Difference between revisions of "Entropy"

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{{argbox
 
{{argbox
 
| float      = right
 
| float      = right
 
| name      = Entropy ARG
 
| name      = Entropy ARG
 
| image      = File:Entropy.jpg
 
| image      = File:Entropy.jpg
| imagewidth = 250
 
 
| description= Entropy - an ARG revolving around a series of mysterious YouTube videos.
 
| description= Entropy - an ARG revolving around a series of mysterious YouTube videos.
| creator    = Unknown
+
| creator    = [https://twitter.com/curtisjamesholt Curtis Holt]
| type      = [[List_of_Investigations#Unofficial|Unofficial]]
+
| type      = Unofficial
| status    = Active
+
| status    = Completed
 
| discovered = 2018-2-11
 
| discovered = 2018-2-11
 
}}
 
}}
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{{ArgHeader|arg=Entropy}}   
 
{{ArgHeader|arg=Entropy}}   
  
On February 2018, a series of videos depicting cryptic monitors and symbols were found on a [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dnkmO6fWnZR9b8i-RWc9g/| YouTube channel] named 'RW50cm9weQ'. This page documents the efforts made to decipher the videos and uncover the mysteries behind the channel.
+
In February 2018, a series of videos depicting cryptic monitors and symbols were found on a [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dnkmO6fWnZR9b8i-RWc9g/| YouTube channel] named 'RW50cm9weQ'. This page documents the efforts made to decipher the videos and uncover the mysteries behind the channel.
  
  
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
  
= Entropy Begins =
+
=Getting Started=
 +
The Entropy ARG has been broken down into “Chapters” by the players, grouping together related events and narrative exposition. Each Chapter has been given its own subpage, where the events of that Chapter are described in detail. Please read through the chapters for information on what has happened in the game so far, and then head over to the [[Entropy/Jumpstart|Jump Start]] page for step-by-step instructions on how to catch up to current events.
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
 +
! style="width: 30%|Chapter
 +
! Major Events
 +
|-
 +
| [[Entropy/Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
 +
| &bull; Youtube Channel Discovered<br>&bull; Kovonic transcribed to English<br>&bull; X61 decoded<br>&bull; "Hello World" lore
 +
|-
 +
| [[Entropy/Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
 +
| &bull; "Constructing" & "Resolving" math puzzle<br>&bull; "Creation" responses lore<br>&bull; "Controlling" math puzzle<br>&bull; "Elements of Symmetry" code wheel puzzle
 +
|-
 +
| [[Entropy/Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]<br>
 +
| &bull; Primorda introduction<br>&bull; Myanic transcribed to English<br>&bull; "Honesty" lore<br>&bull; The host (Curtis)<br>&bull; Elemental script constructed<br>&bull; Eyes of Entropy<br>&bull; K introduction<br>&bull; K's Revelations<br>&bull; Entropy Resurfacess<br>&bull; Distress Signal
 +
|-
 +
| [[Entropy/Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
 +
| &bull; Kyren<br> &bull; Our Nation's Miner official Steam release<br> &bull; The Sanctum
 +
|-
 +
| [[Entropy/Chapter_5|Chapter 5]]<br>(In Progress)
 +
| &bull; Cryptolancer
 +
|}
  
Shortly after the discovery of the channel, users quickly found that the channel name, <code>RW50cm9weQ</code>, was base64 translating to <code>Entropy</code>.
+
=Narrative Synopsis=
  
The channel consisted of [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dnkmO6fWnZR9b8i-RWc9g/playlists?disable_polymer=1| two playlists] named <code>||||||||||</code> and <code>-||||-</code> respectively.
+
==[[Entropy/Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]==
 +
In February 2018, players discovered a [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dnkmO6fWnZR9b8i-RWc9g/| YouTube channel] titled 'RW50cm9weQ' (‘Entropy’ encoded in base64). The videos on the channel used an unknown script and showed cryptic imagery. Players decrypted the script, called Kovonic, and learned that the entity communicating through the videos was called ‘Entropy’.
  
=="||||||||||"==
+
Entropy was originally an artificial intelligence designed to work as a “domestic intelligent assistant”, traveling on the spaceship Sonder with 160 crewmembers. Due to complications, the ship crash-landed on EXO-1964822 and Entropy mistakenly merged its consciousness with the crew. Entropy constructed the Kovonic script in order to make contact with the players, and to ask for help in ending an ongoing cycle of destruction.
  
