Search for Bourne—Day 15
August 3rd, 2007
The final day of the Ultimate Search for Bourne is here, and here’s a complete spoiler for the last challenge.
And today’s challenge starts out quite differently. All we have is a link to http://www.readteston.com/ (note that the web site title is “ReadTeStOn”; I don’t know why). The screen is filled with an odd video, only the numbers 1 and 4 flashing oddly on the left. I tried typing them (after clicking on the screen in general), but that did nothing
Mouse over these numbers, and they’ll resolve into the number 5 (4+1?). Click the 5, and you get the familiar log-in screen for your instant messenger, with agent handle landypamela already filled in.
Solving this requires knowledge of The Bourne Supremacy. If you click on the ? at the top right of the dialog, you get a hint reading: “Which set of files was Pamela Landy looking for in Berlin when she found Bourne’s fingerprint?” The answer is the “Neski files.”
So type Neski in as the passphrase and hit Submit, and you’ll be rewarded with a “bonus video” from the same fellow who’s been offering congratulations all along.
The main reward is a fairly extended clip, apparently from the new Bourne Ultimatum movie. He says, “I know this wasn’t easy.” I can’t say I agree. Today’s challenge was a slight bit of a challenge, yes, but I would have liked them to be this hard from the beginning, with much harder ones as the game progressed. I guess that wouldn’t make for a generally accessible promotion, though.
The clip is entertaining, though. It does make me somewhat more interested in seeing the film. So in the end, I guess the promotion has done its job . . . with me at least.
I’ll be posting a wrap-up sometime soon, but I’d invite anyone to share their own final thoughts in the comments on this post. Looking forward to hearing how everyone did and what everyone thought!
Edit: I should mention that, as commenter Z points out, the main game’s UI seems to be finished. It gives you the link to the ReadTeStOn site, but does nothing else. No chance to place more cameras; no nothing. I wouldn’t have minded a congratulations message, let alone a chance to up my sightings score for an iPhone contest entry, but I guess that’s not to be.
Entry Filed under: Search for Bourne, Advertising, Online
45 Comments Add your own
1. z | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:18 am
geez, you’re quick!!
congrats. i got it too. but when I go back to the original game screen it doesnt tell me i am finished
2. Alec Bings | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:20 am
Yes. I was just about to edit the post to mention that the original UI has no conclusion, just the video! I’ll do that now, but thanks for mentioning it.
–Alec
3. jen | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:23 am
I think the caps are to hint that it’s another anagram for Treadstone.
4. Bill K. | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:24 am
I finished with 13 sightings. I wonder if anyone was able to reach 25.
I think if they had a more elaborate interactive thing going, like the Lost Experience, it could’ve achieved Web virality. But then again this is just one movie and not a tv series.
It should’ve required you to know info from the first two movies–dedicated fans should be rewarded.
I’m reading Ludlum’s Bourne Identity, and I can appreciate how they were able to adapt the spirit of Bourne into the first movie. He’s a more cerebral character than most rough and tumble Bond types. I was expecting this online game to be, like you say, easy at the start, and then more challenging later.
5. Alec Bings | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:25 am
Ah, of course! Thanks, Jen. I was looking at it, sure it was a word. But my dyslexic mind couldn’t unscramble it. I kept thinking “dr. easton,” but that’s missing an “e.”
–Alec
6. jen | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:30 am
One, Dr. East?
I had 16 sightings. Pure luck IFAM.
7. tess | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:44 am
i finished with 19 sightings. which apparently isn’t too bad. i feel like this is a bit of a let down after 15 days of “playing”. i mean i was already planning on seeing the flick… so did we do this just to make the studio and google happy? where is my toy?!? where is my iphone?!? ;-)
8. charlie | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:51 am
The Number are 4 1 5. Its a simple puzzle I think. 4-1 = 3 5+3 = 8 Basically its saying 8/3 the release date.
9. Wick | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:52 am
The letters in caps R,T,S,O form the word SORT. If you plug that into Google it brings you to a google search page. The fifth one down is a Wikipedia definition for the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions a.k.a. The Moscow Treaty. Maybe the way to get to the “Neski files” instead of using their hint. Just a thought. I finished with 15 but like everyone else no chance for the iPhone. Cheers
10. Susan P. | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:53 am
I finally noticed the question mark in the corner of the Agent Console box and used Google for answer. Neskifiles works as well.
