Guess the private key, win the bitcoins (puzzle game)

[Zyborg]

So close to cracking it, it's ridiculous. Why the last part won't click for me is beyond me however, need more thinking time I suppose.

[Cassius]

There's a new clue, if that helps...

[Prospero]

There's a new clue, if that helps...

Not really, since that was sort of obvious given the previous games.

[Cassius]

There's a new clue, if that helps...

Not really, since that was sort of obvious given the previous games.

To some people 

[Jaaawsh]

I got through the first two paragraphs without hitting any letters that aren't used, up til like my 4th to last character. So pissed. Been spending AT LEAST an hour every day since this was first posted trying to figure it out.

[kolloh]

Ugh. I'm stumped. I made progress but the end is stumping me.

[Zyborg]

There's a new clue, if that helps...

Haha, the problem is that the clue has always been 1 step behind me so far.

[Armed]

Someone seems to have won, will the solution be posted anywhere?

[Cassius]

Someone seems to have won, will the solution be posted anywhere?

Yes, solution will be posted on BitScan soon.

[Zyborg]

Oh damn. Lots of time invested into this. :/

Congratz to the winner though, looking forward to seeing the solution.

[Zyborg]

Is this a ****ing joke though? With the last puzzle?

An error in the text, that's why it didn't work?

S3CURITYRI5K2NE7WORKfLHdosswuheY

That's what I had, BEFORE the 2nd hint.I was skipping exactly 25 each step, and yet it didn't work due to the last letters.
I was almost thinking it was an error on your behalf but shooed those thoughts off thinking you'd notice that mistake way in time before publicizing it, or at least during the course.

Someone probably got the Security risk to network right and brute forced the rest of it.

It's one thing to complain about a free entry contest, I know that, however it's really a kick in the nuts to find out that the mistake was on the host's behalf, and that someone managed to claim it by using a computer even though "no computers will be needed" was stated on the website.

Sigh.

[Cassius]

Is this a ****ing joke though? With the last puzzle?

An error in the text, that's why it didn't work?

S3CURITYRI5K2NE7WORKfLHdosswuheY

That's what I had, BEFORE the 2nd hint.I was skipping exactly 25 each step, and yet it didn't work due to the last letters.
I was almost thinking it was an error on your behalf but shooed those thoughts off thinking you'd notice that mistake way in time before publicizing it, or at least during the course.

Someone probably got the Security risk to network right and brute forced the rest of it.

It's one thing to complain about a free entry contest, I know that, however it's really a kick in the nuts to find out that the mistake was on the host's behalf, and that someone managed to claim it by using a computer even though "no computers will be needed" was stated on the website.

Sigh.

Yup, afraid so. I checked and rechecked it and... made a mistake.
Very embarrassing and I can only apologise.
I've sent out a small consolation prize to a runner-up and will do so once more if you post your address.
Aside from that I can only say sorry.

[Zyborg]

Is this a ****ing joke though? With the last puzzle?

An error in the text, that's why it didn't work?

S3CURITYRI5K2NE7WORKfLHdosswuheY

That's what I had, BEFORE the 2nd hint.I was skipping exactly 25 each step, and yet it didn't work due to the last letters.
I was almost thinking it was an error on your behalf but shooed those thoughts off thinking you'd notice that mistake way in time before publicizing it, or at least during the course.

Someone probably got the Security risk to network right and brute forced the rest of it.

It's one thing to complain about a free entry contest, I know that, however it's really a kick in the nuts to find out that the mistake was on the host's behalf, and that someone managed to claim it by using a computer even though "no computers will be needed" was stated on the website.

Sigh.

Yup, afraid so. I checked and rechecked it and... made a mistake.
Very embarrassing and I can only apologise.
I've sent out a small consolation prize to a runner-up and will do so once more if you post your address.
Aside from that I can only say sorry.

Mistakes happen, I guess. Unfortunately for me it was in the first puzzle I came close to solving!

I'll gladly accept your gesture; it gladdens me to get a response.

173oNFXDhT7s3HBhRVhMTDTcn3S5PWXAdZ

Thanks in advance.

PS: Apart from the mistake, this was a really good puzzle, fun and challenging. Good thinking with the external source of the method to solve it (ELS).

[micaman]

Yup, afraid so. I checked and rechecked it and... made a mistake.
Very embarrassing and I can only apologise.
I've sent out a small consolation prize to a runner-up and will do so once more if you post your address.
Aside from that I can only say sorry.

So that's why S3curityRi5k2ne7workfLHdosswuh didn't work...
Nice evolution from the old puzzles though, hoping to see the next one.

If you're really compensating for your mistake, it's a very honourable action, thank you.
1KLrqo71UUDToKmqguQCZowxijzb189qyw

[Cassius]

Thanks for being gracious about it. It's extremely frustrating for me after spending so many hours working on the puzzle and checking it through; I imagine it must be at least as frustrating for those who came close to solving it and couldn't. I've sent a small consolation prize to Zyborg.

Very embarrassing and I can only apologise.
I've sent out a small consolation prize to a runner-up and will do so once more if you post your address.

Obviously now that people know about the consolation prize, anyone could claim they came close, so I won't be sending out any more. (Micaman, I've sent a very small sum as a consolation prize for missing the consolation prize.)

Having thought about it a little more I think the best way to compensate remaining players would be to raise the prize sum for the final puzzle. And, of course, check the clues one last time... It also won't be another ELS.

Thanks again to all for playing.

Cassius

[Zyborg]

Thanks for being gracious about it. It's extremely frustrating for me after spending so many hours working on the puzzle and checking it through; I imagine it must be at least as frustrating for those who came close to solving it and couldn't. I've sent a small consolation prize to Zyborg.

Very embarrassing and I can only apologise.
I've sent out a small consolation prize to a runner-up and will do so once more if you post your address.

Obviously now that people know about the consolation prize, anyone could claim they came close, so I won't be sending out any more. (Micaman, I've sent a very small sum as a consolation prize for missing the consolation prize.)

Having thought about it a little more I think the best way to compensate remaining players would be to raise the prize sum for the final puzzle. And, of course, check the clues one last time... It also won't be another ELS.

Thanks again to all for playing.

Cassius

Perhaps a PM would've been better from me!

Recieved the btc, thanks mate. I'll be sure to check out your last puzzle, very hyped for it.

Thanks for the responses and thanks for handling this situation nicely.

[micaman]

I got it too. You didn't have to, but i respect and appreciate your gesture.
Thanks again.

[roslinpl]

When the next puzzle game is going to be placed?

During last two I was quiet but now I will do my best to solve it

[Cassius]

Thanks everyone.

I will aim to post the last puzzle within the next 2-3 weeks.