Google / Da Vinci Code Quest: Not A Finalist
Well, got some bad news in the ol’ email today: In spite of completing the last Challenge relatively quickly, it wasn’t quick enough. At least 10,000 contestants appear to have beaten me to the punch, have received cryptexes (cryptexii? crypteces?) and will compete this Friday for the enormous grand prize. I gotta say, I’m feeling kind of bummed. I did my best, answered all 24 challenges, and get for it nothing.
Well, not nothing. I’ll be honest: I’ve made hundreds of dollars off this contest, with the huge interest in it resulting in a lot more advertising sold for this site. Most of the readers who came here for clues and help seemed grateful, but I am even far more grateful for what they gave to me. I’m getting married in four weeks, and that extra money is definitely going to be hugely helpful.
Still, there’s a certain sadness in knowing there won’t be a happy li’l package coming in the mail with the nice little cryptex. I really wanted one. Maybe I can take that money to eBay and buy one, as soon as the prices start coming down. Right now, bidding is going as high as $209.39. Jeez.
If you are a finalist, then you should have gotten an email on Monday saying that you are a finalist, and probably got the cryptex in the mail already (maybe you’ll get it to tomorrow). The email is how you’ll know what to (or not to) expect. There are a ton of accounts of people getting their cryptex, with lots of screenshots. Here’s one of them.
Anyway, with me not getting to be a finalist, that means I’ll need to find somebody else to write about the finals this Friday. Given that there are well over a thousand comments on the Quest on this site, I’m guessing someone would like the task. If you’re interested in doing it (and you’ll be compensated, probably with a free DVD), just comment below and let me know you’re interested (and leave your email in the email field, which is not public).
All you’ll need to do is write about your experiences in the Finals, and give some hints on the final questions for the other contestants. Also, you’ll email me the full questions or tasks for the Finals, so once the Final Challenge is over, we can print them here for posterity. Pretty simple. If you don’t think you’ll be faster than the other 10,000 on Friday, you can guarantee yourself a prize by just documenting the process.
Well, this whole process has been a blast, and I hope Google does more contests like this in the future. Keep watching the DaVinci Code Quest page here for future updates.
The email from Google:
NOT A FINALIST - The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google
Though others have finished before you, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded! Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and discounts from our Quest partners.
Thank you for playing the Da Vinci Code Quest on Google.
[…] UPDATE: News has come out on the Final Challenge. I have it all following this link. Keep coming to this page for updates. Yeah, I didn’t win it, but emails are coming in to the finalists and prizes are being sent. […]
Pingback by » Solution To Google Da Vinci Code Quest #1 » InsideGoogle » part of the Blog News Channel | May 16, 2006
[…] UPDATE: The winners are being notified, and prizes are arriving. Posted: May 10, 2006 by Nathan Weinberg in: […]
Pingback by » Google / Da Vinci Code Quest #24 » InsideGoogle » part of the Blog News Channel | May 16, 2006
[…] UPDATE: Emails are notifying the winners, and prizes are arriving in the mail. Click the link for more. Posted: May 12, 2006 by Nathan Weinberg in: […]
Pingback by » Google / Da Vinci Code Quest Final Challenge Coming » InsideGoogle » part of the Blog News Channel | May 16, 2006
Here in the UK the rules to the quest are a bit different.
Now that the 24 challenges have finished, the quest is over, there is no final challenge and the winners will simply be picked at random from all of those who correctly completed the 24 challenges.
Comment by Mike | May 16, 2006
I didn’t get in either… but I didn’t expect to, having completed it at 3 ET (stupid school firewall…)
Comment by Ian | May 16, 2006
I should also note how harsh the e-mail is they send you. As if it weren’t bad enough that you didn’t get in, they have to write in capital letters: “NOT A WINNER” in the subject line. Oh well. Good luck to all who got a crytex!
Comment by Ian | May 16, 2006
There’s a hidden message in the sneak peek that the winners are directed to. Highlighted letters in various names that appear on the screen. Here’s all the letters in the order that they appear: “hitr mean au nivnf dtiv” also at the end it says “seek the truth” Any ideas?
