Difference between revisions of "How To Basic ARG"

From Game Detectives Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
[checked revision][pending revision]
m ("Wait for the =")
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
| float      = right
 
| float      = right
 
| image      = File:Htb-logo.jpg
 
| image      = File:Htb-logo.jpg
| imagewidth = 450
 
 
| name      = How To Basic ARG
 
| name      = How To Basic ARG
 
| description= How To Basic's face reveal video led to a series of cryptic clues and puzzles.
 
| description= How To Basic's face reveal video led to a series of cryptic clues and puzzles.
 
| creator    = [https://www.youtube.com/user/HowToBasic How To Basic]
 
| creator    = [https://www.youtube.com/user/HowToBasic How To Basic]
| type      = [[List_of_Investigations#Unofficial|Unofficial]]
+
| type      = Unofficial
| status    = Active
+
| status    = Discontinued
 
| discovered = 2018-03-24
 
| discovered = 2018-03-24
 
}}
 
}}
Line 28: Line 27:
 
}}
 
}}
  
On March 24, 2018, the [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4s1DE9J4DHzZYXMltSMAg How To Basic channel] released their "Face Reveal" video.  The video consisted of many different famous YouTubers all claiming to be behind the HowToBasic channel.  A full list of people featured in the video can be found on [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DfsC5PM-lSQVjfL_JUeIkacESDqQsj1Bvuptq5j0suA/edit#gid=0 this community-maintained spreadsheet].
+
On March 24, 2018, the [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4s1DE9J4DHzZYXMltSMAg How To Basic channel] released a video titled "Face Reveal".  The video consisted of many different famous YouTubers all claiming to be behind the HowToBasic channel.  A full list of people featured in the video can be found on [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DfsC5PM-lSQVjfL_JUeIkacESDqQsj1Bvuptq5j0suA/edit#gid=0 this community-maintained spreadsheet].
  
 
=== Wingdings Freezeframe ===
 
=== Wingdings Freezeframe ===
  
At the end of the video, the following emojis are visible for a single frame:
+
At the end of the video, the following symbols are visible for a single frame:
  
 
[[File:Wingdings frame.jpg|600px|center]]
 
[[File:Wingdings frame.jpg|600px|center]]
  
By translating the symbols found on these emojis from Wingdings using [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/427272312916541450/427325209381568522/WebdingWingdingIconCheatSheetCharacterMapSymbols.png this chart], a message was discovered:
+
The symbols were identified as Windings and translated using a reference chart, yielding the following message:
  
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
Line 42: Line 41:
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
  
It is speculated that, since the string <code>/watch?v</code> appears in a YouTube video link, we will find more clues throughout the course of the ARG that lead to another video.
+
It is speculated that since the string <code>/watch?v</code> is part of YouTube's video link format, future puzzles will reveal the rest of the characters comprising the link, leading to another video.
  
 
=== "Wait for the =" ===
 
=== "Wait for the =" ===
  
After the video was released, a plethora of gamejacking attempts occurred, with many false leads being pursued by ARG players.  On March 25, 2018, a tag was added to the video which read:
+
On March 25, 2018, a tag was added to the video which read:
  
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
Line 53: Line 52:
  
 
It is speculated that the <code>=</code> is another reference to a YouTube URL, which takes the form <code>\watch?v=</code>.  The addition of this tag by How To Basic suggests that there were no more clues to be discovered at the time, and that ARG players would be able to proceed once the equals sign appeared (although precisely what that may entail is still a mystery).
 