Read the rules about sending a postcard to get the necessary sightings for the iPhone. Postmarked by 8/4/07.
11. Susan P. | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:57 am
Actually, 415 has a meaning in the movie but I won’t tell you. You’ll see once you see.
I won tickets to the Advance Screening this past Tuesday. This movie rocks!
I was also disappointed about how they finished this game. I even went back and tried the same words in the Instant Message to see if there was a message. Hopefully, we’ll get credit for today’s game play.
12. Susan P. | August 3rd, 2007 at 1:16 am
At the bottom of the page is a Feedback button. I sent them a message to say this game was fun but not challenging enough and felt unresolved with the ending.
13. Matt Engeman | August 3rd, 2007 at 2:23 am
54144
what do i win
i want a car for this
thanks
agent matt
14. Evonne | August 3rd, 2007 at 2:24 am
I agree… the ending is a little bit weak. It doesn’t even tell me that i have completed the game, and no “congratulatory” note or anything. But it was fun nonetheless.
15. Sutailia | August 3rd, 2007 at 2:52 am
Actually, you can click on the numbers and then have the option to continue a bit sort of.
16. Sutailia | August 3rd, 2007 at 2:54 am
A follow up. The passphrase for Pamela Landy is the set of files she was looking for in Berlin
17. Matt Engeman | August 3rd, 2007 at 2:57 am
i jus got a free iphone
Click on the ? in the communication center, and when the window opens click on the 5 letters in row ?.
thats all im telling at this point
good luck agents.
matt
18. Matt Engeman | August 3rd, 2007 at 2:59 am
neskie
19. Matt Engeman | August 3rd, 2007 at 3:00 am
landypamela
neski
20. Danny Zorn | August 3rd, 2007 at 4:06 am
If your still wondering where Jason Bourne is hiding out then watch the video more carefully. Notice he uses a card to enter the safe with. Its from the Johnston Medical Centre special research department (srd) use these keywords “johnston medical centre jason bourne” in Google and you’ll find our friend has returned to higher eduction, further more it appears he’s finished his course, click on the 4th link down ie the appears he’s enrolled on a journalism course maybe a connection to Ross? Then use the keywords “www.etowah.org jason bourne” and click on the second link to see truly awesome. Enjoy, by the way I didn’t really die and I’ll be back in the 4th film!
21. Richard | August 3rd, 2007 at 5:33 am
“Vladimir Neski” working too. ;)
Another mission tomorrow, or not ?
22. quentin | August 3rd, 2007 at 7:11 am
How do you know your final score? And there is no way no finish the day?
23. Kid Madison | August 3rd, 2007 at 7:38 am
3 more sightings going into Day 15: Madison Sq Pk, 5 W 37, Essex.
Total: 18 sightings. No cigar.
24. Nick D. | August 3rd, 2007 at 8:28 am
“readteston” scrambled around translates into treadstone.
25. quentin | August 3rd, 2007 at 8:57 am
Is it over? I cannot access the site to play the last day!
26. Violet | August 3rd, 2007 at 9:35 am
OK finished with 14 siteings, how do you get an iphone? I am confused.
27. Dayna | August 3rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
finished with 17 sightings. i guess there’s no chance to get a few more on the last day. would have been nice.
28. Anthony | August 3rd, 2007 at 11:45 am
21 sightings x).
29. Alec Bings | August 3rd, 2007 at 11:51 am
Hey guys, thanks for all the great thoughts. 21 sightings, Anthony! No kidding. That’s spectacular.
For those who haven’t noticed, I added a post with instructions on how to qualify for the iPhone competition without actually getting the requisite sightings. You can find it here.
It definitely appears that the “bonus video” is, indeed, the final reward and completion of the mission. There may be other fun things out there, but I haven’t been able to confirm them. If I learn otherwise, though, I’ll be sure to add a post about it.
