FAQpage

A. No, you do not need a referral code to sign-up. However, if you were referred by someone be sure to use the code they gave you as it will give you bonus chances to win prizes.

Q. How do I refer others?

A. After you sign up you will be given your own unique referral code (which is the same as the user name you select) to give out to others. You will also be given a link you can send to everyone you know that they can click on and it will take them to the sign-up page and automatically fill in your referral code. When you login to member central after signing up it will always show you your referral link and code, as well as your total number of referrals and bonus clues earned.

Q. How do I join a game?

A. After you sign up you will be able to login and go to the member central area. Here there will be links to all current and upcoming games. From there you click on any games you haven't signed up for that are open for registration and you will be registered to play that game.

Q. Can I join more than one game?

A. Yes, you may join as many games as you want. Since the games run for 10 months, and there are one or more starting each month, you could be playing 10 or more at the same time.

Q. How does the game work?

A. Players compete against one another in a race against the clock to find clues to locations and codes to win. Each game carries its own unique storyline, but the game play is the same from game to game. At the end of each month the top scores make it on to next round, with less and less players competing with each consecutive month. During the last month of the game a limited number of players will compete for the grand prize of up to $25,000. When you signup for a game more details on that game are given shortly before it begins.

Q. How are points and ranking determined?

A. Points are calculated on a round-by-round basis, with the points resetting at the end of each round. Top scores from each round move on to the next round, with the total number of players dropping at the end of each round. When a round begins each player starts with 100 points. For every day that goes by before solving the round, 5 points are deducted from the starting score of 100. One clue is given to start each round with no penalty, but every additional clue used after that is a 1-point deduction from your total score. So, for example, a player who took 2 extra days and 3 additional clues to complete a round would lose 10 points for the 2 extra days, and 3 points for the 3 clues, for a total deduction of 13 points and a final score of 87

Q. How can I get more clues?

A. There are a couple of ways to get extra clues. One way is through referrals. After signing up you get a referral code to pass out to others. For everyone that registers for the same game you do that you referred you receive a bonus clue (as well as bonus chances to win in the monthly drawings). The other way to get extra clues is through buying them directly (because some informants are easily bribed). You can buy clue credits when you first register for the game at a reduced rate, or they are $.99 each once the game begins. Remember that every extra clue you use also hurts your total score, so they are a double-edged sword.

Q. Do referral clues affect my points negatively like buying other clues?

A. Yes, whether you use a clue that was purchased or that was earned through referrals, any additional clues used will count against your score when used. Earning a referral clue, however, only gives you a clue credit that you are not required to use. Whether purchased or earned through referrals, clue credits do not count against your score until they are actually used in the game.

Q. Won't clues just get out on the internet for anyone to get for free or people will just share them with others they know?

A. Any player choosing to post clues on the internet is just hurting their own chances to win. However, beyond that, players do not get the same clues either. So if someone posts what was their clue for round 1, it would not be the same for most other players.

Q. What prevents people from cheating and keeping things fair?

A. The clues are not the same for all players in each round, thus there is no way for players to share clues with each other to help each other out or give another player the advantage.

Q. How do I win?

A. Prizes are awarded for the best score each month, as well as the grand prize of $25,000 which is awarded to the player who makes it to the final round and gets the highest score in that final round. Roughly half of the remaining players are cut at the end of each round so a limited number will be playing for the grand prize in the final round of the contest. Drawings are also held each month and all members who registered to play a game are elgible to win the drawings all ten months of that game.

Q. What are the prizes?

A. The grand prize awarded at the end of each game is $25,000. Additionally, a monthly prize of $500 will be awarded to the highest score for each round. Drawings will also be held each month for all registered players of each game with prizes varying each month. These random giveaways will include items such as game systems, IPods, gift certificates, cash amounts, etc.