The Game is Afoot! #1

Despite of anything or any work taking up my time & energy, one thing I just CAN'T missed out on is puzzle games like the kind of DeviantArt often did before Eclipse took over.

And now with my new absolute unit of a phone (thanks so much o' generous Universe!) I finally get access to faster internet, therefore fast VPN and Reddit access! Finally I get to read and find for myself curious posts, stories, puzzles, ARGs, RBI cases etc I could only watch from Youtube lol. Although of course later I'd fully play the games via desktop (had to open Reddit via my phone 'coz I just don't want to pay for a VPN service for desktop - though weeks later I actually found a very good free one!).

Lately on one of those forums  I stumbled upon  a post that promoted a game called "Riddler" (they already took down the site by now). Apparently it's an annual riddle solving game brought by CSI-VIT with REAL MUNEHZ PRIZE equal to about USD $130 for the first place (correct me if I'm wrong)! Not 'much' maybe but FINALLY A REAL FULL 'PRO' TREASURE HUNT EVENT o' Universe thank yuooo..!!!

 

Truth is with the state of DA that's now dry of these games I would  join with or without any doubloons in the end! And oh dear lord these puzzles are H.A.R.D. - at least to my current puzzle-solving capacity!

I could only solve FOUR of the total 36 puzzles, like 1:9 ratio oh lawd!! *dead by freezing* The hints were super vague, you'd have to get informed enough, follow the world news / tv shows / internet / etc - oh no, simple google searches wont help you connect the dots! And if I hadn't found a Discord community dedicated to solving these and hadn't read additional helpful hints by some posters I'd barely get past the 2nd (or 3rd?) question! At least that's my first impression as a first-time player.

I'd say the puzzle / riddle design could be improved by giving better-quality or clearer hints but the fact is some players managed to get quite far, so I guess I might not be the best judge. 😆

See, I only got the 79th place ayyayay..

 

The website and graphic designs are really nice though, also the customer service (they have their own Discord and responsive when I asked them) they're serious in creating the game - it's already down now but you can still see some related posts in their Instagram.

 

 

 

T H E   G A M E   I S   A F O O T   !

 

And here's how I solved my four riddles! 

 

1.

"Digital Present" entry puzzle:

How I solved it:

I tried googling the main possible keywords, because sometimes the keys are laid in front of you, e.g.:
"Watermelon and Pear TV", "watermelon and pear dr chang", "dr chang", etc I forgot what else. Tried  many possible answers, no use!

Then my brain took a break.. and out of the blue I've got an idea to try Googling "dr chang cat" (or was it "dr chang kitten"?).. THERE IT WAS, FINALLY! Something very likely meant as the answer came up: "BONSAI KITTEN" - I put in the phrase and it worked!! Wahooooo..!!

2.

 Hint (lost 40 points to get this):

 

 How I solved it:

At first I googled the most literal sense of the riddle: "I see my face in you", "fox to peacock", etc ; but I also already sensed strongly that the fox and peacock must mean to be logos of 2 large media companies: FOX and NBC so then I also looked for anything related to them: "I see my face in you fox to nbc", "mirror fox to nbc", "twin actor fox to nbc", "move from fox to nbc", and the like leading to even more specific keywords to search like "andy samberg (one of the performer in the Youtube video hint) nbc mirror", "brooklyn 99 (Andy Samberg's show that moved from FOX to NBC) mirror" etc.

 

Many times I thought I was on the right track, like when I found the Saturday Night Live show by Andy Samberg called "The Mirror", but any keywords related to that still not the answer.

Then I looked into the Discord chart, there's a clue, "It's Brooklyn 99 related" - great, this narrowed down the focus! But when I googled "twin brooklyn 99" and "mirror brooklyn 99" the only possible answer was Scully twins - the related keywords like their names or role names were still not the answer!

Then I searched for "mirror" synonyms and tried them one by one paired with "brooklyn 99", when I googled "lookalike brooklyn 99" (or was it "doppelganger brooklyn 99"?) I saw a unique name showed up: "BILL HUMMERTROUT" and ouh mai goadd voila!!

 

3.

Forgot to take the screenshot, so I had to take from Riddler's official final walkthrough.

