HQ initiates Operation Spywire!

Eyewire, citizen science, spy thriller, Operation Spywire, Rika, Maxine Martini, Dr. Mischief

Calling all secret agents of Eyewire!

HQ’s intelligence division has received a tip that the dastardly syndicate known as RAGE (Random Acts of Generic Evil) wants to steal one of our data sets, codename Pinky, for the furthering of their inexplicably diabolical agenda! It’s anyone’s guess what RAGE could do with the Pinky project, but we can only imagine the results wouldn’t be pretty.

Sound like the beginning of a spy thriller? You’d be right. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to stop RAGE’s scheme by uncovering the full details and cutting them off before the data set is stolen! It’s time for Eyewirers to tune up their gadgets, bust out their classiest formalwear, and shake some martinis. Initiating: Operation Spywire.

On August 18th, the operation will commence. Check out your globe-trotting itinerary below, and report to HQ when you’re ready! This message will self-destruct in two weeks…

*All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).*

spywire, secret agent, eyewire, heroes of science, science

Accuracy Happy Hours

First session runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Friday 8/18
Second session runs from 10:00 PM to 11:59 PM on Friday 8/18

Location: Boston HQ. Find RAGE’s mole on the game. Amid normal target practice and calisthenics, keep an eye out for suspicious cubes… and usernames.

Swag: Most accurate player completing at least 20 cubes wins 1 t-shirt!

Bonuses:
1st Place Accuracy – 10,000 points
2nd Place Accuracy – 8,000 points
3rd Place Accuracy – 6,000 points
Achieve 95% Accuracy – 5,000 points
Achieve 90% Accuracy – 3,000 points
Achieve 80% Accuracy – 2,000 points
1,000 points for anyone under 80% who still plays at least 20 cubes in either slot.
(These bonus thresholds are non-cumulative, i.e. they will not combine. If you earn 3rd place, for instance, and presumably got over 95% accuracy, you still earn a 6,000 point bonus, not 11,000.)

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Evil Cubes

Begins at 12:01 AM on Saturday 8/19
Ends at 12:00 PM on Thursday 8/24

Location: Monaco. You’ve tracked the mole to a casino. Posing as a wealthy investor, your goal is to find out about RAGE’s plans by befriending the mole, indicating an interest in the Pinky data yourself, and convincing them to reveal the scheme to you. But it’s a big risk, and the mole won’t open up unless you take a gamble with your accuracy on some evil cubes.

Swag: 1 mug will be raffled among the top 5 players!

Bonuses:
1st Place Accuracy – 8,000 points
2nd Place Accuracy – 5,000 points
3rd Place Accuracy – 3,000 points
1,000 points for anyone under 80% accuracy who still plays all 12 cubes.
(These bonus thresholds are non-cumulative, i.e. they will not combine. If you earn 3rd place, for instance, and presumably got over 80% accuracy, you still earn a 3,000 point bonus, not 4,000.)

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Trivia

Begins at 11:00 AM on Sunday 8/20
Continues until 11:00 AM on Tuesday 8/22
Finishes with Power Hour from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Tuesday 8/22

Location: Antarctica. You’re taken to the lavish ice-palace estate of the evil mastermind behind RAGE, but he’s not going to buy that you’re “you” unless you can answer a whole battery of questions. What do you know about spy movies, spy tech, and science? Participate in trivia + trivia power hour for bonus points. 1 question per hour for the main trivia timeframe, 1 question every 2 minutes for the power hour.

Swag: The top player will win 1 mug!

Bonuses:
For every question —
1st to answer – 300 points
2nd to answer – 200 points
3rd to answer – 100 points

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Sportscars vs. Motorcycles

Begins at 11:00 AM on Tuesday 8/22
Ends at 11:00 AM on Wednesday 8/23

Location: the Hawaiian islands. The evil mastermind has invited you to visit RAGE’s underwater base off the coast of Oahu on Wednesday the 23rd. Then, he assures, all will be revealed. Sounds like a great place for a little vacation when the mission’s complete, so until then, you have time to do some test driving and decide what flashy vehicle you want to zip around the islands.

Swag: 1 shirt and 1 mug will be raffled among the top 50% of players on the winning team!

Bonuses:
Earn 5,000 points – 2,500 bonus
Earn 15,000 points – 5,000 bonus
Earn 25,000 points – 10,000 bonus
Every additional 25,000 points – 5,000 bonus
Winning team – 10,000 bonus
Team winner – 5,000 bonus
#1 overall score – 10,000 bonus
#2 overall score – 5,000 bonus
#3 overall score – 2,500 bonus

spywire, marathon, boat chase, rika, chase, boat, jamie pond, james bond, citizen science, eyewire, heroes of science, science heroes, neo, mystic

Marathon Chase

Begins at 8:00 AM on Wednesday 8/23
Ends at 8:00 AM on Thursday 8/24

Nothing is ever simple. After a shocking plot twist, you’re on a boat chase across the Pacific Ocean, with only 24 hours before guaranteed catastrophe!

Swag: 1 shirt, 1 mug, and 1 poster will be raffled among the top 25% of participating players!

Bonuses:
Complete 20 cubes – 2,000 point bonus
Complete 50 cubes – 5,000 point bonus
Complete 150 cubes – 20,000 point bonus
Complete 300 cubes – 40,000 point bonus
For every 150 cubes above 300 cubes – 2,500 points

If the cell is completed within 24 hrs, those mappers who:

  • Complete at least 50 cubes will win rights to vote on a new name for the marathon cell.
  • Complete at least 200 cubes will win rights to nominate a new name for the marathon cell.

Operation Spywire Closing Ceremony

Begins at 4:00 PM on Friday 8/25

Come celebrate the end of this competition, where admins will recognize everyone’s achievements. As always, we will include a round of promotions for Scouts, Scythes, Moderators, and Mentors, and now promotions for Mystics! If you’d like a promotion, you can request them here.

Artwork by Daniela Gamba