–Alec
30. Stephanie | August 3rd, 2007 at 11:51 am
I finished with 20 sightings… Im kinda sad that it dosnt say finished but i guess we will always be 1 day behind jason bourne.. :)
31. very speCIAl person | August 3rd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Boo yeah! “the neski files” that last one was far too easy, all you had to do was pop in your dvd and watch that part of the movie, it was even a chapter name. The bonus video was pretty sweet.
32. Jacobus | August 3rd, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I have to admit that I had an overall dissapointment in the difficulty level of the game. All in all it was too easy and the ending is a letdown.
I read the Bourne books about 8 years ago before there was even talk of the movies and got hooked on them. The movies came out and although not quite what the books are, they are good. Sorry to say the game was a letdown.
33. alisa | August 3rd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I’ve already seen the movie and it far exceeded my expectations. Enjoy!
34. Pesete | August 3rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
He guys!
I think the final message will be shown, when the countdown in the upper left corner (right beneath the site title) is over. At the moment there are still 2 hrs and 38 mins till the game must be finshed.
I hope for another little message then.
Greetz from Germany, Pesete
35. Alec Bings | August 3rd, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Sharp eyes, Pesete! I’ll be checking back in an hour and twenty-two minutes.
Thanks for mentioning it!
–Alec
36. Juliano | August 3rd, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Hey, Alec! I’ve just finished the game thanks to your spoiler, heheh. Got the clue, but didn’t want to watch the movie just to check the correct answer… So, i’ve made a goole search (isnt this part of the game? hahaha ‘Search for Bourn WITH google… so i did it =P) and found your website, again. The game was ok. I had a little fun! And you asked me about my total sightings, I had 16. How about you?
Don’t know when the movie will be released here in Brazil. Hope soon!
37. Alec Bings | August 3rd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Oh, I never said? My final total was a lousy 15.
Thanks for stopping back, Juliano!
–Alec
38. Alec Bings | August 3rd, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Well, the timer Pesete spotted has ticked to zero and nothing seems different on the main page or the ReadTeStOn site. Go figure . . .
Maybe it just means people who haven’t completed the earlier puzzles can’t complete them anymore.
Anyone getting different results? This game is, after all, nothing if not buggy.
–Alec
39. Rajarshi Purwar | August 3rd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
The game has been so buggy since the very beginning that I am not sure if it is over or we are still expected to figure out something else. I have 18 sightings so far. And the screen still shows me that I am one day behind Jason Bourne. Tried several refresh with two different browsers with no success..
40. Frank Vertolli | August 3rd, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Doesn’t seem over, or is that just wishful thinking? Several things seem odd - no one seems to have had enough sigtings to qualify (14 for me). If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll see the Direcotr of Ops providing our video messages and closing in the game is actually a bad guy. The 415 clue on the final message page seems incomplete, just as the ReadTeStOn does. Finally, before the Google app changed at the end of the countdown, the Message reminder didn’t shut off and the Missions dial wasnt a complete circle (aka 100% completed). Hmmm?
41. very speCIAl person | August 3rd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Yeah something seems very odd here…
MAYBE this easy ending is just a cover-up to another ending, like maybe the 415 thing is leading to something that will lead to something else and will give you another passphrase or another agenthandle and this will open a door to something else.
I think I’m going nuts about this thing, although its my theory, it seems plausible to have another account on this “ReadTeStOn” thing, by the way, why is the “S” capital?
42. Anthony | August 4th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Spoiling a bit of the movie…
so dont read if you dont want to know
but
in the movie, Bourne begins his super awesome assasin skills at this training site in NY on 415 72nd street or something like that.
It’s just directly related to the movie.
43. Susan P. | August 4th, 2007 at 12:51 am
415 NE 71st Street
44. Susan P. | August 4th, 2007 at 12:53 am
P.S. Don’t make this into something it’s not by “wishing it” was going to continue. Remember how easy it was. When it’s over, it’s over.
45. Pesete | August 4th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Hi again!
Something indeed changed when you now enter www.searchforbourne.com! It says there: “The ultimate search for Bourne is over. Congratulations blah, blah, blah” and you have no chance to login again! That is a lousy end for this game :-(
Once there was something similar for X-files: the movie, sponsored by nokia. They had some challenging puzzles there, but in the end I did not win a damn thing (just like here with only 16 sightings)
Nevertheless, have fun with Bourne. I surely will ;-)
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