MO Counter - Research and Findings

[Rathius]

I'm sure you're all familiar with the countdown on the main page. While I'm sure you all noticed that it was counting down, not many were aware of other things going on... in the background. This is the original research of Aegis Imperium and a combined community effort. Below is our findings upon delving into the mysteries surrounding the counter.

On Tuesday, February 3rd, Lachrymose brought to the discussion the possibility of the MO Counter's background having changed. Upon further inspection, we came to the conclusion it had. How it had changed we weren't quite sure. Speculation began on what exactly was in the images, and how they fit together with each other.

After a bit of searching around the website and discussion with other members of Aegis Imperium, I discovered that the images we were looking at were indeed sequential. What did I find... An orrery, which is a device that shows the rotation of planets and moons within a solar system. This orrery shows a few planets and moons rotating through the system, and possibly asteroids moving through as well.

The discussion of new findings circulated the guild chatter as we discussed more possibilities. Then we noticed more within the animation. Also contained within are a few other layers that are moving on their own.
[removed]<One of these sections looks as though it's music notation, with lyrics underneath. The language is currently unknown, we have speculations on origins of the language and once such possibility is that it may be a real language, or it's one of the unique languages to the world of Mortal. The other section appears as a larger text in another language, scrolling the opposite direction. Origin speculation the same as the other text, its purpose however not clear as there seems to be no context to put it in.> (see Note 1)

After a break in discussions, we commenced the next day on discussions of the possibilities of such a timer and the material within. So I went in search of more answers. Considering the material at hand, I went to the Lore sections to skim over topics to see what I could find. And there it was the possible meaning of the animation. Discussed within the Tindrem Lore is an artifact recovered from after the Conflux and the Great Washout. This artifact is the Armillogion, it is an ancient orrery that according to legend could predict the future.

So, what does this all mean? More speculation of course. But something founded on more than just pure guessing. Here's the current supported theory. The Counter's background is showing us, frame by frame, possibly, the intro portion to a trailer that the Devs may be planning to release. Speculation is that in this trailer, they show the Armillogion predicting the conflux. The Conflux, we know little about, but may speculate that it was caused by the asteroid like figures seen in the animation, or something yet to be revealed. How exactly, we can't be sure, as we currently do not have enough animation to see that.
[removed]<As for the text and music in the beginning, they could be symbolism of past and present events; the large text may be documents from the old world. The music may be a song documenting the Conflux, or perhaps a lament to the times> (see Note 1).

This project is ongoing and we will continually be researching and deciphering what we find so that maybe we can crack the mystery surrounding this counter. We haven't revealed everything to you, as we have other aspects we are currently looking into, but as it stands this is the best scenario and explanation we have.

This is all of course open to discussion and interpretation from each individual. So what's your take on the counter images now?

v---------Updates---------v

Originally Posted by Henrik @ GameSNAFU Article

What we do have, are very big quests in the form of riddles and chains-of-events spread about in the world that will often involve several players or guilds, and from time to time affect the development of the world. These quests will start slowly even from day one, and we have some deep events planned for the players - where their actions will get reflected back upon the world and the rest of the future players. We’ve even presented clues for some of these events before the game starts, one is embedded in the countdown image on www.mortalonline.com

http://www.gamesnafu.com/readarticle.php?ArticleID=180

How's this for satisfying your need for a purpose? One of the very first quests of the game, before it's even released. Want to help, dig in, be sure you look over all of the present information to be kept up to date.

The counter, ended on March 18, 15:00 GMT. This brings the count of frames to 193 in total.

---------------------------
The last frame shows a simplification of the orrerry and the planets. An enhanced image by Baron is found here:
http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/141201-post555.html

---------------------------
Possible cipher information found using different parts of text found within the counter at different times. Read a summary of it here:
http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/139319-post522.html

---------------------------
The animation can be found, at it's most current state:
Java Application by Necromantic: http://www.regrol.de/mo_countdown
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvyq8LvVVAc


You will need the current Java to run the Java App, you can download it here:
http://java.com/en/

---------------------------
Ghost-like letters that very quickly and briefly showed throughout the animation at one point have been placed on one composite image, and have been revealed as names of the planets in the MO universe:
Image: http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/98951-post126.html
Verification: http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/147343-post598.html

---------------------------
Sheet Music that enters later in the animation from the upper left corner is currently being extracted and deciphered. One such possible translation can be found so far in this post by Unomat: <Posted Deleted by Author>
Alternate posting here: http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/137802-post476.html

---------------------------
Note 1 - One of the sheet musics that scrolls through the counter has been discovered. It is a real life document that has been found by Volkira. You can read more about this document in this post: http://www.mortalonline.com/forums/118239-post264.html

Also from this collection and comments from developers, the music and large blocky text seen in the beginning of the animation have been revealed as "filler" material with no direct correlation to the meaning of the counter.

[Eonwe]

Great work Rathius, hope to see all the other stuff you creative AI guys find out.

[mikesanimation]

Have fun researching guys, we sure are!

AI ftw!

[zekemorgan]

Great discovery. Glad to have joined the guild and got a heads up on this and to be a part of the ongoing research process, even if my part is minimal.

Sneaky of the devs to have added it in to. I wonder what other mysteries are in store for us within the game and within the lore.

[Lachrymose]

i'd also like to note that if you look VERY closely... you can clearly see the face of rick astley moving behind the orrery.

[Drakus]

Very interesting find you guys uncovered. Well done!

+1 Rep

Now what does it all mean? hehe

[Shinzon]

The Imperium is working hard.

