Press enter after choosing selection

Badge Drop #6: Summer Game by the Numbers

by andrewjmac




You know what Summer Gamers are always saying? They always say that the Summer Game needs more MATH. Sure, it's got BOOKS and MOVIES and MUSIC and TV and COMICS and ART and GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS, but it rarely has enough HARD, SOLID NUMBERS. Because you know what they say: EVERYONE LOVES MATH. With that in mind, I've decided to bring you a badge drop post that is ALL ABOUT the numbers. I considered scrapping all of these badges in favor of calculus problems, but the other gamemakers convinced me this was just as good.



So let's talk NUMBERS. Just how much have you guys done so far in Summer Game 2016? A multitudinous

5,099 PLAYERS have received

39,909 BADGES and entered

240,160 CODES to earn them

67,511,795 POINTS!



DO YOU GUYS EVEN KNOW HOW MANY EVERYTHINGS THAT IS? We always know we can count on you guys to blow us away, and, yup, you sure have! We did one of these at this very same time last year and the number of points you had earned was a FRACTION of what you've gotten so far this year! For reference, that fraction is approximately 1/2 but I can't be more precise, I haven't got time to reduce fractions. And WHY haven't I got time to reduce fractions? I'VE GOT BADGES TO DROP:


2016 Badge Drop #6
echo theme_summergame_badge(1243,1244,1245,1246,1247,1241,1240,1250,1252,1248,1237,1236,1238,1251,1242,1249,1235,1239);
?>




This week has new installments of all of your favorite WEB SEARCH badges, an ARBOR EXPLORER trip to Gallup Park, the premier of the POWERART! series, and a fresh ANN ARBOR STORIES badge about one of the giants of Ann Arbor busking, Shakey Jake! This week also sees the debut of the REVIEW MASTER series. This one is all about what YOU like, so go share your opinions about what was good and bad in the catalog! Remember that if you are going to write a review, try to make it something meaningful that will really help someone figure out if they want to give that thing a shot or leave it on the shelf.



And don't forget that it's FRIDAY, and apart from being BADGE DROP day, it's also SHOP DROP day! New items hit the shop today and every Friday, guaranteed to be festooned with AADL logos! I'm sure there are people who aren't interested in things with the AADL logo, but those people are not us! Let's just say there's no accounting for taste and GET US SOME GREAT SHOP SWAG!



If the numerous badges and a call to review and logo-rific shop items aren't enough to keep you busy, you might see if you can root out a bonus code. There are four words in this blog post that are in italics for NO GOOD REASON. Combine those four to find the name of a band who made an album all about numbers, just like this post. Now's the tricky part: figure out the one digit that DOESN'T appear anywhere in this post and track down the song about it. If you can figure out the name of that song, put it in for your code and get an appropriate bonus!




THANKS 4 PLAYING!


Comments

more badges, yes!!

Some of these badges are not registering that they are earned, please fix.

Thrilled to be getting started on the new badges!!
I'm currently completely stumped on the fifth code for Journey to Jupiter. I see that only three people have earned this badge so far, but if anyone happens to be able to give me any tips, I would greatly appreciate it - I'm not even sure where to start, or what I'm supposed to do.

Thanks!

- FAVORITE496

Finally, a Hamilton Badge! With the musicals category, I knew it had to be coming!

BUT I'VE A MILLION BADGES LEFT TO EARN, JUST YOU WAIT. JUST YOU WAIT.

@valerieclaires - Ditto! I had a feeling.

And nice reference. I'll be working on that badge Non-Stop until I earn it, I can promise you. ;)

i finished the newest muppetology badge and it said i didn't get the badge

What a relief to have something to do inside when it is so hot!

We were one degree away from the record, which was made in 1940.

Ditto on the Muppet badge. :-) AADL is so good about getting things working there is nothing to worry about!

@yaldah

You're looking for a movie. With the year, the planet, and the fact that you're looking for a movie, Google should be able to point you in the right direction.

