FAQ
What is Alt-Minds?
Spanning the worlds of gaming, TV and the internet, Alt-Minds paves the way for the narratives of the future. Interact, participate and immerse yourself in an experience like no other, an emotional rollercoaster that will take you to places you’ve never been before.
In summer 2012, five young scientists working at the University of Belgrade and funded by the Alvinson Foundation mysteriously disappeared in Ukraine.
A few weeks later, the case was rocked by the discovery of an amateur video suggesting they were kidnapped. Since then, the authorities have made little progress, and the Foundation has decided to launch its own investigation, from scratch.
It is currently recruiting experienced field investigators to work on the case. And you.
Yes, you, with your PC, your tablet or your mobile phone, you can act.
If you choose, you can take part in the investigation. If you choose, you can help the Foundation find clues and solve puzzles. If you choose, you can try and save the missing researchers:
- Search online
- Analyse documents and videos
- Decipher coded messages
- Cross-check evidence...
…all this and more awaits in the world of Alt-Minds.
And if you prefer, you can simply follow the investigation, or play as and when you choose.
Registration/logging in
- When can I register?
- How do I register?
- Do I need a Facebook account?
- How do I log in using my Facebook account (via Facebook Connect)?
- I have not received confirmation of my registration; what should I do?
- I registered using my computer; how can I play using my tablet?
- I registered using my tablet; how can I play using my computer?
You can register now by clicking here
It's very simple.
If you're using an iPad, download the Alt-Minds app from iTunes, install it, and you're ready to go.
If you're using an Android tablet, download the Alt-Minds app from Google Play Store, install it, and you're ready to go.
Using your Facebook account allows you to register with little more than a click. However, you do not need to have a Facebook account; you can use an email address instead.
It's very simple. Just click on the "Connect through Facebook" button when you register. NB: If you register via Facebook Connect, you will have to log in via Facebook Connect.
Our email may have accidentally been sent to your spam folder (particularly if you have a Gmail account). If so, please add us to your list of trusted contacts. This will ensure that any future emails are sent to your inbox.
If the email has not been sent to your spam folder, go to this page to request a new confirmation email.
In rare cases, the confirmation email may take a few hours to reach you.
Our servers use your user name/password to recognise you, so you can seamlessly switch between your computer and tablet.
Our servers use your user name/password to recognise you, so you can seamlessly switch between your computer and tablet.
Technical questions (computers, tablets, smartphones)
- Which platforms can I use to access Alt-Minds?
- What are the minimum configuration requirements to play on my PC?
- What are the minimum configuration requirements to play on my Mac?
- Do I have to own a tablet?
- Do I have to own a computer?
- Do I have to own a smartphone?
- What do I need to do to play on my iPad?
- What do I need to do to play on my Android tablet?
- Can I swap between my computer and my tablet during the same session?
- How do I play on my iPhone?
- Where can I download the Android smartphone app?
- Can I play Alt-Minds on Linux?
- Can I play Alt-Minds on a device run on Symbian, Bada or Blackberry OS?
- Do I need to be connected to the internet to play?
- I run into problems when I use Chrome
You can take part in or simply follow the investigation in a number of different ways:
Tablet (iOS or Android) and/or computer.
These are the main platforms. You can use your tablet or computer to follow the entire investigation, take part in missions to help the field investigators and discover a whole range of other things related to the game. You can swap between your computer and your tablet as much as you like during the investigation.
Smartphone (iOS or Android)
You can use your smartphone for secondary and optional features.
You can follow the live investigation by logging in to your investigator interface (http://www.missing-mhd6.com).
You can also take part in secondary aspects of the investigation.
A dedicated application, released during the course of the investigation, will enable you to search your local area for secret locations.
You will need to have Flash version 11.5 or higher installed on your computer and use one of the major browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome etc.).
You will need to have Flash version 11.5 or higher installed on your computer and use one of the major browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome etc.).
No. You can enjoy the entire Alt-Minds experience on your computer. You can optionally enrich your experience through your smartphone.
No. You can enjoy the entire Alt-Minds experience on your tablet. You can optionally enrich your experience through your smartphone.
