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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
[UPDATE] Sentinel - July 18 - Earth Puzzles
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cassandra
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Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 831

 		[UPDATE] Sentinel - July 18 - Earth Puzzles
Quote:

View from Earth: Puzzling History
By MATILDA AKAMA

Earth-based puzzles have had an interesting evolution over the years. Early puzzles were communicated on by word of mouth and seen as a leisurely way to pass the time. Later, codes and ciphers were developed to send secret messages, often during political conflict and wartime. Breaking these codes provided many people with the ultimate challenge in puzzle solving, as well as a career. One of the most famous events in Earth's history was unlocking the secrets of ancient Egyptian writing on the Rosetta Stone in 1799.

Different types of puzzles were invented around this time. The Chinese were playing with Tangrams -- seven geometrical pieces which could be made into various shapes. Jigsaw puzzles go back to the 1760s when European mapmakers pasted maps onto wood and cut them into small pieces. In the early 19th Century the first crossword appeared, and since then has been a regular feature of many newspapers around the world.

During the World War, the UK government even hired new cryptography recruits via a crossword competition. These cryptographers were instrumental in deciphering the enemies' messages and winning the war. However, because their work was classified top secret they are only now getting the credit they deserve.

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Who could forget the Rubik's cube, a craze that swept around playgrounds in 1982 and sold over 100 million? Many resorted to peeling the coloured stickers off and cheating!

As computers became affordable, computer games grew in popularity and special consoles were developed for the sole use of game playing, such as the Playstation and Xbox. Many of the games were based on puzzle solving, and today's technology has allowed spectacular special effects and almost life-like graphics. They have not been without criticism, including concerns from parents that the level of violence is too realistic, and that they encourage anti-social behavior and a lack of exercise. On the plus side researchers have found regular gamers have increased spatial perception and concentration skills. Players may also improve their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities.

Recently there has been a trend towards cocooning and all things retro are back in fashion. Playing board games and classic 80s computer-based games, such as Space Invaders and Pac Man, are seeing a renewed interest.

In the last few years, there has been an underground of new games based on mixed media known as Alternative Reality Gaming (ARGs). The neat thing about ARGs is the breadth and variety of puzzles intertwined with creative story-telling. It is almost impossible to solve one by-oneself and encourages the use of the internet to search for answers, research new topic areas and collaborate with others to find the elusive, and sometimes obscure, answers.

Even in the last few months, Sudoko from Japan has had a phenomenal growth in popularity and is the latest "in thing." Although for many, you either love it or loath it, but one thing is for sure, puzzle solving is here to stay.



and

Quote:
Storm Hits Hard


PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:47 am
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oliverkeers13
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Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 917
Location: London, UK

 		The question is: Is Storm a person, or a natural disaster?
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"To be in opposition is not to be a nihilist" CH
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Perplex City Video

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:45 pm
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Spankit
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Joined: 22 Apr 2005
Posts: 219
Location: Hooville....Wahoowa!
oliverkeers13 wrote:
The question is: Is Storm a person, or a natural disaster?


She's a member of the PerpleX-Men, of course!

Sorry, I'll be quiet now...
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:08 pm
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spugmeistress
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Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 460
Location: manchester, uk
Spankit wrote:
oliverkeers13 wrote:
The question is: Is Storm a person, or a natural disaster?


She's a member of the PerpleX-Men, of course!

Sorry, I'll be quiet now...


glad i wasnt the only one thinking that ;)

on the other hand, it could also be a sports team, those sidebars do seem chock full of puns when it comes to team names.

rach =)

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:24 pm
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POTUS
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Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 277
Location: The shores of the great lake Erie

 		Or Storm could relate the flurry of activity in Perplex City. Holy freaking smokes!

Kurt McAllister wants CSS lessons? PCBC has biometric logins? My GOD!

I feel like such an inconsolate bastard for dissing the pace of the game last month.

We need a TV channel devoted to PC to do documentaries on this data because it's so overwhelming.
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:16 pm
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DogsHead
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Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 142
Location: Sydney
MATILDA AKAMA wrote:
In the last few years, there has been an underground of new games based on mixed media known as Alternative Reality Gaming (ARGs). The neat thing about ARGs is the breadth and variety of puzzles intertwined with creative story-telling. It is almost impossible to solve one by-oneself and encourages the use of the internet to search for answers, research new topic areas and collaborate with others to find the elusive, and sometimes obscure, answers.

HEhehe! More self-referential-IG-OOG-madness!
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:30 pm
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