@SBNB - Thank you so much for your help! Somehow before I was entirely on the wrong track in my Googling - no idea even how. :P I've now earned the code and completed the badge, so thank you again! :)

Is there a glitch with the second code for the new national park badge? It says I submitted that code already back on July 5th

Sorry about the Muppetology/Center Stage badge, everyone! You all should have it now.

Great! Thanks. But I could only find four of five at Briarwood. Missing #3. Any hints?
Tom

I guess the bonus amount was "appropriate" but I'm honestly disappointed in how many points that was worth.

Missing number four, apparently. I walked the mall two and a half times. Ugh. Big sign?
TBB

A Hamilton badge? I love the music. But, I will never be satisfied.

I wonder if a Star Trek musical is next for sr. Miranda.
TBB

@Thomas B Brown, I'm not positive where that one was at, I didn't keep track of where each code was specifically. I think though, the one you're missing was near the food court. Either that or I think it was near where we came in at which was the wing that makes the corner of Sears/Van Maur parking lot.

Making a bonus for the announcement post itself is a fun touch. Great idea!

@ There was a glitch on the 2nd code for NPS - is now fixed and you should be able to earn it now! Thanks for your patience!

I'm still getting the error for the s******** clue on the second code for the national parks. Telling me I redeemed it July 5th at 4:02 pm. No worries though! Appreciate AADL's time and talents putting everything together. There is bound to a few hiccups. :-)

@ wolfe.lindsey - have you reloaded the badge altogether? the clue to find the second completely changed - no more 'sand.' The reason it says you already redeemed the code is because you did on the Isle Royale badge - we realized we had double labeled a DVD - so we changed it. Fingers crossed this is it!

ps: can anyone help me with the 'greenland' clue in the narwhal badge? I'm missing something!!

the last clue on the TRex badge was a doozy.
A classic case of me overthinking it!

I alway's like getting new badges for summer games!! I'm on a trip to Italy and I'm still doing Summer Games!!!

Trouble with the downtown library badge. We were able to find all the codes EXCEPT the one with the hint: go where you'd go if you reeeeealy had to....go. We asked the staff working at the library but they weren't sure either. Any hints?? We thought it was a bathroom but were not in luck with that line of thought.
HELP
Thanks

@elsbetherin - So very sorry you were not helped by staff! Please do a 'contact' us and pass on the hint again and we'll give you the code. Thanks for playing!

I have SO MANY badges left to do. I think I need to start hiring out assistants to get them done for me. ; )

Sabana5 - I checked the narwhal badge for someone last drop and couldn't find the Greenland item I remembered again. What's the hint? I can only see the clues now.

To all the summer gamer's out there,
I am working on tow badges and I need help finding the code words for both them.

1) Hamiltones: the first code word

2) Journey to Juipter: second code word

I am having extreme trouble finding both code words. I have googled up what are the anwsers but to no avali.
I am hoping that some of you gamer's out there can help me with some more clues as to where I can find both code words.
Thanks so much for the help
Lmd3577

@Lmd3577 re: Hamilton

Look at Wikipedia for hamilton the person to see the president he worked for, and hamilton the musical for the theater. Use the president's last name plus the theater, and, i believe, its the first item thats listed.

@Lmd3577

For the second code for Journey to Jupiter, you should be able to find the title of the book by googling the author and some of the book-specific words from the same sentence with the author's name.

I'm having issues with the 4th code of the Voldemort badge. The class I've found D****** A****** t** D*** A***. Or at least I'm 99% sure that is the class! It gives me 8 results and none of them have a code. Can anyone make any suggestions? MANY thanks!

UPDATE: found it - hint for others (I'm not a HP person so maybe I'm the clueless one) but when searching for the class make sure you correct spelling differences to search for it in the catalog!

Loved the bonus in the badge drop itself - genius! Also, glad the power boxes are back. Thx for the fun - LINE393

To all the summer gamer's out there
I am working on the Hamiltone badge and I need help finding the 1st code word. I have googled up the answer and plugged it into the catalog but I get thousands of answers to search through to find the code word. I am hoping that some of you gamer's can give me some more clues to help me find the 1st code word.
Thanks so much for the help
Lmd3577

@lmd3577 - are you searching for F*********? The code is within the first handful of items.