No. However, using a smartphone (iOS or Android) will allow you to enrich your experience by accessing secondary—but entirely optional—aspects of the investigation.
It's very simple. Just go to iTunes, install the free app, and you're ready to start the experience.
It's very simple. Just go to Google Play Store, install the free app, and you're ready to start the experience.
Yes, it's very easy. Our servers use your user name/password to recognise you, so you can seamlessly switch between your computer and tablet at any point.
Once you have registered, you can use your iPhone to follow the investigation, but you cannot interact or complete missions. All you need to do is log in to your investigator interface (http://www.missing-mhd6.com).
You can then use your iPhone to keep up-to-date with the investigation, for example when you are travelling. Later on in the investigation, you will be able to use a web app to look for secret locations across the world.
Once you have registered, you can use your Android smartphone to follow the investigation, but you cannot interact or complete missions. All you need to do is log in to your investigator interface (http://www.missing-mhd6.com).
Later on in the investigation, you will be able to use this app to look for secret locations across the world via its geolocation functionality.
At present, Alt-Minds is only supported by Windows and Mac OS.
At present, Alt-Minds is only supported by iOS and Android.
Yes. The quality of the videos you watch as part of the game will be affected by your connection speed.
To play in the best conditions, make sure you have the correct version of Flash installed. Go to this address:
chrome://plugins (enter this exact address in the navigation bar).
Then click on "Details" to the right of the page. Check the details for the Adobe Flash Player plug-in and ensure that Shockwave Flash 11.5 is activated. Deactivate any other versions in the list.
Price
- How much does Alt-Minds cost?
- Do I receive a reduction if I buy all the chapters in one go?
- Which payment methods do you accept?
You can experience the first chapter of Alt-Minds (one full week) for free by registering here.
If you enjoy it, you can buy the full season (eight weeks) for €14.99 or purchase a single episode for €2.69.
You can also watch a range of interesting documentaries related to the investigation for free here.
You can choose to participate in geolocation missions on your smartphone. This app is free. However, you can enhance your experience by purchasing additional items via text message.
Yes, you'll make a significant saving! You can buy the full season (eight weeks) for €14.99 instead of €18.33: a reduction of €3.84, or 20%.
At present, you can pay by credit/debit card or directly through your phone bill if you are an Orange customer. We will add other payment methods at a later date.
Languages and countries
- In which languages is Alt-Minds available?
- Why can't I play Alt-Minds in my country?
- Why can't I play with a friend who is playing in a different language?
Alt-Minds is available in French, English, German and Spanish.
Part of the Alt-Minds experience is the ability to play in real time. Due to time differences and our desire to provide excellent support, we have decided to offer Alt-Minds to Europeans only for now.
However, specific versions of the experience are currently being developed for the USA and South America, and will be launched in 2013.
To make the experience as accessible as possible for the largest number of people, players are grouped by language. This is why you are asked to choose the language in which you wish to play when you register for Alt-Minds. You then join the community of players who speak the same language as you. Once you have selected you language, it cannot be changed.
Content and duration
- When does Alt-Minds start?
- When does it end?
- What is a chapter?
- How long does a chapter last?
- What is a mission?
- How long does a mission last?
- In total, how many hours of gaming does Alt-Minds involve?
- What is the Facebook game?
- How does the geolocation work?
- Can I replay a chapter once I have finished it?
It starts whenever you want it to! Although the real-time experience started on 12/11/12, you can join the adventure at any point. It's up to you whether you want to join the current chapter in real time and catch up on what you've missed by reading through the investigation summaries, or start from the beginning, speeding up certain parts if you so choose.
Almost never! Although the real-time experience started on 12/11/12, you can join the adventure at any point, even when the real-time investigation has officially ended. You can start the investigation from the beginning and you won't miss anything, as summaries of the investigation are provided. You can even speed up certain parts of the investigation if you wish. In total, Alt-Minds is split into eight chapters each lasting one week.
A chapter is one week of the investigation. During this week, you can follow the various events and advances in the case and even take part if you wish.
One week.
In Alt-Minds, you can choose to follow the investigation or take part in it. Each day, the field investigators and the Foundation will call on you to solve a puzzle, find clues or uncover information. This requests for help are known as "missions", and have a clear, specific objective.