Comment by dlarremo | May 16, 2006
I’m happy to say I’m a finalist, though I didn’t think I would be. I got my cryptex in the mail yesterday, and it is nicer than I was expecting. Mine works the same as Mike Salsbury’s - if you turn the last two dials to “IL” it opens, regardless of what the first three dials are set to.
I’m pretty sure that with all the puzzle fans out there, I won’t win the final challenge, but it’s cool to be able to participate. It’s too bad that there aren’t prizes for runners up.
Comment by Only This | May 16, 2006
I’m game for helping out. Contact me via email for more details on what you want.
Comment by Ben | May 16, 2006
I also got the NOT A FINALIST message, but mine included a free coupon code for the Da Vinci Code “Match-3″ Game. It’s pretty fun…kind of like bejeweled but with more twists! It’s a nice consolation prize….
Comment by Trevor | May 16, 2006
Some want to sue Google now saying there was a glitch with finalists and they’ve been cheated
http://blog.outer-court.com/forum/27053.html
Comment by Philipp Lenssen | May 16, 2006
Nathan, you can get a better cryptex at the site that shipped them for $59. The one from Google only uses the last 2 letters, while the one from the site uses all 5 (probably a clever trick by www.noblecollection.com to try to get people to buy another). They both seem to be programmable to whatever code you want. http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/catalog.cfm?catid=52
Comment by Niraj | May 16, 2006
I emailed CustomerService@noblecollection.com regarding only the last two letters working. I asked if it would be possible to get a replacement part. They replaied:
“Dear Customer,
Thank you for your email. This Limited Cryptex was made especially for Sony for this promotion only. We are unable to assist you.
Thank you and have a great day!”
Comment by Caleb | May 16, 2006
I feel there was glitch as I was submitted by 1:04 pm ET.
It won’t help to sue Google. I am not part of the contest, and that is that.
There was very little chance of winning anyway. It is just a major bummer and through no fault of my own.
Comment by Gordon Oppenheimer | May 16, 2006
I’m DAMN MAD! As Joan Crawford would say. I got this same message in my e-mail today. And I finished all the puzzles in less them ten minutes when played. Google SUCKS!
Comment by Greasy Guide | May 16, 2006
“There’s a hidden message in the sneak peek that the winners are directed to. Highlighted letters in various names that appear on the screen. Here’s all the letters in the order that they appear: “hitr mean au nivnf dtiv” also at the end it says “seek the truth” Any ideas?”
I think dlarremo is on to something here…
Comment by Yurodivy | May 16, 2006
There’s a way my freinds who were glitched out of being a finalist and who are all in the same boat I am in “NOT A FINALIST”. You can’t sue them but you can sure boycot your internet provider, mine was AOL. And you can boycot GOOGLE. My attempts on day #24 were answered with “the page doesn’t exist, it moved”. I tried GOOGLE today on AOL, and guess what? It’s back. How nice. I also sent out a nice email to “access hollywood” where I heard of the contest to begin with. I believe all of this was just what the previous posts were saying, it was all to get you to go to the movie and was a fraud to begin with. And, after the Grand Prize winner is announced, there will be 9,999 more of you out there who will feel like the rest of us who weren’t able to be a finalist. Then, I will come back here to read how you all feel then. Not too happy, I’m sure. I really didn’t think I would be the GPW anyway, I just wanted a cryptex like some of the others of you do. That would have been a nice prize to us who participated in the contest and mine wouldn’t be on ebay right now either. I can’t believe they are selling them already. Some haven’t even had one bid and I hope they don’t get them either. All I got was the lucky chance to watch a clip of the movie that you wouldn’t believe what happened to it while I was watching it: it FROZE. Nice kick in the pants for that. Then, I was so lucky that then I got a chance to get some coupons for some money off of the sponsors merchandise. Oh, how lucky can I get? Well, buy, I mean, bye, I gotta go and buy some of that stuff….not.
Comment by Marlane C | May 16, 2006
Nathan,
Sorry you didn’t make the finals, but glad you found the contest fun (and lucrative ad-wise). And besides, with your upcoming marriage, you’re getting the best “prize” of all. Congratulations!
