Secret Passages Game Guide and FAQ

[PGWilsooon]

Secret Passages Game Guide and FAQ

This has existed for some time now, but I've recently done some cleanup and made additions. It's considered to be in perpetual "construction", so please feel free to offer any suggestions, questions, feedback, etc. that would benefit players by being added here.

Happy Searching,

PGWilsooon

[Spanish eyes]

Hi Soon I had actually forgotten this existed. I found it early on, read it and then forgot it exsisted and at a guess many others of us did the same. I think it was John who did the original contruction and like a lot of John's stuff it got lost in the back woods. He was very prolific and when there is a lot of output it gets impossible to keep everything upto date.
To now - I revisited through your link and as far as my unreliable memory tells me, you have definately cleaned and added. To my, admittedly biased attitude there is plenty there for anyone. You will surely get bombarded with pleas for this and that to be added but my word of caution is 'the more you add, the more you will need to keep updated'.
I wrote more and deleted because you know everything I wrote so I would be just blabbering on and repeating the obvious.
well done.

[MikeN32]

Sooon I found one error. In the section on Maddie's compass you state that only the emerald goes in the second slot. This is incorrect, the emerald and garnet share the second slot. Of course if you would like to provide a fourth slot type for the garnet so that we do not constantly have to remember to swap the emerald and garnet over that would be great.

[Hollow]

Hi Wilson,
1. You are awarded three shovels for every five scenes you play. - it is 6, not 5 I think.
2. Using an Earthshine Ore allows you instantly receive a dig site construction material of your choice. You can use it by tapping on its icon in the upper right hand corner within any dig site. - you might say soemthing about Oxford, as mostly there you cannot use it.
3. Weekend Global Leaderboard events where players compete with others all around the world for awesome prizes! These events are usually some combination of slots, digs, and crypts. - you did not mention weekend search event

Will add more if I find.

Excellent job !

[Weekleyb2]

The casino section says there is a payout table, which as far as I can tell still doesn't exist.

All in all though it is a great resource for new players, but there needs to be a way to access it from within the game. Maybe a button on the same screen where we see what version we are on and what our support ID is?

[PGWilsooon]

Awesome, thanks for the proofreading. I've corrected these errors now.

@Weekleyb2 - We had plans to integrate this into the game in the past, but ran into some technical difficulties with the website and the game correctly "talking" to each other. We're weighing options of making this available in other ways at the moment.

[MelodyBanana]

If I am not mistaken, we can already view this site from the game.

go to Menu - options - and click the link for customer support, the first link. Then click on Secret Passage: Hidden Object. Tada !

[igotahavit]

The casino section says there is a payout table, which as far as I can tell still doesn't exist.

All in all though it is a great resource for new players, but there needs to be a way to access it from within the game. Maybe a button on the same screen where we see what version we are on and what our support ID is?

Weekleyb2:

Here you go, per your request: https://forums.pocketgems.com/showth...l=1#post559357

Enjoy!

[igotahavit]

Wilsoon:

Here are some suggested changes in blue and clarifying commentary (don't add) in red to the "Search Scenes" section:

What does unlocking new relics do?

The number of relics you've unlocked is an indication of your progress level in the game (see "Relic Collection" icon in the upper left corner of your main game screen). Also, new relics you unlock (5 relic levels for each site in DR & NR only) can be traded in at Kingston's Trading Post for progressively increasing currency values of coins, moonstones, and rubies. After unlocking a higher site relic, remember to delete the prior lower level site relic(s) quantities from your backpack as they are no longer asked for in trades in Kingston's Trading Post. Plus lower quantities of relics kept in your backpack help with overall game performance.



What are those extra relics in some region's (Cairo, Moscow, Maya, Florence, Rome, Gemstone Caverns, and Atlantis) sites that I can collect, but are not listed in the search items?

These special relics are fragments which you can craft into jewels in the Tinker's Workshop to give you extra boosts to your gameplay. Keep an eye out for them! There is no cap on the quantities of these fragments that you can have. Please note that they are not currently shown nor their quantities listed in your backpack. They're also very useful for maintaining your searching combo bonus while you look for listed relics and for producing higher World Event search scores.



