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 Forum index » Diversions » Perplex City Puzzle Cards » PXC Puzzle Cards - Questions, Meta and Sub-puzzles
[QUESTION/SPEC] - Prototype Cards
Moderators: AnthraX101, bagsbee, BrianEnigma, cassandra, Giskard, lhall, Mikeyj, myf, poozle, RobMagus, xnbomb
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appleTRON
Veteran


Joined: 07 Jul 2005
Posts: 104
Location: Los Angeles

 		[QUESTION/SPEC] - Prototype Cards
So, if we've got E3 cards, or 333 cards, do you think it's safe to assume that we can't cash them in for points when the whole leaderboard goes live? I mean, I don't see any way it'd be possible, without the code and all.

Kind of makes me want to trade mine for some real cards.
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:40 pm
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Reason
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Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 408
Location: West London

 		I seriously doubt they are any use point wise for the leaderboards. They are just nice prototypes Wink
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:13 am
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oliverkeers13
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Joined: 23 May 2005
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 		What is interesting (to me at least) is that the 333 cards that have come in paid packets, do have the numbers on. This just makes Mind Candy look stingy, and out to make money. If you have the 333 cards, email Mind Candy and ask them, it can't hurt.
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:27 am
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European Chris
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Joined: 19 Jul 2005
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oliverkeers13 wrote:
This just makes Mind Candy look stingy, and out to make money.


Michael Smith was a big venture capitalist, I doubt he's not intending to make a bit of cash out of perplex city. However, the product is very good.

333 x 2.50 = £825

It's not an insignificant amount of cash and the people who received the 333 cards were almost certain to go and buy more cards. (Weren't you Wink )
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:26 pm
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MikeyjModerator
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Joined: 18 Oct 2004
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European Chris wrote:
... and the people who received the 333 cards were almost certain to go and buy more cards. (Weren't you Wink )


Oh dammit, I hate being a transparent, easily lead pawn for marketing...but I am. I like innocent smoothies, I bought those pleasurecards (a lot smaller than you expect them to be), I got a gmail account off ebay when they weren't giving out invites like water (but not long before), and I'm considering buying a Honda cos I like the song (altogether now Hate something, change something, hate something, change something, make something better...toot, toot, toot; and yes that was the best written whistle I could muster.
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:53 pm
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BrianEnigmaModerator
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Joined: 05 Oct 2003
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Quote:
What is interesting (to me at least) is that the 333 cards that have come in paid packets, do have the numbers on. This just makes Mind Candy look stingy, and out to make money.

I don't think they were ever meant to be replacements for the "real" cards, but a sneak preview (in the case of E3) or reward (in the case of the 333-group of puzzle solvers.) I ask you: what is more rare, a Whipsmart Wordsearch card that declares the holder is one of the initial lucky 333, or a Whipsmart Wordsearch with just a generic serial number like all the others?

Quote:
333 x 2.50 = £825

I am not sure where that 333 came from, as there are only 256 cards. Additionally, that 2.50 gives you 6 cards, not one. The original "333" cards were seven cards given out to the first people to respond to a puzzle. The E3 cards were an additional six cards.

Yes, people who want complete sets will end up having to pay at the very least $5 USD * 256 / 6, which is just over $200. This, of course, assumes you get all the cards you need within 42.6 packs of cards (or can trade ones you get for ones you need). The actual figure will probably be higher when you take into account the rarity of black and silver cards.

Just remember: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY CARDS. They are archived on the Card Catalog. They are discussed here. Every little bit of information you may need from the cards can be picked up elsewhere, if you know where to look and pay attention. For us, the players, the cards are primarily souvenirs and portable puzzles to stump your friends at school, work, coffee shops, and bars. For Mind Candy (as told in their recent presentation), they are an alternative to charging subscriptions. There will probably be more than enough people buying cards that they will subsidise those that are not buying cards. Mind Candy also expects people to simply buy cards and do the puzzles without getting immersed in the Perplex City universe--just like people buy the Sunday newspaper and do the puzzle section without reading the news.