Missions are generally set late afternoon and you have until the following morning to respond to them, if you choose to take part.
You will usually need 45 minutes to one-and-a-half hours to complete each mission.
With Alt-Minds, you get to choose your level of involvement. People who take part in all the missions will spend at least 40 to 50 hours solving them. But there's no reason why you can't simply follow the story or only take part in certain missions. Alternatively, you could also take part in the secondary missions and spend much more than 50 hours immersed in the Alt-Minds experience.
In the course of the experience, you will discover a Facebook game related to the investigation. The link to the game will be revealed during your research into the case. The game is also available online, on the iPhone and on Android phones.
Once you have registered and have reached a certain point in the story, you will be able to use your smartphone and access a web app allowing you to look for secret locations throughout the world using geolocation.
Once you have played a chapter, you cannot play it again unless you create a new account and repurchase the chapter.
Should I play or follow the investigation?
- What is a mission?
- Can I follow the investigation without taking part in the missions?
- Can I choose when to take part?
- Can I take part in missions that I previously skipped?
In Alt-Minds, you can choose to follow the investigation or take part in it. Each day, the field investigators and the Foundation will call on you to solve a puzzle, find clues or uncover information. This requests for help are known as "missions", and have a clear, specific objective.
Missions are generally set late afternoon and you have until the following morning to respond to them, if you choose to take part.
Yes. With Alt-Minds, you get to choose your level of involvement. You can simply follow the experience as it progresses, and we hope that the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat until the investigation reaches its conclusion. You can also take part in missions as and when you choose.
Yes. When a mission is set, you can choose whether or not to take part. So you can participate at your own pace.
NB: If you decide not to take part in a mission or if you click on the option "Return to real time", you will not be able to play the missions you skipped. So take your time when making your decision.
Real time/catch-up mode
- What is real time?
- Catch-up mode: what happens if I miss events?
- Can I decide to pause the game myself?
- Can I start Alt-Minds in the middle of the investigation?
- When is the deadline for starting the first chapter?
- Can I replay a chapter once I have finished it?
- Is it better to play in real time or catch-up mode?
49. Alt-Minds is an investigation that takes place in real time. This means you can follow events as they happen, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. New aspects of the investigation appear live on your dashboard, similar to when you follow a news feed of current events. However, you are not obliged to follow Alt-Minds in real time. You can start the investigation at any point and play in "catch-up mode". You can easily make up for lost time, take a break or return to real time at any point.
51. Don't worry. If you don't log in for more than 24 hours, your investigation will automatically be switched to catch-up mode; in other words, it will be paused. When you rejoin the investigation, you will take up where you left off. You are free to choose whether you wish to continue in catch-up mode or return to real time (live action). To skip from one event to the next, simply click on the "Continue to the next event" button at the top of the investigator interface.
The game automatically switches to catch-up mode if you haven't logged in for more than 24 hours. You cannot enter catch-up mode of your own accord.
Yes, it's very simple. Although the real-time experience started on 12/11/12, you can join the adventure at any point. It's up to you whether you want to join the current chapter in real time and catch up on what you've missed by reading through the investigation summaries, or start from the beginning, speeding up certain parts if you so choose.
There is no deadline for starting the investigation at the first chapter, even when the case has been officially closed. Catch-up mode has been specifically designed for people who cannot follow all the events in real time.
Once you have played a chapter, you cannot play it again unless you create a new account and repurchase the chapter.
It all depends on how much time you can dedicate to Alt-Minds and the way you prefer to play. Playing in real time is a totally unique experience, as you don't know when the next event will occur, creating a sense of tension that we hope you will very much enjoy. In catch-up mode, you can play at your own pace. You can follow the pace set by the real-time investigation, by waiting an unknown length of time between each event, or speed things up by skipping to the next event at the click of a button. It's up to you when you click on the "Continue to the next event" button at the top of the investigator interface.
Privacy, immersion and intrusion
- What do you do with my personal details?
- Will I receive a lot of emails?
- Will I receive text messages or calls from characters within the game?
- Do I have to provide my phone number?
- Will I have to/be able to complete missions in "real life"?
- Will I have to/be able to meet characters from Alt-Minds in "real life"?