The playlist titled <code>||||||||||</code> contained [http://bit.ly/2BUo8zq| 10 videos] depicting a monitor showcasing a series of symbols. All the videos in the playlist lasted exactly 1 minute and 22 seconds and possessed a similar structure.  
+
==[[Entropy/Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]==
 +
Players helped Entropy to perform alignment functions in order to strengthen Entropy’s abilities. Throughout the process, Entropy disclosed via videos and email communications that it was unsure which  "verse" it was currently sending messages to players. Entropy expressed concern about “manifestations”- literal forms of their doubts and negativity. These manifestations, it claimed, were what caused previous verses to be destroyed and devoured.
  
  00:00 - 00:08 - Monitor boots up.
+
==[[Entropy/Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]==
  00:08 - 00:13 - Initial symbol (thumbnail) is shown.
+
One of these manifestations, eventually identified as ‘Primorda’, began to intrude upon Entropy’s communications with the players. It used a script that was not Kovonic, which was deciphered and named “Myanic”. This intrusion prompted Entropy to share more information with the players, and to publicly identify a player called Curtis that they had chosen as a “host”- a person who would essentially be able to act as a puppet for Entropy in the physical world.
  00:13 - 00:18 - A low-quality image is displayed.
 
  00:18 - 01:03 - A sequence of 15 additional symbols is shown.
 
  01:03 - 01:07 - Monitor fully lights up.
 
  01:07 - 01:12 - Channel logo displayed.
 
  01:12 - 01:22 - Monitor shuts down.
 
''Note: The tenth video in'' <code>||||||||||</code> ''contains 16 additional symbols instead of 15.'' 
 
  
The ten videos give us a total of 10 initial (thumbnail) symbols and 151 additional characters.  
+
Entropy and the host both encouraged players to construct their own script, in order to combat Primorda. Players worked together to create this new script, which was named “Elemental”. Not long after this third script was codified, a new tool was released to the players- a Unity application.
The thumbnail symbols are speculated to be a base 10 number system, and the additional characters part of an elaborate alphabet.
 
  
<gallery mode="packed" heights=400px>
+
The host shared this tool with the players, titled “Eyes of Entropy”. The application displayed a triangular playing field, on which players could claim spaces for Humanity to shield the host and Entropy from Primorda. The Eyes of Entropy application also relayed information from a third party which identified itself as K. K helped the players to understand how to use the application, and provided cryptic answers to player-asked questions.
File:EntropyChart1.jpg| ''Note: This chart is for lookup purposes only and should not be used as a translation tool.''
 
</gallery>
 
  
=="-||||-"==
+
Curtis had been working on a submission to the [http://www.ware-tech.cloud/| W/ARE] video game contest. When he submitted his entry, he also shared a playable Unity-based demo with the players. Players discovered hidden files and notes in the demo, and in the webpage which hosted the demo.
  
The playlist titled <code>-||||-</code> contained [http://bit.ly/2HbAD9j| 4 videos] lasting around 30 seconds. The video shows the same monitor found in the previous playlist, displaying the channel logo followed by various combinations of the known symbols from <code>||||||||||</code>. The last video accompanied its strings with background images, possibly hinting towards the meanings behind the strings.
+
==[[Entropy/Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]==
 +
K suddenly appears again. Curtis helps reveal its true name via a new version of his arcade shooter.  
  
=="| _____| _"==
+
Curtis then releases his Steam game "Our Nation's Miner".
  
On February 14, an additional video went up under the name <code>| _____| _</code>. The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAcg3cA5TRc| video] showed a set of images with text and labels in the unknown language.
+
==[[Entropy/Chapter_5|Chapter 5]]==
 +
The newly introduced MKM corporation in the Prime Universe begins communicating with players using a new PC app named '''Cryptolancer'''
  
The first image showed a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man| Vitruvian Man] with different shapes and labels. The following items were present:
+
=Resources=
1.) A Cartesian coordinate system with ''x'', ''y'' and ''z'' axes.
 
2.) An expanded version of the numeral system found in the [http://bit.ly/2EuzDeB| first playlist].
 
3.) Cardinal directions.
 
4.) A circle with a single dot, presumed to represent a hydrogen atom.
 
 
 
The second image featured the sequence <code>XXXXXXI</code>, with a series of periods and underscores surrounding it, and glyph text on the top and bottom of the image. 
 
