PlayBoston: The SIGGRAPH Solution |
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Each card contained a puzzle, which had not only a "simple" solution but also a hidden clue to the final puzzle. These puzzles were also printed in Sidekick on Monday through Thursday, July 31st through August 3rd, 2006. Below are the puzzles with the answers filled in, and notes on the hidden clues. |
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PUZZLE #1: This was a simple jumble. However, in addition to the standard bonus word, the shaded letters of the bonus word spelled out PLAY, one of the four words in the final puzzle.
The numbers below each of these four letters gave a hint about a simple cipher: A=1, B=2, C=3, etc. This was used throughout the remainder of the treasure hunt. |
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PUZZLE #2: This was not a true Sudoku (thus the name “Pseudo-Coup” as a hint). There were two answers for four of the squares. However, if you look at each row of shaded numbers, you get 16-12-1-3-5. Using the same simple cipher that is printed below the letters of Puzzle #1, you get the word PLACE. |
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PUZZLE #3: The one correct path through the maze passes through the blue numbers (which match the color of the PlayBoston logo) in the order 20-08-05, which yields the word THE. |
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PUZZLE #4: The last puzzle was the easiest in terms of the hidden clue, but most difficult in terms of actual puzzle-solving.
The left group of letters all have vertical symmetry, but each had a copy of each letter flipped upside down in order to disguise them.
The right group of letters all have horizontal symmetry, but each had a copy of each letter flipped backwards in order to disguise them. The letter “T” breaks this rule, however, because it has vertical symmetry and has a letter flipped upside down to disguise it.
The bottom group of letters have neither horizontal nor vertical symmetry. The letter “O” breaks this rule, since it has both horizontal and vertical symmetry.
The two out-of-place letters spell TO. Again, the blue highlighting was used to emphasize the "secret word". |
