Soulstorm ARG Summary - Revision history

Nemin: Updated the summary with information that has been revealed since the end of the ARG.

2024-06-21T12:20:46Z

Updated the summary with information that has been revealed since the end of the ARG.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:20, 21 June 2024
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	<center>[[File:MC_Possessed.jpg \| 400px]] [[File:MC_Murderer.jpg \| 400px]] [[File:MC_Terrorist.jpg \| 400px]]</center>		<center>[[File:MC_Possessed.jpg \| 400px]] [[File:MC_Murderer.jpg \| 400px]] [[File:MC_Terrorist.jpg \| 400px]]</center>

			= Post-ARG Reveals =

			Information that has been revealed to the community after the ARG had concluded.

			== The Fifth Picture ==

			<span id="20230530">'''[2023. May 30.]'''</span> During the third phase of the ARG, there were originally five slots for images to be revealed. The fifth image was never unlocked and it eventually disappeared from the website, leaving fans speculating what it could be.

			After the ARG's conclusion, there was a short Q&A about it, during which Pete Chapman was asked what it would have been.

			At first he [https://discord.com/channels/293291256736382976/293291256736382976/1113123641228533770 said] he doesn't remember:

			<blockquote>
			I don't recall what the fifth image was, sorry. I might be able to turn up something that would remind me in my archives, I'll have a look later.
			</blockquote>

			However, when later he was asked again, he [https://discord.com/channels/293291256736382976/293291256736382976/1113418725048197200 clarified] in the following way:

			<blockquote>
			I think it was another scene from that movie, I just can't remember which!
			</blockquote>

			== Behind the Scenes ==

			'''[2023. May 30.]''' During the same short Q&A Pete Chapman also [https://discord.com/channels/293291256736382976/293291256736382976/1113116681984802836 elaborated on] some other behind-the-scenes info about the creation and execution of the ARG:

			<blockquote>
			That input/response box was a lot of fun... I think I most enjoyed the twitter stuff. Seeing Ed emerge as a character, and introducing some of the comedy with the Magog Cartel account. Putting together some of the physical puzzles was also a high point for me personally. Burning pages and photographing them, sticking things to my office wall like a lunatic and recreating newspapers was a lot of fun.

			There were a few times when things didn't seem to mesh well with players but I think we usually managed to correct course and smooth over the transition to the next stage. The worst part was more generally trying to keep the pace moving as it needed to - sometimes solutions would happen quickly and other times it took way longer than we'd predicted and we'd have to adjust or interact in unplanned ways to keep the community engaged. This was difficult but ultimately it also led to some fantastic moments with everyone. RIP Asset 98.

			The big break was partly some unsolved clues that would have progressed things a little more but were given up on and it was partly a need to adjust on our side. The two things came together and we took the opportunity to kind of go "on hold", rather than drip-feed solutions and then need to come up with more content that may have felt needlessly drawn out as we made the adjustments on our side.

			The ARG stuff was always intended to be back story that would hint at, and play into, the events depicted in Soulstorm. There was some discussion about more explicit appearances for Ed, if I remember correctly, but we didn't want anything that would be obvious and might make non-ARG folk feel like they missed something.
			</blockquote>

			== Solution to the Canister Puzzle ==

			<span id="20240620">'''[2024. June 20.]'''</span> OWF member Sgabbit contacted [[Pete Chapman]] on Discord to inquire about the solution to [[#The Canisters\|the canister puzzle]] that was given to Crashpunk. He revealed the following:

			<center>
			[[File:Sgabbit_owipete1.png\|800px]]
			</center>

			Which ultimately would have led the puzzle solvers to [https://1029.io/33/7490N84/3880W/ this subpage] of 1029.io., which contained a password-protected zip named "TheInformant.zip". The password of this archive was actually the second half of the code, as explained below:

			<center>
			[[File:Sgabbit_owipete2.png\|800px]]
			</center>

			After successfully opening the zip, a single image can be found inside, which can be seen on the right.

