Created for Microsoft Vista by the fiendishly clever souls at 42 Entertainment, a global puzzle challenge titled Vanishing is offering a tempting array of tech goodies.
The challenge is titled "Vanishing Point".
The scene was set in December when special puzzle boxes were sent out to bloggers to be solved with the help of a USB key and a note from puzzle mistress Loki. (For the uninitiated, Loki is the Norse God of mischief. Of course.)
The site explains that each week, twelve puzzles will be posted along with footage of an unusual real world event. Each puzzle consists of an online element and a real world element which must be combined to arrive at the correct answer. To join your fellow players and take part in a puzzle challenge spanning the planet, you can either show up at the physical location when a countdown hits zero, or check online to view recorded footage of the event.
The Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas was the first of these real world events, with messages projected into the night sky above the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Countdown timers, GPS codes and faded pictures have been posted to the website as clues to the next stage of the game, which is already generating significant buzz for the brand. Whether it can overcome the lingering skepticism about Vista's capabilities remains to be seen.
Want to catch up fast? Laughingsquid has a brilliant breakdown of the game here: http://laughingsquid.com/microsofts-vanishing-point-game/
I think it's an awesome example of smart viral marketing... getting the tech geeks into the product first!
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