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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » GAME: TerraQuest
Game Description and Overview
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vpisteve
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Joined: 30 Sep 2002
Posts: 2441
Location: 1987

 		 Game Description and Overview
Well, I've registered for TQ and gotten a little feel for the game, so here are my initial thoughts/observations:

First, it's definitely not an ARG-type game. There is no realworld interaction in the way of phone calls, clues, faxes, emails. At least not as far as I can tell. Instead, it's a pretty sophisticated evidence and analysis puzzle game, and it's nice that the clues don't seem to point to easy, obvious answers, at least not yet.

It is a visually nice game and interface, although I'd hate to be playing on a dialup connection. Quite a bit of time and effort has gone into making things look really cool. I've attached a couple of screen shots to give you an idea.

This first "clueset" takes place in someone's apartment. We're told that the goal for this first game period is simple: To hack into the computer (I'll refrain from my opinion about password puzzles at this point Confused ).

The interface (LARS console:Laboratory Assistant & Reasearch System) was a little confusing at first, as it looked like a first person perspective on some sort of scene, where you could ostensibly point to things and pick them up, examine them, etc. much like a typical adventure game. Then, I realized that really wasn't the case. It's more like you're back at the lab, reviewing material that was gathered by field agents. You're presented with three kinds of clues: Exhibits, Characters and Locations. Right now, we only have exhibits available, which are basically objects in the room.

As you look around, you find that you can click on certain objects. You're then presented with three ways you can get more info about them: Examine, Magnify and Fingerprint. Here's the first twist, though. You can't just examine, magnify or fingerprint something, you must submit a request to have it done, then it takes 48 hours (actual hours) after you submit a request to get a report back! Nice! Now I know how these things will take a month each to solve.

As an added wrinkle (since there's actually money at stake here), you can also opt to pay additional real money ($10!) to have an "Express Analysis" done, which shortens the time down to about two hours. You're limited to 5 of these per month, so I guess the trick is to know when to use them, if you're going to at all. BTW, this little feature alone made me decide that I'm not playing for the money, as it's pretty obvious that in order to win, I'll need to use up as many as possible to get a jump on the other players. Not worth an additional 300 bucks to me, so I'm in it for the fun at this point. Cool

Once you think you know the answer (in this case, the password for the computer), you have one chance to submit it per play period. The first one to submit the correct answer wins the dough.

Anyway, I've got some minor complaints about the interface (such as not being able to tell at a glance which objects you've submitted requests or received reports for), but it looks like it'll be worth the 4 bucks a month or so to play, in my opinion. The clues so far don't look easy or obvious yet, so that's really promising. Plus, it's a visually rich environment, which will also include sound and video clues, apparently. Production value overall: High.

I'd say if you like to patiently collect and analyze clues in a spy/espionage setting, then this game's for you. I'll give it a 7.5 out of 10 so far.
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2002 3:52 am
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carlitoxxi
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Joined: 26 Sep 2002
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 		OK. I'm connect now to internet. I've read on another message board, the password for the computer was find. Now we have to wait the second stage, the next month. Incredible... Yes, cooperative is the major help for A.R.G. game, but, cooperative or not, solve a monthly puzzle in two days is too much incredible. Too short. Too simple.
I love this game at the first look, and love play it in the past two days, but now, for this month, the only thing to do was to buy fast clue and assemble the clue. At first i don't think the game can to be so simple.
Sorry, i've join this game for funny, monthly funny +or-. If the mission is so simple and fast, is better create a team of 10 persons. 10 persons for 5 fast clue = 50 fast clue. 25.000$/10=2.500$
Well, is a good prize for five hours of game. I can wait the next mission...

Thinks?

PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2002 10:14 am
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vpisteve
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Joined: 30 Sep 2002
Posts: 2441
Location: 1987
carlitoxxi wrote:
Too short. Too simple.
I love this game at the first look, and love play it in the past two days, but now, for this month, the only thing to do was to buy fast clue and assemble the clue. At first i don't think the game can to be so simple.
Sorry, i've join this game for funny, monthly funny +or-. If the mission is so simple and fast, is better create a team of 10 persons. 10 persons for 5 fast clue = 50 fast clue. 25.000$/10=2.500$
Well, is a good prize for five hours of game. I can wait the next mission...

Thinks?


I'm not so sure this is the 'ultimate' solve for the month. I was kind of hoping for a little more gameplay to cover a month's time. Are we sure this is all there is? One clueset per month??

I think I'll go read through the Terraquest instructions again.....
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2002 3:58 pm
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vpisteve
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Joined: 30 Sep 2002
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Location: 1987

 		Ah. From the 'about' section on the Terraquest site:

Quote:
The game will be divided into six game periods, each approximately one month in length. Each game period a new clue set will be released. The clue sets will incorporate a variety of media types (exhibits), which will provide the starting points and continuation of threads already in place. These threads will lead you down different paths. Some of these paths will lead to critical information, some will not become important until later game periods, and some will be nothing more than red-herrings.


Wow. That was quick. Shocked

And folks say there's no fast and easy way to make money on the internet! Wink

carlitoxxi wrote:
If the mission is so simple and fast, is better create a team of 10 persons. 10 persons for 5 fast clue = 50 fast clue. 25.000$/10=2.500$
Well, is a good prize for five hours of game. I can wait the next mission...



So, anyone up for a team of 10 for next month? Smile
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2002 4:04 pm
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vpisteve
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Joined: 30 Sep 2002
Posts: 2441
Location: 1987

 		Okay, this month's game period is definitely not over. Getting into this computer is not the ultimate solve, so Carlito, keep playing. Very Happy

Once you get into the computer there are emails as recent as today. The exposition is still developing.

Reading all these emails kinda reminds me of another game I played not too long ago Smile
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 2002 5:02 am
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Aveena
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Joined: 24 Sep 2002
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Location: on the verge
vpisteve wrote:
Okay, this month's game period is definitely not over. Getting into this computer is not the ultimate solve, so Carlito, keep playing. Very Happy


I agree with Steve. I was beginning to regret signing up for this, but that was when I thought it would just be a matter of clicking on reports and waiting for them to come back.

There is definitely a plot buried in there and there's more to it than I expected. So don't give up!

PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 2002 5:40 am
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carlitoxxi
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Joined: 26 Sep 2002
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 		Yessssssssssss. I hope you're right Steve! (And i think so now)
Well, maybe my delusion go away. And, anyway, also if the monthly mission is end, i'm very happy the game can to be update in the course of month. My delusion was for the possible end of game in this month! This is important, play and funny!

Thanks Steve Smile

PostPosted: Thu Nov 28, 2002 8:00 am
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