Comment by Adam Lasnik | May 16, 2006
I’m happy to say that I am a finalist. I completed the final puzzle faster than the first 23 and submitted it at 1:01pm (took me less than 2 mins). The cryptex is really nice, although I wish you could use more than 2 letters. For those of you with one, you can change the last two letters to your liking if you use a very small flathead screwdriver to unscrew the two tiny screws on the cryptex and adjusting the dials to whichever two letters you would like. Probably won’t win, but 1 out of 10,000 chances is better than 1 in a million.
Comment by Chris | May 16, 2006
I agree … I finished under 5 minutes … thought I was in the finals for sure … but I got the dreaded NOT A FINALIST email
Comment by LabRat | May 16, 2006
Kinda sucks but oh well… if you watch the video, certain letters highlight when the names of the people come up on the screen. I was bored, so I wrote down all the letters, and unscrambled them to get the phrase ‘Find the Vitruvian Man’… I have no idea what this relates to (for all I know could have to do with the final challenge, or could be irrelevant) but I thought it was kinda interesting….
Comment by Mark | May 16, 2006
google doesnt suck, take that back. but life isnt always fair maybe instead of complaining you should do something like shutup
Comment by Ari | May 16, 2006
ari thats not fair to say if you have nothing nice to say dont say it.(maybe he’s as annoyed as you greasyguide)
Comment by Kobe | May 16, 2006
nathan weinberg had it not been for you i wouldnt have made it this far. i thank you from the bottom of my heart(P.S.-my wife made me write the bottom of my heart thing but i mean it anyway so thanks again)
Comment by Kobe | May 16, 2006
There was a glitch! Google denied many people saying they have a “virus”. I was one of them. I originally finished in about 5 minutes, then ran into the ‘there is a problem’ page. I verified, then it just kept refreshing the same page. Talk about annoying! Then, I tried going back to google’s homepage, then did the puzzle again. Finally, I finished and filled in the registration form. I’m annoyed because I was denied, and finally I finished before more than a few here and other forums. But, yet I am “NOT a finalist”. Thanks again, Google!
Comment by Loser | May 16, 2006
Congratulations on going so far, and for getting married!
Comment by mark | May 16, 2006
I got a cryptex but have yet to receive the ‘you are a finalist’ email! Any ideas? I did get an email last Friday to look for an email on 5/15. Got the cryptex in the mail 5/15 but still awaing email….
Comment by MarieF | May 16, 2006
If you unscramble “hitr mean au nivnf dtiv” you get “Find the Vitruvian man.” If you went through the puzzles, you probably remember what that refers to…
Comment by Stu | May 16, 2006
I enjoyed all of the challenges. However, I think Sony should be ashamed - sending us a special consolation email, aka, MARKETING PLOY! Thanks, but no thanks.
I did receive a discount from Encrypta Gifts, to purchase
Comment by GaleN | May 16, 2006
Adam: You gotta point :-). Still, wouldn’t mind having both.
Kobe: Thanks for the good word. Really appreciate it. It’s been fun for me, too.
Comment by Nathan Weinberg | May 17, 2006
Der Da Vinci Code ist eine gute UCHRONIE.
Diese Uchronie ist nicht unwahrscheinlicher als die Fabeln der Kirche.
Die “Templiers” sind nicht wegen Blasphemie von Philippe Le Bel und vom Papst erledigt worden.
Sie waren einfach zu mächtig und zu reich für die Karolinger geworden.
Den “Templiers” das Geheimnis der Tochter Jesus: Sarah anhängen zu wollen,
ist eine schöne kontrafaktische Geschichte.
Warum sollten wir aber nicht daran glauben ?
Müssen wir den eidesstaatlichen Versicherungen vom Opus Dei und ihrer Benedikten glauben ?
www.chartaland.de
Comment by unionsbuerger | May 17, 2006
Now the 24 challenges r over so more challenges coming up. The winner will be picked up randomly from all the correct enteries. But nonetheless u have gone that far. Now thats commendable! Congrats for getting married!
Comment by Annie | May 17, 2006
Just Wondering will someone post the answers to the finals?