Why do some people have animations in their scenes but I do not?

A few select scenes contain animated objects for flair. If you do not see these, the feature may be disabled to improve performance on older devices. Do note, however, that this feature is currently disabled in City of Secrets due to a known bug.



I used a flashlight/torch (for our mates across the pond) power-up and the relic it revealed is invisible.

This is a rare known issue that some players have experienced. Please submit a support ticket with a screenshot of the scene so that we can report and investigate your issue.

[igotahavit]

Wilsooon:

Here are some suggested changes in blue and clarifying commentary (don't add) in red to the "Dig Sites" section:


What is the point of completing these digsites?

Digsites, once constructed, offer 5 levels of upgradable relics which produce progressively increasing ruby trade values in Kingston's Trading Post plus add to your overall progress level in the game. Digsites also provide coins, moonstones, rubies, power-ups, iron ore, ruby tree droplets, candy bar power-ups, shovels and power tokens. During applicable World Events, digsites are sources for finding designated world event relics in quantities of 1, 10, 20 and 50. Digsites are also used as source locations for completing requirements of daily quests.



I can't find one of the three types of construction relics in the digsite!

Digs are randomized, so what you get in one dig has no bearing on the next. However, there are things working behind the scenes to prevent a massive streak of bad luck. If you really can't find that last relic which you need to construct the digsite, consider using an Earthshine ore to get it and/or engaging Diamonds in the slots of Maddie's Magical Compass. If you feel like there is definitely something wrong and you have NEVER seen the item you need come up, please send us a support ticket detailing your issue.



What's this Earthshine Ore up in the top right corner do?

Earthshine ore is a very valuable item that can only be obtained from World Event rewards and jackpots in the Mayan Casino. Using an Earthshine Ore allows you to instantly receive a digsite construction material of your choice. Awesome!



Why can't I complete the Oxford digsite?

Oxford's digsite does not have construction materials to be found, and thus cannot be "completed". It serves as a site that the player can always use shovels in if all other digs are complete. The Oxford digsite offers the same rewards as other digsites and can be used as a relic finding resource during applicable World Events.



Important notes on digsites:

Digsites in DR and NR are designated by red or ruby colored banners and must be unlocked, then constructed by finding the required quantities of the three types of construction relics, before you can search for tradable relics. Shovels are necessary for digging in digsites and earned through site searching.

[igotahavit]

Wilsooon:


Why do I keep getting more construction relics than the maximum number shown in premium region dig sites?

John - November 18, 2015 22:20



Digsites in the premium (unlock using rubies) regions of DR and NR as well as Epoch Grove will share the three types of construction relics. Any extra construction relics which you find in a digsite are carried over into the next digsite in that region. Additionally, these construction relics are capped at the total number required to open all the sites in the region. For example, a region that requires 7, 9, 11, and 13 construction relics in its respective digsites to open will have a cap of 40 total construction relics, for each type, which can be found. Once you reach this cap for each type of construction relic, you will no longer find that relic, making finding the other ones much easier. (The wording in this section is important and has to be carefully explained.)

[igotahavit]

Wilsooon:


Howling Crypt (What about the Frozen Cavern (NR), the Aviary (CoS) and the Lilypad Temple (EG)?)

Wilson - September 18, 2015 18:27





Where is the Howling Crypt?

It can be found in Home/Day Realm in the desert area southeast (isn't the Portal southwest of Oxford?) of Oxford (the first region).



What do I do here?

You can spend Power Tokens here to earn coins, rubies, shovels, candy bar and coffee energy power ups and to find dune construction relics. During applicable World Events, you can find the designated event relic in the Howling Crypt in quantities of 1, 10, 20 and 50. The Howling Crypt is also used on occasion to complete daily quest requirements.



What are these special items I'm finding in the Howling Crypt?

These special items are construction relics used to unlock the particular dunes active (timed openings) in your desert area. They go into your backpack so even if your time expires for opening the dune, you carry the construction relics over until the next time that particular (transposition error) dune appears! 5 dune construction relics are needed to initially open dune sites. On all subsequent opening attempts, 7 dune construction relics are required.



I hate mummies.

