https://wiki.gamedetectives.net/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Zephy&feedformat=atomGame Detectives Wiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T18:49:42ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=76543&diff=19278765432020-03-26T20:30:53Z<p>Zephy: Fix links</p>
<hr />
<div>{{argbox<br />
| name = {{PAGENAME}}<br />
| description = A rabbit hole of puzzles across the GameDetectives community.<br />
| creator = Unknown<br />
| type = Unofficial<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 2016-03-16<br />
| timeline = [[Watching You:Timeline|Timeline]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''76543''' was an ARG that began with a post to /r/gamedetectives and continued through a chain of puzzles. Its creator and purpose are unknown.<br />
<br />
= Summary =<br />
<br />
The 76543 ARG was designed for the GameDetectives Community. It first appeared on the subreddit, after /u/ARG76543 posted a text post describing their group, and outlining that we would need a PGP Key to get our first clue. The encoded text in the post was Vigenere decoding with "arg seven six five four three" to a description of William Shakespeare, which user NickForAll found out was our key password. Using "Shakespeare" as our password, we were able to unlock another clue, which was an extract from Pslams, the third section of the hebrew bible. It didn't make much sense until users Crauss and Deiru were able to determine that the string of numbers along the bottom correspond to a letter's position in the alphabet. When decoded the message refers to multiplying prime numbers. 2, 3, 4, 9 and 76543 (the poster's username). 4 and 9 aren't primes, so after multiplying the rest it gives 459258, which was the clue to a Twitter account. This twitter account had a darkened image, which when lightened, revealed a QR Code.<br />
<br />
A bot called argbot appeared in the off-topic voice channel, and would play pre-recorded sound-bites when given a certain key. For example, when given the key ??Patience, it would play Rick Astley's ''Never Gonna Give You Up''.<br />
<br />
= It Begins! =<br />
<br />
* User /u/ARG76543 posted to reddit with the title<br />
<br />
Hello ARG solvers, a message from 76543<br />
<br />
* The message read:<br />
<br />
Hello ARG solvers. We are a small group of people just like you: programmers, security experts and games who enjoy to solve puzzles. We have participated in so many ARGs now, we felt like it was our turn to build something.<br />
Just find the right PGP keyservers, key ID and use the person to decrypt our first message. Any messages signed with this PGP key should be trusted.<br />
“Bravo, I heard echoing in the room next to me, 2 times, really loud. I was staying at this small bungalow built for the volunteers in the delta of the amazon river. We were working on connecting the locals to the world, the developer guys next room were fixing a bug in the pre-alpha software, I guess that’s what got those guys so excited. We would find a bug at least 3 times a day. Working here was hard, we would start at 9, setting up a new &gt;transceiver. We were with a team of 4 and it felt so good, being able to help the locals get a connection to the outer world, so they could be educated.”<br />
Sfsw wvc uw lfxopmxsx ybtjipf zt grz ss lpb lzzeysmk pviow ow naw omzw, wqmmmw xos zm’z r gsieiahzrpw. Xlu kppyilv pvlph sre “Usdrpalbskz? M yvced ufx”.<br />
And last, but not least: https://ghostbin.com/paste/vy9rt2pb<br />
Over and out. 76543<br />
<br />
* The ghostbin seems to be a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy PGP] keyserver: https://pgp.mit.edu/pks/lookup?search=76543&amp;op=index. The first entry suggests Be2da394 is the key ID.<br />
<br />
== Solving the First Key ==<br />
<br />
* The central part of the text that says<br />
<br />
"Bravo, I heard echoing in the room next to me, 2 times, really loud. I was staying at this small bungalow built for the volunteers in the delta of the amazon river. We were working on connecting the locals to the world, the developer guys next room were fixing a bug in the pre-alpha software, I guess that’s what got those guys so excited. We would find a bug at least 3 times a day. Working here was hard, we would start at 9, setting up a new &gt;transceiver. We were with a team of 4 and it felt so good, being able to help the locals get a connection to the outer world, so they could be educated.”<br />
<br />
* The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet NATO] alphabet letters in the text translates to:<br />
<br />
BE2DA394<br />
<br />
* This is the key ID to pgp.mit.edu, where the keyserver is being hosted.<br />
<br />
* The encoded text in the post was Vigenere, decoding with "arg seven six five four three" to:<br />
<br />
Some say he disguised himself in one of the greatest works of his time, others say it’s a coincidence. Pop culture would say “Coincidence? I think not”.<br />
<br />
* This refers to William Shakespeare, "Shakespeare" is the first code (Thanks to NickForAll for that)<br />
<br />
== The Key into the Hole ==<br />
<br />
* Using "Shakespeare" as a key in the [https://ghostbin.com/paste/vy9rt2pb Ghostbin] website reveals some text:<br />
<br />
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.<br />
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;<br />
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.<br />
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.<br />
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.<br />
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.<br />
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.<br />
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.<br />
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.<br />
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.<br />
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.<br />
<br />
26 104 111 12 2 9 111 12 10 20 9 4 2 26 20 6 2 15 12 10 20 9 4 20 8 2 3 104 6 15 3 12 20 12 3 17 2 15 133 6 3 26 20 12 10 2 15 1 2 15 3 15 20 10 104 15 133 4 20 133 5 15 133 17 3 4 12 10 28 10 5 4 5 28 12 20 4 6<br />
<br />
* This is an extract of Psalms, the third section of the Hebrew bible. It seems mostly irrelevant save for the string of numbers at the bottom. The numbers correspond to a letter's position in the alphabet (Thanks Crauss and Deiru), when solved in a cipher it gives:<br />
<br />
muLtipLtheprimesinthepreviousnotetofindsomethinGinonehundredandforthcharacters<br />
<br />
* The message refers to multiplying prime numbers. 2, 3, 4, 9 and 76543 (the poster's username) were the only numbers in the Reddit post, which is the "previous post" they were referring to. 4 and 9 aren't primes, so after multiplying the rest it gives 459258, which was the clue to a Twitter account.<br />
<br />
* The Answer leads to [https://twitter.com/459258ARG this Twitter account] named "456258ARG", which has posted multiple recent Tweets, and is confirmed to be watching us in the Discord channel.<br />
<br />
* The first tweet has an [https://imgur.com/rPtC4V2 dark image] which [https://i.imgur.com/SQvDfQA.jpg when brightened] shows a QR code. It translates to "your key is primes", which would prove to be useful in a future puzzle.<br />
<br />
= A Meaningful Discussion =<br />
<br />
* The Twitter account had mentioned it was listening to us by responding to questions if his [https://twitter.com/459258ARG/status/709925288034111488 "technical difficulties"] message was part of the game. This led up to the mastermind posting:<br />
<br />
>Look in your voice chat, give him the key prefixed by ?? And he'll respond if right. You can pm him to give key.<br />
<br />
* A user named Argbot appeared in the Off Topic voice channel, and players started Private Messaging the user with many words prefixed by ??, in the hopes that the Mastermind may respond.<br />
<br />
* wyh332, a moderator of Discord, muted the user after Argbot responded to a couple key attempts with the Rick Roll videos - until he/she was confirmed involved. Argbot responded by posting in the ARG discussion channel:<br />
<br />
>Did you really mute your only clue? Expected you to be smarter<br />
<br />
* This was met by a barrage of public messages trying all manner of keys like "??3478fn3743" and "??RandomGuesses" however these didn't cough up any results either, except a couple that gave humorous responses. A user would post an attempted key in chat and most would be met by silence, but if you were in the "Off Topic" voice channel you would sometimes hear an automated response by the user, these including:<br />
<br />
* ??Shakespeare - X-files theme music.<br />
* ??Primes - The Team Fortress 2 engineer saying "nope".<br />
* ??Patience - The Rick Roll music.<br />
<br />
* The user Argbot posted a couple more responses in chat, including [https://ghostbin.com/paste/fj3qb this], which says:<br />
<br />
> "Yup, that's us" <br />
<br />
* followed by a bunch of garbled characters. It also posted in the Discord channel: <br />
<br />
>"\*sighs\*" <br />
<br />
* in the same manner similar to the ghostbin. We know these were human posted and not triggered by the bot.<br />
<br />
== Beeps and Boops ==<br />
<br />
* Suddenly, through an unknown key, argbot started playing Morse code.<br />
<br />
* The key that triggered the morse was worked out by analyzing the twitter linked QR code, (found [https://imgur.com/rPtC4V2 here], and [https://i.imgur.com/SQvDfQA.jpg brightened]) that was found to include hidden [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal hexadecimal] code. The decoded hex says:<br />
<br />
>KEY IS ARC4<br />
<br />
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC4 ARC4] or the Rivest Cipher 4 is a stream cipher encryption method that requires input text and a key.<br />
<br />
* Encrypting "Nope" (which was said at the end of the morse message from argbot) with "prime" (what the QR code actually read) as the key using the ARC4 cipher (clue from the hexadecimal) gave the following result:<br />
<br />
>0d 0d 0b c3<br />
<br />
* Using the hex as a key, a new code was found: ??0d0d0bc3. When submitted this triggered Argbot to play the previously heard Morse code.<br />
<br />
* The Morse was deciphered to "ARGBOX SERVER 128.199.63.123" which is the name of a server followed by it's IP address. [https://www.check-my-ip.net/128.199.63.123-ip-address/ This page] shows the IP is based in Amsterdam, coincidentally the Netherlands is the home of several Discord community members.<br />
<br />
== sudo apt-get install problems ==<br />
<br />
* Argbot posted shortly after the discovery of the IP address to say:<br />
<br />
>Do you know those moments when during a test run everything goes well, and in production everything fails? Well, the host decided to change the IP because of security concerns. Impressive, security concerns on an almost empty server. Anyways, be right back, and sorry for this mess, should've checked the IP.<br />
<br />
* The user/bot was referring the recently discovered IP from morse and went down shortly before posting "argbox-v2 deploying....". Users checked the known codes and nothing seemed to change at first glance.<br />
<br />
* After inspecting further however, the morse code from "??0d0d0bc3", changed from the previous iteration, likely to reflect the technical difficulties and unexpected IP change from the Mastermind's server host. <br />
<br />
* The new IP is 188.166.22.203 and in the same physical location as the first. When appended to https:// it gives https://188.166.22.203/ which at the time read:<br />
<br />
>Well done, patience is a virtue (which means, wait, we're preparing the next stage)<br />
<br />
= Location, Location, Location =<br />
<br />
* A couple hours later, the [https://188.166.22.203 message on the site] changed to<br />
<br />
>Go to slices exact edicts<br />
<br />
* There were also multiple hints saying we need to go to a location, such as Argbot's game on Discord being set to "Less talking more walking".<br />
<br />
* User Sarene worked out the 3 words "slices exact edicts" could be entered into [https://what3words.com/ this] site to give [https://map.what3words.com/Slices+exact+edicts this] location in the Netherlands.<br />
<br />
* Discord users Svardskampe and Dr. Dino were chosen to go there on 17th of March, but the other users have attempted to bribe them with pizza to go earlier, with zero effectiveness. <br />
<br />
* An hour or so later, Discord user TheEvilSocks agreed to go.<br />
<br />
* A new key was also discovered, albiet it is not very useful. Using ??debug will list the channels on the Game Detectives Discord, as is seen [https://pastebin.com/ruRvXE97 here].<br />
<br />
== Live From the Scene ==<br />
<br />
* Socks found [https://i.imgur.com/PaLrZ4s.png this QR code] (here is a [https://i.imgur.com/WDuGYC4.png clean version]) at the coordinates in the Netherlands, that when scanned, outputs the following:<br />
<br />
> Oh hello. Say my name.<br />
<br />
* Discord users realized that they had to input a new key to the Argbot, possibly his name.<br />
<br />
* After half an hour of guesswork, someone (likely through PM) managed to get the right answer but didn't reveal the correct key. The answer gives the sound of a phone being dialed.<br />
