Winners: ominous coconuts
Congratulations! | |
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| | MN0PQ Q&A
What is this game all about?
MN0PQ is an outdoor puzzle-solving race. This means your team walks around the city solving puzzles as fast as you can, with the route revealed as you go. The puzzles are all created just for this event, and are quite hard. Hints to the puzzles are available, but they will cost you. The winning team will be the players that solve puzzles the fastest and take the fewest hints. You should also check out the puzzles from MN0PQ1 here: http://waste.org/~velouria/mn0pq/game1/, and the puzzles from MN0PQ2 here: http://www.waste.org/mn0pq/game2/game2.html
How many people should I have on my team?
Four is the maximum. If you think you can win with fewer, feel free to try, but we encourage teams to try to have at least three players.
How do I sign up?
Send mail to mnzeropq@gmail.com with the names of your teammates, the name of your team, and a contact phone number.
I want to play but don't have a team!
Send us mail at mnzeropq@gmail.com and we'll see if we can help you out.
What time does the game start and end?
We will start at noon and play until 5:00, with some time for scoring and awards afterward.
How far will I have to walk during the event?
The course will cover just under 3 miles. It's not impossible to get off course or lost, but it's pretty unlikely. You will be given a map of the game area.
Will I have to run?
Only if you want to. You might be able to get ahead by a few minutes if you run instead of walk, but most teams will win or lose based on their skill in solving puzzles quickly with the fewest hints.
What do I have to bring?
We recommend bringing pencils, paper, clipboards, scissors, and flashlights if the event lasts past dark. You might want to bring a bottle of water or anything else that might make running around for 4+ hours comfortable for you. One member of your team should probably have a cell phone, just in case you need to contact game control in an emergency.
Will people with knowledge in specific areas (trivia, computers,
history) have an advantage?
We hope not. Puzzles are designed to require little or no outside knowledge. Any information you need, i.e. morse code tables, will be given to you.
How should I dress?
Only in the finest vintage tuxedos. Seriously though - this is Minnesota in October, so dress for the weather. You will be outside for much of the time, but there will be a few chances to go inside to warm up.
Can I use my computer/iphone to work the puzzles during the event?
No. Cheater.
Do you have a mailing list for future Puzzle Quest events?
Yes. You can subscribe here: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/mn0pq
Where will this event be located?
Downtown and Lowertown St. Paul. More detailed information about parking will be sent out as the event approaches.
I'm interested in volunteering to help run the event.
Cool. Contact us at mnzeropq@gmail.com.
I'm not available on October 25!
Well, you could always help us run the playtest on Saturday, October
18. Contact us at mnzeropq@gmail.com.
Can I use my bike during the event?
No. Your entire team has to be on foot.
But I'm on crutches/in a wheelchair!
If you're unable to make it through the 3 mile course (spread out over 4+ hours), this event probably isn't for you. If you're mobile but unable to navigate stairs (i.e. use a wheelchair), contact us before the event and we can work things out. | |
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| | | | Can you "win"? What do you get? Are there prizes?
The goal is to cross the finish line with a complete manifest of checkpoint visits, acquired in order. It is hoped that everyone will do so! As one organizer said in the Chicago Journey, "Needless to say, the most precious trophy for playing will be your sweat-stained, tattered Manifest..."
But to urge runners to greater heights of valor, there will be trophies and other prizes! The first player to arrive at the finish with a complete manifest will receive the handmade Runner Trophy. At midnight, the Chaser present at the finish with the most catches will receive a similar Chaser Trophy. Medals and ribbons will also be given for achievements such as "best ten word story of the night" and "largest team to finish." Medals will also be given to finishers who achieve certain bonuses within the game, designated at the start of play. | |
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| | How do we identify the players?
Every runner gets two ribbons: a blue and a red. You put on your blue ribbon at the start. If you're caught by a chaser, you surrender your blue ribbon and don the red one. Now you are a chaser and you must capture runners. | |
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| | Buses and trains are okay?
Yes. Both runners and chasers are allowed on trains and buses, but they are safe zones (or demilitarized zones if you prefer) where capture is not allowed.
The plan is a 10 foot radius around all bus stops - but only when a bus is stopped, pulling up, or pulling out of the stop. Rule of thumb - 15 seconds before the bus arrives and 15 seconds after the bus has left, a bus stop is safe.
We are double checking the route and may adjust by saying "stops with shelters only." Final ruling on this will be set by August 31 2008. | |
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| | Puzzles and running?
Actually, no. Journey to the End of the Night is a different kind of street game than Puzzle Quest. More like tag or manhunt. There is sufficient adventure and brain activity in the pure space of survival and seeing the city through new, adrenaline-fueled eyes. | |
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| | How Long is the course, really?
Approximately seven (7.0) miles. This is mitigated by the permission to use public transit (but no Taxi's, bikes, or personal vehicles). Lest you think it's too mitigated... know that evading chasers adds length to most people's runs . | |
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| | How late is Journey to the End of the Night projected to run?
It runs as long as you can. Some runners get there in less than three hours, many take 4-6. There have historically been more people at the start of the game than at the end (and the following after-party). Bowing out when you need would be fine.
Skipping to the events at the end is acceptable, though you'll miss a lot, and be ineligible for trophies.
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