 Hint from a Discord poster (so I didn't have to lose 40 points haha.. 

but in the end I didn't need the hint to solve this):

 

 

How I solved it:

The youtube link will bring you to this video:

 

You can see there's some kind of device attached to a person, I took a screenshot then reverse-searched it - it's Hal 9000. The riddle said about the same origin, so I put in anything related to Hal 9000 origin,
"india" (Hal 9000's creator is Dr. Chandra - likely an Indian name), the fictional lab, etc.

At that time I was not sure if the answer should be the name of the origin or the name of the famous youtuber.. so I also tried to find a famous guitarist in Youtube: "best guitar player", "best guitar player india", etc. I stumbled upon some very possible answers like "Amin Toofani" (he's Pakistani most likely, but close lol), "Estas Tonne" (also a viral one), still not the answer.

Then in my desperation I looked for "guitar player china" ('coz the movie containing Hal 9000 is a Chinese movie), and here's what I found on top of the search result:

I put in "SUNGHA JUNG" (don't know why Youtube list him as he's from South Korea not China.. but close I guess?) and CORRECT-O-MUNDO!! Didn't remember if I also put in "South Korea" or "Korea".. but apparently the answer is the person's name, not origin.

Curiously when I put that "guitar player china" again in Youtube now the day I'm writing this, he's no longer on the top result.. just slightly ranked down.

By the way about the hint, I think it referred to one of Indeed's company addresses which is Singapore - close to China or South Korea maybe but that's a long shot, not sure what this was made a hint at all! But I think I also did searches related to the football event, the guy in the gif, etc, and all to no avail, not to mention barely related to the final answer!

 

4.

 Hint from a Discord poster (so I didn't have to lose 40 points haha..):

 

 How I solved it:

Daaymn.. it's quite a while since I solved this, my train of thought of this is kind of blur. I think firstly I looked for something related to Spiderman (based on the quote + Marvel comic screenshot), then something related to this video ("Cause I'm a Blond" - the lyrics, the singer, etc):

 

I think I tried to combine the two clues: maybe an actor from a Spiderman movie who's blond.. then gathered other clue, I google the whole other quote "I literally missed the forest for the trees", also reverse-searched the whole quote's image. It led me to several interesting finds, like some documentaries about deforestation or something, but nothing related to Spiderman or blond thing. I then tried the names of many Spiderman actors, hmh.. not the answer.

Then when I checked the Discord chat I found that hint, obviously he's in a movie called "Between Us". The problem is there are many movies with that title or containing that title! I thought I tried also to cross-check between Spiderman movie actors to Between Us (all versions I could find) movie actors.. not sure I found anything related.

But then somehow I got an idea of adding a word in the search: "SPACE between us" in the search, there it was, a unique movie didn't show in my previous searches (or was it, but in the next few google pages??): "The Space Between Us (2017)".. then I looked for cast member, thinking of something related to Spiderman (did I cross-check the cast too?).. then when I saw Logan Paul on the cast at the bottom google search result (he's the last, barely make it to be included I think!).. I just felt that has to be it!!

Because I remember back then I watched some internet sensation of Logan Paul exploring Aokihagara forest and filming a suicide victim, gaining huge backlashes from the internet.. so all the quotes now make sense (apparently not to be solved literally word per word), and of course he is blond!! And ouh my goddd la voillaaaa..!!!

 

By ten thousands of thundering typhoons and sunken ships and tresors there's NO WAY I'd find this without the hint (which is still SUPER VAGUE, SUPER GENERIC) AND THE FACT THAT I WATCH YOUTUBE FUNNY VIDEOS + COMMENTARY / ROAST VIDEOS NOW AND THEN SO I MIGHT BE QUITE INFORMED IN THAT PARTICULAR INTERNET USELESS VIRAL NEWS!! 

 

 

So what ye think? Despite the brain-freezing puzzles I totally enjoyed it! They also finally posted all riddles and solutions in PDF format, but when I last checked they've already removed the link. If you're curious you can ask me the file via email slytherclaw.padawan@gmail.com (hope they allow this)!

Welp, it's not "Veni, Vidi, Vici" for me this time but I'm happy enough to find this cool game at all! I surely keep my eyes open for moar TREASURE HUNTS! X marks the spot! Weigh yer anchor, all hands on deck! Im coming, mah true passion, mah true looovee..!!!