Comment by Kobe | May 17, 2006
I also got the cryptex, but no email.
I had received 2 emails on 5/11 which didn’t get caught by the spam filter.
I use a hotmail email address.
Comment by Francois | May 17, 2006
Another interesting thing about the anagram in the trailer: findthevitruvianman.com is registered to Sony Pictures and points the the home page for the Davinci Code movie.
Comment by Kenny | May 17, 2006
Just as a impromptu poll…is anyone here willing to accept the grand prize and pay those taxes if they win?
Nathan, congrats for getting married….you already got a much Grander Prize with that (and no taxes to pay for that either!)
Comment by deadbeat | May 17, 2006
findthevitruvianman.com has a direct tie to the davinci code movie site, b/c it is trying to tell the finalists that all the answers to the final challenge will probably be linked to the movie site its self.
Hi Nathan, I’ve been tracking the quest on ’solomon.dailygrail.com’and here. I was pleased to find a couple of the grail hunters were roaming about there as well.
Long story short, Hi, congrats on the marriage, and the German guy has an interesting take… even though it is not about the ‘google quest’ directly.
Let the Battle Royale begin! o_O
Comment by SaintAelphaba | May 17, 2006
i got a cryptex in the mail yesterday but i didn’t get an e-mail to say how to open it… probably solved the puzzle in about three minutes and the box they shipped it in says #5565… so i’m guessing everyone did them pretty damn fast
Comment by craig | May 17, 2006
If the taxes are that high, I’d be inclined to just take the electronics and give up the trips (which are the bulk of the cash amount, and consequently the taxes). From what I recall, the official rules indicated you had to be on the trip, so I don’t think you can accept the prize and then turn around and sell it to someone to make money.
Comment by Niraj | May 17, 2006
The electronics will be worthless in 5 years. The memories from a trip that costs $100,000 will last a lifetime. I’d sell most of the electronics and use the money to pay the taxes.
This is assuming Sony/Google doesn’t step up and award some prize money to cover the taxes.
Comment by TSW | May 17, 2006
Craig, stop lying b/c everyone that did get a cryptex, it has the code on the bottom of the cryptex box. just b/c you didnt get one dont be upset, but stop lying, you make ppl who didnt get the cryptex, feel bad.
Comment by Kobe | May 17, 2006
Let’s be real. I have never read the book, didn’t do 1/2 of the puzzles because I got the answers from this site. I got a cryptex but I feel I don’t deserve it. I would like you to do the puzzles for me. I am saying this because there is very little chance that you will win the grand prize, but I would like to give you the satisfaction of completing the final 5 puzzles.
In the very slight chance that you do win the grand prize, we can split the prizes. (4 tickets around the world). Cool huh. Anyway. Let me know if you would like to use my login to take part in the final challenge.
Comment by Frank | May 17, 2006
Frank, if you don’t want the cryptex, how about doing a brother a favor?
Comment by Nathan Weinberg | May 17, 2006
I DO want the cryptex. I actually want one of the better ones from noblecollection.com. So I was thinking of selling this one on eBay and using the $ to buy the better one.
It’s the final challenge I could do without. I know there is not way ever that I can win the grand prize. And I don’t care too much for the puzzles, it will all be in vain. If you want to do the puzzles, be my guest.
Comment by Frank | May 17, 2006
I have already posted both the cryptex and my entry into the final challenge on eBay.
Comment by Frank | May 18, 2006
Thought everyone would like to know…This was on my Google Home Page today……
Many of you wrote to the Google team to let us know how much you enjoyed the quest, so I decided to keep creating puzzle challenges. Stay tuned for your first challenge on May 26 and get ready for a mental workout…Wei-Hwa Huang
I really enjoyed doing the puzzles so this is great news!!!
Comment by Angie | May 18, 2006
FOlks, I figure unless you approach this with a team, you’re not going to be a winner. Many households have reported 2 finalist!
I’m looking for finalist in Southern California (I’m in Long Beach) who would like to team up. A 3 person team (me and 2 others) I think is optimal.