Mummies used to be people too!

[igotahavit]

Wilsooon:



Dune Sites

Wilson - September 18, 2015 18:27




What are dune sites?

Dunes are limited-time crypt sites that first appear in the desert region near the Howling Crypt in Home/Day Realm.



How long do dune sites last?

7 days until they are reclaimed by the sands...but worry not, they may rotate back in (delete) sometime in the future! Once a dune site's contruction relics are all found and the site is opened, it becomes a permanent relic search site similar to completed digsites where relics can be traded for rubies in Kingston's Trading Post.



How do I unlock dune sites?

Dune sites are unlocked with construction relics found by searching the Howling Crypt.

[igotahavit]

Wilsooon:


Mayan Casino Slots

Wilson - Monday at 14:20





Where can I find a list of payouts for slots?

This feature is pending.



When can I win Earthshine Ores? (Condense)

Earthshine ores are winnable on the slots in the Mayan Casino on jackpot payouts (4 Earthshine Ores) only during World Events and as a reward tier in World Events.



When can I begin playing slots?

You can begin playing slots after unlocking the Mayan Casino in the Mayan Region in Home/Day Realm.



How are slots affected by events?

When an event is running, Earthshine Ores can be won from the jackpot and event items can be won when spinning with rubies. (Redundant and not entirely true. Event items can be won digging and/or crypting, as those options have been tied to each casino event. There have been no stand-alone casino events. Just remove this section.)



What can I win from playing slots?

It is possible to win coins, rubies, shovels, power tokens, earthshine ores, World Event relics and event loot (What the heck is loot? Rewards from World Events???) by playing slots.



Where is the slots building located?

The slots building is the large Mayan pyramid in the center of the Mayan area, which is unlocked at Seeker level 5. (Redundant, except for the "unlocking requirements" which can be moved and added above.)

[Spanish eyes]

As usual UD.
Notgot please, please, please stop making multiple posts straight after each other I dont think you realise that you can just edit and edit and edit if you feel the need to write so copiously.

Now to the real question/statement. What on earth are you saying in #10, the first blue bit?

As everyone is probably aware I am not a great lover of all this. I have fought and argued against it since it was first muted, mostly because I have seen many changes along the way and it would be a constant work to keep things up to date or as has been proved again and again people have static memories. By this I mean 'it was like that when I did it therefore it is always like that'.
The very basic stuff is brilliant, no mistake but like all good ideas they can, if allowed, go completely out of hand. It seems to be that the crux point is approaching so I ask that you all think.

[Cosgrove]

Personal opinion, a game guide needs to be fairly short and have enough information to begin the game but it does not need to contain every bit of information about the game. It should be concise and easy to read. So adding extra words to make every little detail known is overkill. The purpose of the forum is for all the little details. Leave the game guide concise and let the forum do the rest.

[grave digger]

The results of my proof reading:

Why does the cost increase so drastically every time I buy an energy power-up?

Purchasing energy items has a hidden "cooldown" of 48 hours where the cost continuously goes up progressively as you purchase more. This is to prevent ruby-rich players from gaining too much of a competitive advantage with energy items, as energy equates to time in limited-time leaderboard events.

Ruby cost to buy energy power-ups increases when you use them, not when you purchase them.

Auto-Find (Metal Detector)

Find all the currently listed relics in a scene instantly.

Auto-find only finds three items, not all listed (on iPad).

Sunstone: Increased chance for a bonus shovel.

*Instead of getting just 3 shovels after every 5 digs, you can now get a chance at 4 shovels!

It's 6 searches, not 5 digs.

What are dunes?

Dunes are Limited-time dig sites that first appear in the desert regions near the Howling Crypt.

Not sure I would describe them as dig sites.

Night Realm

4.Wonders can be unlocked in the Howling Crypt by spending Power Tokens

Should be Frozen Cavern (for consistency reasons).

How do I get more rubies?

Completing quest objectives, playing the slots, using power tokens at the Howling Crypt, and participating in weekly global leaderboard and solo scoring events can net you rubies. You may also purchase rubies from our store as well if you are so inclined

The main way of earning rubies is trading, right? (OK maybe not very early on.)