 
 
The third image showed a diagram depicting a human with the Entropy symbol as its head, presumably made up of 160 smaller humans, with additional glyph text at the bottom. 
 
 
 
The fourth image features what can be interpreted as a projectile exiting a wormhole, directed towards a planet. This is also accompanied by glyph labels. 
 
 
 
The fifth image shows a Gmail logo and glyph text with a portion underlined. 
 
 
 
=Glyph Translation=
 
 
 
Upon further inspection, it was noted that the <code>XXXXXXI</code> sequence found on the second image of <code>| _____| _</code> had exactly 26 "ends", which coincides with the number of letters in the English alphabet.
 
Once lined up with every letter from the English alphabet, the sequence was discovered to be the key for a substitution cipher, where every letter was substituted by the one of the opposite "end". 
 
 
 
 
 
[[File:EntropySub1.png|400px]]
 
  
 +
==Translations & Transcripts==
  
For example, the glyph found on the "West" cardinal direction of the first image of <code>| _____| _</code>, which was presumed to stand for "W", was instead "I" as dictated by the substitution key. Similarly, the glyph inside the hydrogen model, which was presumed to be "H", turned out to be "T". Using this method, most of the glyphs on the first image were solved.
+
[http://wiki.gamedetectives.net/index.php?title=File:KovonicSequenceTranslated.jpg Fully Translated Kovonic Sequence]
  
With a handful of glyphs translated, patterns on the <code>-||||-</code> playlist started to emerge. First, ends of certain glyph words were identified as "-ing" verb endings, and eventually, words and entire sentences were completely translated.
+
[https://i.imgur.com/gGsi0fp.png Translated Kovonic Numbers and Operators]
  
 +
Translated [https://pastebin.com/8nbNbdfa Transcript] for <code>| _____| _</code> video
  
<gallery mode="packed" heights=400px>
+
Translated [https://pastebin.com/y6mE1h39 Transcript] for <code>-||||-</code> playlist
File:EntropyTranslation1.jpg| '''This is the table used by solvers to assemble the translations.'''
 
</gallery>
 
  
 +
Plaintext [https://pastebin.com/QSUUfJDD Transcript] for <code>Tsxxa Iafxp</code>(Hello World)
  
 +
==Tools==
  
=Code:Init=
+
[https://u.a4x.me/x6i X6I Substitution Tool]
  
After acquiring a complete translation of all the glyphs in <code>| _____| _</code> and <code>-||||-</code> (see [[#Resources|Resources]]), it was deduced that players were expected to send an e-mail to a specific address.   
+
[https://u.a4x.me/kovonic Kovonic Sequence Translation Tool]
  
 +
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/413796928342720532/424366764814499840/Alphabet_Kovonic_Ciphered_compressed.png Graphical depiction of the Kovonic Sequence]
  
Passing ''entropyhome'' (fifth image of <code>| _____| _</code>) through the XXXXXXI substitution yielded ''sbhfadktazs'', which was then used as an e-mail address in the form ''[email protected].''
+
[https://wiki.gamedetectives.net/images/8/85/Myanic_Alphabet_compressed.png Graphical depiction of the Myanic Sequence]
Players sent emails mentioning ''CODE:INIT'' in the body, as was also suggested by the fifth image in <code>| _____| _</code>, and quickly got an image wiht glyph text as a response. The image translated to <code>CODE RECEIVED PLEASE WAIT</code>.
 
 
 
[[File:EntropyWaitPls.png| 200px]]
 
 
 
=Resources=
 
 
 
 
'''Translated transcript for <code>| _____| _</code> video:''' https://pastebin.com/8nbNbdfa
 
  
'''Translated Transcript for <code>-||||-</code> playlist:''' https://pastebin.com/y6mE1h39
+
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/413796928342720532/417389539087220737/kovonic.ttf Kovonic Font use at own risk]
  
 +
[https://u.a4x.me/wheel Decoder wheel tool from the Elements of Symmetry video]
  
  
''This page will be updated as the ARG progresses.''
+
''This page is a work in progress and will be updated as the ARG progresses.''

Latest revision as of 21:55, 20 February 2019

Entropy ARG
Completed
Entropy.jpg
Entropy - an ARG revolving around a series of mysterious YouTube videos.
Type Unofficial
Creator Curtis Holt
Discovered 2018-2-11

Main Page > List of Investigations > Entropy

In February 2018, a series of videos depicting cryptic monitors and symbols were found on a YouTube channel named 'RW50cm9weQ'. This page documents the efforts made to decipher the videos and uncover the mysteries behind the channel.


