Thanks I’d forgotten about that one and had same experience. There are a couple of things in that map (Pizza is a lie + double helix sign with usual writing). I might go back and take another look.
You’ve mentioned the xen map placeholder and I’ve seen this mentioned before but what is this and how do you find it? Sorry if it’s a dumb question.
if we know the xen placeholder map why don’t we open it in hammer ?!
I have to disagree with this, primarily because I don’t think there are any other clues aside from what we’ve already found. I strongly think we have all the information we need, at least for this “fourth” puzzle, and we’re just not seeing what’s right in front of us.
I also don’t think this ARG is a “fail” or even close to it–yes, we made astonishing progress on the first couple of days, and that’s not always something you see in ARGs. If the puzzles were to be so black-and-white and easy to solve, what would be the point of even doing the ARG? The reward is in the challenge. I look at it like a word search versus a crossword–with the word search, it’s all there and all you have to do is pick out the pieces. With the crossword, you have to have outside knowlege (or pick up outside knowledge) and build on what you have already confirmed. That’s what’s going on here–we simply have to build on what we’ve seen, been told, and discovered through the previous clues.
In all honesty, if a developer or Chris himself just gave us hints, I’d be extremely let down. Just because it’s taking time doesn’t mean that someone won’t go EUREKA! within a day, two, three, so on. I would only start to worry about the progress if we saw a quagmire that lasted a month or two. Other than that, the fun is in the challenge, as well as the ultimate reward.
EDIT: As for the codes we have, what if Code C has the word “extension” in it because it’s referring to one code (perhaps our large code) being an extension of the other codes? Meaning, quite simply, that the big code in reference can somehow be added to the other codes to get something. Say, for example, that the numbers could somehow be added to the image from Code C to extend the image (in theory ; ) ) or that they are simply adding on to another of the codes.
An extension can also refer to an addition to a building–not saying we should examine every map for clues, but perhaps there’s a room or rooms that looks out of place somewhere?
Just a thought, but maybe it will spark some ideas?
I’d like to know as well what is this Xen map people are talking about
Maybe the artificial Xen habitat in Questionable Ethics…?
oooor the Xen map you get teleported to in AM
No, I’m getting the impression that there’s an honest-to-god Xen map, though most likely with missing/incomplete models/entities.
Have you tried to decode them as geographical coordinates?
Maybe they reveal the (fictional)position of BM facility in New Mexico.
I’ve noclipped both the QE one + the AM one (the AM one may have been in ‘Unforseen Circumstances’, not sure). I found it hovering away and above the main test chamber. Aside from a wierd background noise at the ‘AM’ one, nothing found.
Also entering this ‘Xen map’ crashes the game aparently so as PYRO says, it sounds like it does exist.
In other news, code A makes an appearance here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/HughJundys/BlackMesa#5792980448860733250
Given that it’s on a tail fin of an aircraft and that it’s location may be significant, I checked out the jet tail fin and there was a number 198707
https://picasaweb.google.com/HughJundys/BlackMesa#5792980701734142802
Probably nothing but it’s another number to add to the collection.
Isn’t there a model of that jet sitting on Dr. Horn’s desk?
EDIT: Yes. I am absolutely, completely grasping at straws here, but the model Jet on Dr. Horn’s desk appears to be pointing towards the map of Ohio on the wall behind his workspace.
Hi! I decided to take a quick look around QE myself today. I mean, I’ve played through it, just never really hunted for codes. My sincere apologies if this was posted before (it’s almost too obvious to have never been noticed, but I didn’t find it).
In the hidden room under the stairs there’s a radio with this code:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=99433949
In Dr. Horn’s office I found this:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=99434108
Are these generic models used throughout the game, or are they (and/or the code) specific to these locations? If they are, it might be relevant.
Again apologies if this was mentioned before.
Does anyone know what this machine is in Dr. Horn’s office? Could it be what he printed the code out on, or somehow related to why it’s a paper cipher?
I believe that same machine is in the lab where the ‘philosophers stone’ code was found. Except the one in that room could be activated and had an arm on top that moved back and forth. Can’t swear to that though. – It has always puzzled me as to what the hell it is and why its in his office…
And the numbers on the aircraft was a good find. :freeman:
Do you mean the coffee maker or the copy/fax?
I know it’s definitely not a fax machine–there’s no output trays and no top, not to mention the copier is in the middle of the room.
Unhinged–I found the machine you’re talking about. I pretty much mean this as a joke, but that robotic arm is technically an “extension” ; )
Nonetheless, I doubt it’s related at all to the ARG.
Like it’s scanning a document?
Yeah, the machine in this photo has no tray, so maybe a shredder.
Haha no it’s just a robotic arm that moves 90 degrees back and forth.
Oh, you mean like a literal robotic arm.
Can’t recall if this has been discovered yet, so I did a search on the ARG wiki and nothing turned up.
I was taking a massive amount of reference screenshots in WGH for a map I’m working on, and I happened to notice the QE lab logo in one of the guard towers.
Then I noticed the warehouse had a 4-digit serial number.
4891 might be useful.
Nice find! I am currently going through the maps that reference the pizza messages in their root folders (found by faed) and updating the wiki with all of the pizza locations. As of yet, they all reference the QE chapter, but maybe something can be revealed by finding numbers / clues around them.
Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.