The Power Crystals are a new feature that are a part of regions that have already reached 5 star masteries.

They are not that new!

Tinkerer

Tinker!

[Spanish eyes]

Personal opinion, a game guide needs to be fairly short and have enough information to begin the game but it does not need to contain every bit of information about the game. It should be concise and easy to read. So adding extra words to make every little detail known is overkill. The purpose of the forum is for all the little details. Leave the game guide concise and let the forum do the rest.

Hurrah for sanity.

Can I add my 5pennth to Invis. Actually that wasnt a question, I am going to add to 'how do I get more rubies'
my answer. Leave all slots alone and never participate in any Global Events until you have a decent stash to start with. Gently accumulate rubies through trade for quite a while and at least until you get a feel for the amounts you will need to progress the normal way.
When others are giving that sort of information out they are doing so from a possition of power that they have achieved over a long period. When they were accruing wealth there was no Global Events to participate in.

I used this particular question on purpose to show just how dangerous advice in the form of instructions can be. It becomes personal opinion not fact. Your fact is not my fact just because it is opinion.
I give you all fair warning that every time I see a case of opinion in the guise of fact I will post my opinion as well.
I will say again and I will keep on repeating this is NOT instructions. I am a bit tetchy tonight so I will venture my own opinion that this is starting to sound like a persons own attempt at aggrandisement or at the very least life acording to rather than fact.

apologies for my own copiousness. Again I plead tetchyness.

[grave digger]

I'll see your tetchiness and raise it SE. What a load of rot you just wrote. It is a FACT that one can earn rubies from trading ruby relics. This is a guide to the game mechanics, not strategy or advice on how to play.

[Spanish eyes]

And I will see you and call or whatever the tearm is. It is readying more and more like strategy and advice and less like a manual to me whatever it reads like to you.
Actually I will alter that slightly. I cannot truely understand some of the 'whatever it is' so I am only commenting on the bits I do understand.
That could of course lead on to more questions but surely it is meant to be understood by all! What is the point of something not all can understand.

edit. I actually take umbrage at your comment that I wrote a load of rot. It was rude and uncalled for. I honestly and wholeheartedly believe in and stick by what I said.
I, like every other forum member am entitled to my opinion. I expressed it in what I hope was a polite manner and apologised if I was out of order.
On re-reading I find in one point I was probably out of order and I again I apologise but for that and that only.

[igotahavit]

Holy moley, what the heck happened here? Is this because of what I posted? Sheesh. I get into more trouble because of things OTHER forumers ask me to do.

Listen, I was aksed (via PM) by another forumer to take a look at Wilsooon's edition of the "game manual" (not my game manual, nor my strategy, not even close) and make sure there was nothing omitted or incorrect. That's what I did or what I thought I was doing (after re-reading what I posted). These were only suggestions. Wilsooon certainly doesn't have to listen to me or anybody for that matter. I was simply "proofreading" what he (or those before him wrote - or failed to write). I approached it from the standpoint of a new player who knows zero about the game. Certainly didn't mean to start WWIII.

Actually, I agree with what Cossie wrote. I had add a bunch more info that I had added to what Wilsoon wrote and thought exactly the way she did, so I pared it down to what I thought was essential for a new(er) player to know. Honestly, that's as condensed as I could make it without leaving out those things I thought were important. I looked at it again and I still think that, like GD said, they are game related facts, not strategy. Although, I'm sure that there are editors who could pare down what I wrote to make it more compact, but I wanted Wilsooon to see that there were some things that needed changing/adding/corrected, you get the picture.

Now if we wanted to get into game strategy, well, I told you before I'd have to put together a 3-day long seminar on YouTube and charge for it. . . LMAO . . . just kidding! But seriously, I know some players aren't thrilled with game manuals, however, I personally feel that a factual explanation of the game and its components are necessary. I mean I wouldn't want to see 1,000 new threads everday asking what a shovel is used for or what a power token is used for? A lot of heads would explode if that happened. In fact, I noticed a few occasions where new forumers have come on and asked simple questions like that, received a less than warm response, and were never heard from again.