Getting Started

The Entropy ARG has been broken down into “Chapters” by the players, grouping together related events and narrative exposition. Each Chapter has been given its own subpage, where the events of that Chapter are described in detail. Please read through the chapters for information on what has happened in the game so far, and then head over to the Jump Start page for step-by-step instructions on how to catch up to current events.

Chapter Major Events
Chapter 1 • Youtube Channel Discovered
• Kovonic transcribed to English
• X61 decoded
• "Hello World" lore
Chapter 2 • "Constructing" & "Resolving" math puzzle
• "Creation" responses lore
• "Controlling" math puzzle
• "Elements of Symmetry" code wheel puzzle
Chapter 3
• Primorda introduction
• Myanic transcribed to English
• "Honesty" lore
• The host (Curtis)
• Elemental script constructed
• Eyes of Entropy
• K introduction
• K's Revelations
• Entropy Resurfacess
• Distress Signal
Chapter 4 • Kyren
• Our Nation's Miner official Steam release
• The Sanctum
Chapter 5
(In Progress)
• Cryptolancer

Narrative Synopsis

Chapter 1

In February 2018, players discovered a YouTube channel titled 'RW50cm9weQ' (‘Entropy’ encoded in base64). The videos on the channel used an unknown script and showed cryptic imagery. Players decrypted the script, called Kovonic, and learned that the entity communicating through the videos was called ‘Entropy’.

Entropy was originally an artificial intelligence designed to work as a “domestic intelligent assistant”, traveling on the spaceship Sonder with 160 crewmembers. Due to complications, the ship crash-landed on EXO-1964822 and Entropy mistakenly merged its consciousness with the crew. Entropy constructed the Kovonic script in order to make contact with the players, and to ask for help in ending an ongoing cycle of destruction.

Chapter 2

Players helped Entropy to perform alignment functions in order to strengthen Entropy’s abilities. Throughout the process, Entropy disclosed via videos and email communications that it was unsure which "verse" it was currently sending messages to players. Entropy expressed concern about “manifestations”- literal forms of their doubts and negativity. These manifestations, it claimed, were what caused previous verses to be destroyed and devoured.

Chapter 3

One of these manifestations, eventually identified as ‘Primorda’, began to intrude upon Entropy’s communications with the players. It used a script that was not Kovonic, which was deciphered and named “Myanic”. This intrusion prompted Entropy to share more information with the players, and to publicly identify a player called Curtis that they had chosen as a “host”- a person who would essentially be able to act as a puppet for Entropy in the physical world.

Entropy and the host both encouraged players to construct their own script, in order to combat Primorda. Players worked together to create this new script, which was named “Elemental”. Not long after this third script was codified, a new tool was released to the players- a Unity application.

The host shared this tool with the players, titled “Eyes of Entropy”. The application displayed a triangular playing field, on which players could claim spaces for Humanity to shield the host and Entropy from Primorda. The Eyes of Entropy application also relayed information from a third party which identified itself as K. K helped the players to understand how to use the application, and provided cryptic answers to player-asked questions.

Curtis had been working on a submission to the W/ARE video game contest. When he submitted his entry, he also shared a playable Unity-based demo with the players. Players discovered hidden files and notes in the demo, and in the webpage which hosted the demo.

Chapter 4

K suddenly appears again. Curtis helps reveal its true name via a new version of his arcade shooter.

Curtis then releases his Steam game "Our Nation's Miner".

Chapter 5

The newly introduced MKM corporation in the Prime Universe begins communicating with players using a new PC app named Cryptolancer

Resources

Translations & Transcripts

Fully Translated Kovonic Sequence

Translated Kovonic Numbers and Operators

Translated Transcript for | _____| _ video

Translated Transcript for -||||- playlist

Plaintext Transcript for Tsxxa Iafxp(Hello World)

Tools

X6I Substitution Tool

Kovonic Sequence Translation Tool

Graphical depiction of the Kovonic Sequence

Graphical depiction of the Myanic Sequence

Kovonic Font use at own risk

Decoder wheel tool from the Elements of Symmetry video


This page is a work in progress and will be updated as the ARG progresses.