			[[File:TheInformant_full.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|The unlocked picture.]]

			So far the following codes have been spotted on the image:

			1. '''Morse code on the bottom:'''

			<pre>.. ..-. / -.-- --- ..- / .- .-. . / .-. . .- -.. .. -. --. / - .... .. ... / -.-- --- ..- / ... .... --- ..- .-.. -.. / -.- -. --- .-- / .-- . / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -.-. .-. ..- ... .... / -.-- --- ..- --..-- / ..- -. --. .-. .- - . ..-. ..- .-.. / ... -.-. ..- --</pre>

			Translates to:

			<pre>IF YOU ARE READING THIS YOU SHOULD KNOW WE WILL CRUSH YOU, UNGRATEFUL SCUM</pre>

			2. '''Barcode:'''

			Translates to:

			<pre>Prestige. Power. Profits.</pre>

			3. '''Base64 code block on the top right''':

			<pre>
			d2UgaGF2ZSB0aGUgd2VhbHRoIHR
			vIGJ1cnkgeW91LiB3ZSBjYW4gdGllIH
			VwIGFsbCB5b3VyIHRpbWUgd210aCBtZW
			FuaW5nbGVzcyB0YXNrcy4geW91IGN
			hbiBuZXZlciBzdWNjZWVkIGJlY
			2F1c2UgeW91IGFyZSB3ZWFrIGFuZCB
			wb29yLiB3ZSB3aWxsIHR1cm4geW91ciB
			vd24gcGVvcGxlIGFnYWluc3QgeW91IG
			FuZCBjcnVzaCB5b3UgZnJvbSB3aXRoaW4u
			</pre>

			Translates to:

			<pre>we have the wealth to bury you. we can tie up all your time with meaningless tasks. you can never succeed because you are weak and poor. we will turn your own people against you and crush you from within.</pre>

			4. '''"Binary" code on top:'''

			<pre>
			1011 111 001 29 1010 01 10 10 111 1 29 100 0 0010 0 01 1 29 111 001 010 29 000 0110 00 010 00 1 010101 29 110 0100 001 101 101 111 10 29 0110 111 011 0 010 29 00 000 29 1 111 111 29 000 1 010 111 10 110 110011 29 011 00 0100 0100 29 0110 010 0 0001 01 00 0100 010101 29 01 0100 011 01 1011 000 010101
			</pre>

			Translated to Morse-code:

			<pre>
			-.-- --- ..- / -.-. .- -. -. --- - / -.. . ..-. . .- - / --- ..- .-. / ... .--. .. .-. .. - .-.-.- / --. .-.. ..- -.- -.- --- -. / .--. --- .-- . .-. / .. ... / - --- --- / ... - .-. --- -. --. --..-- / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / .--. .-. . ...- .- .. .-.. .-.-.- / .- .-.. .-- .- -.-- ... .-.-.-
			</pre>

			Translates to:

			<pre>YOU CANNOT DEFEAT OUR SPIRIT. GLUKKON POWER IS TOO STRONG, WILL PREVAIL. ALWAYS.</pre>

			5. '''Boldened letters in first article:'''

			<pre>
			bpm / pwodgtu / jan / jnqpsubou
			</pre>

			When put through variations of the ROT13 cypher, we get the following words (with amount of rotation in parentheses):

			<pre>
			the (18) / numbers (24) / are (17) / important (25)
			</pre>

			It is unclear whether this is merely flavour text or 18-24-17-25 is a code to be used somewhere.

Xavier at 08:28, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T08:28:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:28, 16 August 2019
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	* WE SEE THE TRUTH		* WE SEE THE TRUTH
	* LIES		* LIES

			== Public Safety Poster ==
			<span id="20190813">'''[2019. August 13.]'''</span> In an effort to further discredit Abe, the Magog Cartel has launched a series of public safety posters advising their followers not to be fooled.