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Illustration from Imagination 2021 - #2 Anatomy

  --- Module 2: Anatomy You Thought You'd Never Understand ---

Since I have 2 characters present in my chosen concept, I did 2 face studies in the early stage for Sherlock and Sir Francis Drake (my versions of course):

I took the photos from a public domain source here:

"Sherlock" - https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-people-office-sitting-8382253/ (and the series)

"Sir Francis Drake" - https://pixabay.com/illustrations/man-guy-old-male-person-handsome-6309464/

Then I focused on Sherlock's head in multiple points of view, also in female, cute, and old versions. I actually enjoyed this exercise! I didn't really intend to make the face of my Sherlock 100% matched the model's, but hope I got the general proportion right.

After that, as the final delivery of this week's module I finalized the outline of my chosen concept. I have 2 favorites out of 6 main ideas, but for now I'm going to develop this one:

***

I joined "Illustration from Imagination" course by Paintable.

The course is project-based, we're "being hired by a client who asks for an illustration" with certain a brief. There are many choices, all  based on public domain stories like "Alice in Wonderland", "Sherlock  Holmes - The Hounds of Baskerville", "Dracula", etc. 

I decided to create one for myself:  it's generally my made up Sherlock story combined with a pirate legend where he's investigating a series of murders related to buried treasures  of Sir Francis Drake ("drake" = "dragon", hence the dragon reference in the picture). The setting should be Sherlock's era a la Guy Ritchie's movies.

But please have mercy on me coz I haven't really did the thorough research yet on Sir Francis Drake etc - this idea came to me quite out of the blue! This idea somehow just came to me when I first joined IFI back in 2019, and it just sticks, wont let me move on  until I make it real lol.

I just got the spare time now, hope I finally can follow through the course fully until early November!

Constructive comments in all stages are welcome!

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Veni, Vidi, Vici #24 I, Legend!

Ever since I got myself an absolute unit of a phone a few months ago (after got my old phone stolen even waaaay months / a year or more ago), I couldn't stand the temptation of getting back to Duolingo.

And finally I got the FIRST in the Diamond League, TWICE! And the second one is my personal record in XP point count - a freaking 12k mwahaha, mwahaha, mwahahaa..!!

Wonder how much is the highest ever reached of all time in Duolingo for 1 week.

 

I think I'll  be back to simply 15-minute practice (or less) a day after this.

I'm learning French and German in this app, so if you feel like it feel free to speak / write to me in both languages. Can't guarantee I'll understand, but there's always Google Translate!

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Illustration from Imagination 2021 - #1 Thumbnails

--- Module 1: Composition, Ideation, and Thumbnailing ---

 Here's my progress on the thumbnail creation. Below is my first 20 - it's unexpectedly quite time consuming!

 

The ones with red numbers are my chosen 6, and the orange ones are my runner ups. The best 6 are below shown progressively in GIF:

1. Original idea as taken from the list of 20

2. Compositions are improved based on rule of third, fixing tangent lines, etc

3. Value studies are applied to each best 6

I think I'll go with No. 2 or 4.

 

***

I joined "Illustration from Imagination" course by Paintable.

The course is project-based, we're "being hired by a client who asks for an illustration" with certain a brief. There are many choices, all  based on public domain stories like "Alice in Wonderland", "Sherlock  Holmes - The Hounds of Baskerville", "Dracula", etc. 

I decided to create one for myself:  it's generally my made up Sherlock story combined with a pirate legend where he's investigating a series of murders related to buried treasures  of Sir Francis Drake ("drake" = "dragon", hence the dragon reference in the picture). The setting should be Sherlock's era a la Guy Ritchie's movies.

But please have mercy on me coz I haven't really did the thorough research yet on Sir Francis Drake etc - this idea came to me quite out of the blue! This idea somehow just came to me when I first joined IFI back in 2019, and it just sticks, wont let me move on  until I make it real lol.

I just got the spare time now, hope I finally can follow through the course fully until early November!

Constructive comments in all stages are welcome!

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Slytherclaw's Wunderkammer #2

Last time I wrote about my landlord who believes in Covid19 conspiracy, hehe.. now I remember he also said something else.

He concluded (or more likely agreed to the covid conspiracy Facebook group / admin) that since the government corrupted the budget for covid (maybe related to health care etc) MEANS COVID19 DOESN'T REALLY EXIST bwahahahaa.. LMAO!

My good Sir, any budget, ANYTHING can be corrupted for WHATEVER reason but mostly it's basically GREED of them corrupt authorities who simply DOESN'T CARE about anything but their pocket! Ima so cryin' out laughing inside!

