Google's Da Vinci Code puzzle quest launching soon
by Jennie Lees 
{ Apr 16th 2006 at 7:00AM }
We've already seen the Da Vinci
Code spun into a video game
and a mobile game; starting tomorrow, it will
also become an online puzzle trail, an Alternate Reality Game-style code quest run by Google and accessible from your
Google homepage. This movie tie-in game fits with the book's themes of brain-bending puzzles, and it should hopefully
be an enjoyable ride, with puzzles being issued daily until May 10 -- coincidentally, the start of E3 -- and a prize
draw for those who answer all 24 puzzles correctly.There's something of a discrepancy in prizes, thanks to regional sponsors -- the US grand prize winner will be flown on a first class trip to England, Rome and Paris with three guests, bagging over $120,000 of goodies along the way, whereas the top UK winners get a trip to Paris on the Eurostar. It's an interesting move to add this kind of daily ARG-style play into a personalised homepage service such as Google provides; people using the service already will find it easy to play the game, whereas those who haven't tried the service have a new incentive to do so.
[Via ARGN]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bedpanjohn @ Apr 16th 2006 8:40AM
oi...
Josh @ Apr 16th 2006 8:55AM
This quest should be very interesting and fun. I found a picture on the google site that seems to imply six categories for the puzzles: symbol, restoration, curator, chess, geography, and observation.
Kinmar @ Apr 16th 2006 9:34AM
Something similiar to this has been going on since the books launch at danbrown.com (the authors homepage). It got pretty in depth and even had you calling numbers on your cell (free calls).
benj @ Apr 16th 2006 10:46AM
Ok so the yanks get 3 1st class flights to european super-cities, and us Brits get a train ticket, which only goes to Paris.
Super!
Prof-KOS @ Apr 17th 2006 9:07AM
Meh, Canadians get nothing. Can participate, but can't win.
Mat1983 @ Apr 20th 2006 5:08AM
It doesnt matter anyway, after u finish the first Uk puzzle it asks you to name a symbol. Its a triangle but it wont accept "triangle" or any tirangle based shapes (like "prism" or "pyramid") as the answer
Mat1983 @ Apr 20th 2006 5:14AM
Nevermind the question is another test, click on the link below the question and look near the bottom of the pop up to find the solution
jennie @ Apr 20th 2006 5:14AM
Mat, the puzzle tells you to visit the film's website -- on that site you find out the "Da Vinci" names for the symbols. The triangle isn't called just "triangle" :)
Mat1983 @ Apr 20th 2006 5:16AM
i noticed that just after i finished posting that the window wasnt showing the full page to find the clue
Amit @ Apr 20th 2006 6:45PM
hey that triangle is "blade" its old egyptian symbol.
clear day1 quickly and let me know in day2 what that cross symbol means....i m trying cross but it saying wrong...let me know if somebody know abt it
Sasha @ Apr 21st 2006 9:43AM
i have tried to get to the quest, but it just starts the flash loading screen, gets halfway across, and stops. i have tried using firefox, internet explorer, and safari all on a mac and did not work. then i tried using internet explorer and firefox on a pc. still nothing. does anyone know how to solve this?
jennie @ Apr 22nd 2006 7:09PM
I've had no problems with Firefox, but you do need Flash 8, so check you've got the latest plugins and check you've not got ad blocking or anything running (including on your firewall) that might stop the flash file getting to you.
serene @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:24PM
Does anyone have any clue about the geography question...i dont know where to start
Stephen @ Apr 24th 2006 2:01PM
Geography: Try googling one or more of the names in the image copyright...
Xur17 @ Apr 25th 2006 9:59PM
I am keeping a blog that provides daily hints and explanations for each puzzle: http://www.wapredfromthepipe.com
Jewel @ Apr 27th 2006 10:42PM
I have played each day but it skipped the 2nd geography quiz. Did it skip everyone's?
Tony @ Apr 28th 2006 7:20AM
The answer to the second puzzle is greek cross
VM @ Apr 28th 2006 2:19PM
Deos anuone have answers for the day 3 questions?