			<center>[[File:MC_Possessed.jpg \| 400px]] [[File:MC_Murderer.jpg \| 400px]] [[File:MC_Terrorist.jpg \| 400px]]</center>

Nemin at 08:25, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T08:25:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 16 August 2019
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	'''Messages'''		'''Messages'''
	* '''Twitter'''		* '''Twitter'''
	** '''[https://twitter.com/edmudokon/status/1154740232530644992 @edmudokon]''' https://twitter.com/i/status/1154740232530644992		** '''[https://twitter.com/edmudokon/status/1154740232530644992 [@edmudokon]]''' https://twitter.com/i/status/1154740232530644992
	** '''[https://twitter.com/SPIRITOF1029/status/1154741779125682177 @SPIRITOF1029]''' Are you ready to hear?		** '''[https://twitter.com/SPIRITOF1029/status/1154741779125682177 [@SPIRITOF1029]]''' Are you ready to hear?
	* '''Distorted Gif'''		* '''Distorted Gif'''
	** FOR THE ALLIES		** FOR THE ALLIES

Xavier at 07:46, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:46:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:46, 16 August 2019
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	<center>[[File:Hexahue.png \| 800px]]		<center>[[File:Hexahue.png \| 800px]]
	Heaxhue code hidden in pictures of OddworldNetwork.com		Heaxhue code spelling out "LIES" hidden in pictures of OddworldNetwork.com
	</center>		</center>

Xavier at 07:46, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:46:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:46, 16 August 2019
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	* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"
	* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4]) had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"		* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4]) had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"


	<center>[[File:Hexahue.png \| 800px]]		<center>[[File:Hexahue.png \| 800px]]

Xavier at 07:45, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:45:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:45, 16 August 2019
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	* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"
	* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4]) had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"		* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4]) had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"

			<center>[[File:Hexahue.png \| 800px]]
			Heaxhue code hidden in pictures of OddworldNetwork.com
			</center>

	'''Clues'''		'''Clues'''

Xavier at 07:41, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:41:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:41, 16 August 2019
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	== NewBeginning and "Coordinates" ==		== NewBeginning and "Coordinates" ==
			[[File:ForTheAllies.png\|thumb\|Clean picture of Ed's scrambled message]]
	<span id = "20190726">'''[2019. July 26.]'''</span> On this day suddenly both Ed and the Spirit of 1029 posted a GIF that had a binary encoded message in it, which lead us to a page containing a glitched image. Inspecting the image's source, we found several numbers, which appeared to be multiple pairs of coordinates. We later found out that these were actually hexadecimal codes, which revealed the following words:		<span id = "20190726">'''[2019. July 26.]'''</span> On this day suddenly both Ed and the Spirit of 1029 posted a GIF that had a binary encoded message in it, which lead us to a page containing a glitched image. Inspecting the image's source, we found several numbers, which appeared to be multiple pairs of coordinates. We later found out that these were actually hexadecimal codes, which revealed the following words:

Line 2,021:		Line 2,022:

	(The GIF also contains several circle-shaped symbols. We are currently unsure whether these are simple distractions or a puzzle we yet can't solve.)		(The GIF also contains several circle-shaped symbols. We are currently unsure whether these are simple distractions or a puzzle we yet can't solve.)
			[[File:Liberation.png\|thumb\|Liberation.png found on 1029.io]]

	'''Clues'''		'''Clues'''
Line 2,034:		Line 2,036:

	== Oddworld Network News ==		== Oddworld Network News ==
			[[File:OddworldNetworkNews.png\|thumb\|http://oddworldnetwork.com front page]]
	<span id="20190731">'''[2019. July 31.]'''</span> The ARG lead us to what appears to be a Magog-aligned news site, featuring several articles that praise the Cartel and its industries, while denouncing Abe as a petty terrorist, who poses no real danger to their status quo. Days after the site was found, several posts changed, some receiving minor textual modifications, while others had their images edited.		<span id="20190731">'''[2019. July 31.]'''</span> The ARG lead us to what appears to be a Magog-aligned news site, featuring several articles that praise the Cartel and its industries, while denouncing Abe as a petty terrorist, who poses no real danger to their status quo. Days after the site was found, several posts changed, some receiving minor textual modifications, while others had their images edited.