I do again agree with Cossie that (and I recommended this in the past that PG run ads during the week and events for this) that players should be directed to the forum for more insight and strategy. The only caveat there is that it's hard to do that without a factual manual first for players to read, because when new forumers come here asking for advice, usually, several of us have to walk them through SP101 so they get the basics in order for them to understand more advance issues that we chat about. Again, just my opinion, but players shouldn't be coming to the forum to get an education as to what a shovel is used for or what's does an E-Ore do. Those explanations should be accessible through the game. Also, IMHO, players should be coming to the forum to discuss strategy, heavyocity game game topics, common ground outside of SP, technical issues, event chatter, you know, stuff that you DON't put in a game manual. A game manual is a resource for facts. The forum is a place for getting advice from players with experience. The forum is not a classroom for SP101; it's more of a group discussion on SP existentialism. We can't find threads as it is now with important information and contributions scattered within, let alone having extra threads and posts of remedial game item explanations. I think that's what Wilsooon is trying to do here and overall with the sub-forums. Just trying to organize things a little better so that our important issues and contributions can stay in the forefront. Or maybe I'm wrong, but that's the way I see it.

Anyway, as I've always said, I have no pride of authorship. Wilsooon is free to disregard what I wrote. I was just trying to be helpful (and to the forumer who asked me to check on this info, sorry for the hullabaloo, let's just discuss it through PMs instead of sharing it with the forum).

[grave digger]

igota: I can't speak for SE, but I don't think you triggered the hullabaloo. I take responsibility for that. Otherwise, I agree with the vast majority of your last post.

SE: I just cannot get my head around why anyone would think a description of the basic game mechanics is a bad idea (whereas I can get my head around rational points of view that simply differ from my own, before it is suggested that that is all this is). That's the bit I vociferously object to, and I got annoyed because it was directed at me this time (Invis = me), especially when all I was doing was responding to Wilson's explicit call for suggestions and feedback. However, I should know better than to post a knee jerk reaction. I almost regret it. I agree that the FAQ/game guide shouldn't be a strategy guide (and that it should be concise). I don't think it should, I don't think it is, and I don't think the attempt should be abandoned because there's a tiny possibility it might. Instead of simply being critical, you could have constructively gone though the FAQ and made suggestions where you thought the descriptions were straying too far from the basic mechanics.

[Spanish eyes]

Guys I triggered my own hullabaloo I think. I don't need anyone else to push me over the top I can do that entirely on my own thank you. I did say I was tetchy didn't I. I do still think you owe me an apology as I found your words rude and uncalled for but that don't seem like it is going to happen and you have just tried to justify yourself instead. I have wriggled myself, so again I can understand if not agree.
Notgot I still feel it is too long but that other 'person' said quite rightly that construction is better than criticism so I am asking you one thing and commenting on another. That should be enough to start with but be aware that I am away all tomorrow and most of Monday so I will not be ignoring you if I don't answer for a while but be aware that I have more questions.
Question: You still haven't explained what you are saying in post 10, the one that starts answering 'What is the point of completing these digsites'
I have been playing for a very long time and I find I cannot understand your answer. If you are writing this for beginners think again.
This lead to some other stuff but I am just not up to constructive and/or criticism at the moment. Just not well enough for a sensible balanced cut and thrust so my second part has vanished and I would like to keep it until I have more energy and yes I know I should have not started what I cannot finish but that's life sometimes.

[igotahavit]

Guys I triggered my own hullabaloo I think. I don't need anyone else to push me over the top I can do that entirely on my own thank you. I did say I was tetchy didn't I. I do still think you owe me an apology as I found your words rude and uncalled for but that don't seem like it is going to happen and you have just tried to justify yourself instead. I have wriggled myself, so again I can understand if not agree.
Notgot I still feel it is too long but that other 'person' said quite rightly that construction is better than criticism so I am asking you one thing and commenting on another. That should be enough to start with but be aware that I am away all tomorrow and most of Monday so I will not be ignoring you if I don't answer for a while but be aware that I have more questions.
Question: You still haven't explained what you are saying in post 10, the one that starts answering 'What is the point of completing these digsites'
I have been playing for a very long time and I find I cannot understand your answer. If you are writing this for beginners think again.
This lead to some other stuff but I am just not up to constructive and/or criticism at the moment. Just not well enough for a sensible balanced cut and thrust so my second part has vanished and I would like to keep it until I have more energy and yes I know I should have not started what I cannot finish but that's life sometimes.