<br />
* The Mastermind himself got fed up with +900 PMs to him and revealed a Discord Username, neintrigger, who turned out to be the person spamming the bot with commands - the user was shortly removed.<br />
<br />
* Roughly an hour after neintrigger's removal from Discord, the code was cracked! The keyword was "??f01b26324a65".<br />
<br />
* The key was found by using "argbot" (the bot's name) encrypted with ARC4 (the previously used encryption method) with "Heisenberg" as the key. The result was "f01b26324a65" (thanks Nickforall for that one).<br />
<br />
* "Heisenberg" is a character in the TV series [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_Bad Breaking Bad] and "Say my name." is a well known quote of his.<br />
<br />
= Call Me On My Cellphone =<br />
<br />
* The response from the key was a series of Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-tone_multi-frequency_signaling DMTF].<br />
<br />
* Using the tones, the phone number "+ 1 (313) 208-7879" was found, which when dialed plays [https://picapi.xyz/static/message.wav this message] (credit goes to Dr.Dino and picapi_ for that one). A transcript will be made soon.<br />
<br />
* Discord user Sarene theorized that this might be a "[https://map.what3words.com/ what3words]" coordinate - the geo-location website previously used to find the QR code. However since the message was distorted a lot it took some time to decode, but after some fixing up it yielded a location in Svalbard, which was the answer and the link to the next puzzle [https://188.166.22.203/svalbard.html here].<br />
<br />
== Translating the Runes ==<br />
<br />
* The Svalbard page was updated from "patience is a virtue" after some time to include the identifier to an Imgur post. [https://imgur.com/no20mE8 Found Here]<br />
<br />
* The Image, known to the ARG as "The Book," was written with Elder Futhark runes. Once the Runes were partially decoded we used a custom ROT which can be found [https://repl.it/BxFX/4 here] to fully translate the text (Thanks to User Randomiser with help from Ako and Sarene). The cleaned up version of the text [https://pastebin.com/raw/HBTNDcrD can be found here], with info on how the first section of the text was decoded [https://pastebin.com/KTBLdQhG found here]<br />
<br />
* At the bottom of the book there are 3 numbers, coincidentally all being prime numbers. It was later discovered that these could be appended to the previously used IP address/URL as ports to find new pages.<br />
<br />
== Trouble in Server Town ==<br />
<br />
* As of around 5:30 PM UTC, the IP previously found from morse and to display Svalbard opened up a [https://188.166.22.203:626 new page] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160317222841/https://188.166.22.203:626 archived version]) and started displaying a long hex string. The port is the first of three numbers at the bottom of the runes book, suggesting more might come. The page adds 2 hex characters at a time every second, and has been since it went live. Attempted decodes suggest it is a sound file.<br />
<br />
* As of 6:18 PM UTC, Argbot's current game on Discord changed to "GlaD I am not you. 1240". In the runes book, 1240 is the second listed number, and at the same time the [https://188.166.22.203:1240 relevant page] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160317222732/https://188.166.22.203:1240/ archived version]) opened up. It shows the ending sequence from Valve's 2007 game, Portal (with the ascii art and music) except with the headers changed to direct messages to us, the players, telling us to "keep going as we're close".<br />
<br />
* As of 12:05 PM UTC, the [https://188.166.22.203:2427 final page] (from the list of numbers) remains closed. Whether this is because the mastermind is making us wait or because we are yet to solve a puzzle is unknown.<br />
<br />
* The Hex string ([https://188.166.22.203:626/ found here]) was found to be a wave file that says "76543" in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-tone_multi-frequency_signaling DTM] tones. At the end of the line it says "NOT THE PRIMES".<br />
<br />
== Argbot Speaks ==<br />
<br />
* Argbot started to speak in chat for a little while after being stuck as to what to do next.<br />
<br />
* It started by saying:<br />
<br />
>Hi, I am here to save your money, no hints on the phone anymore<br />
<br />
>We want you guys to have fun, not spend money on solving this ❤<br />
<br />
* User Cubity_first asked a followup question about who exactly runs the bots, Argbot replied:<br />
<br />
>argbot is from us, the arg creators <br />
<br />
* After a long pause Argbot made one last message and said<br />
<br />
>Just stop ignoring the clues you get on the website ❤<br />
<br />
>Enough hints I guess, time to log off<br />
<br />
== Back to Argbot ==<br />
<br />
* the Argbot changed the game it was playing from "Less talking more walking" to:<br />
<br />
>33: And...<br />
<br />
* This may be a hint to the 33rd line of the *Portal* theme song which is the lyrics:<br />
<br />
>And Killed Me<br />
<br />
* Argbot Once again changed its game, this time to:<br />
<br />
>1v7531<br />
<br />
* This was the code used to obtain the red herring badge in Game Detectives first ARG, Winter steam sale.<br />
<br />
* Around the same time as this the ending song, "Want You Gone", from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2 Portal 2] started playing on Argbot's audio without any prompt being said in the public channel. This was later found to have been triggered by the Puppet Master him/herself.<br />
<br />
== Argbot Speaks... Again ==<br />
<br />
* ArgBot went to the chat again, this time to say:<br />
<br />
>Don't get us wrong with the red herring, there are some parts you focus on that are a red herring.<br />
I would love to give more hints, but it's so obvious 😦<br />
<br />
* User Wyh322 followed up by asking:<br />
<br />
>is the 2nd song just now triggered by a user here?<br />
<br />
* To which Argbot responded:<br />
<br />
>no<br />
<br />
* Thereby confirming it was by the Mastermind. Argbot finished off by saying:<br />
<br />
>Seriously, read it and use it.<br />
<br />
== Thinking With Portals ==<br />
<br />
* "??and killed me" was discovered to play the [https://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/portal/still_alive.html Portal ending song]. It has been noted multiple times that the song appears to speed up and slow down strangely. It was found from the hint from argbot, 33, referencing that line in the lyrics to the song.<br />
<br />
* "??Byha" was discovered to play the [https://theportalwiki.com/wiki/Want_You_Gone Portal 2 ending song]. It was found using the word "cake" decrypted with the [https://pastebin.com/KTBLdQhG 76543 cipher], the same cipher used to decipher some of the book text earlier on.<br />
<br />
* Shortly after finding Byha, argbot's game changed to "1v7531 = solved", leading some to believe that they had either solved the ARG, or solved a red herring. There was no announcement, and many clues left unsolved.<br />
<br />
== Argbot Returns Again ==<br />
<br />
* Discord user qwerty123443 said "it's over (i think)", to which Argbot replied:<br />
<br />
> you think wrong bud<br />
<br />
> To primes, or not to primes?<br />
> ??Shakespeare<br />
<br />
* User Cubity_First asked, "@argbot Can you tell me how you got the audio to play so clearly?", to which Argbot replied:<br />
<br />
>ffmpeg with node-opus -programmerguy<br />
<br />
* Argbot also gave us some more hints after users repeatedly tried "??prompts" to trigger the bot:<br />
<br />
> ? Portal 2 command was added at the same time as still alive<br />
<br />
> The bot won't do much more<br />
<br />
> Don't give up solvers, you are almost there. Honestly.<br />
<br />
* This was followed by the "??Byha" prompt starting again, the one that played ending [https://theportalwiki.com/wiki/Want_You_Gone song from Portal 2]. However there was no message in the public channel, suggesting either someone PMed the bot or it was triggered manually by the mastermind, as had happened before.<br />
<br />
= The End =<br />
<br />
* NickForAll solved the arg by finding the final link [https://188.166.22.203:1240/thankyousolvers here]. It shows the Discord chat singing still alive while special credits roll thanking certain people like the discord mods. The chat singing comes from the Winter ARG.<br />
<br />
* Afterwards Argbot went into the chat to congratulate and host an AMA.</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=List_of_Investigations&diff=1332List of Investigations2016-07-05T14:36:03Z<p>Zephy: White spaces in tables trigger me</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
Note: often an [[ARG]] is named by the community. Alternative names that exist appear on the specific investigation's main page.<br />
<br />
== Puzzles ==<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
! Name !! Type !! Status !! Creator !! Started !! Discovered !! Concluded<br />
|-<br />
| [[76543]] || || Closed || Unknown || 2016-03-16 || 2016-03-16 || Unknown<br />
|-<br />
| [[Black Mesa]] || Independent || Gone Cold || [[SometimesIDreamOfCheese]] || 2016-03-28 || 2016-04-11 || 2016-05-23 <br />
|-<br />
| [[EFS|Electronic Freedom Society]] || Independent || Closed || [[gayfarang]] || 2016-03-19 || 2016-03-20 || 2016-04-22 <br />
|-<br />
| [[Eye Sigil ARG]] || Official || Active || Unknown || 2014-10-03 || 2016-01-25 ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[FRTS | FRTS The Message]] || Community || Active || [[TheCreativeGod]] || 2016-02-26 || 2016-03-07 ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[Human Souls]] || || Active || Unknown || 2016-03-05 || Unknown ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[In Reality]] || Community || Active || Unknown || 2016-06-12 || 2016-06-27 ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[Kill Your Internet]] || Official || Closed || [[Camouflaj]] || 2016-03-17 || 2016-03-18 || 2016-04-02<br />
|-<br />
| [[Mystery of the Emblem]] || Community || Closed || [[User:whizzer0|whizzer0]] || 2016-03-26 || 2016-03-26 || 2016-04-07<br />
|-<br />
| [[Project 11]] || Community || Closed || [[Project 11 (puppetmaster)|Project 11#6740]] || 2016-06 || 2016-06-02 || 2016-06-19<br />
|-<br />
| [[Steam Winter 2015]] || Official || Closed || [[Valve]] || 2015-12-22 || 2015-12-22 || 2016-01-04<br />
|-<br />
| [[Teragon]] || Independent || Closed || [[gayfarang]] || 2016-01-31 || 2016-01-31 || 2016-02-07<br />
|-<br />
| [[Watching You]] || Independent || Active || Unknown || 2016-07-02 || 2016-07-02 ||<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Key ==<br />
<br />
=== Type ===<br />
* '''Official''' - Affiliated with source material, game studio or related organisation.<br />
* '''Independent''' - Not affiliated with any source material or a specific organisation. Often an entirely original story.<br />
* '''Community''' - As 'Independent', but created by one or more GD community members/for the community. Often, [[trailhead]] and clues appear primarily on community resources.<br />
* '''Investigation''' - No ARG or puzzle has been confirmed. In the majority of cases, clues have been discovered. This may be used temporarily before such a time that confirmation has been made, or may be a permanent status. Sometimes investigations will reveal a simple marketing gimmick or similar.<br />
<br />
=== Status ===<br />
* '''Active''' - Known to be ongoing. Clues are still appearing, or attempts to resolve existing ones are still underway.<br />
* '''Gone Cold''' - Attempts to advance have become fruitless and no progress is being made. Clues have potentially stopped appearing. May return to 'Active' if a new lead is uncovered or a clue has been solved. This may also be used in cases where the [[puppetmaster]] has seemingly put the project 'on hold'.<br />
* '''Unknown''' - The community has disengaged with this investigation and its status is currently not known.<br />
* '''Closed''' - The investigation has completed to its logical conclusion (it has been solved), the puppetmaster is confirmed to have permanently ceased progress or a fixed time limit has been exceeded (as with an ARG running alongside a sale, etc.).<br />
<br />
=== Started ===<br />
The date that the ARG or puzzle is known to have begun or the trailhead first appeared.<br />
<br />
=== Discovered ===<br />
The date that the investigation began.<br />
<br />
=== Concluded ===<br />
The date that the investigation was closed or the trail went cold (if known).<br />
<br />
== Investigations == <br />
<br />
These clues have been investigated and looked after if it was serious, but didn't turn out to be more than grasping at straws. They are listed here for archival purposes. <br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
! Name !! Type !! Status !! Creator !! Started !! Discovered !! Concluded<br />
|-<br />
| [[April Fools]] || Community || Closed || GameDetectives moderators || 2016-04-01 || 2016-04-01 || 2016-04-01<br />
|-<br />