GOOD LUCK!

Well, 26 people have gotten the badge, so it's just me! I'm working on Bad Blood and am stuck on the first clue. I have put the name of the war into the catalog as keyword (initials are FECW) and none of the few books that come up have the code. Where did I go wrong?

Thanks!!

Just a quick tip I'm putting out there for any other Summer Gamers who may be working on the Kipling's India badge: For the second code, the clue says that the code you're looking for is in a CD. It's not, though - it's in a DVD. That one had me pretty baffled until I went with my hunch and searched with the "CD" filter turned off. Then I found it right away. Since I see that apparently only one person besides me has earned this badge so far, I thought knowing his might help.
If a staff member sees this comment, you may want to edit the clue for that code, as it is rather misleading. :)

- FAVORITE496

What series is the Kipling's India badge in? I have not seen it in any badge series.

@lmworks

You're being too specific. Search for the name given to the entire series of wars.

@keebs

Thank you - overspecificity is usually where I go wrong.

@Katharina Geschner

I think it's supposed to be in the Jungle Bookland badge series. I guess the staff accidentally forgot to put it in the badge list.

YES!! A Hamilton badge!! I've been waiting all summer for this!!! (but I was willing to "wait for it") :)

I'm sorry to say, but I'm quite bummed about the WonderGlass. It has a hole so someone can drink, but there isn't anything to cover it, meaning that it could spill. Also, we ordered 3 of those, but only got 2. And I also just realized that the WonderGlass is sold out, which means that we won't get the 1 glass that we were missing. :(

@sharmas

That's unfortunate about the glass. Did you try contacting them? Maybe they have extras stashed away somewhere.

@sharmas

Definitely use the Contact Us form on the website and contact the Summer Game team about the Wonder Glass. They'll work something out with you.

I hope Briarwood appreciates the Summer Game bringing them customers. I hadn't been there in years. (Probably won't be there again unless theres another badge!)

I totally loved both the Muppet badge and the "extra code" built into the blog post itself. :) :) Mahna Mahna is one of my favorite Muppets' skits ever so I love the design of the badge. :) I'm also excited for the new "Find the Park" badge. I enjoyed the first one a lot and am looking forward to this one.

Thanks for making such great badges and a great game. :)

@sara

Same here with Briarwood. Summer Game took me there twice in about a week, which definitely is the most I've been there in almost 8 years. And I even bought stuff both times, although the second time was just a coffee.

I have spent waaaayyyy too long on the last code for the National Lakeshores badge. Can someone tell me if I'm off track? I looked up the animal starting with a c mentioned on the Sleeping Bear Dunes wiki page. I looked up every other name it is also called. I looked up a bunch of other animals that could be predators. No luck... Thanks!

@amy thomas

I searched the last code for National Lakeshores and came up with no results, so maybe the item has been removed from the catalog. When I got the badge, I'm pretty sure I searched the same word as you are and found the code fairly quickly.

For the Commission Possible badge, I watched the entire "Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 1:30 PM - Ann Arbor Area Building Board of Appeals" meeting online and I didn't see or hear any code. Did I miss it or was there no code presented? I'm leaning towards the latter because I actually found it interesting and was actively listening.

OH my goodness y'all... hubs and I tried for the Field Lines badge. We were in the correct park, I found the exact right view and have NO idea what the clue was I was supposed to use. I saw a few things and I attempted every single variation I could think of. Nothing was correct. 12 people have gotten it and I'm lost. I did the contact us thing, but still curious if anyone who has gotten it can give me a clue. Not that I am able to go back, but if the opportunity presents itself I'd love to be able to figure it out! My husband thinks I was supposed to have binoculars. THANKS! Maybe644

Lindsey

Just picked up my shop order today, and it looks great so far!! Can't wait to see what's yet to be released. :D

@Katharina Geschner - you can get to the new Kipling badge by clicking on the badge in this blog post (2nd row, 2nd from left - at least the way it is formatted on my screen!) but it isn't on the badge list page yet. I only knew about it because @sharmas mentioned it here! Hopefully staff will fix that up soon.

