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Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Nov 24, 2006 9:14am
Thread (disabled) Board
I need some advice. I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms by even asking, but I really need to hear a variety of opinions. I wanted to plant a series of boxes that require a bit of guess work. The idea is that you find a box with a stamp image of part of an object. You have to guess what that object is. Then you have to contact me with the correct answer to get the clues to the next box, and so on until you find all 4 or 5 boxes. When you've found all of the boxes you get the clues to the "reward" box, which has complete images of each of the "mystery" objects.

I see two problems with this type of "game". First of all, it would be restricted to local boxers, and patient ones at that, simply because of the fact that you have to contact me via email before getting the clues to the next box. I'm trying to think of a way to include clues within the box if the correct answer is achieved. Mulitple choice, maybe, with a different set of clues for each answer. If you have the wrong answer, your clues lead to nothing. But then, what if they have guessed the correct answer and the box is just missing? They think they've guessed incorrectly.

Second, I'd be "putting all of my eggs in one basket" by leaving a reward box that has 4 or 5 stamps in it. If that sucker goes missing, I'd be miffed...to put it nicely.

Any suggestions about how to make this game more practical?
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52462 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 9:29am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Any suggestions about how to make this game more practical?


Sounds like an interesting idea but it does propose a lot of promblems like you said.....I'd say skip the reward box or maybe if someone finds it they get say 2 stamps then write you with their address, you then mail them an image of 2 or 3 more. It would mean more work on your part, but then you wouldn't be as frustrated if the box went missing.

The multiple choice sounds like a good idea except for if a box goes missing, not only would people think they had picked the wrong answer there would be no way to get to the rest of the boxes. Lots to consider.....Could you maybe just do something like that for the reward box? You would still get your game aspect but more people would take the time to try and find them.

~Baby Bookworm
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52462 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 9:32am
Thread (disabled) Board
I have a mystery series that is similar. Here is a link to the clue:
http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/clue/index.html?gBoxId=22080

To start, they have to answer 7 questions and email me the answers to get a "key" to unlock a code. That will give them the starting location. From there, one box leads to another, each with a series of 7 multiple choice questions. They have to do some homework before setting out, because one wrong answer will take them in the wrong direction. Each of the first three boxes has a partial clue in it for the last box. It is quite involved though. By the number of people that have already emailed me for the key, that doesn't seem to be a deterant.

If you have a large number of local boxers, then limiting the access to locals would be alright. Having them email you for each new box would be a way for you to get to know each other. We don't have that many locals, so I chose the multiple choice route.

Because I put so much work into making these boxes really awesome, you better believe that I was very careful to plant them in a way that noxers and muggles won't find them! So, putting your eggs all in one basket does still run some risks, but it will also make you extra cautious to plant "idiot proof".

Just one view.
Stacy
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52462 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 9:34am
Thread (disabled) Board
I think I may have an idea that will make it more practical. What if I post the image of the partial stamp in a picture. If they guess what it is, I give them the clues to that box. In the box will be the stamp of the partial image and the full image stamp. That way, they can pick and choose which boxes to find, or find all of them. For those that find all of the series stamps, I'll give the clues to a reward box which will contain one uber stamp with all of the images on it.
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52466 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 9:36am
Thread (disabled) Board
Sounds like a perfect solution to me!
Stacy
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52462 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 9:45am
Thread (disabled) Board
I dont have any suggestions for the extended time element of your game. But I would like to suggest an alternative to the "all your egs in one basket" problem.... instead of making one "end box" with 4 or 5 stamps in it, try making "Box Pairs"... for each partial stamp box you have, have a partner box for it. So instead of having four guessing boxes, with one end box. You'd have eight boxes, two for each mystery object.

This would still take a minimum of two visits to your area for any boxer though, but, even if i knew i'd only get to go there one time, i'd be happy with four boxes.

Perhaps if you wanted to add a "third leg" you can even have the finders contact you to tell you what all four objects have in common in order to receive the clue to a special ninth box.

Just bouncing ideas around since you asked for suggestions..
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52466 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 11:06am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote What if I post the image of the partial stamp in a picture


I like that idea:)

I wished I lived closer to your area so I could find the box:)

T;)
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52462 by Black Widow
Nov 24, 2006 4:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Here's one idea I'm working on...

Creating a large stamp of a particular local landmark or something relatively recognizeable...maybe with a hint. Then I'm going to cut it into 4 to 6 puzzle pieces (depending on the size of the stamp). I will plant them as a series (not in order). Once you've found all 4-6 pieces...you will need to put the "puzzle" together to see the image...and that is were the last box is hidden. I'm still working on coming up with what landmark to use. Maybe I'll include the name of the landmark on the "puzzle". Maybe have a special code word with each piece and you have to email me with all the code words to get the clues to the special final box....

Again...still working on this idea!

D2
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52534 by Smimle
Nov 24, 2006 4:46pm
Thread (disabled) Board
sounds like you have a good possible solution....posting part of the objects on line instead of out in a box. Good luck, hope it is way fun for lots of boxers!

I've been mulling an idea around for a while too. It would involve several containers in a series, (some containing letterboxes, some containing keys), and a mystery or game of some kind. It would be time-consuming but fun, and so I have to find some really top-notch images to carve for this. Of course, it's all still in my head at this point, but I'd like to make it a reality some day. :)

BEcky
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52534 by Smimle
Nov 25, 2006 8:03am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote
Creating a large stamp of a particular local landmark or something relatively recognizeable...maybe with a hint. Then I'm going to cut it into 4 to 6 puzzle pieces (depending on the size of the stamp). I will plant them as a series (not in order). Once you've found all 4-6 pieces...you will need to put the "puzzle" together to see the image...and that is were the last box is hidden. I'm still working on coming up with what landmark to use. Maybe I'll include the name of the landmark on the "puzzle". Maybe have a special code word with each piece and you have to email me with all the code words to get the clues to the special final box....


DAAAHHH !!! I thought I was the only one with this Great Idea!!! I have been planning on making one like this for some time. I just have not got around to it yet! I love this idea!

Chadams
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52465 by Nitrocat
Nov 25, 2006 8:04am
Thread (disabled) Board
WoW That one sounds really fun!!! I wish I lived closer to you!!!
chadams
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #52462 by Black Widow
Nov 27, 2006 3:00pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I just read your post because of the Turkey Tots blog (thank you, wassamatta_u!). Making a game with letterboxes--see, this is why I *love* this hobby. People keep thinking, "OK, letterboxing is fun, but...how could I make it even MORE fun?"

I could just--well, send you hugs. Or chocolate kisses--er, chocolate.

Pied Piper (who sometimes gets a little emotional when people do nice things for each other)
Re: Making it a game question
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #53181 by Pied Piper
Nov 27, 2006 10:33pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I'll take those chocolate kisses! Yum.

I launched the series, African Saffari, today. All of y'all suggestions were very helpful. I decided to start out with something fairly simple. Next time, I'll probably vamp it up...make 'em run around in circles a bit!

Fun, fun, fun! That's what it's all about! :-)