| [[Steam Summer 2016]]|| Investigation || Closed|| [[Valve]] || Unknown || 2016-06-23 ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[HOXOR]]|| Investigation || Gone cold || [[Night Work Games]] || Unknown || 2016-04-23 ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[Rocket League]]|| Investigation || Gone cold || Unknown || Unknown || 2016-03 ||<br />
|-<br />
| [[SUPERHOT]]|| Investigation || Gone cold || [[Superhot Team]] || 2016-02-26 || 2016-02-26 ||<br />
|}</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Steam_Summer_2016:Trading_Cards&diff=983Steam Summer 2016:Trading Cards2016-06-24T19:50:30Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div>10 Trading cards were released for the sale.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Naptime is the best time ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/0945d98e4556ccfb42d46c61615548ddbf387108.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/0945d98e4556ccfb42d46c61615548ddbf387108.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== X marks the spot! ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/5eac134c8ea60bf25eb4b6fabcbe36d87d1071c9.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/5eac134c8ea60bf25eb4b6fabcbe36d87d1071c9.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== Catch it if you can! ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/c8ad8b8b78cacccab1ff5e6cce38a29dc4f4dd1c.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/c8ad8b8b78cacccab1ff5e6cce38a29dc4f4dd1c.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== The swell is righteous today ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/f76009b6159756dc16499f23cb864c7b83fcf3d7.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/f76009b6159756dc16499f23cb864c7b83fcf3d7.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== *SPLASH* ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/04bb1757486e81c7aea7063cf478a05b325d42d3.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/04bb1757486e81c7aea7063cf478a05b325d42d3.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== Enjoying the little things ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/c64b097682e348d0c410752ad817b38596bdc02a.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/c64b097682e348d0c410752ad817b38596bdc02a.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== Go for the gold! ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/e336c4515768eb559e5c260ec0bdfc0f7d9336b4.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/e336c4515768eb559e5c260ec0bdfc0f7d9336b4.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== Everything is fine ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/ec1f429863eac6e2caaac45b3e8fd5ff58460323.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/ec1f429863eac6e2caaac45b3e8fd5ff58460323.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== You had one job! ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/8e65b24e5d45af0c19dd28e1637c45243e2e09e3.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/ec1f429863eac6e2caaac45b3e8fd5ff58460323.jpg Direct Link]<br />
<br />
== Don't go chasing fireflies ==<br />
<br />
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/6877f4c5fe40b27e7e8ff4987c3fd80353a84fc3.jpg<br />
[http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/items/480730/6877f4c5fe40b27e7e8ff4987c3fd80353a84fc3.jpg Direct Link]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Steam_Winter_2015:Badges&diff=825Steam Winter 2015:Badges2016-06-21T16:24:49Z<p>Zephy: Created page with "All the Steam Winter Sale 2015 regular badges. {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Level !! Badge |- | Level 1 || 100px |- | Level 2 || File:WARGLevel2..."</p>
<hr />
<div>All the Steam Winter Sale 2015 regular badges.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
! Level !! Badge <br />
|-<br />
| Level 1 || [[File:WARGLevel1.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 2 || [[File:WARGLevel2.png|100px]] <br />
|-<br />
| Level 3 || [[File:WARGLevel3.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 4 || [[File:WARGLevel4.png|100px]] <br />
|-<br />
| Level 5 || [[File:WARGLevel5.png|100px]] <br />
|-<br />
| Level 6 || [[File:WARGLevel6.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 7 || [[File:WARGLevel7.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 8 || [[File:WARGLevel8.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 9 || [[File:WARGLevel9.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 10+ || [[File:WARGLevel10+.png|100px]] <br />
|-<br />
| Level 20+ || [[File:WARGLevel20+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Level 30+ || [[File:WARGLevel30+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 40+ || [[File:WARGLevel40+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 75+ || [[File:WARGLevel75+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 100+ || [[File:WARGLevel100+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 150+ || [[File:WARGLevel150+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 200+ || [[File:WARGLevel200+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 300+ || [[File:WARGLevel300+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 500+ || [[File:WARGLevel500+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 1000+ || [[File:WARGLevel1000+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 2000+ || [[File:WARGLevel2000+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 3000+ || [[File:WARGLevel3000+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 5000+ || [[File:WARGLevel5000+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 7500+ || [[File:WARGLevel7500+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 10000+ || [[File:WARGLevel10000+.png|100px]]<br />
|-<br />
| Day 12500+ || [[File:WARGLevel12500+.png|100px]]<br />
|}</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Steam_Winter_2015&diff=822Steam Winter 20152016-06-21T16:02:17Z<p>Zephy: /* Timeline */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{argbox<br />
| name = Steam Winter Sale 2015<br />
| image = File:RedHerringBadge.png<br />
| imagewidth = 200<br />
| description = AKA '''North Pole Noir'''<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 2015-12-22<br />
| completed = 2016-01-04<br />
| timeline = [[Steam_Winter_2015:Timeline|Timeline]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<br />
An [[ARG]] based around [[Valve]]'s Steam Winter Sale of 2015. Along with the normal discounts and [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|trading cards]], a noir-style mystery comic was released a page a day over the duration. People soon started to notice there was more to the promotion than met the eye. <br />
<br />
<big>[[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues|Clues]]</big><br />
<br />
== Summary ==<br />
<br />
===More Than Meets the Eye===<br />
<br />
Discussions about the Steam 2015 Noir Sale ARG began with a single [https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/3xvhhe/there_seems_to_be_more_about_the_sale_than_we/ reddit post] on the /r/Steam subreddit. Beginning with the basics the poster pointed out that there were no special sale events like the previous years.<br />
<br />
The main focus of the discussion was on the first [http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/ North Pole Noir comic] page that was released on the Steam store (with a new page planned to be released each day of the sale). Various speculations were made in the comment area as people began noticing things such as the similarity to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_(video_game_series) Hitman] artwork and the barcode scanning as Agent 47’s barcode number on the front cover of the comic (''see clues, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#Hitman Barcode|Hitman Barcode]]''). Another user was quick to point out some faded text he noticed at the bottom of the page which he believed was the word "NESSE" (''see clues, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#Nesse|Nesse]]''). Suggestions were made that the community may have an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game Alternate Reality Game (ARG)] on its hands. Valve had been known to dip into this territory on [http://theportalwiki.com/wiki/Portal_ARG previous occasions].<br />
<br />
After all this speculation, [https://www.reddit.com/user/imnotgoats /u/imnotgoats] decided to create his own subreddit for gathering anything related to the possible mystery afoot. A troll by the name of [https://www.reddit.com/user/ck__ /u/ck__] was quick to share this [https://i.imgur.com/5PgzUqJ.jpg screenshot] which, after some people realised was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigen%C3%A8re_cipher Vigenere Cipher]. It was decoded to ‘You are a bunch of idiots’ by https://www.reddit.com/user/notmuchwbu /u/notmuchwbu]. It was clear that everyone needed to be vigilant with new - some people would be working against the community’s efforts (this is the internet, after all). [https://www.reddit.com/user/MilkGames /u/MilkGames] created a Discord chat for real time investigation (''see community, [[Discord]]'').<br />
<br />
Community members had started combing for clues. Everywhere. Artwork was analysed, URLs investigated, every last detail was being scrutinized. It became apparent that they would probably have to wait until the next day to get more clues but they noticed something strange. The comic pages were being released at different times depending on where you lived ('''see comic, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|pages]]'''). The fact that Australia, in particular, was one page ahead of everywhere else gave access to more information earlier. In an effort to find out if other countries had different releases already the Discord chat began looking at Steam using a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network VPN]. They figured out that the comic pages were stored in directories encoded with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal Hexadecimal] and devised a small bruteforce team.<br />
<br />
===Confirmed ARG===<br />
<br />
During the few days before Neon Scalar arrived, moral was quite low. New discoveries were being made, but there was nothing yet that pointed to any conclusive evidence of an ARG. On 25th December, the barcode previously found on the front cover of the comic was removed. This lent some credence to the idea that the contents of the barcode were in some way significant, a theory only amplified by the fact that references to a [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] had appeared on a Valve translation server. The description of the badge - <code>ARG?</code> - was for many a confirmation that an ARG existed, but we still didn’t know the best way to proceed.<br />
<br />
''Everything above is generally referred to as "pre-neon", with the following events referred to as "post-neon".''<br />
<br />
Neon Scalar was a user who connected to the Discord server on the 29th December. Back then, the Discord server was a far closer community, with around 40 connected users rather than the 1,000 or so commonly seen today. It was surprising, then, when Neon said nothing at all for the many hours the account was connected to the chat window. This remained the case until they posted four messages before falling silent once more: <br />
<br />
Neon Scalar: I'm late for class but I might have found something? There's a super shady looking "nothingtoseehere.js" in the hotline miami store page header. Looks like it's sending requests to a actions/clues page.<br />
Neon Scalar: http://store.steampowered.com/app/274170/[2] view source.<br />
ekim_gaf: Why in the hotline Miami page?*<br />
Neon Scalar: Might be on others. It was just the first I clicked<br />
Neon Scalar: Quick spot check shows it's probably on all of them.<br />
<br />
Neon has been in the server ever since, but hasn't spoken once apart from these four messages. Whilst not officially proven, it is generally accepted that Neon Scalar was Valve pointing us at the right direction. Neon Scalar's discovery lead to rapid growth on both Discord and the subreddit you're reading this on today:<br />
<br />
[[File:SWSTraffic.png]]<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Hitman Thread===<br />
<br />
With the discovery of the Javascript code [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] on each game store page, which could be accessed by typing ''SEARCH'' and then pressing <code>Enter</code>, the community had its first method of proceeding with any clues derived from the cards and comic pages revealed from previous days.<br />
<br />
The link between the [http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/clusters/sale_winter2015_comic/397a5a0d/comic_cover_english.jpg Comic Book Cover] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_(video_game_series) Hitman series] had been specifically discussed by numerous people (<code>Unknown Persons></code>) over the previous days. The image of Gingerbread Jake (''see character, [[Gingerbread Jake]]'') on the Comic Book Cover resembles the pose of the Hitman Character in numerous Game Box Art in the series, and well as the barcode at the bottom left of the cover being very similar to the Hitman Characters Barcode tattoo. But it was [https://www.reddit.com/user/DevinWatson /u/DevinWatson] who first used the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] on the [http://store.steampowered.com/app/6900/ Hitman: Codename 47 Store Page], utilizing the barcode as the passcode, which resulted in the prompt returning the text <code>ic/4f21ca7</code>. <br />
