UPDATE: Up and running again thanks to Nordhbane! YEY! Thanks so much for providing hosting services for the scripts that are used for this puzzle and future events!! You deserve a WL add from everyone for this!!


Hello all!!

I am busy working on the HUGE puzzle event of 250 world landmarks but need to get out this small TEASER puzzle for the reasons of:

  1. Enthusiasm and hype before main event.
  2. Testing purposes of new puzzle site domain and scripts used for puzzles.
  3. To get your input on puzzle design.
  4. Accepting volunteers for those interested in helping design this huge event-- please??

The main event will have more types of puzzles and use coordinates of latitude and longitude! It will have 500+ GAs and alot more fun that previous puzzles. You will REALLY see, travel, and experience the world landmarks and LEARN A TON about them!!


Stages to solve this puzzle:

1) Use image below to find first Hidden ITH... (add the letters in order to the link http://www.itstoohard.com/puzzle/????????)
2) Solve the three crosswords and use the results of each crossword to find hidden GAs.
3) Bring back passcodes from GAs you found for answers on the original ITH.
4) Solving all three crossword puzzles gives access to another hidden ITH.
5) Solve passcode puzzles on each GA reward there to gain access to final Hidden Reward GA! (provided by Deathmonkey7)

SOooooo, all you need to start is the attached image below!

Good luck!

View attached image.
8 years ago*

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What is your overall feelings about this puzzle?

View Results
Excellent-- loved the ease of use of crosswords in scripts, Learned alot and fun!
Great-- learned alot and found it held my interest!
Fair-- Ok puzzle but lacked variety. Look forward to see more variety of puzzles in main event!
Meh-- It wasn't really the type of puzzle that I like but thanks for trying.
OMG!-- It was too technical, too easy, too whatever--- just hated it!!
Forget how I feel about this puzzle-- get busy working on the HUGE puzzle event!! Can't wait! <3 <3

Reserved!

UPDATE: 8/28/2016 Crosswords work again thanks to Nordhbane providing hosting service!

Hint 1 for solving crossword result: Do 5 letters in each crossword stand out in any way?
Hint 2 for solving crossword result: is there a way to change those 5 letters to what they need to be?
Hint 3 for solving crossword result: I'll give more big and little hints in case you need them
Hint 4 for solving crossword result: it might help if you wrote out the alphabet A-Z in order...
A half dozen more clearer hints found here. ---WARNING these give explicit hints that include solution processing... will be spoilers... only go here if desperate...

REQUEST: Changed crossword 3 to Hint enabled-- want your input if the full large event should have this so everyone can solve? Too easy? my goal is a learning experience and free from frustration... but this gives everyone the possibility to just get the answer handed out to them. What do you think? Input please...

8 years ago*
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yeah, it's exactly what I thought. I just haven't done it yet.
thank you.

8 years ago
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Hint enable will make ppl simply clicking the hint button to get to the GA, I believe forcing them to look online for the answers is much more educating, also if u're right on some letters they stay on the crossword when u "check", so it isn't very difficult.

Educational bump! ;)

8 years ago
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HIGHLY agree!

8 years ago
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I'm not a fan of the hint system. I mean maybe the first step but then it should be all, the hint simply giving the answer will have some people simply clicking their way to the giveaways? I'm not sure it's your goal so, meh idk about the possibility of getting the answer like that.

8 years ago
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Hiiiii Sheeeeeeeeeep <3

8 years ago
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Hellooooooo :3

View attached image.
8 years ago
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First Bump <3

8 years ago
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Thanks to you first bumper!

I'll try not to report you to the authorities! :)

View attached image.
8 years ago
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+500 GA's? Travelling all over the world ?
Already hyped!
altough it sounds a little complicated on the first reading of the steps
still hyped af

8 years ago
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Trying this teaser puzzle will give you the practice you need to beat the main event. It will also give me the incentive to get to work on it... it is rather overwhealming.

8 years ago
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Hi, realized the puzzle oops..

8 years ago*
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Didn't have any problems even the crosswords weren't hard one needed the hint i think.. but then after the crosswords i dont even know what im doing right know im making match, pulling out numbers i dont really know exacly what to do

8 years ago
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Did you check the 4 hints in reserved area?

8 years ago
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yes i read and still i think it's a little too vague, sometimes i think i may reach somewhere but then no it's a dead end, i dont understand the relation of the images the commas anything, but maybe its because im too slow in this type of stuff, see how many people "tried" and how many people reached the giveaway if it's a considerable amount just ignore me. I Think the puzzles should be hard not impossible still don't make it a piece of cake just because of a people or two imho

8 years ago
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First step was easy, but I suggest that you mention the names of those landmarks before step 2, so that it is possible to do some research, if necessary.
Crosswords should be aware that not everyone's first language is English. ;)

But besides that, a really nice idea!