Contact me at HeppCatt@hep2thejive.com if you are interested. We will all sign an agreement to share in the prizes and the tax liability then we will move on and win this thing!
Time is running out so please contact me so you and I can have a serious chance of being the big winners.
Comment by HeppCatt | May 18, 2006
If you get someone in a lower tax bracket, who ends up winning, isn’t the taxes lower? Just wondering…
Comment by SaintAelphaba | May 18, 2006
I am also one of the lucky 10,000 finalists. Got my cryptex too. I am preparing for the final challenge. Any tips??? I have already read the book again but may not be able to watch the movie before taking the challenge.
Comment by Aravind | May 18, 2006
I am a finalist, but I cant compete because Im not from the 50 states.
Comment by Ken | May 18, 2006
the website is a screenshot of the spreadsheet I ran with the figures for the quest. Take a look and see how it looks!!!
Good Luck Guys!!
Comment by SaintAelphaba | May 18, 2006
Hey Ken email me, i have a team of people from one of the 50 states - we just want to crack the final challenge - and if we win the prizes, we will give them all to you. E-mail me- kill.with.scissors@gmail.com Do it as quickly as u can.
Comment by Michael | May 19, 2006
Just wondering, will all the puzzles be the same? And if they are, then team up, have someone do it first, then write down answers, then you do it.
Comment by Kobe | May 19, 2006
final challenge is availible. good luck ppl
Comment by Kobe | May 19, 2006
Nathan Weinberg who will post answers to final challenge?
Comment by Kobe | May 19, 2006
What is the site for the final challenge? They have to have moved it or something it’s not where its supposed to be.
Comment by Gwydeon | May 19, 2006
It looks to me that Michael and his “team of people in 50 states” is trying to collect email addresses for spam. Don’t fall for it. Don’t let greed get the best of you.
Comment by Jo schwarz | May 19, 2006
OK, just finished the final challenge and it’s hard as hell. Took me about an hour, which I’m guessing is at least 30 minutes too long. Anybody else?
Good luck to those who are on their way…
Comment by SPH | May 19, 2006
I just finished the final round. I would like to tell about it after the official end. It was harder than the first 24. Don’t wait till the last minute to start. You will need plenty of time!
Comment by Jim | May 20, 2006
For all those who rode this website into the finals are going to find it difficult in the final stage since its timed
The chess problem was not too hard, however the Sudoku, Restoration and curator puzzles are crazy. Took me 56 mins, i “hear” on the web of claims of 9 mins. too, but then there are people on this blog who claimed they received an email the minute they solved the 24th puzzle. Soooooo…Anyways best of luck to you all.
Comment by mcow | May 20, 2006
Wow, I was surprised at some of the negative responses that I have read here. Now I am just an average 40something Mother of 3 who happened make it into the “Finalist” column. I did not recieve an email after completeing the initial 24 challenges, personally at that time I thought I had failed. I was very shocked and surprised when the cryptex arrived. Now when it comes to the final challenge… well now that took some time since I don’t play chess. I gave it my best shot, but since it is May 28, I have to assumed that my less than 1 hr was not good enough. I have never won anything in my life, and am personally very happy with my cryptex. The trip would have been nice, I could have taken my 19 yr old twins and my daughter on a trip of a lifetime, but no hard feelings here.
Comment by Paula | May 28, 2006
man..that final quest was totally sweet. rocked that son of a gun in about 40 minutes. i got kinda hung up on the chess one (there weren’t any questions to answer, just chess moves to make) and the last ‘puzzle’ type puzzle was a bunch of puzzle pieces that kept changing their design which i could imagine really slowing down some epilleptic players. apparently I didnt win, but it sure was fun.
oh, and I did puzzle #24 right at 1pm EST so that is probably how i got into the final.
Comment by scott | May 30, 2006
I guess we’ll never know who won though. I had fun and hope to see more like that and the Eurostar one. Now there is an addictive and interesting puzzle adventure (though the prize is only your sense of accomplishment) at www.bizfantast.com . You have to register, but it’s free and I haven’t seen any increase in my spam. It will stretch your mind a bit.
Comment by CH | May 30, 2006