across a wide area of your favorite game map, or hold a performance where players can act out their favorite scene from a play. The possibilities are almost limitless, but no matter what you decide, be sure to check out the EQ guide entitled Tips on Player-Run Events. As with any MMO, be sure to also contact the appropriate community manager for more information or advice on running your very own event.
ICFTB: Scavenging Azeroth!
This week's adventures with <It came from the Blog> took our adventurers to the four corners of Azeroth -- something I think that surprised some of them! But never let it be said that our folks shrink from a true challenge that tests their mettle! This week's game was a Scavenger Hunt involving 25 occasionally bizarre items that they were required to screen shot and send in. Depending on how creative you were, and how familiar you were with Horde territory, this could have been easy, or involve a lot of travel all over heck and back. For those of you curious for news of the happenings, and just how our adventurers fared against the fairly strange list I thought up, check out the details of this week's <It came from the Blog> shenanigans after the jump!
It came from the Blog: Hide & seek, and this week's adventure
This last Saturday, the Undercity on the Zangarmarsh server saw an odd assortment of people running wildly amok. And no, it wasn't because of the Fire Festival or Apothecary Faranell's red light special on body parts. The onslaught of rampaging Hordies was purely made up of members of the Wow Insider guild, <It came from the Blog>, all out to hide and seek as best they could! For the first round, Roark and Charcuterie agreed kindly to help me hunt down members of the guild. I'll tell you this much: there are some serious nooks and crannies in the Undercity. However... there are a few places you don't ever want to try to hide. Those hanging out under the elevators, in coffins, and most of the folks in the slime in the sewers were largely the first caught in the initial sweep. However, after a good half-hour of searching, there were five folks who were still nowhere to be found...
Forum post of the day: WoW stereotype scavenger hunt
We've all heard of the girl who sleeps with the guild leader, and the night elf named after a Final Fantasy character, and the guy who fishes in battlegrounds ... or have we? Bovus of Dunemaul doubts that any of these things exist, and has set out a challenge to the WoW forums to actually find these people: "1. The 11 year old who cannot understand the basics of either group play or the English language 2. The Far East Farmer who speaks not a lick of Engrish 3. The undead rogue loot ninja who everyone seems to keep inviting back 4. The braindead paladin 5. The promiscuous harlot that sleeps with the guild leader
E3 scavenger hunt update: 5 hours to go!
Today is the last day, and all E3 attendees hoping to snag two super-cool Joystiq T-shirts need to find at least 10 Joystiq bloggers and grab a business card as proof. Bring the cards to the AOL booth by 12:00PM PST to claim your prizes. Happy hunting, and see you soon!
E3 scavenger hunt: win a Joystiq t-shirt
Are you attending E3? Want to win a cool Joystiq T-shirt? Joystiq bloggers will be swarming the show floor every day this week, and it is up to you to hunt us down (figuratively speaking, of course).All staffers are wearing one of two shirts, pictured here and here; we will all be carrying business cards, as well. Your job is to come up, say hello, and take a card. If you collect at least 7 Joystiq business cards, then you are a Royal Crown Chinpoko master. All winners can stop by the AOL booth after 12:00PM (PST) to claim a shirt of their choice.Okay, you have your mission. Get to it!