8 years ago
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Good input. I can put the names of landmarks on the first ITH! Thanks!!

8 years ago
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You are welcome. Great idea to make such a test run, before your big event.

8 years ago
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Added names and locations on ITH for research purposes! Fantastic idea!

8 years ago
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jeff just incase someone says they cant find the right answer, the russian landmark is St Basil's Cathedral, you have it as St Basil's Monastary on the ITH page which is in Croatia according to wiki, might confuse some people, people like me :P

8 years ago
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Ohhhh good catch!

8 years ago
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Fixed!

8 years ago
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HI!
In ITH puzzle you put "Egypt- Great Pyramid of Giza" , but actually the photo is from "the Great Sphinx of Giza" =)

8 years ago
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Great catch! Duhh my bad!

8 years ago
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I loved the last event and I'm really looking forward to this one!

8 years ago
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Thanks for your kind words!

8 years ago
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doesn't seems too hard, too busy right now :c gonna give it a go tomorrow or in 6 hours

8 years ago
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Great! Looking forward to you solving!

8 years ago
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Solved first part, but I can't seem to open the crosswords. is the site down?

8 years ago
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They should work... they load for me fine... but hmm wonder why not loading for you.

8 years ago
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got there now. there's two mistakes in Crossword 1:
Q3: that's his middle name, not his first name. And there's a letter missing off the end

8 years ago
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Thanks I'll fix...

8 years ago
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I'm also going to upload a new crossword 3 to test added built in hint feature...

That will help especially for those who English isn't first language and others who get stuck...

I think I will use hint feature throughout full main event... It means everyone can just click hint hint hint and get full answers without doing work... But this event will be for learning value and not to have ones stuck with frustrations.

8 years ago
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I finished all the crosswords, and figured out which letters to use and upper/lower case, but I don't know how to convert them. More specifically, I understand the first half, but not the second half (the number/letter combo is throwing me off. If it was just a number, I think I'd know what to do)

8 years ago*
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Added 4th hint in reserved area that might help with this...

Also think back to numberline puzzle at end of last event... ;)

8 years ago
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crapola, I don't remember the numberline puzzle anymore.
Maybe I'll recall how to do them in a day or two

8 years ago
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Added hints...

8 years ago
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Fixed question 3! Awesome catch!

8 years ago
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i'm stuck after solving the crosswords, but have a bump

8 years ago*
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So you need help solving coded results?

8 years ago
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maybe a little hint? xD Loved the idea for this puzzle, btw

8 years ago
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Added hints in reserved area...

8 years ago
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Bump for a cool idea :)
Stuck on coded crossword results.

8 years ago
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Added hints in reserved area.

8 years ago
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Really cool idea, coping with the coded results. I think I'm on right track though...

8 years ago
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Added hints in reserved area.

8 years ago
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There is a wrong flag on Crossword 3 Q4 I think.

8 years ago
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Fixed!

8 years ago
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yeah q4 in crossword 3 could be confusing to non native english speakers

EDIT
nevernind, the names for the landmarks were added so it's no longer an issue.

8 years ago*
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Switching out crossword 3 to hint enabled in a few minutes...

Want your input-- I think ALL puzzles in main event I will make hint enabled so everyone can solve... GOAL is learning and fun and not frustration.

Want to get your input on new crossword 3... Ill upload now... hold a sec.

8 years ago
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I managed to do all the crosswords, now thinking how to decode results but that q4 in crossword 3 was tricky.

8 years ago
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Hints for decoding are in Reserved area above if you need them....

8 years ago
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Reload and check out hint feature...

Yey or nay?

8 years ago
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that's too easy, it shows all the letters

8 years ago
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I know but hmmmm I'm waiting for input on this feature... Let's see what everyone thinks.

8 years ago
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Maybe just give the hint to that particular entry in general hints section. As i recall it was the only one giving me headache ;)

8 years ago
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Good input-- so wait for feedback and only give hints for troublesome ones and not just give the answer in effect...

8 years ago
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Omg just now I realized you added names for the landmarks so the one entry I had troubles with seems easy, but there was a wrong flag for it though. Turns out I was working with different but similar looking building.

8 years ago
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Fixed the flag...

Have you deciphered code from crossword results yet?

8 years ago
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Ok i got it

8 years ago
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bump for fully solved! It's a really good teaser. Now I can't wait the event.