And here is the URL: http://play.aadl.org/summergame/badge/1241

I am glad to see the return of last year's red messenger bag, because that is a great bag. On the other hand, it says *marked down* but yet it requires more points than this year's gray bag. Granted, it is larger so probably worth more points. But it makes me wonder about the *marked down* part - does that mean marked down from last year?

p.s. let me know if the messenger bag warehouse contains a random spare strap for the red bag, because I can take it off your hands! We had one break and while I repaired it, I did a mediocre job.

Oh, yikes! Thanks for posting the info on the Kipling badge. I would probably never have found it that way.

My 7-year-old daughter and I canvassed the mall yesterday looking for the Briarwood codes and we, too, managed to only find 4 of 5 codes. Just like the other person who commented (Thomas Brown?), we are missing #4. We walked the whole mall twice and found the other codes with ease. My daughter was disappointed that we were unable to find the final code but I just couldn't bear to do another circuit in search of the 5th code.

Code #4 for Briarwood was, if I remember correctly, the one that you might miss if you don't come in the correct entrance. It's visible from the outside through a window but also visible from the inside from the correct angle.

@TBB, I think you missed the entry point one. There's one that's visible from the road if you drive around the building.

@SBNB, I don't think they said it. I watched that one too and while I wasn't 100% actively watching/listening, I felt I was enough to see/hear it and didn't. Send an email to contact us and they'll give you the clue.

It is fun to play the Summer Game because if you get enough points, then you get to buy things at the game shop. You also get to enjoy a lot books and I am having fun reading the books. There a lot of books at the library so you can always find something good to read.

Hi. I'm having problems with the 3rd clue of BAD BLOOD. I think the name is E*w*** so I tried searching for E* and then honest E* but no luck. Or am I way off? I'd appreciate any assistance. Thanks.

SBNB:
I wish I had seen your post because I just did the same thing.
TBB

I put in the new clue for the second NP badge K******* C*** S****. I did not find a code in the first 40 items that came up in the list except for the code used in another badge (that I already earned).

@ mcreader

I think you have the right guy, but you're not searching for the right part of his name. You should search for his nickname of sorts, the second part of this name.

To all the summer gamer's out there,
I am working on the super spelunker badge and I need help finding the 5th code word. I have looked at the wikipedia page about the cave and I have put in at least 3 different anwsers and I keep getting code not reginized. I am hoping that some of you gamer's out there can help me with some more clues as to where I can find the 5th code word.
Thanks for the help
Lmd3577

@Funnysox

Don't search the catalog for that three word phrase. Enter it as a game code.

@Lmd3577

Check the Timpanogos Cave page on wikipedia under the section called "Three Caves". Just like @keebs23 mentioned, the code is the singular form of the word.

@SNSB

Thanks for clue. Sorry to sound dense but I tried W*** from E*w*** and still no luck. Also tried W*** Honest and Honest W***. Another clue please!!! Thanks!

I need to put a note on my screen- sometimes you just enter the answer as the clue, you don't search those words in the catalog.
Each time I've been really stumped it's because I'm search the code, not entering it .
:-/

Ever since I saw the musicals section, I've been longing for a Hamilton badge. Thanks!

-COMPLETELY664

@mcreader

Not who you originally asked, but the guy's name is *Name* the *Blank* (at least, it is if you look on Wikipedia). The nickname you need is *Blank*. Try searching just that word.

-COMPLETELY664

@mcreader

The monarch in question wasn't nicknamed "Honest". In fact, his nickname makes it sound like he needed to admit to something...