VM @ Apr 28th 2006 3:59PM
The answers to Day 3 challenge 1# crown, 2# Mona Lisa, 3# 0
raff @ Apr 29th 2006 7:40AM
I cant see any words i HAVE THE LATEST FLASH READER (8) installed I dont know what to do with the symbols as I cant see the instructions please help
Rahul @ Apr 30th 2006 12:40PM
Sasha i can help u out...
contact me rahul_star007@yahoo.com
msratpak @ May 1st 2006 7:18AM
I don't remember what day I'm on but it's the chess challenge. The one that you have to checkmate in three moves. I'm not a chess player and have tried looking up chess moves on google. but it's all greek to me. Any idea where I can find the answers to the questions instead of the chess moves that have to be made?
brandi @ May 4th 2006 12:16PM
just to let everyone know, the questions are not all the same, the answers to question 3 may have been crown, mona lisa, and 0 for you, but while im still working on the first part my last 2 answers are vitruvian man and 5. So try to figure it out on your own first before you try to get everyone else's answers. this is fun
g @ May 4th 2006 4:01PM
First answer is fleur-de-lis, post 23, and yes, not all questions r same... I tried crown mona and 0 2 and it didn't work.
Gradster(1)
Courtney @ May 5th 2006 3:40PM
what is the name of the shape that Silas is pulling out of the ground on day 10 challenge? I can't figure it out!!! Can someone please help?? Thanks
Sam @ May 5th 2006 5:04PM
Does anyone know the place that is slightly north of the Victoria and albert museum on day 18???
jennie @ May 5th 2006 5:11PM
#25 - It's a fairly simple geometric shape, rather than any complicated mediaeval reference, if that helps!
#26 - Find the V&A on Google Maps and it'll help you tremendously.
Sam @ May 7th 2006 4:48PM
i tried the google maps for puzzle 18 and it still isn't giving me any clue as to what the building name is!!! i also can't figure the geography puzzle out for day 12. It tells me to find the Palazzio de Venezia by clicking on a hidden cross but i can't seem to find it no matter how hard i look!!! am i missing something??? please someone help me...google maps is giving me no help whatsover and i really really really need help!!!
Yorgunum @ May 8th 2006 6:06PM
For #18, Google map the museum and then zoom in as much as u can. then scroll your map up and to the left a little and you'll see imperial college station or something like that.
The shape thing was more of a pain for me. I kept trying shapes until im 6th try worked, but i still haven't seen where it's pulled out of the ground inthe video.
sam @ May 9th 2006 1:37PM
i am on challenge 23 and it asks what the classical sequence is for the numbers??? i don't get it can someone give me a hint!?
Kayla @ May 9th 2006 2:04PM
Does anyone know what the classic sequence is for #23 i am so lost i have tried everything i can think of and my searches seem to bring up nothing please help!!
ray @ May 9th 2006 3:17PM
it is the square number..... for the classical sequence
Sam @ May 9th 2006 3:36PM
what do you mean the square number for the classical sequence??? i still don't get it!!! and google is not helping my search one bit!!! pleasee help!!!
Daniel @ May 9th 2006 3:44PM
http://www.mathleague.com/help/algebra/algebra.htm
this page tells exactly what you will need.
CHRISTINE @ May 9th 2006 4:21PM
I AM STUCK ON #23 TOO.
Sam @ May 9th 2006 4:24PM
i got it!!! thanks a lot!!!
CHRISTINE @ May 9th 2006 4:30PM
did you go to the website above to get the answer. i am serious about to put my head through the computer i have been trying to find the answer for hours. and i cant find clue#23.
CHRISTINE @ May 9th 2006 4:44PM
never mind i finally got it
Mahesh Damodhar @ May 10th 2006 2:11AM
Thanks a bunch, Daniel. I was so close and yet so far away. Knowing the sequence name gave my last 90 mins some worth. BTW, would anyone know when Google publishes their new puzzle (EST or CST) ?
Lisa @ May 10th 2006 2:45PM
does any one no the answer to question 4
mark fitz @ May 10th 2006 6:30PM
please guys can anyone save me from insanity?.
I am stuck on day 23,tired and fed up please help.......................
Ray @ May 10th 2006 8:30PM
Square Number
Luke @ May 15th 2006 10:30PM
Just got it... i'm in!
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.