A cryptic hunt across time

Decode the clues, wind the gears, and claim the final answer before the clock runs out.

A hunt written in riddles

Chronocrypt is a cryptic hunt: a chain of puzzles hidden in plain sight. Every answer unlocks the next epoch, and every epoch pulls the clock closer to midnight.

No syllabus and no code. Just curiosity, pattern hunger, and the patience to stare at a clock face until it confesses.

48 hrsone relentless weekend
1-4solo or crew
Onlinehunt from anywhere
Chronocrypt key art: golden clockwork gears turning against a black sky
Chronocrypt Nov 13 48 hrs · online

How the hunt works

  1. 01

    Assemble a crew

    Fly solo or crew up with four. One shared brain cell is permitted.

  2. 02

    Enter Epoch I

    Each answer unlocks the next clue. Answers are lowercase, spaces dropped.

  3. 03

    Watch the ledger

    The leaderboard ranks first correct answers. Speed compounds.

  4. 04

    Seize the final cipher

    First crew to close the chain when midnight strikes wins.

  • Clues hide in images, audio, pages, and sometimes the page source itself.
  • The internet is fair game. Collaboration between crews is not.
  • Organizers’ verdicts are final, in every timeline.

The epochs

I

Registration

Crews seal their names in the ledger.

Opens Oct 30
II

The Prelude

A warmup cipher to calibrate your lens.

Nov 6, 8 PM
III

The Hunt

48 hours. All epochs live. The clock starts at midnight.

Nov 13, 00:00
IIII

The Finale

The final cipher closes. Winners crowned on the spot.

Nov 15, 00:00

The spoils of time

Runner-up Second crew through the wire Pool revealed at the Prelude
Champion First crew to close the final cipher Pool revealed at the Prelude
Second runner-up Third crew past the wire Pool revealed at the Prelude

Certificates and care packages for every finalist crew.

Questions from the timeline

What is a cryptic hunt, exactly?

Each level is a riddle whose answer is a word or phrase. The clue rarely says what it means; the fun is in noticing what it hides.

Do I need to know how to code?

No. If you can google, doodle, and argue productively with teammates, you are qualified.

Where does it happen?

Entirely online. Crews can conspire from the same room or from four different time zones.

Can I play solo?

Yes. Solo, duo, or a crew of up to four. Play whatever way keeps you sharp at 3 AM.

What does it cost?

Nothing but your sleep schedule.

Midnight is coming.

Registration is open. The clock only moves one way.

Enter the Hunt

Solo or teams of up to 4. Registration closes at the Prelude.