<br />
This was the first clue validating [https://www.reddit.com/user/yuv912 /u/yuv912]'s idea that there is more to the Winter Sale than meets the eye. The Comic Book Cover was then changed by Valve, two days after it was initially released and after [https://www.reddit.com/user/DevinWatson /u/DevinWatson] had discovered the Hitman Prompt, in which the bottom left corner of the page which included the barcode had been torn off, revealing the page beneath it. This action is commonly believed to be a congratulatory message from Valve that the community had figured out the/a first step.<br />
<br />
As soon as this first step had been obtained, work began to decipher the text <code>ic/4f21ca7</code>. Originally this phrase was though to obtain a cryptographic message leading to the next clue, but it was ('''Unknown Person''') who noticed that the Steam Store URL for the web comics <code>store.steampowered.com/wintercomic</code> ending with <code>ic</code>, and combined the phrase into the URL. This result in the user downloading an [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] named <code>1fce82a72c633.wav</code> from the Steam page. When the audio file is played a man can be heard saying:<br />
<br />
“I was on the right track. I could feel it. Tomorrow I was going to search again”<br />
<br />
At this stage no more information or clues have been deciphered from this audio file, but the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] is perceived as another message from the ARG’s creators that this game had only just started and that there would be more clues tomorrow, specifically in the Day 4 [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|Comics]] or [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|Cards]], as the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] was uploaded on the third day of the Winter Sale. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
===The Red Herring Badge===<br />
<br />
With the completion of several steps of the Hitman Thread, users began to go back to other [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|Comics]] and [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|Cards]] to develop similar threads. While symbols have been discovered on several images distributed during the Winter Sale, as of now there has been only one completed thread, which results in the awarding of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] to a users Steam Account. Further speculation regarding the Red Herring thread even suggests that this thread is itself actually a Red Herring, distracting us from more complex unsolved or unspeculated clues. <br />
<br />
Using various methods including manipulating images in image editors to reveal hidden details, analyzing audio spectrums and well as pure dumb luck, the community was able to combine clues from the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Revelations#Day 7 Trading Card|Day 7 Trading Card]] as well as the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Revelations#Blitzen Incident|“Blitzen Incident”]] which is referenced multiple times in the comic, to give a Steam Action URL that results in the awarding of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] by typing in the final password ('1v7531') in the SEARCH prompt on the [http://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/ Ikaruga store page]. <br />
<br />
<br />
===Brute Force===<br />
<br />
With the numerous demonstrations of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] being a vital instrument in proceeding with the ARG game, numerous members were frustrated when trying to complete the carefully laid out riddle and began to determine a method to brute force the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] into revealing its secrets. These efforts led to the user Dinnerbone writing two scripts that users could run to try and find the next clue. The first, being a script to test a list of passwords on the Steam store page prompt and the second, a script trying a single password on the prompts of all Steam products. These scripts were adapted by a hand full of users who used a google-doc to track their progress. User Brendan, used this tool to run a password he got from the guys processing the audio file, suddenly finding the link to the page that would get you the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]].<br />
<br />
At this time, an announcement thanking the Bruteforce channel got enough attention to see a serious spike of users, which meant a lot more trolls, which would no longer allow us the use of public docs for tracking progress as it was susceptible to abuse. This called for a better system. One better defended against trolls and more easily distributed to people who wanted to help.<br />
<br />
The demand for this system spawned two new systems. The first one, a web based automated system that used what Dinnerbone's script did, but made it easier for users who were new to coding and consoles to try out passwords by giving them a queue to enter suggestions in for him to automatically run. This was great for the new users, but the more technical users were dissatisfied to step down to testing a single password at a time. This inspired Discord user Opl, to create a webclient much like Xpaw's but using it and a server to distribute passwords to bot-clients that the users would install on their machines, creating a botnet of sorts for bruteforcing the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]]. After the discovery of the badge, 3 days went by, but nothing happened. Xpaw and Opl had tested over 7000 passwords, and the botnet was greatly improved with the help of users Zephy, Fillerino and Mousey, but nothing had been achieved. People started to put bruteforcing's effectiveness into question and support dropped when user Helloworld111, used the password database to bruteforce the winter comic url (a feature implemented in scripts by Users Xpaw, Nepeat and Windsdon) where a wave file was discovered earlier and proceeded to find a new wave file at http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/794E2CEA991F which is believed to be a missed step that should have led us to the "bullet hell" password and lead to [http://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/ Ikaruga]<br />
<br />
===Lambda and Crowbar===<br />
<br />
Every new image connected to the Steam Winter Sale went under intense scrutiny. To this end, someone discovered discrepancies in the blacks used on the new [http://steamcommunity-a.akamaihd.net/economy/image/U8721VM9p9C2v1o6cKJ4qEnGqnE7IoTQgZI-VTdwyTBeimAcIoxXpgK8bPeslY9pPJIvB5IWW2-452kaM8heLSRgleGHpLBLye94PqUv0uP_DAwp77ESAGflGEON0DGSfrv3k1BkNZAuJk-qx5scv9gCUJ95SOLkAtzqxg Santa Baby] Steam profile background. Post analysis, two distinct shapes were discovered in the top left of the image:<br />
<br />
[[File:Crowbarwintersale.png|80px]]<br />
<br />
Whilst compression artefacts are common in JPEG images, it's highly unlikely that those artefacts would just so happen to be in the shape of the Half-Life 2 logo and a crowbar! However, when questioned by a [https://www.reddit.com/r/halflife /r/halflife] user, [https://i.imgur.com/jURjHBq.jpg Marc Laidlaw] stated "that doesnt *[sic]* look like anything to me", as well as that "[the ARG] is not intended as a way to roll out a new game." The Lambda and Crowbar have since been ignored as a potential lead, although it should be noted that the image is rumoured to be related to the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] as it was part of the same clueset.<br />
<br />
=== End of Winter Sale===<br />
<br />
On January 4th, 2016, the Steam Winter Sale 2015 ended and along with the pages relating to it being pulled, a lot of the ARG pages are no longer accessible too. This includes most, if not all, of the .wav sound files, the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] activated by typing ''SEARCH'' and hitting enter on any page, and the <code>nothingtoseehere.js</code> Javascript file. Previous clues originally found on the Steam Store by searching, such as that of <code>Blitzen</code> and <code>Blitzen Incident</code> began to show no results rather than what would be displayed previously. The JSON associated with the ARG was also pulled, preventing people from still using the Javascript via pasting it into a browser console window. <br />
<br />
As a result of these actions by Valve, the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] became unobtainable for more users, though the ones that did obtain it have not lost it. It is presumed that this is the end of the ARG and that it was just one big "red herring".<br />
<br />
== Timeline ==<br />
{{main|[[Steam_Winter_2015:Timeline|Timeline]]}}</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:Main&diff=821Template:Main2016-06-21T16:01:58Z<p>Zephy: Created page with "''Main Article: {{{1}}}''"</p>
<hr />
<div>''Main Article: {{{1}}}''</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Steam_Winter_2015&diff=820Steam Winter 20152016-06-21T15:55:47Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{argbox<br />
| name = Steam Winter Sale 2015<br />
| image = File:RedHerringBadge.png<br />
| imagewidth = 200<br />
| description = AKA '''North Pole Noir'''<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 2015-12-22<br />
| completed = 2016-01-04<br />
| timeline = [[Steam_Winter_2015:Timeline|Timeline]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
<br />
An [[ARG]] based around [[Valve]]'s Steam Winter Sale of 2015. Along with the normal discounts and [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|trading cards]], a noir-style mystery comic was released a page a day over the duration. People soon started to notice there was more to the promotion than met the eye. <br />
<br />
<big>[[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues|Clues]]</big><br />
<br />
== Summary ==<br />
<br />
===More Than Meets the Eye===<br />
<br />
Discussions about the Steam 2015 Noir Sale ARG began with a single [https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/3xvhhe/there_seems_to_be_more_about_the_sale_than_we/ reddit post] on the /r/Steam subreddit. Beginning with the basics the poster pointed out that there were no special sale events like the previous years.<br />
<br />
The main focus of the discussion was on the first [http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/ North Pole Noir comic] page that was released on the Steam store (with a new page planned to be released each day of the sale). Various speculations were made in the comment area as people began noticing things such as the similarity to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_(video_game_series) Hitman] artwork and the barcode scanning as Agent 47’s barcode number on the front cover of the comic (''see clues, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#Hitman Barcode|Hitman Barcode]]''). Another user was quick to point out some faded text he noticed at the bottom of the page which he believed was the word "NESSE" (''see clues, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#Nesse|Nesse]]''). Suggestions were made that the community may have an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game Alternate Reality Game (ARG)] on its hands. Valve had been known to dip into this territory on [http://theportalwiki.com/wiki/Portal_ARG previous occasions].<br />
<br />
After all this speculation, [https://www.reddit.com/user/imnotgoats /u/imnotgoats] decided to create his own subreddit for gathering anything related to the possible mystery afoot. A troll by the name of [https://www.reddit.com/user/ck__ /u/ck__] was quick to share this [https://i.imgur.com/5PgzUqJ.jpg screenshot] which, after some people realised was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigen%C3%A8re_cipher Vigenere Cipher]. It was decoded to ‘You are a bunch of idiots’ by https://www.reddit.com/user/notmuchwbu /u/notmuchwbu]. It was clear that everyone needed to be vigilant with new - some people would be working against the community’s efforts (this is the internet, after all). [https://www.reddit.com/user/MilkGames /u/MilkGames] created a Discord chat for real time investigation (''see community, [[Discord]]'').<br />
<br />
Community members had started combing for clues. Everywhere. Artwork was analysed, URLs investigated, every last detail was being scrutinized. It became apparent that they would probably have to wait until the next day to get more clues but they noticed something strange. The comic pages were being released at different times depending on where you lived ('''see comic, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|pages]]'''). The fact that Australia, in particular, was one page ahead of everywhere else gave access to more information earlier. In an effort to find out if other countries had different releases already the Discord chat began looking at Steam using a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network VPN]. They figured out that the comic pages were stored in directories encoded with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal Hexadecimal] and devised a small bruteforce team.<br />
