Inspiration
Our main inspiration was to try and do something brand new with a USB. Given our love for puzzles and escape rooms we were drawn towards the idea of an escape game all in the USB.
What it does
It's a puzzle/escape room type game on a USB.
The game starts with a README file that explains the situation. The player is given a copy of someone's computer (the USB) and tasked with finding a password, then emailing it to the person writing the note. To which they will receive a response telling them if it worked or not.
As the player goes through the computer they will get to know the squirrel obsessed soon-to-be-divorcee who it belongs too. Among his squirrel pictures, recordings, and imitations, players will find clues such as screenshots, recorded phone calls, divorce papers, and random other files that will help them find both where he is hiding the code to the safe, and how they can access it.
The game ends when the player emails the person who cloned the computer with (or without) the password. Once received, the guy will try the code on the safe and respond letting the player know if they should keep looking or if they cracked it.
If the player cannot solve it, they can get a walkthrough solution by emailing the initiator asking for it.
The game is meant to be a quick and funny puzzle escape game.
How we built it
The entire game exists on the USB. It utilizes Linux scripts to hide folders and password protect files. As well as built in encryption methods. The only thing existing off of the USB is a javascript scripts using the google API interface, Google AppScripts, which uses a webhook trigger to read and respond to incoming emails.
Challenges we ran into
One of the major challenges was trying to draw the line between too easy and too hard. As the person coming up with the puzzles it's very easy to make things so hard they are unsolvable, or no longer fun.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We're really proud of the idea, the creativity, and the fun that all went into this.
What we learned
We
What's next
Players! The best way to learn what's next for something like this is getting people to play it. See how long the game normally takes, what is tricky, what's too easy, what they like. Then expand and possibly even make more!
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