[Stewker]

Great Job Guys!

[Saviour]

funnily enough i was thinking the same thing, that the counter background changed, didn't really take my time into researching it god job though

[Zageron]

Has anyone else noticed that the background is gone? o.O
Or is it just me.

[Resin]

It's gone to me too.

Was this something we were not meant to discover yet?

Regardless, really nice job all.

[jodex]

Interesting stuff nice job Imperium. The language the appears has a few characters that are similar to Hebrew but its not(so id guess a in game language). As far as the music if that is suppose to be a staff its either a series of F's, C, and B or F's, D, and B. There is nothing I can see that resembles a time signature. I played it(trying just different timings), it sounds rather ominous. However it could very well be a percussion staff and I dont have drums(if you have drums try it out).

[Practical]

This is a beautiful post! There's some real dedication here (whether or not you're taking the piss). I wish you the best of luck in finding the answers you seek.

[mshield]

Sounds interesting but I wouldn't interpret to much into backgrounds of counters.

[Nehemia]

Have you tried to listen to this "unknown language" Backwards?

[Gracco]

Nice research Aerus and beatiful post.

IMO The counter size in the main page its the same size of the video/trailer in the video part of the Home Page. So im with you ppl, i think a gameplay trailer will come and why not a beta subscription also ?

Lets see.

[LightsabeR]

I can only hope that finding in-game treasures and maybe those "one time spawn" boss monsters is as complex as this.

[Virezon]

Originally Posted by LightsabeR

I can only hope that finding in-game treasures and maybe those "one time spawn" boss monsters is as complex as this.

What, no more glowing exclamation marks above NPC heads?

[Strife40k]

I thought this was sensitive information.... oh well .

[Lachrymose]

Originally Posted by mshield

Sounds interesting but I wouldn't interpret to much into backgrounds of counters.

you think they'd go to all the trouble of creating multiple sequential backgrounds and updating images so frequently for nothing?

[Strife40k]

Yeah, I guess we'll get a lot more help decoding now.

[Elfvis]

I was seriously questioning the seriousness of the OP until I looked... Deeper...

[Strife40k]

Originally Posted by Elfvis

I was seriously questioning the seriousness of the OP until I looked... Deeper...

Never question the Imperium.

[Saviour]

Ill get into some researching of the letters tommorow when ill have more time

[holo4ever]

frame 29 just appeared. at least that's what chorme is telling me

edit:

pic:

[Morgan Andressius]

Goodjob indeed

[Lind]

yes, very nice (:
But I do not think that you can decode any of the letters but let's see.

[Saviour]

Originally Posted by Lind

yes, very nice (:
But I do no think that you can decode any of the letters but let's see.

when i have enough time its possible

[ArcheusCross]

Hmm, interesting indeed. The fact that someone would look this deeply into the counter makes me think that one of your guild got tipped off from one of the devs one whats going to happen when that counter hits 0.

So you guys suspect a trailer eh? Hmm. I was hoping beta.. taking we're getting closer to the projected release quarter.

Anyway, good research guys. Is there a link to this thread on your website that has all this research so I can read it?

[Elfvis]

Lol I am now at work investigating this lol.

[ArcheusCross]

I just checked out the animation thing... wow.. good work.

But this kinda begs the question "What if the web programer just screwed up a bit and meant for it to animate like that in real time on the front page, but got a varible off?" I guess it would throw an error then...

Hmmn.. heh now im curious...

Edit: But... you see... its harder to belive that its simply more trailers for us to watch. Because in all reality it doesn't take very long to produce a trailer... even with editing... they wouldnt need 40 days... but them planning, setting up servers, deciding what they want to do, might...

ARGH! >.< But then.. why the cryptic animations? Lol...

[Honorzeal]

Originally Posted by ArcheusCross

So you guys suspect a trailer eh? Hmm. I was hoping beta.. taking we're getting closer to the projected release quarter.

Though beta would cause many posters here do a jig, a new updated trailer would be the next best thing

Nice job researching AI. Keep it up

[Mortician]

The script/text on the left side appears to be old english/saxon. This may help in your quest, however it is still very difficult to read.

[LightsabeR]

Originally Posted by ArcheusCross

The fact that someone would look this deeply into the counter makes me think that one of your guild got tipped off from one of the devs one whats going to happen when that counter hits 0.

Nop, we weren't tipped off on anything. Personally I always thought it would be a new trailer (hopefully FPV footage), due to the fact that the counter is in the place the first trailer used to be. Then again, nobody is saying that we won't get both a trailer and beta invites.

Anyway, lets leave that speculation for the other thread and concentrate on cracking that mystery here.

[holo4ever]

naah...they will probably announce beta with this months newsletter :P

[Wolfhammer]

I must be missing something.. I've been stareing at the counter background for 10 mins and it hasnt moved....

Where you get this animation from??

[SkirmCard]

If I remember correctly, every 8 (?) hours or so the background changes. Rathius just collected the images that cycle through and found how they go together to create that animation.

It's funny, it's easy to think it's nothing until you see the animation, then you're imagination starts to run wild and you start staring at everything

[holo4ever]

it's on their website ...hidden.

you have to find them, and watch them in order...then you will see the same thing as the animation...

it's not that hard... it's basically staring right at you

[jodex]

Wolf the animation is from the series of changed stills that have appeard.

[Tincovilya]

you have toooooooooooo much time on your hands lolololol
but still thats incredible I'm gonna have to stare it for a minute or too now thx a lot