We use your personal details strictly as allowed by law. Your email addresses and telephone numbers will primarily be used to send you information related to the investigation, provided you have authorised us to do so.
Most messages will be sent to your internal inbox within your investigator interface, not to your email address. You will sometimes receive emails related to the game at the address you provided when you registered, but these will be limited in number.
The calls, text messages and emails you receive will depend on a number of factors, particularly how far you have progressed and whether you are playing in real time. Nothing is set in stone and you may therefore have a different experience to your friends depending on the way in which you play.
No. However, you can provide us with your phone number if you would like to receive occasional text messages related to the game and perhaps even a phone call from one of the characters (on very rare occasions).
Yes, but this is entirely optional. Once the investigation reaches a certain stage, you will be able to use your iPhone or Android smartphone to look for specific places around you (in your village, city or even worldwide). These missions are optional and you will not be penalised if you do not take part.
In Alt-Minds, it's up to you to choose how much you get involved. If you decide to try and look for characters from the game in "real life", we will make sure you have the opportunity to meet some of them. However, these opportunities will be few and far between, and only the most dedicated and motivated participants will succeed.
Gameplay
- How do I respond to missions?
- How much leeway will participants be given when judging whether responses to missions are correct?
- Why haven't I received a response to a question I asked during a conversation I subsequently left?
- Map-based missions: how do I respond using the map?
- How do I zoom in/out on a PC?
- How is XP (experience points) calculated?
To respond to a mission, you have to enter your response in the dedicated box under the Missions tab on your investigator interface. Go to the Missions tab, select "Take part in mission" and then select "Respond" to submit your response.
Please note that responses sent via email or the internal messenger will not be taken into account.
You will usually get away with spelling certain words or surnames incorrectly. However, you must pay close attention to the question. If you are asked to provide a first name and a surname, only responses that include both (first name AND surname) will be considered correct.
If you click on the "End conversation" button, you leave it permanently, unless one of the participants re-invites you.
To respond to the mission, you need to move the map until the location that you wish to highlight is positioned in the centre of the target (grey cross).
Use the scroll wheel to zoom. If you have a touchpad, use the edge that acts as a scroll wheel.
The Foundation gives you experience points (XP) based on your actions, to reward the most dedicated investigators. These experience points can boost you to the top of the leaderboard.
Participation in a real-time mission: 200 points
Participation in a mission in catch-up mode: 100 points
Solving a mission: 1000 points
First person to solve a mission: 1000 points
Second person to solve a mission: 990 points
Third person to solve a mission: 980 points, and so on...
But it's not always about being the fastest. During the investigation, new ways of winning XP will be revealed and you will be able to collect points even if you are slower than other participants.
Mini docs (web series)
- What are the mini docs?
- Where can I watch the mini docs?
- Do I have to watch the mini docs if I want to move forward in the investigation?
- Are there any clues in the mini docs?
Alt-Minds is a very complex investigation that often addresses issues at the cutting edge of science. The mini docs offer a new angle on these issues, providing additional revelations, clarification and information. They are not directly linked to the investigation as such, but are designed to enhance the experience.
No. The mini docs contain a wealth of fascinating information and we hope you will enjoy them. But while they may clarify parts of the investigation, they are certainly not required viewing in terms of moving forward in the investigation.
No.
Help
- I'm stuck; where can I go for help to move forward in the game?
- I have a technical problem; who should I contact?
- There was a problem processing my payment. Who should I contact?
You may get stuck at some point during the investigation. When this happens, you will automatically be offered a hint. A message will appear on the Missions tab telling you that a new clue is available. If you agree to receive the clue, it will be sent to the Messenger on your interface.
Please send an email detailing your problem to contact@alt-minds.com
Please send an email detailing your problem to contact@alt-minds.com
Community
- Is Alt-Minds an individual or a team game?
- How do you rank players?
- How do I advertise my community?
Alt-Minds in primarily an individual game, but you can discuss the investigation and work with your friends to solve puzzles. Once the game reaches a certain stage, you will also be able to complete certain missions as a team with your friends.
The leaderboard is based on the number of experience points (XP) you collect during the investigation.
If you have a website or blog related to Alt-Minds, you can ask us to link to it by visiting this page.