Renne Estrada
Staff Writer
Students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio have nearly two weeks left to participate in the university’s first ever Virtual Egg Quest for a cash reward.
The quest is an online treasure hunt that involves a chain of digital puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty and challenge participants’ problem solving skills as the game progresses.
The quest will have three winners throughout the game. Each winner will receive a prize to be distributed through a personalized “cash box.” The first place winner will receive a cash box valuing $400. Second and third place will each receive a $100 value cash box.
The quest has been eight months in the making. Jose Ravelo, a senior majoring in international management, and Catalina Lemmon, a senior majoring in both math and computer science, are the two clever game makers behind the operation.
“There are some aspects that we built into this that I am very, very proud of,” said Ravelo between a smile.
Lemmon agreed.
“I liked helping write the story and displaying it through all of the codes and text, and building the characters in the game,” Lemmon said.
This month-long online-only event is hosted by A&M-San Antonio’s Department of Recreational Sports.
“Our event is nonlinear, so there are multiple ways to win, but each way is more intricate than the last,” explained Ravelo.
Participants will have the option to choose between four routes within the quest. Each route ranges in difficulty from beginner to expert.
A first place winner was announced on the games Discord group chat on April 9.
Eli Campos, a junior majoring in cyber security was declared the first place winner. He plans to use his “cash box” prize to purchase upgrades for his PC and buy school supplies.
Because Campos has been declared a winner, the route he played is now closed. Three other routes are still live and playable. Second and third place winners have not yet been announced.
“We tried making [the game] accessible for people who have never done anything like this, but also challenging for people who are super into things like this, like computer science majors like myself,” said Lemmon.
All clues and puzzles can be found online with the exception of three that can be found scattered throughout the A&M-San Antonio campus.
Although the quest began April 8, prospective players can start their egg quest journey anytime while the contest is live.
On April 8, Ravelo and Lemmon confirmed that there were a little over 80 players at the time.
To participate in the quest no prior experience is needed. Students can choose to work together and split the prize, or solve the puzzles and riddles on their own.
“I think the [Discord] chat so far has been really friendly, so if they have any questions I’m sure players can help each other without formally forming a team, but I would highly suggest they team up,” advised Ravelo.
Each day during the quest a new clue is unveiled. Participants can find the first clue by joining the “Egg Quest” Discord.
The quest will run from April 8 through the end of the month on April 30. All winners will be contacted and announced through the games Discord group chat.
For more information or questions about the virtual egg quest event, email Ravelo and Lemmon at jrave01@jaguar.tamu.edu or cattylemmon@gmail.com.
“This project was worked on by myself and a coworker. We’re the ones that built this from the ground up. And [Lemmon] did a fantastic, amazing job on her part. I am absolutely proud of what we did,” Ravelo said.
Updates on the ongoing egg quest can also be found on the recreational sports instagram page @TAMUSARecSports.