<br />
===Confirmed ARG===<br />
<br />
During the few days before Neon Scalar arrived, moral was quite low. New discoveries were being made, but there was nothing yet that pointed to any conclusive evidence of an ARG. On 25th December, the barcode previously found on the front cover of the comic was removed. This lent some credence to the idea that the contents of the barcode were in some way significant, a theory only amplified by the fact that references to a [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] had appeared on a Valve translation server. The description of the badge - <code>ARG?</code> - was for many a confirmation that an ARG existed, but we still didn’t know the best way to proceed.<br />
<br />
''Everything above is generally referred to as "pre-neon", with the following events referred to as "post-neon".''<br />
<br />
Neon Scalar was a user who connected to the Discord server on the 29th December. Back then, the Discord server was a far closer community, with around 40 connected users rather than the 1,000 or so commonly seen today. It was surprising, then, when Neon said nothing at all for the many hours the account was connected to the chat window. This remained the case until they posted four messages before falling silent once more: <br />
<br />
Neon Scalar: I'm late for class but I might have found something? There's a super shady looking "nothingtoseehere.js" in the hotline miami store page header. Looks like it's sending requests to a actions/clues page.<br />
Neon Scalar: http://store.steampowered.com/app/274170/[2] view source.<br />
ekim_gaf: Why in the hotline Miami page?*<br />
Neon Scalar: Might be on others. It was just the first I clicked<br />
Neon Scalar: Quick spot check shows it's probably on all of them.<br />
<br />
Neon has been in the server ever since, but hasn't spoken once apart from these four messages. Whilst not officially proven, it is generally accepted that Neon Scalar was Valve pointing us at the right direction. Neon Scalar's discovery lead to rapid growth on both Discord and the subreddit you're reading this on today:<br />
<br />
[[File:SWSTraffic.png]]<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Hitman Thread===<br />
<br />
With the discovery of the Javascript code [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] on each game store page, which could be accessed by typing ''SEARCH'' and then pressing <code>Enter</code>, the community had its first method of proceeding with any clues derived from the cards and comic pages revealed from previous days.<br />
<br />
The link between the [http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/clusters/sale_winter2015_comic/397a5a0d/comic_cover_english.jpg Comic Book Cover] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_(video_game_series) Hitman series] had been specifically discussed by numerous people (<code>Unknown Persons></code>) over the previous days. The image of Gingerbread Jake (''see character, [[Gingerbread Jake]]'') on the Comic Book Cover resembles the pose of the Hitman Character in numerous Game Box Art in the series, and well as the barcode at the bottom left of the cover being very similar to the Hitman Characters Barcode tattoo. But it was [https://www.reddit.com/user/DevinWatson /u/DevinWatson] who first used the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] on the [http://store.steampowered.com/app/6900/ Hitman: Codename 47 Store Page], utilizing the barcode as the passcode, which resulted in the prompt returning the text <code>ic/4f21ca7</code>. <br />
<br />
This was the first clue validating [https://www.reddit.com/user/yuv912 /u/yuv912]'s idea that there is more to the Winter Sale than meets the eye. The Comic Book Cover was then changed by Valve, two days after it was initially released and after [https://www.reddit.com/user/DevinWatson /u/DevinWatson] had discovered the Hitman Prompt, in which the bottom left corner of the page which included the barcode had been torn off, revealing the page beneath it. This action is commonly believed to be a congratulatory message from Valve that the community had figured out the/a first step.<br />
<br />
As soon as this first step had been obtained, work began to decipher the text <code>ic/4f21ca7</code>. Originally this phrase was though to obtain a cryptographic message leading to the next clue, but it was ('''Unknown Person''') who noticed that the Steam Store URL for the web comics <code>store.steampowered.com/wintercomic</code> ending with <code>ic</code>, and combined the phrase into the URL. This result in the user downloading an [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] named <code>1fce82a72c633.wav</code> from the Steam page. When the audio file is played a man can be heard saying:<br />
<br />
“I was on the right track. I could feel it. Tomorrow I was going to search again”<br />
<br />
At this stage no more information or clues have been deciphered from this audio file, but the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] is perceived as another message from the ARG’s creators that this game had only just started and that there would be more clues tomorrow, specifically in the Day 4 [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|Comics]] or [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|Cards]], as the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] was uploaded on the third day of the Winter Sale. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
===The Red Herring Badge===<br />
<br />
With the completion of several steps of the Hitman Thread, users began to go back to other [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|Comics]] and [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|Cards]] to develop similar threads. While symbols have been discovered on several images distributed during the Winter Sale, as of now there has been only one completed thread, which results in the awarding of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] to a users Steam Account. Further speculation regarding the Red Herring thread even suggests that this thread is itself actually a Red Herring, distracting us from more complex unsolved or unspeculated clues. <br />
<br />
Using various methods including manipulating images in image editors to reveal hidden details, analyzing audio spectrums and well as pure dumb luck, the community was able to combine clues from the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Revelations#Day 7 Trading Card|Day 7 Trading Card]] as well as the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Revelations#Blitzen Incident|“Blitzen Incident”]] which is referenced multiple times in the comic, to give a Steam Action URL that results in the awarding of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] by typing in the final password ('1v7531') in the SEARCH prompt on the [http://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/ Ikaruga store page]. <br />
<br />
<br />
===Brute Force===<br />
<br />
With the numerous demonstrations of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] being a vital instrument in proceeding with the ARG game, numerous members were frustrated when trying to complete the carefully laid out riddle and began to determine a method to brute force the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] into revealing its secrets. These efforts led to the user Dinnerbone writing two scripts that users could run to try and find the next clue. The first, being a script to test a list of passwords on the Steam store page prompt and the second, a script trying a single password on the prompts of all Steam products. These scripts were adapted by a hand full of users who used a google-doc to track their progress. User Brendan, used this tool to run a password he got from the guys processing the audio file, suddenly finding the link to the page that would get you the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]].<br />
<br />
At this time, an announcement thanking the Bruteforce channel got enough attention to see a serious spike of users, which meant a lot more trolls, which would no longer allow us the use of public docs for tracking progress as it was susceptible to abuse. This called for a better system. One better defended against trolls and more easily distributed to people who wanted to help.<br />
<br />
The demand for this system spawned two new systems. The first one, a web based automated system that used what Dinnerbone's script did, but made it easier for users who were new to coding and consoles to try out passwords by giving them a queue to enter suggestions in for him to automatically run. This was great for the new users, but the more technical users were dissatisfied to step down to testing a single password at a time. This inspired Discord user Opl, to create a webclient much like Xpaw's but using it and a server to distribute passwords to bot-clients that the users would install on their machines, creating a botnet of sorts for bruteforcing the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]]. After the discovery of the badge, 3 days went by, but nothing happened. Xpaw and Opl had tested over 7000 passwords, and the botnet was greatly improved with the help of users Zephy, Fillerino and Mousey, but nothing had been achieved. People started to put bruteforcing's effectiveness into question and support dropped when user Helloworld111, used the password database to bruteforce the winter comic url (a feature implemented in scripts by Users Xpaw, Nepeat and Windsdon) where a wave file was discovered earlier and proceeded to find a new wave file at http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/794E2CEA991F which is believed to be a missed step that should have led us to the "bullet hell" password and lead to [http://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/ Ikaruga]<br />
<br />
===Lambda and Crowbar===<br />
<br />
Every new image connected to the Steam Winter Sale went under intense scrutiny. To this end, someone discovered discrepancies in the blacks used on the new [http://steamcommunity-a.akamaihd.net/economy/image/U8721VM9p9C2v1o6cKJ4qEnGqnE7IoTQgZI-VTdwyTBeimAcIoxXpgK8bPeslY9pPJIvB5IWW2-452kaM8heLSRgleGHpLBLye94PqUv0uP_DAwp77ESAGflGEON0DGSfrv3k1BkNZAuJk-qx5scv9gCUJ95SOLkAtzqxg Santa Baby] Steam profile background. Post analysis, two distinct shapes were discovered in the top left of the image:<br />
<br />
[[File:Crowbarwintersale.png|80px]]<br />
<br />
Whilst compression artefacts are common in JPEG images, it's highly unlikely that those artefacts would just so happen to be in the shape of the Half-Life 2 logo and a crowbar! However, when questioned by a [https://www.reddit.com/r/halflife /r/halflife] user, [https://i.imgur.com/jURjHBq.jpg Marc Laidlaw] stated "that doesnt *[sic]* look like anything to me", as well as that "[the ARG] is not intended as a way to roll out a new game." The Lambda and Crowbar have since been ignored as a potential lead, although it should be noted that the image is rumoured to be related to the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] as it was part of the same clueset.<br />
<br />
=== End of Winter Sale===<br />
<br />
On January 4th, 2016, the Steam Winter Sale 2015 ended and along with the pages relating to it being pulled, a lot of the ARG pages are no longer accessible too. This includes most, if not all, of the .wav sound files, the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] activated by typing ''SEARCH'' and hitting enter on any page, and the <code>nothingtoseehere.js</code> Javascript file. Previous clues originally found on the Steam Store by searching, such as that of <code>Blitzen</code> and <code>Blitzen Incident</code> began to show no results rather than what would be displayed previously. The JSON associated with the ARG was also pulled, preventing people from still using the Javascript via pasting it into a browser console window. <br />
<br />
As a result of these actions by Valve, the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] became unobtainable for more users, though the ones that did obtain it have not lost it. It is presumed that this is the end of the ARG and that it was just one big "red herring".<br />
<br />
== Timeline ==<br />
''Main Article: [[Steam_Winter_2015:Timeline|Timeline]]''</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:Argbox&diff=786Template:Argbox2016-06-21T08:38:51Z<p>Zephy: Added description lol</p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="float:{{{float|right}}}; clear:{{{clear|right}}};" width="22.5%"<br />
!colspan="2"|{{{name|{{PAGENAME}}}}}<br />
[[{{{image|Image:Example.png}}}|{{{imagewidth|250}}}px]]<br/>''{{{caption| }}}''<br />
|- <br />
|style="font-size:10px; text-align:center; background-color:#eeeeee" colspan="2"|{{#if:{{{description|}}}|''{{{description}}}''}}<br />
|-<br />