@ Serge - Welcome! Hope you have lots of fun. I added your code - thanks for adding mine already. :) STAR473

@bituck @sabana5

I'm having the same difficulty.
"HINT: Search for "Greenland" in the catalog and you can't miss it!"

Only, apparently, I totally can. Did find a 2014 code though.

cannonsr - thanks for reminding me of the hint. I suggest using contact us to find out if the item is still in the catalog, since when I did the badge right after the drop I remember the item being near the top of the search results and the photo matching well with the clue.

I went to a park last night for the Field Lines badge. Found the *exact* spot, but couldn't figure out the code. There was one sign I could see, but those three characters were not the code. If any of the 18 absolutely brilliant people who have gotten the badge have a hint or advice, I'd really appreciate it.

On the bright side, the place was lousy with Pokemon Go players and I caught a Charmander and a NidoQueen!

@lmworks that was the only sign I saw too. I'm sending them a contact us to get the code.

For those of you working on Field Lines, I've updated the clue a bit to make it more clear. If you're in the right place, outside the fence, the code is RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE. It's not an official sign or something you need binoculars for. The letters are barely 1/4" tall, but you can't miss them when you're standing in exactly the right place. ENJOY!

I completely overthought the clues for the code for this post, looked at it as more complicated than it is. It took me much longer than it should have to get it right. >.<

has anyone tried finding the Arbor Explorer "Field Lines" Badge??? I'm seriously struggling to find a park that would have a view of these buildings :(

@liz grapentine, I haven't done this myself yet, however I do believe the name of the park is in the hint.

I picked up my first order of Summer Game Shop stuff today, and I have to say that I love the look of the new messenger bag for this year. The pocket kite is cute too. I haven't tried it yet though. I hope it flies.

@eli GM

Success! Thank you for the clarification in the clue. Same spot as before, but I just looked "at" rather than "through". Thanks a heap!!

@ wolfe.lindsey thanks for the HP clue, I'm a terrible speller and didn't even realize one word is not spelled correctly in the class name. I kept looking at it after reading your clue and my brain just wouldn't register the spelling. I had to paste it into Word (I feel dumb).

@ziazippy it was so fun to meet you at the Creature Conservancy event last night! Wasn't that a great EVENT???? So fun!! I should have talked with you more about friend codes. The easiest way to find 'friends' is to look at the leaderboard. Many players include their friend code in their name so you can find lots of 'friends' :-)

Again - it was nice to meet you!

I cant find the 2nd code for the voldemort badge i tried title and keyword all the results but i couldnt find it

@freopt

The item might not be there anymore. I searched for the code in the catalog and there were zero results.

To all the summer gamer's out there,
I am working on the Thomas Blood badge and I need help finding the third code word. I have found what I think is the correct anwser and when I go to put it into the catalouge I get thousands of items to search through. I am hoping that some of you gamer's out there can give me some more help with giving me more clues as where to find the third code word.
Thanks so much for the help
Lmd3577

Does anyone know why we can only see the badges we have earned as far back as 2013. I know the computer part of the summer reading program started back in 2011 I believe why can't we see the badges we have earned from the beginning of the the computer part so we can see our accplishmints from way back in the beginning.

@Lmd3577, in an early post it was stated that they would be removing the prior years game badges. That's why you can't see them anymore.

@freopt & @SBNB, I earned this badge yesterday, so the codes are all still there.

edit: yup, I just searched for it again and found it... are you searching for his full name? You should get 4 results if you search the correct thing.

Need help with a code from 2013, 4th code for Criterion Collection. Either the codes not there or I'm completely stumped. Can someone help point me to the item in the catalog that I'm looking for?

@AprilCDB

For the fourth code in the Criterion Collection, if you google the last two sentences of the clue, the name of the film should be in the top results. I also checked the catalog and found the code there in that film.

Just became the first person to earn the "Moons of Jupiter" badge - I can't wait for the rest to be dropped this afternoon! :D

- FAVORITE496

Hey friends! Just getting a head start on those comment badges I see appearing. Don't mind me...