It is speculated that the <code>=</code> is another reference to a YouTube URL, which takes the form <code>\watch?v=</code>.  The addition of this tag by How To Basic suggests that there were no more clues to be discovered at the time, and that ARG players would be able to proceed once the equals sign appeared (although precisely what that may entail is still a mystery).
 +
 +
=== Hawaiian Pizza Video ===
 +
 +
On March 28, 2018, How To Basic released a new video entitled "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdyDazu3V4 How to Make a Hawaiian Pizza]".  At the 2:08 mark in the video, another Wingdings code is visible, similar to the one found in the [[How To Basic ARG#Wingdings Freezeframe|original Face Reveal video]]:
 +
 +
[[File:Htb pineapple.jpg|400px|center]]
 +
 +
When deciphered, the Wingdings yields the following plaintext:
 +
 +
<pre>
 +
mmf2v12
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
The purpose of this text is currently unknown.
 +
 +
===Perfect Roast Video===
 +
 +
On April 1st, 2019, How To Basic uploaded a new video titled "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4OItmKWFKw How To Make The Perfect Roast]". At the 37:18 minute mark, coordinates are visible for a few seconds before disappearing.
 +
 +
[[File:PerfectRoastCords.jpg|200px|center]]
 +
 +
The coordinates lead to a river in Australia near Perth.
 +
 +
===Reward===
 +
 +
On April 2nd, 2019, one day after the perfect roast video was uploaded, shenzishenzi uploaded a video called "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVTHfj4jfWI I FOUND HOW TO BASICS TREASURE!! -32.0214 115.9154]" in which he's shown walking around the riverside of the coordinate location. He walks up to a buried treasure. and picks it up, then takes it home.
 +
 +
[[File:Htb treasure.jpg|600px|center]]
 +
 +
In the box there is an egg cup, a box of eggs, a "How To Basic" rubber band, colored eggs, 100 Australian dollars, a couple of other "How To Basic" rubber bands, a picture of How To Basic egging a free t-shirt, a Hoyts Lux card, another box of eggs, Silicone Egg rings, a Monopoly Crown box and an Egg Separator spoon.
 +
 +
 +
 +
''This page is a work in progress and will be updated as the ARG unfolds''

Latest revision as of 17:16, 28 September 2023

How To Basic ARG
Discontinued
Htb-logo.jpg
How To Basic's face reveal video led to a series of cryptic clues and puzzles.
Type Unofficial
Creator How To Basic
Discovered 2018-03-24

Main Page > List of Investigations > How To Basic ARG

How To Basic is a prominent YouTube comedian. His videos are characterized by elements of surreal comedy and visual gags. How To Basic is notable in that he has not revealed his face or identity.

On March 24, 2018, How To Basic released a video titled "Face Reveal," which was the trailhead for an alternate reality game. This wiki page documents the ARG's puzzles and their solutions.

Face Reveal Video

On March 24, 2018, the How To Basic channel released a video titled "Face Reveal". The video consisted of many different famous YouTubers all claiming to be behind the HowToBasic channel. A full list of people featured in the video can be found on this community-maintained spreadsheet.

Wingdings Freezeframe

At the end of the video, the following symbols are visible for a single frame:

Wingdings frame.jpg

The symbols were identified as Windings and translated using a reference chart, yielding the following message:

/watch?v

It is speculated that since the string /watch?v is part of YouTube's video link format, future puzzles will reveal the rest of the characters comprising the link, leading to another video.

"Wait for the ="

On March 25, 2018, a tag was added to the video which read:

wait for the =

It is speculated that the = is another reference to a YouTube URL, which takes the form \watch?v=. The addition of this tag by How To Basic suggests that there were no more clues to be discovered at the time, and that ARG players would be able to proceed once the equals sign appeared (although precisely what that may entail is still a mystery).

Hawaiian Pizza Video

On March 28, 2018, How To Basic released a new video entitled "How to Make a Hawaiian Pizza". At the 2:08 mark in the video, another Wingdings code is visible, similar to the one found in the original Face Reveal video:

Htb pineapple.jpg

When deciphered, the Wingdings yields the following plaintext:

mmf2v12

The purpose of this text is currently unknown.

Perfect Roast Video

On April 1st, 2019, How To Basic uploaded a new video titled "How To Make The Perfect Roast". At the 37:18 minute mark, coordinates are visible for a few seconds before disappearing.

The coordinates lead to a river in Australia near Perth.

Reward

On April 2nd, 2019, one day after the perfect roast video was uploaded, shenzishenzi uploaded a video called "I FOUND HOW TO BASICS TREASURE!! -32.0214 115.9154" in which he's shown walking around the riverside of the coordinate location. He walks up to a buried treasure. and picks it up, then takes it home.

In the box there is an egg cup, a box of eggs, a "How To Basic" rubber band, colored eggs, 100 Australian dollars, a couple of other "How To Basic" rubber bands, a picture of How To Basic egging a free t-shirt, a Hoyts Lux card, another box of eggs, Silicone Egg rings, a Monopoly Crown box and an Egg Separator spoon.


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