Running an ARG is not free--ask any former or current Puppet Master. Would you rather be charged a subscription to play, or would you rather have your way paid by someone (maybe yourself, maybe someone else) buying cards?
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:56 pm
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European Chris
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Joined: 19 Jul 2005
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BriEnigma wrote:

I am not sure where that 333 came from, as there are only 256 cards. Additionally, that 2.50 gives you 6 cards, not one. The original "333" cards were seven cards given out to the first people to respond to a puzzle. The E3 cards were an additional six cards.


I thought in the 333 packs each receipient was given one pack of cards (priced a £2.50) hence £825 in lost revenue for MC. Is this not the case?
Sorry, I've only found out about PC a fortnight ago...it's well good. Laughing

Quote:
For us, the players, the cards are primarily souvenirs and portable puzzles to stump your friends at school, work, coffee shops, and bars.


And a sign of prestige, I'm sure the person at the top of the leaderboard will strut.

Quote:
Running an ARG is not free--ask any former or current Puppet Master. Would you rather be charged a subscription to play, or would you rather have your way paid by someone (maybe yourself, maybe someone else) buying cards?


Hence the death of the stone-a good concept ruined by subscriptions (although it was enjoyable to spend a saturday trying to solve one puzzle and then slightly annoying when you realised you've wasted half the weekend.)
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:37 pm
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ER123456
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Joined: 01 May 2005
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 		I am not sure about this:

Quote:
Just remember: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY CARDS. They are archived on the Card Catalog.


It seems that the cards have scratch panels, presumably with unique codes underneath. I assume that in order to put answers into the leader board we hill have to supply this unique code. So each card can only be used once.

So, if you seriously want to play, I expect that you will have to obtain a full (unused) set of cards.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:47 am
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rose
...and then Magic happens


Joined: 26 Nov 2003
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 		buying cards
Adrian Hon and Michael Smith fully explained the cards at their talk at ARGFest. You don't have to buy the cards to play the game or to win the prize. You can get the information from the board and play for free.

The puzzle cards are a way to self-fund an expensive game. Other large games have had sponsors --corporate backers who picked up the bill-- that allowed players to play for free. PPC is an attempt at a model that does not require a major corporate sponsor but still allows players to play free of charge.

As for the leaderboard, I don't think that has been implemented yet, but when it is, you probably will have to have a card with a unique code to enter. So, if playing the leaderboard is important to you, you might just have to buy some cards.

I think that most players will see that the quality of the game is easily worth buying at least a few packs of cards. But, to their credit, the game designers do not require players to buy cards to play.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:51 am
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Muffin
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Joined: 30 Oct 2003
Posts: 306
Location: UK, Leicester
ER123456 wrote:
I am not sure about this:

Quote:
Just remember: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY CARDS. They are archived on the Card Catalog.


It seems that the cards have scratch panels, presumably with unique codes underneath. I assume that in order to put answers into the leader board we hill have to supply this unique code. So each card can only be used once.

So, if you seriously want to play, I expect that you will have to obtain a full (unused) set of cards.


However, we have previously been lead to believe being on top of the score board does not mean you will find the cube first!

The only reason for entering the codes will be friendly competition (or say mini prizes) - at least I for one hope so.

In my opinion, to 'seriously' play the game, you need to be a member of Unfiction and cooperate for all your worth to get to the bottom of who stole the cube and where it is now. Not compete on some leaderboard.

Gah - sounding almost purist! Smile

EDIT: Lol - Simulpost (R) with rose Smile
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:51 am
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Insomicman
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Joined: 27 May 2005
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 		Think of it this way: if Mind Candy ends of making a s**tload of money off of this - other companies will be scrambling to produce their own lucrative ARGs. Those who can support the games with money will do so, and the rest of us poorer ARGers can use unfiction to play the games too. Good times. Very Happy

PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:44 am
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