{{#if:{{{creator|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Creator<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{creator}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{type|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Type<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{type}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{status|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Status<br />
{{!}}{{#switch:{{{status}}}|Completed=style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaffaa"|Active=style="text-align:center; background-color: #5ac3ec"|Abandoned=style="text-align:center; background-color: #fb5757"|On Hold=style="text-align:center; background-color: #F37338"|style&equals;"text-align:center;"}}{{!}}{{{status}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{discovered|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Discovered<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{discovered}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{completed|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Completed<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{completed}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{timeline|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Timeline<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{timeline}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
;Description<br />
:This template is used to create an arg infobox.<br />
;Syntax<br />
:Type <code>{{t|argbox|...}}</code> somewhere, with parameters as shown below.<br />
;Sample output<br />
<pre>{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| description = This it the description of an arg, I somehow forgot about it<br />
| creator = Valve<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| type = official ARG<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}</pre><br />
<br />
Results in...<br />
{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| description = This it the description of an arg, I somehow forgot about it<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| type = official ARG<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}<br />
{{clear}}<br />
<br />
===Parameters===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Parameter<br />
! Description<br />
! Default<br />
! Accepted Values<br />
! Type<br />
! Status<br />
|-<br />
| float<br />
| box is aligned to the the left or the right.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| clear<br />
| content is delayed until just the right or left column is complete.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| name<br />
| the name of the arg infobox<br />
| Title of the current page<br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| image<br />
| the thumb of the arg infobox<br />
|<code>Image:Example.png</code><br />
| any valid link from local source or external<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| imagewidth<br />
| width of the thumb image of the arg info box<br />
|<code>250</code><br />
|any valid integer<br />
| Int<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| description<br />
| short description of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| creator<br />
| creator of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| type<br />
| the type of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| status<br />
| status of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <code>On Going</code>, <code>On Hold</code>, <code>Completed</code> or <code>Abandoned</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| discovered<br />
| time of the arg discovery<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| completed<br />
| time of the arg completion<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| timeline<br />
| timeline of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Reference<br />
| Optional <br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:Argbox&diff=727Template:Argbox2016-06-21T00:24:11Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="float:{{{float|right}}}; clear:{{{clear|right}}};" width="22.5%"<br />
!colspan="2"|{{{name|{{PAGENAME}}}}}<br />
[[{{{image|Image:Example.png}}}|{{{imagewidth|250}}}px]]<br/>''{{{caption| }}}''<br />
|- <br />
|style="font-size:10px; text-align:center; background-color:#eeeeee" colspan="2"|<br />
|-<br />
{{#if:{{{creator|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Creator<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{creator}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{type|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Type<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{type}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{status|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Status<br />
{{!}}{{#switch:{{{status}}}|Completed=style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaffaa"|Active=style="text-align:center; background-color: #5ac3ec"|Abandoned=style="text-align:center; background-color: #fb5757"|On Hold=style="text-align:center; background-color: #F37338"|style&equals;"text-align:center;"}}{{!}}{{{status}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{discovered|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Discovered<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{discovered}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{completed|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Completed<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{completed}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{timeline|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Timeline<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{timeline}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
;Description<br />
:This template is used to create an arg infobox.<br />
;Syntax<br />
:Type <code>{{t|argbox|...}}</code> somewhere, with parameters as shown below.<br />
;Sample output<br />
<pre>{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = Valve<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| type = official ARG<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}</pre><br />
<br />
Results in...<br />
{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| type = official ARG<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}<br />
{{clear}}<br />
<br />
===Parameters===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Parameter<br />
! Description<br />
! Default<br />
! Accepted Values<br />
! Type<br />
! Status<br />
|-<br />
| float<br />
| box is aligned to the the left or the right.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| clear<br />
| content is delayed until just the right or left column is complete.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| name<br />
| the name of the arg infobox<br />
| Title of the current page<br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| image<br />
| the thumb of the arg infobox<br />
|<code>Image:Example.png</code><br />
| any valid link from local source or external<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| imagewidth<br />
| width of the thumb image of the arg info box<br />
|<code>250</code><br />
|any valid integer<br />
| Int<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| creator<br />
| creator of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| type<br />
| the type of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| status<br />
| status of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <code>On Going</code>, <code>On Hold</code>, <code>Completed</code> or <code>Abandoned</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| discovered<br />
| time of the arg discovery<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| completed<br />
| time of the arg completion<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| timeline<br />
| timeline of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Reference<br />
| Optional <br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:Argbox&diff=716Template:Argbox2016-06-21T00:14:28Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="float:{{{float|right}}}; clear:{{{clear|right}}};" width="22.5%"<br />
!colspan="2"|{{{name|{{PAGENAME}}}}}<br />
[[{{{image|Image:Example.png}}}|{{{imagewidth|250}}}px]]<br/>''{{{caption| }}}''<br />
|- <br />
|style="font-size:10px; text-align:center; background-color:#eeeeee" colspan="2"|<br />
|-<br />
{{#if:{{{creator|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Creator<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{creator}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{type|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Type<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{type}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{status|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Status<br />
{{!}}{{#switch:{{{status}}}|Completed=style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaffaa"|On Going=style="text-align:center; background-color: #5ac3ec"|Abandoned=style="text-align:center; background-color: #fb5757"|On Hold=style="text-align:center; background-color: #F37338"|style="text-align:center;"}}{{!}}{{{status}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{discovered|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Discovered<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{discovered}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{completed|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Completed<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{completed}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{timeline|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Timeline<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{timeline}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
;Description<br />
:This template is used to create an arg infobox.<br />
;Syntax<br />
:Type <code>{{t|argbox|...}}</code> somewhere, with parameters as shown below.<br />
;Sample output<br />
<pre>{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = Valve<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| type = official ARG<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}</pre><br />
<br />
Results in...<br />
{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| type = official ARG<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}<br />
{{clear}}<br />
<br />
===Parameters===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Parameter<br />
! Description<br />
! Default<br />
! Accepted Values<br />
! Type<br />
! Status<br />
|-<br />
| float<br />
| box is aligned to the the left or the right.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| clear<br />
| content is delayed until just the right or left column is complete.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| name<br />
| the name of the arg infobox<br />
| Title of the current page<br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| image<br />
| the thumb of the arg infobox<br />
|<code>Image:Example.png</code><br />
| any valid link from local source or external<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| imagewidth<br />
| width of the thumb image of the arg info box<br />
|<code>250</code><br />
|any valid integer<br />
| Int<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| creator<br />
| creator of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| type<br />
| the type of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| status<br />
| status of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <code>On Going</code>, <code>On Hold</code>, <code>Completed</code> or <code>Abandoned</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| discovered<br />
| time of the arg discovery<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| completed<br />
| time of the arg completion<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| timeline<br />
| timeline of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Reference<br />
| Optional <br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Steam_Winter_2015&diff=714Steam Winter 20152016-06-21T00:06:17Z<p>Zephy: Testing new argbox</p>
<hr />
<div>{{argbox<br />
| name = Steam Winter Sale 2015<br />
| image = File:RedHerringBadge.png<br />
| imagewidth = 200<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 2015-12-22<br />
| completed = 2016-01-04<br />
| timeline = [[Steam_Winter_2015:Timeline|Timeline]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
''AKA ''''North Pole Noir''''''<br />
<br />
An [[ARG]] based around [[Valve]]'s Steam Winter Sale of 2015. Along with the normal discounts and [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|trading cards]], a noir-style mystery comic was released a page a day over the duration. People soon started to notice there was more to the promotion than met the eye. <br />
<br />
<big>[[Steam_Winter_2015:Timeline|Timeline]]</big><br />
<br />
<big>[[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues|Clues]]</big><br />
<br />
== Summary ==<br />
<br />
===More Than Meets the Eye===<br />
<br />
Discussions about the Steam 2015 Noir Sale ARG began with a single [https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/3xvhhe/there_seems_to_be_more_about_the_sale_than_we/ reddit post] on the /r/Steam subreddit. Beginning with the basics the poster pointed out that there were no special sale events like the previous years.<br />