SE:

First of all, if you're not feeling well, I understand. It's hard for anybody to not feel a bit "tetchy" when they're not at 100%. So I get it, plus as you know, I don't get upset when people offer constructive criticism. There's too many smart people on the forum to not take advice and suggestions from, and you know that includes you. So, I always listen to what you suggest.

Second, and I probably should stay out of it, but you and GD are too good of forum friends for there to be any animosity between you. You're also two of the best forum ambassadors as well as ambassadors of this game, there are a lot forumers who look to both of you for guidance and respect your opinions (I know I do). For my sake, I hope both of you work it out because I do feel like I was at least somewhat of a conduit for this situation.

Lastly, darn, and I though my #10 post was the clearest one of all of them. I think you were referring to:

"What is the point of completing these digsites?

Digsites, once constructed, offer 5 levels of upgradable relics which produce progressively increasing ruby trade values in Kingston's Trading Post plus add to your overall progress level in the game. Digsites also provide coins, moonstones, rubies, power-ups, iron ore, ruby tree droplets, candy bar power-ups, shovels and power tokens. During applicable World Events, digsites are sources for finding designated world event relics in quantities of 1, 10, 20 and 50. Digsites are also used as source locations for completing requirements of daily quests."

Wilsooon (or whomever at PG) wrote the original question and answer. I actually felt it was a bad topic (too broad and strategic in nature) and was going to suggest just get rid of it all together. Instead, I tried to answer his question - "What is the point of completing these digsites?" My first sentence was an attempt to explain that after you construct (find all of the construction relics by digging) a digsite it turns into a red banner site which offers 5 levels of upgradable relics (just like white banner sites), except that those relics can be traded with Kingston for increasing (as you upgrade your relic level) ruby trade values. Which is true, but more on the strategic side, kind of. Also, similar to the white banner sites, these sites count toward your overall progress in the game (add to your total level). In addition, the last three sentences were added to explain further the other "points of completing" digsites and to show what they can be completely used for in SP. Again, I thought it was a bad choice for a subject topic in the sense that everything that I wrote (which relates to the topic, is factual and is necessary for a full explanation of digsites) could be easily parsed out into other more appropriate areas, like under a sub-topic of World Events, under a sub-category Kingston's coin/moonstone/ruby trades, under a sub-category of what are power-ups, etc. Simply, the types of sites (white and red banner) should each be explained, but something as wide open and as broad as, "What is the point of completing these digsites?" probably shouldn't be in a manual. I think that this is more of a strategy issue, rather than an X's and O's, nuts and bolts issue, and should probably be omitted or saved for the forum discussions. Not that it's a bad topic, just that if you're explaining sites, fine, if you're explaining game assets, fine, if you're explaining World Events, fine, if you're explaining Kington and trades, fine. All of those areas can be answered elsewhere, easier and more compact than under "What is the point of completing these digsites?" (Again, if Wilsooon is reading this, I don't think it's a bad topic, just more on the side of strategy than instructional or game definition-related.) So, for the sake of correcting that topic, I added the missing facts for Wilsooon to approve or disapprove, but regardless, if you're answering the question he asked, those answers that I gave have to be a part of it or it isn't telling the whole truth of digsites. If it was up to me, I'd can it and save that as a forum discussion. I think there are a number of different ways players use digsites and whether they're used the way the game makers intended or not, that falls really under strategy (save, the basic explantion of site types).

Let me know if I cleared that up for you and I, again, I hope you're feeling better.

[PGWilsooon]

I really appreciate all the feedback we've received about the FAQ update, and have made some edits as appropriate. The articles in the FAQ were made with attempting to answer most basic questions about gameplay in mind. That said, strategies, advanced techniques, and greater detail should be left up to forum discussion (as it has been in the past). We want to forums to remain a relevant place where players new and experienced can openly discuss things they've learned in order to help each other out!