Eternity II - Kiwis First To Vie For US2 Million

11 July 2007
News release

Kiwis Amongst First In The World To Vie For US$2 Million Puzzle Prize

The worlds richest puzzle, carrying a cash prize of US$2 million, will be released globally on 28th July 2007 and Kiwis will be amongst the first to get their hands on it.

Eternity II is a 256-piece puzzle that was developed by Christopher Monckton, a former policy advisor to ex-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

His original Eternity game was launched in Britain in 1999 and carried a £1 million prize. That version was never sold in New Zealand but became a worldwide craze as millions of players vied to win the money.

This month, on 28 July, Eternity II hits the shops around the globe – including here - and the first person who correctly completes it will take home the US$2 million.

“Due to New Zealand’s geographical location, Kiwis will be amongst the first in the world to be able to purchase Eternity II and the first to potentially crack it!” said Jeremy Kirk-Smith from the game’s New Zealand distributors, Planet Fun.

To ensure everyone has the same chance, Planet Fun has put in place security measures to restrict retailers selling the puzzle before the release date.

“They’ve all had to sign a legally binding document and we’ve also got tight security around the shipping container holding the first shipment of games we’ve brought into New Zealand,” said Kirk-Smith.

Eternity II consists of 256 square pieces bordered by coloured patterns which must be aligned across the whole puzzle.

Unlike most puzzles, which only have one correct way of completing the final solution, there are thousands of ways that Eternity II can be solved.

If, and when, players complete their puzzle, they should submit their solution as soon as possible. All entries will be locked in a vault in England until 31 December 2008 when they will be opened in the order received. The first complete solution wins the US$2million prize.

Eternity II goes on sale on the morning of Saturday, July 28, in stores across the country, including Borders, Farmers, Kmart, The Warehouse, Toys R Fun, Toyworld and Whitcoulls. RRP $49.99. www.eternityii.com

- ends -

© Scoop Media