Xavier at 07:26, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:26:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:26, 16 August 2019
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	* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SEE-SEE-1200x781.jpg One image] had a new code appearing on it, which when deciphered using Atbash read "WE SEE THE TRUTH"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SEE-SEE-1200x781.jpg One image] had a new code appearing on it, which when deciphered using Atbash read "WE SEE THE TRUTH"
	* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"
	* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4] had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"		* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4]) had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"

	'''Clues'''		'''Clues'''

Xavier at 07:22, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:22:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:22, 16 August 2019
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	'''Messages'''		'''Messages'''
	* '''[https://twitter.com/edmudokon/status/1154740232530644992 @edmudokon]''' https://twitter.com/i/status/1154740232530644992		* '''Twitter'''
	* '''[https://twitter.com/SPIRITOF1029/status/1154741779125682177 @SPIRITOF1029]''' Are you ready to hear?		** '''[https://twitter.com/edmudokon/status/1154740232530644992 @edmudokon]''' https://twitter.com/i/status/1154740232530644992
			** '''[https://twitter.com/SPIRITOF1029/status/1154741779125682177 @SPIRITOF1029]''' Are you ready to hear?
			* '''Distorted Gif'''
			** FOR THE ALLIES

	== Oddworld Network News ==		== Oddworld Network News ==

Xavier at 07:20, 16 August 2019

2019-08-16T07:20:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:20, 16 August 2019
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	'''Messages'''		'''Messages'''
	* https://twitter.com/edmudokon/status/1154740232530644992		* '''[https://twitter.com/edmudokon/status/1154740232530644992 @edmudokon]''' https://twitter.com/i/status/1154740232530644992
	* https://twitter.com/SPIRITOF1029/status/1154741779125682177		* '''[https://twitter.com/SPIRITOF1029/status/1154741779125682177 @SPIRITOF1029]''' Are you ready to hear?


	== Oddworld Network News ==		== Oddworld Network News ==
Line 2,034:		Line 2,035:
	<span id="20190731">'''[2019. July 31.]'''</span> The ARG lead us to what appears to be a Magog-aligned news site, featuring several articles that praise the Cartel and its industries, while denouncing Abe as a petty terrorist, who poses no real danger to their status quo. Days after the site was found, several posts changed, some receiving minor textual modifications, while others had their images edited.		<span id="20190731">'''[2019. July 31.]'''</span> The ARG lead us to what appears to be a Magog-aligned news site, featuring several articles that praise the Cartel and its industries, while denouncing Abe as a petty terrorist, who poses no real danger to their status quo. Days after the site was found, several posts changed, some receiving minor textual modifications, while others had their images edited.

	* One page had several characters turned into bold. Reading these characters together formed the sentence "helpus"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2016/07/06/whats-important-in-technology-and-innovation/ One page] had several characters turned into bold. Reading these characters together formed the sentence "helpus"
	* One image had a new code appearing on it, which when deciphered using Atbash read "WE SEE THE TRUTH"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SEE-SEE-1200x781.jpg One image] had a new code appearing on it, which when deciphered using Atbash read "WE SEE THE TRUTH"
	* On one page a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"		* [http://oddworldnetwork.com/2019/04/15/hello-world/ On one page] a new paragraph appeared which contained a binary code, which when turned into ASCII read "Arm yourselves"
	* Several pages had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"		* Several pages ([http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Abe-Target.jpg 1], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fire.jpg 2], [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Paramit-Pie.jpg 3] & [http://oddworldnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scrab.jpg 4] had small 3x2 colored rectangles edited into them, deciphering these using Hexahue spellt out "LIES"

	'''Clues'''		'''Clues'''