Puzzllotto #3 - solution
I was so close! The solution is nicely laid out here: http://www.s-seven.net/blog/2008/11/puzzllotto-solution.php
I had all four levels solved, I had the number spot assigned rights, and the final image, and I knew that the lemurs/butterflies were some sort of numeric code. I had scanned the application files with a hex editor (I know, shame on me) and saw no text other than the level “win” screen, so I figured the solution would be some sort of numeric sequence. I was actually looking for an IP address instead of a phone number (so low-tech, I know!)
Once you see that the solution is just entering the binary sequence of numbers 1-9, things make a lot more sense. The final screen makes less sense, in that the butterflies and many of the eyes there have no actual meaning, they just exist as spacers to segreate the bits you’re trying to extract.
Guess, I will have to go back to making money the old-fashioned way!
Further thoughts: In terms of an interesting brain-teaster for the mathematically inclined, this was neat. In terms of a generally accessible puzzle that a layperson could solve, it was terrible. The “game” itself involved mostly random repetition to piece together the level solutions, and without a knowledge of numeric representation in binary it’s really not solvable. So, I’d imagine a lot of people purchased this on iTunes and were quite disappointed by the lack of an engaging puzzle experience… not sure this bodes well for their next offering, especially if their business model is based around selling large amount of these apps…