<br />
The main focus of the discussion was on the first [http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/ North Pole Noir comic] page that was released on the Steam store (with a new page planned to be released each day of the sale). Various speculations were made in the comment area as people began noticing things such as the similarity to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_(video_game_series) Hitman] artwork and the barcode scanning as Agent 47’s barcode number on the front cover of the comic (''see clues, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#Hitman Barcode|Hitman Barcode]]''). Another user was quick to point out some faded text he noticed at the bottom of the page which he believed was the word "NESSE" (''see clues, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#Nesse|Nesse]]''). Suggestions were made that the community may have an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game Alternate Reality Game (ARG)] on its hands. Valve had been known to dip into this territory on [http://theportalwiki.com/wiki/Portal_ARG previous occasions].<br />
<br />
After all this speculation, [https://www.reddit.com/user/imnotgoats /u/imnotgoats] decided to create his own subreddit for gathering anything related to the possible mystery afoot. A troll by the name of [https://www.reddit.com/user/ck__ /u/ck__] was quick to share this [https://i.imgur.com/5PgzUqJ.jpg screenshot] which, after some people realised was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigen%C3%A8re_cipher Vigenere Cipher]. It was decoded to ‘You are a bunch of idiots’ by https://www.reddit.com/user/notmuchwbu /u/notmuchwbu]. It was clear that everyone needed to be vigilant with new - some people would be working against the community’s efforts (this is the internet, after all). [https://www.reddit.com/user/MilkGames /u/MilkGames] created a Discord chat for real time investigation (''see community, [[Discord]]'').<br />
<br />
Community members had started combing for clues. Everywhere. Artwork was analysed, URLs investigated, every last detail was being scrutinized. It became apparent that they would probably have to wait until the next day to get more clues but they noticed something strange. The comic pages were being released at different times depending on where you lived ('''see comic, [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|pages]]'''). The fact that Australia, in particular, was one page ahead of everywhere else gave access to more information earlier. In an effort to find out if other countries had different releases already the Discord chat began looking at Steam using a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network VPN]. They figured out that the comic pages were stored in directories encoded with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal Hexadecimal] and devised a small bruteforce team.<br />
<br />
===Confirmed ARG===<br />
<br />
During the few days before Neon Scalar arrived, moral was quite low. New discoveries were being made, but there was nothing yet that pointed to any conclusive evidence of an ARG. On 25th December, the barcode previously found on the front cover of the comic was removed. This lent some credence to the idea that the contents of the barcode were in some way significant, a theory only amplified by the fact that references to a [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] had appeared on a Valve translation server. The description of the badge - <code>ARG?</code> - was for many a confirmation that an ARG existed, but we still didn’t know the best way to proceed.<br />
<br />
''Everything above is generally referred to as "pre-neon", with the following events referred to as "post-neon".''<br />
<br />
Neon Scalar was a user who connected to the Discord server on the 29th December. Back then, the Discord server was a far closer community, with around 40 connected users rather than the 1,000 or so commonly seen today. It was surprising, then, when Neon said nothing at all for the many hours the account was connected to the chat window. This remained the case until they posted four messages before falling silent once more: <br />
<br />
Neon Scalar: I'm late for class but I might have found something? There's a super shady looking "nothingtoseehere.js" in the hotline miami store page header. Looks like it's sending requests to a actions/clues page.<br />
Neon Scalar: http://store.steampowered.com/app/274170/[2] view source.<br />
ekim_gaf: Why in the hotline Miami page?*<br />
Neon Scalar: Might be on others. It was just the first I clicked<br />
Neon Scalar: Quick spot check shows it's probably on all of them.<br />
<br />
Neon has been in the server ever since, but hasn't spoken once apart from these four messages. Whilst not officially proven, it is generally accepted that Neon Scalar was Valve pointing us at the right direction. Neon Scalar's discovery lead to rapid growth on both Discord and the subreddit you're reading this on today:<br />
<br />
[[File:SWSTraffic.png]]<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Hitman Thread===<br />
<br />
With the discovery of the Javascript code [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] on each game store page, which could be accessed by typing ''SEARCH'' and then pressing <code>Enter</code>, the community had its first method of proceeding with any clues derived from the cards and comic pages revealed from previous days.<br />
<br />
The link between the [http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/clusters/sale_winter2015_comic/397a5a0d/comic_cover_english.jpg Comic Book Cover] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_(video_game_series) Hitman series] had been specifically discussed by numerous people (<code>Unknown Persons></code>) over the previous days. The image of Gingerbread Jake (''see character, [[Gingerbread Jake]]'') on the Comic Book Cover resembles the pose of the Hitman Character in numerous Game Box Art in the series, and well as the barcode at the bottom left of the cover being very similar to the Hitman Characters Barcode tattoo. But it was [https://www.reddit.com/user/DevinWatson /u/DevinWatson] who first used the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] on the [http://store.steampowered.com/app/6900/ Hitman: Codename 47 Store Page], utilizing the barcode as the passcode, which resulted in the prompt returning the text <code>ic/4f21ca7</code>. <br />
<br />
This was the first clue validating [https://www.reddit.com/user/yuv912 /u/yuv912]'s idea that there is more to the Winter Sale than meets the eye. The Comic Book Cover was then changed by Valve, two days after it was initially released and after [https://www.reddit.com/user/DevinWatson /u/DevinWatson] had discovered the Hitman Prompt, in which the bottom left corner of the page which included the barcode had been torn off, revealing the page beneath it. This action is commonly believed to be a congratulatory message from Valve that the community had figured out the/a first step.<br />
<br />
As soon as this first step had been obtained, work began to decipher the text <code>ic/4f21ca7</code>. Originally this phrase was though to obtain a cryptographic message leading to the next clue, but it was ('''Unknown Person''') who noticed that the Steam Store URL for the web comics <code>store.steampowered.com/wintercomic</code> ending with <code>ic</code>, and combined the phrase into the URL. This result in the user downloading an [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] named <code>1fce82a72c633.wav</code> from the Steam page. When the audio file is played a man can be heard saying:<br />
<br />
“I was on the right track. I could feel it. Tomorrow I was going to search again”<br />
<br />
At this stage no more information or clues have been deciphered from this audio file, but the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] is perceived as another message from the ARG’s creators that this game had only just started and that there would be more clues tomorrow, specifically in the Day 4 [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|Comics]] or [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|Cards]], as the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Clues#1fce82a72c633.wav|Audio File]] was uploaded on the third day of the Winter Sale. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
===The Red Herring Badge===<br />
<br />
With the completion of several steps of the Hitman Thread, users began to go back to other [[Steam_Winter_2015:Comic Book|Comics]] and [[Steam_Winter_2015:Cards|Cards]] to develop similar threads. While symbols have been discovered on several images distributed during the Winter Sale, as of now there has been only one completed thread, which results in the awarding of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] to a users Steam Account. Further speculation regarding the Red Herring thread even suggests that this thread is itself actually a Red Herring, distracting us from more complex unsolved or unspeculated clues. <br />
<br />
Using various methods including manipulating images in image editors to reveal hidden details, analyzing audio spectrums and well as pure dumb luck, the community was able to combine clues from the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Revelations#Day 7 Trading Card|Day 7 Trading Card]] as well as the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Revelations#Blitzen Incident|“Blitzen Incident”]] which is referenced multiple times in the comic, to give a Steam Action URL that results in the awarding of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] by typing in the final password ('1v7531') in the SEARCH prompt on the [http://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/ Ikaruga store page]. <br />
<br />
<br />
===Brute Force===<br />
<br />
With the numerous demonstrations of the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] being a vital instrument in proceeding with the ARG game, numerous members were frustrated when trying to complete the carefully laid out riddle and began to determine a method to brute force the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] into revealing its secrets. These efforts led to the user Dinnerbone writing two scripts that users could run to try and find the next clue. The first, being a script to test a list of passwords on the Steam store page prompt and the second, a script trying a single password on the prompts of all Steam products. These scripts were adapted by a hand full of users who used a google-doc to track their progress. User Brendan, used this tool to run a password he got from the guys processing the audio file, suddenly finding the link to the page that would get you the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]].<br />
<br />
At this time, an announcement thanking the Bruteforce channel got enough attention to see a serious spike of users, which meant a lot more trolls, which would no longer allow us the use of public docs for tracking progress as it was susceptible to abuse. This called for a better system. One better defended against trolls and more easily distributed to people who wanted to help.<br />
<br />
The demand for this system spawned two new systems. The first one, a web based automated system that used what Dinnerbone's script did, but made it easier for users who were new to coding and consoles to try out passwords by giving them a queue to enter suggestions in for him to automatically run. This was great for the new users, but the more technical users were dissatisfied to step down to testing a single password at a time. This inspired Discord user Opl, to create a webclient much like Xpaw's but using it and a server to distribute passwords to bot-clients that the users would install on their machines, creating a botnet of sorts for bruteforcing the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]]. After the discovery of the badge, 3 days went by, but nothing happened. Xpaw and Opl had tested over 7000 passwords, and the botnet was greatly improved with the help of users Zephy, Fillerino and Mousey, but nothing had been achieved. People started to put bruteforcing's effectiveness into question and support dropped when user Helloworld111, used the password database to bruteforce the winter comic url (a feature implemented in scripts by Users Xpaw, Nepeat and Windsdon) where a wave file was discovered earlier and proceeded to find a new wave file at http://store.steampowered.com/wintercomic/794E2CEA991F which is believed to be a missed step that should have led us to the "bullet hell" password and lead to [http://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/ Ikaruga]<br />
<br />
===Lambda and Crowbar===<br />
<br />
Every new image connected to the Steam Winter Sale went under intense scrutiny. To this end, someone discovered discrepancies in the blacks used on the new [http://steamcommunity-a.akamaihd.net/economy/image/U8721VM9p9C2v1o6cKJ4qEnGqnE7IoTQgZI-VTdwyTBeimAcIoxXpgK8bPeslY9pPJIvB5IWW2-452kaM8heLSRgleGHpLBLye94PqUv0uP_DAwp77ESAGflGEON0DGSfrv3k1BkNZAuJk-qx5scv9gCUJ95SOLkAtzqxg Santa Baby] Steam profile background. Post analysis, two distinct shapes were discovered in the top left of the image:<br />