If I remember it right he also revealed he doesn't believe in 5G. Oh my, personally now I wont get myself a new gadget if it's not 5G-ready!

By the way it's been almost 2 weeks now but haven't received any official text from the government about my vaccine status. Could check it myself online or via app I suppose.. but just too reluctant to install an app with review less than 4.0! And not in the mood to get myself a new phone for that either this month (in case it's acting suspicious, risking got my privacy compromised). Without the official vaccine registration I wouldn't be able to enter malls and some other public places, some transports, stations, and airports.

But actually just after I got my first shot about 2 weeks ago I went to a large mall where I once usually bought my groceries.. and I managed to sneak in via an unguarded entrance.. TWICE! And up until this time I managed to sneak in six times more so in total I got myself in not once, not twice, not three times, but EIGHT TIMES MOOOHAHAHAHAHA..!! Guess it's because the mall has many ways in, and they can't really afford many guards so when one has a restroom break or anything they can't keep the doors shut, and I always happened to be lucky in my timing haha..

Although too bad this particular mall no longer has the grocery store, it's now closed for good, don't know what would replace it. Where I should get a good-quality aloeveras and spinaches nao? I suppose I could order online, but still prefer picking them myself.

Regarding covid vaccine, it's good that there's no further side effects aside from a bit sore on a few spots on my left body side on the first day. But most thankfully of course that I managed to keep my 99% perfect health intact in the midst of this strange times of pandemic, o' kind & generous Universe thank you and hope it stays this way!!

Though if I'm doing daily exercise or taking my health more seriously it's not for prevention against covid or any disease, but more of a preparation if I manage to find and join international events like Treasure Hunters NBC or Amazing Race someday!!

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Illustration from Imagination 2021 - Moodboard

 

So I finally decided to jump in the course I already bought 2 years ago this time, "Illustration from Imagination" by Paintable.

At this point it's still in early stage, we're just creating our moodboards and thumbnails by September 11. For now I only got to finish the moodboard, so here it is!

 

The course is project-based, we're "being hired by a client who asks for an illustration" with certain briefs. There are many choices, all based on public domain stories like "Alice in Wonderland", "Sherlock Holmes - The Hounds of Baskerville", "Dracula", etc.

Despite there are some briefs I already like, I decided to create one for myself: it's generally my made up Sherlock story combined with a pirate legend where he's investigating a series of murders related to buried treasures of Sir Francis Drake ("drake" = "dragon", hence the dragon references in the moodboard). But please have mercy on me coz I haven't really did the deep research yet!

This idea somehow just came to me when I first joined IFI in 2019, and the idea just sticks, wont let me move on until I make it real, haha..

The setting should be Sherlock's era a la Guy Ritchie's movies. Don't think would involve fantasy element, but I'd still love to see various colors in the illustration. Particularly I always admire the concept art of Dishonored game, so I included them too as my inspiration.

So here we go.. hope I can really spare my time this time and follow through the course!

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Slytherclaw Party! #9

So I got a pretty surprising notification a few days ago: I got awarded as one of "Angels without Wings" of DA omg! :XD:

September 2021 Angels Without Wings by @angels-and-gangstas / @wdwparksgal 

Angels Without Wings September 2021 by @rtnightmare

September AWWs and August AWW Roundup by @thestockwarehouse


Needless to say thanks so much for them decided to give me this honor, I appreciate that you apparently see me as someone kind AND stand out enough to be given this title I know I'm barely deserving.

If anything I'm more like a FALLEN or AVENGING angel, haha..

 

 

Seriously I know how totally NOT selfless I could be!

So thank you for them more angel-like people who give out the award generously - thanks to @rtnightmare who actually SUGGESTED me, @malintra-shadowmoon who consistently promoting various  users across  DA including me, & @angels-and-gangstas team who decided to say yes!

@SlytherclawPadawan Suggested by @RTNightmare

"While this user has been on and off for a bit, they are truly helpful when it comes to DA events and various features. They are an excellent promoter of all things DeviantArt and I enjoy reading their analysis of activities. I hope they become more active soon. When they are active, they shine."

 

I wont stop being a pirate cat and all, but I'll also treasure this, hehe.. I don't think I'll put the award on my page 'coz again as naughty looter I don't deserve it, but I'll show it here!

May the force be with ye all!

--Slytherclaw (the Grey) Jedi

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