kuuest

kuuest is a term used in online puzzle culture to denote a multi-stage, collaborative scavenger-hunt or meta-puzzle that requires solving interconnected clues across multiple media, often with a narrative thread and a final conclusive answer.

The term appears to be a stylized spelling of "quest" with the prefix "kuu-" used for emphasis or branding. It emerged in online puzzle communities in the early 2010s, spreading through forums, social media, and puzzle-hosting platforms.

In terms of gameplay, kuuest events typically involve teams or solo solvers receiving a series of clues released over time. Clues may be encoded, require web searches, codebreaking, or scavenging offline artifacts. Progression is often non-linear, and some clues unlock others only after a certain time or upon discovery of external resources. Completion yields a final answer, sometimes with prizes or recognition.

Variants and culture around kuuest include digital forms and hybrids that blend online puzzles with physical scavenging. Some organizers emphasize accessibility or open participation, while others impose constraints such as geographic region or age. The community often documents walkthroughs and solutions after an event to educate new players and to preserve conventions for future kuuest experiences.

See also: scavenger hunt, puzzle hunt, alternate reality game, ARG, metapuzzle.