<br />
[[File:Crowbarwintersale.png|80px]]<br />
<br />
Whilst compression artefacts are common in JPEG images, it's highly unlikely that those artefacts would just so happen to be in the shape of the Half-Life 2 logo and a crowbar! However, when questioned by a [https://www.reddit.com/r/halflife /r/halflife] user, [https://i.imgur.com/jURjHBq.jpg Marc Laidlaw] stated "that doesnt *[sic]* look like anything to me", as well as that "[the ARG] is not intended as a way to roll out a new game." The Lambda and Crowbar have since been ignored as a potential lead, although it should be noted that the image is rumoured to be related to the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] as it was part of the same clueset.<br />
<br />
=== End of Winter Sale===<br />
<br />
On January 4th, 2016, the Steam Winter Sale 2015 ended and along with the pages relating to it being pulled, a lot of the ARG pages are no longer accessible too. This includes most, if not all, of the .wav sound files, the [[Steam_Winter_2015:SEARCH prompt|SEARCH prompt]] activated by typing ''SEARCH'' and hitting enter on any page, and the <code>nothingtoseehere.js</code> Javascript file. Previous clues originally found on the Steam Store by searching, such as that of <code>Blitzen</code> and <code>Blitzen Incident</code> began to show no results rather than what would be displayed previously. The JSON associated with the ARG was also pulled, preventing people from still using the Javascript via pasting it into a browser console window. <br />
<br />
As a result of these actions by Valve, the [[Steam_Winter_2015:Red Herring Badge|Red Herring Badge]] became unobtainable for more users, though the ones that did obtain it have not lost it. It is presumed that this is the end of the ARG and that it was just one big "red herring".</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:Argbox&diff=713Template:Argbox2016-06-21T00:03:09Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="float:{{{float|right}}}; clear:{{{clear|right}}};" width="22.5%"<br />
!colspan="2"|{{{name|{{PAGENAME}}}}}<br />
[[{{{image|Image:Example.png}}}|{{{imagewidth|250}}}px]]<br/>''{{{caption| }}}''<br />
|- <br />
|style="font-size:10px; text-align:center; background-color:#eeeeee" colspan="2"|<br />
|-<br />
{{#if:{{{creator|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Creator<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{creator}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{#if:{{{status|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Status<br />
{{!}}{{#switch:{{{status}}}|Completed=style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaffaa"|On Going=style="text-align:center; background-color: #5ac3ec"|Abandoned=style="text-align:center; background-color: #fb5757"|On Hold=style="text-align:center; background-color: #F37338"|style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaa"}}{{!}}{{{status}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{discovered|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Discovered<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{discovered}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{completed|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Completed<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{completed}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{timeline|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Timeline<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{timeline}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
;Description<br />
:This template is used to create an arg infobox.<br />
;Syntax<br />
:Type <code>{{t|argbox|...}}</code> somewhere, with parameters as shown below.<br />
;Sample output<br />
<pre>{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = Valve<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}</pre><br />
<br />
Results in...<br />
{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}<br />
{{clear}}<br />
<br />
===Parameters===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! Parameter<br />
! Description<br />
! Default<br />
! Accepted Values<br />
! Type<br />
! Status<br />
|-<br />
| float<br />
| box is aligned to the the left or the right.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| clear<br />
| content is delayed until just the right or left column is complete.<br />
|<code>right</code><br />
|<code>left</code> or <code>right</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| name<br />
| the name of the arg infobox<br />
| Title of the current page<br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| image<br />
| the thumb of the arg infobox<br />
|<code>Image:Example.png</code><br />
| any valid link from local source or external<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| imagewidth<br />
| width of the thumb image of the arg info box<br />
|<code>250</code><br />
|any valid integer<br />
| Int<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| creator<br />
| creator of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| status<br />
| status of the arg<br />
| <br />
| <code>On Going</code>, <code>On Hold</code>, <code>Completed</code> or <code>Abandoned</code><br />
| String<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| discovered<br />
| time of the arg discovery<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| completed<br />
| time of the arg completion<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Date<br />
| Optional<br />
|-<br />
| timeline<br />
| timeline of the arg<br />
| <br />
|<br />
| Reference<br />
| Optional <br />
|}<br />
</noinclude></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:Argbox&diff=690Template:Argbox2016-06-20T23:36:36Z<p>Zephy: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" style="float:{{{float|right}}}; clear:{{{clear|right}}};" width="22.5%" !colspan="2"|{{{name|{{PAGENAME}}}}} {{{image|Image:Example.png}}}|{{{imagewidth..."</p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="float:{{{float|right}}}; clear:{{{clear|right}}};" width="22.5%"<br />
!colspan="2"|{{{name|{{PAGENAME}}}}}<br />
[[{{{image|Image:Example.png}}}|{{{imagewidth|250}}}px]]<br/>''{{{caption| }}}''<br />
|- <br />
|style="font-size:10px; text-align:center; background-color:#eeeeee" colspan="2"|<br />
|-<br />
{{#if:{{{creator|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Creator<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{creator}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{#if:{{{status|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Status<br />
{{!}}{{#switch:{{{status}}}|Completed=style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaffaa"|On Going=style="text-align:center; background-color: #5ac3ec"|Abandoned=style="text-align:center; background-color: #fb5757"|On Hold=style="text-align:center; background-color: #F37338"|style="text-align:center; background-color: #aaa"}}{{!}}{{{status}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{discovered|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Discovered<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{discovered}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{completed|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Completed<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{completed}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
{{#if:{{{timeline|}}}|<br />
{{!}}Timeline<br />
{{!}}style="text-align:center;"{{!}}{{{timeline}}}<br />
{{!}}- style="background-color:#eeeeee"<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
;Description<br />
:This template is used to create an arg infobox.<br />
;Syntax<br />
:Type <code>{{t|argbox|...}}</code> somewhere, with parameters as shown below.<br />
;Sample output<br />
<pre>{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = Valve<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}</pre><br />
<br />
Results in...<br />
{{argbox<br />
| float = left<br />
| name = Valve ARG<br />
| image = File:Example.png<br />
| imagewidth = 150<br />
| creator = [[Valve]]<br />
| status = Completed<br />
| discovered = 01-01-1970<br />
| completed = 01-01-1971<br />
| timeline = [[Valve]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
</noinclude></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=Template:T&diff=689Template:T2016-06-20T23:30:58Z<p>Zephy: Created page with "&#123;&#123;{{{1}}}&#125;&#125;"</p>
<hr />
<div>&#123;&#123;[[Template:{{{1}}}|{{{1}}}]]&#125;&#125;</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:Example.png&diff=688File:Example.png2016-06-20T23:26:30Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel7500%2B.png&diff=669File:WARGLevel7500+.png2016-06-20T18:28:20Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel10000%2B.png&diff=670File:WARGLevel10000+.png2016-06-20T18:28:20Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel12500%2B.png&diff=671File:WARGLevel12500+.png2016-06-20T18:28:20Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel300%2B.png&diff=663File:WARGLevel300+.png2016-06-20T18:28:19Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel500%2B.png&diff=664File:WARGLevel500+.png2016-06-20T18:28:19Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel1000%2B.png&diff=665File:WARGLevel1000+.png2016-06-20T18:28:19Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel2000%2B.png&diff=666File:WARGLevel2000+.png2016-06-20T18:28:19Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel3000%2B.png&diff=667File:WARGLevel3000+.png2016-06-20T18:28:19Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel5000%2B.png&diff=668File:WARGLevel5000+.png2016-06-20T18:28:19Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel30%2B.png&diff=657File:WARGLevel30+.png2016-06-20T18:28:18Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel40%2B.png&diff=658File:WARGLevel40+.png2016-06-20T18:28:18Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel75%2B.png&diff=659File:WARGLevel75+.png2016-06-20T18:28:18Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel100%2B.png&diff=660File:WARGLevel100+.png2016-06-20T18:28:18Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel150%2B.png&diff=661File:WARGLevel150+.png2016-06-20T18:28:18Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel200%2B.png&diff=662File:WARGLevel200+.png2016-06-20T18:28:18Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel6.png&diff=651File:WARGLevel6.png2016-06-20T18:28:17Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel7.png&diff=652File:WARGLevel7.png2016-06-20T18:28:17Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel8.png&diff=653File:WARGLevel8.png2016-06-20T18:28:17Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel9.png&diff=654File:WARGLevel9.png2016-06-20T18:28:17Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel10%2B.png&diff=655File:WARGLevel10+.png2016-06-20T18:28:17Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel20%2B.png&diff=656File:WARGLevel20+.png2016-06-20T18:28:17Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel1.png&diff=646File:WARGLevel1.png2016-06-20T18:28:16Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel2.png&diff=647File:WARGLevel2.png2016-06-20T18:28:16Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel3.png&diff=648File:WARGLevel3.png2016-06-20T18:28:16Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel4.png&diff=649File:WARGLevel4.png2016-06-20T18:28:16Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGLevel5.png&diff=650File:WARGLevel5.png2016-06-20T18:28:16Z<p>Zephy: User created page with UploadWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>=={{int:filedesc}}==<br />
{{Information<br />
|description={{en|1=Winter Sale 2015 badge}}<br />
|date=2015-12-21<br />
|source=Valve<br />
|author=Valve<br />
|permission=<br />
|other versions=<br />
}}<br />
<br />
=={{int:license-header}}==<br />
{{subst:uwl}}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Uploaded with UploadWizard]]</div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard11Full.jpg&diff=589File:WARGCard11Full.jpg2016-06-20T12:05:40Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard11.png&diff=588File:WARGCard11.png2016-06-20T12:05:34Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard10Full.jpg&diff=587File:WARGCard10Full.jpg2016-06-20T12:05:28Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard10.png&diff=586File:WARGCard10.png2016-06-20T12:05:23Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard9Full.jpg&diff=585File:WARGCard9Full.jpg2016-06-20T12:05:17Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard9.png&diff=584File:WARGCard9.png2016-06-20T12:05:11Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard8Full.jpg&diff=583File:WARGCard8Full.jpg2016-06-20T12:05:03Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard8.png&diff=582File:WARGCard8.png2016-06-20T12:03:38Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephyhttps://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:WARGCard7Full.jpg&diff=581File:WARGCard7Full.jpg2016-06-20T12:03:27Z<p>Zephy: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Zephy