How points are calculated

You pick a year between 1826 and 2026. A guess within one year of the true date earns the full 5,000 points. Beyond that, the score falls off along a smooth exponential curve — being a decade out still scores respectably, while being half a century out earns almost nothing. The curve is deliberately forgiving close to the answer so that near-misses feel rewarded.

You drop a pin on the map. The score is based on the great-circle (haversine) distance between your pin and the true spot, decaying on a logarithmic-style curve up to 5,000 points. A pin in the right neighbourhood scores highly; being on the wrong continent scores little. Distance is what matters — not whether you named the place.

Country mode is simpler and more decisive. Mark the country you think the photo was taken in: the right country earns the full 5,000 points, the right continent earns a partial 1,250 points (25%), and anything else earns nothing. It rewards knowing the region even when the exact spot is a mystery.

Dual mode asks for both a year and a pin, then combines the two scores with equal weight (50/50). It's the fullest test: you have to read both the era and the place from the same image.

You get 3zooms per round to inspect fine detail — a street sign, a number plate, a face. Each new zoom depth lowers that round's maximum score by 10%. Zooming back out doesn't refund the penalty, but it also doesn't cost more — you only pay the first time you reach a new depth. Treat each zoom as a small bet: worth it when it reveals a decisive clue.

A round keeps your streak alive if you score at least half of what was possible that round. Your streak, best score, and round count are stored only in your browser. New to the game? Start with tips & strategy or read the how to play guide.