@ liz grapentine

For the Field lines badge I pulled up Google maps, entered the addresses of the two buildings and put a strait-edge against the map. The park is along the line formed and pretty obvious. This worked for the A Line Meant badge, too, although there were more choices for that one.

We just did some Arbor Explorer badges. Lots of walking but fun.
TBB

I cannot get the final Welcome to Jupiter badge. The heavier element grunge song?...
TBB

@Thomas B Brown

The element starts with an "L" and the band that plays the song starts with an "N".

cannonsr - Ignore the material type hint in the clue when searching for Greenland and the second code for Narwhal In All is near the top of the 86 search results.

Field Lines is darn near impossible. I was there today (for the 2nd or 3rd time) and even with the more detailed clue, I still couldn't find it. Encountered a family of 4 of varying heights who were also looking, and they were similarly frustrated. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! All the charmanders in the park have eaten (or maybe licked?) off the quarter inch letters, I'm sure of it.

@camelsamba

We were at the directional park on Saturday for the Field Lines puzzle. It was very hard to spot. We were lucky there were other players and they finally found it. We walked around and even to the top of the park to the tennis courts. The answer to the puzzle is at one end of the sports field, on the yellow border of the fence. It is very small and looks like it was written with a sharpie marker. Just find the view and walk on that side of the fence. Hope this helps

I would like it if we could keep our badges-- I thought it was just removing the ability to earn new ones from prior years. By the way there are still tons of expired codes from the Old News clue hunts. Anyway the old badges are so cute!

Im trying to get the Voldemortal Kombat badge and i cant find the last code i searched "diary" and "locket" in keyword and title and i cant find the code.

@ freopt

For the last Voldemort, you need to search the type of item (what all of them are called, what he turned the ordinary items into).

My favorite badge of this drop is the Gallup Gallop. More explorer badges, please!

Freopt - please don't give the actual search term here that you used for people to see. Give hints.

By the way, I contacted the Summer Game staff and Eli assured me we will be a keeping our badges from previous years.

Any chance of some new t-shirts in the game shop? My Axis and play aadl.org shirts are getting a bit old.....we need some with the beautiful artwork this year! New shirts EVERY year would be awesome.

I would love new shirts! Luckily one kid inherited a shirt from an older sibling, so at least we have one family member who can wear one! Another library patron admired it, so I definitely think it's time. Please can it be a less dull color? I don't really have time to dye it something zippier.

@willow

It would be great to have another shirt! The one I have right now is 2-3 years old and the colors are definetly fading away. And like you mentioned, another color would be nice...

re: shirt color, I have to say, we like to wear them as a family when we're out "playing" and the color, while dull, is good for these hot humid summers we have. If you ever see us out playing, feel free to stop us and say Hi! All three of us have shirts and all three of us will be wearing them if we're playing the game. Sometimes one of us might wear the shirt just because, but if we all have them on, we're playing or planning to play later or played already that day.

@AprilCDB

Sure will! What I think would be cool, is if we all got a chance to meet each other. That way, we will know who we are "talking" to. Maybe if we tried, we could make it big enough to make it into an event next year!! Meet your fellow Summer Game Players!

@sdunav

I completely agree about the new shirts! We had a few (up to five), but we're down to one or two because things tend to disappear in our house and the hospital also lost one for us (and didn't reimburse us for the free shirt that they lost, haha). The ones we have are looking well-worn to say the least. I also agree about the color. The blah off-white yellowish thing was ok, but it could be so much better. New, wonderful colors and new shirts for each year would be great, but I'd take any new library shirts at this point.

Did the Gallup Gallop badge today and it was nice and easy. (That's my favorite kind of badge!) All the clues were close together and easy to figure out. So if you're looking for an easy stroll for lots of points, that's a great badge to do.

@SurfGrape

Thanks for the info on the Gallup badge. Now I have no excuse not to get it done.

We'd come up and greet anyone wearing an AADL shirt! My son wants to have a place to put on our friend codes.

Graphic for blog posts

Blog Post

Subjects
Summer Game