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The Da Vinci Code WebQuests (also called The Da Vinci Code Challenges) are a series of web-based puzzles related to the bestselling 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code, as well as the 2006 film. There have been several web quests, none of which directly related to any other. Probably the most well known is the game run by Google, though it was ultimately met with much more public criticism than the other various games.
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Original Official Promotional WebQuests
The original Da Vinci Code web quest challenges were first made available via the website of the book's author, Dan Brown, as part of a promotional campaign, and both remain hosted on the publisher's website. In January 2004, it was announced on the live television program Good Morning America that hundreds of thousands of people had participated in the original challenge, and that 40,000 people had successfully completed it. Though the official "prize" was given out at that time, the web versions of the quests were never closed, and have remained active ever since. The original version involved deciphering a series of cryptic clues at the publisher's website. Those wishing to solve the quests were required to examine the U.S. version of the book's dustcover jacket, and to search the web to learn the answers to certain questions or clues. The second Da Vinci Code WebQuest, titled Uncover The Code, followed a similar style.
The Google WebQuest
On April 17, 2006, Google launched its own Da Vinci Code-related quest, based around the release of The Da Vinci Code's film version. It was created in coordination with Sony Pictures, and was called the Da Vinci Code Google Quest, an online series of puzzles with a prize offered to those who answer all 24 puzzles correctly. Participants were required to sign up for a Google Account in order to play.
The first part of the puzzle ended on May 11, 2006, with those who qualified as finalists continuing to play until May 21st.
In the USA the first 10,000 people who finished all 24 puzzles on May 11th, 2006 and successfully registered for the final contest received a Cryptex Replica with a scroll inside, containing a URL to the final puzzle (the code to open the cryptex was "GRAIL", and only the last two letters were necessary). The final puzzle was released on May 19th, 2006 at approximately 1:00 pm EDT, and was based on a 48-hour time limit from when the individual started the timer (logged into the site to start their puzzles). The finalist with the shortest time to complete all five puzzles was to be declared the winner. Had this phase not produced a definitive winner, the quest would have entered a final phase involving an essay challenge.
Within the USA, the prize was substantial, with an estimated retail value of US$128,170.54 and included:
Estimated retail value for grand prize and finalist prizes was $428,170.54.
Outside the USA there were various prize packages and rules for different countries. All those who successfully completed all 24 puzzles before the closing date for that country were entered in a prize draw with prizes ranging from a set of Da Vinci Code Top Trumps cards to illustrated copies of The Da Vinci Code.
Grand Prize Winner
The Google-sponsored webquest was taken offline once the final phase was completed. According to a written response for the Official Winners List from Hilltop New Media, Inc. on behalf of Google, the winner was Anthony N. (last name withheld) from Collierville, Tennessee. It is unknown what his final puzzle time was.
Perhaps due to complications arising out of the American version of the Quest, it appears that winners have never been announced in any of the other countries in which the Quest was running. These countries (Australia, United Kingdom, ...) had a cut-down version of the quest that included neither codexes nor a timed "final challenge".
The Eurostar Da Vinci Code WebQuest
Another webquest launched in mid-May 2006, called the Eurostar Quest. Participants were invited to "board the Eurostar", taking them through various destinations in Paris and London, encountering riddles, puzzles and hidden clues scattered across both cities. It was won by Olivier Klein, a 28-year-old IT technician from Schweighouse-sur-Moder.