8 years ago
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Congrats and thanks for helping work out the kinks... can you reload crossword 3 and get your input on hints feature?

8 years ago
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Hmm I don' think they are great cause a lot of people will just overuse them. And there is already a way to abuse crosswords when you don't know the answer. Just try an answer, check it and the good letters will stay so basically in 26 tries you must have the answer. it's just not really fast but it'll works!

8 years ago
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I agree... Im now thinking not to use in main event.... Im such a softie..

Just provide hints directly if needed... and real hints.. not give-away answers...

8 years ago
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What an ingenious way to find answer...

8 years ago
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it was helping only for the suspicious aussie one; Other answers with the good source of information were easy to find. But atleast you know one way to abuse the crosswords :D (and maybe find a way to counter that)

8 years ago
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No idea what to do with the stuff you get after solving the first crossword. I have a good guess what the letters mean though

8 years ago
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Check reserve area for hints on that... if you need more just ask...

8 years ago
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I've tried several things, but there are just so many variables and chances for mistakes, I have no idea what's right and what isn't.

8 years ago
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Check hints again...

8 years ago
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After you solve the crosswords, you get something that I haven't yet figured out how to use. Do the alphabets refer to rows or colunms?

8 years ago
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Note hints in next comment below...

8 years ago
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Waiting for a couple dozen more hints on how to decode that stuff, cat ain't that smart tonight :3

8 years ago
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Here are about a half dozen more clearer hints:

---WARNING these give explicit hints that include solution processing... will be spoilers... only go here if desperate...

Youre looking for 5 character code to put in this link http://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/?????.

Shared letters at intersections in crosswords are important to use first. (need to get 5 from each crossword)

Key includes a way to figure out order that includes name of countries.

Those 5 letters need to be adjusted to real letters that is in GA code

(Use the + and - numbers to help shift to correct letters and think of alphabet order while doing this..,.

Hints for uppercase and lowercase are included in pictures.

8 years ago*
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Oh my god. I had ALL of that except one stupid, stupid little detail that isn't even really mentioned here.

Good lord.

And thank you.

8 years ago
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Mighty welcome.... ;)

8 years ago
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i only got how to clear Up\lowercase :3

8 years ago
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Hmmm even with those hints I can't solve, yet, need to sleep on this ;)
Appreciate the various puzzles you come up with.

8 years ago
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Add me on steam chat if want help on decoding! ;)

8 years ago
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I've spent 2 days and found no ways to crack a cypher..
Sent a friend request...

8 years ago
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Sent and waiting to see if respond...

8 years ago
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bump for fully solved! I would also suggest to base the hints on feedback only, not putting them everywhere

8 years ago
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Awesomeness! Solver number 2!

8 years ago
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Bump for finally solved, had trouble with the 3rd link, I was working with a screenshots of solved crosswords and there was a mistake (- instead of +) in one of the codes but finally got it.

8 years ago
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FANTASTIC! BTW, someone caught that mistake and since your screenshot its been fixed!

Thanks for solving!!

8 years ago
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You still have bigger crossword to solve?

8 years ago
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got the link to second ITH looking at the gibs now ;)

8 years ago
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Ok all solved. Thank You for awesome puzzles!

8 years ago
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Mighty welcome!

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Snuck up on us and beat the whole puzzle!! Solver number 3!! CONGRATS!

8 years ago
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Big thanks for this puzzle! I've finished it, and I can't wait for the huge event :-D

8 years ago
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Appreciate your appreaction ...

8 years ago
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<3

8 years ago
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Bump for conquering pinnacle!
Thanks for the new challenge! :D

8 years ago
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Mighty welcome, and congrats!

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Appreciate you taking time to test out the teaser puzzle... main event will have no decoding, just fun and educational activities... with little bit of puzzlely stuff.

8 years ago
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8 years ago
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Bump and meow. Making progress!

8 years ago
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See you completed it all! Great!

8 years ago
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It was fun, thanks! I'd like to contribute a GA or two to the main event - let me know when you're ready!

8 years ago
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Bump for solved!!
It's a really fun puzzle!!
Will be looking forward for the main event!! :3

8 years ago
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Looking forward to making it all myself-- as I will be learning and travelling and seeing and experiencing while designing the event!!

8 years ago
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Bump for solved.
If I can drop any advice, avoid repeating stuff. I was a bit bored when I had to decode the pinnacle crossword solution after doing it three times already.
But other than that - great puzzle. Can't wait for the main event.

8 years ago
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Gotcha! I agree!

Main event will not have any decoding... just pure fun and educational activities to see, learn and experience 250 world landmarks!

8 years ago
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