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Post by Todd on Nov 1, 2017 14:23:07 GMT -5
I don't think it's a secret that the current seeming lack of issue-spanning puzzles and Vault challenge has made this volume of Curios & Conundrums a disappointment for me. Along with the higher price, I got new things I don't want and lost the things that I liked the most. I'm still hopeful that there is something going on with the hidden messages in Volume 4 and that it's not really as pedestrian as it seems on the surface, but I also brace myself for disappointment. I tend to be much happier that way.
In that light, I was thinking of what would redeem this publication for me in the future and I came up with a few ideas:
1. If the curios don't factor into the puzzles, I have no use for them. I have no room for year after year of these bookshelf boxes. The pewter tchotchkes don't interest me. Sell me a stripped-down version for $15 a quarter that is the paper only.
2. Offer a Puzzler's Edition for say $50 a quarter that adds back in the Vault challenge and curios that are puzzle elements.
3. If issue-spanning puzzles are a complication for people who don't start with Issue 1, maybe sell the whole volume as an Annual package for $150. Latecomers could receive all back-issues for the volume immediately upon ordering and subsequent issues as they are released.
4. I understand that not everyone is a hardcore puzzler, and some people need the answers handed to them, but if you must put the answers online in the Codex, give us a couple weeks after the issue ships so that the community can do its "group-solve" thing.
Curios & Conundrums used to be something I eagerly awaited each quarter. Oddly, I'm neither surprised nor disappointed that Clockwork Mutineers hasn't yet shipped. I hope to again anticipate the next issue, and have hours and hours of discussion and theorizing in between.
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Post by stupidstupiddan on Nov 1, 2017 14:33:07 GMT -5
I'll add my signature to this "letter" as well.
Some great ideas in there. I think the $50 a quarter might be a little on the high side, and create more complications when they appear to be trying to simplify things.
I do really like the idea of a paper only option if the curios are just for fun. Especially if the mini artifacts end up being variations on a tall pewter tower.
I also agree wholeheartedly on taking away pieces of the Codex. While bumps in the right direction are always appreciated, flat out putting every single answer in there before the issue even ships is a bit much.
Well done, Todd.
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Post by karangela on Nov 1, 2017 15:17:02 GMT -5
I agree with Todd!
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Post by wortelboer on Nov 1, 2017 16:18:35 GMT -5
I agree and add my name to the list.
I would further add my impression of MPC has changed. I used to think of them along the lines of a high quality boutique shop, that emphasized artisan craftsmanship and great attention to small detail who was primarily interested in catering to only select clientele.
The impression I get from MPC now is that their aim is to be be another Hasbro. This past year has brought simplicity and no depth...Quantity over quality and the simplification of everything to appeal to the general masses. I could be wrong, but this is the impression that is my feeling/impression when I think of the changes they have made over the past year and from their comments.
MPC still has some good ideas and presents them in novel and interesting ways...and I will continue to order from them occasionally but I am actively looking for that next artisan boutique who appreciates those with a discriminating palate.
There are a few possibilities out there that I am trying and eventually I foresee that I will transfer the bulk of my support to another company. I bear MPC no ill will or grudges...maybe they must go this route to be sustainable. Who knows.
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Post by dmikester on Nov 1, 2017 16:27:49 GMT -5
Please add my name to the email as well.
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Post by flightoffancy on Nov 1, 2017 18:41:03 GMT -5
Yes, I too am adding my signature to this letter. I once excitedly anticipated the next subscription package and was delighted each time. The vault was intriguing and occupied my thoughts for months. There was a time that I recommended this company to friends, family and acquaintances at every opportunity. But now I'm embarrassed to still admit I subscribe.
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Post by eclosis on Nov 1, 2017 19:14:01 GMT -5
I would love to have a Q&A on this forum with an MPC representative. Ask the questions we've been wondering, get some answers. A bit of transparency for what I would consider the group of people (us) who support the MPC the most. C&C just needs to go back to what it used to be, with the puzzles and the depth that it now lacks. Make up for those that like the new little artifacts by creating a year long experience, mailings sent quarterly that involve small artifacts that interact with a final grand artifact. And I agree with everyone else, quality over quantity, it's what sets the MPC apart what makes them a great company. I'm a firm believer that they should cycle their available experiences as to not be overwhelmed. It's easier to sell us all on one amazing experience than to sell us on three thrown together ones. I love this company with a passion it's absolutely wonderful and in the beginning was unique, I feel like it's just losing that sense of uniqueness by attempting to appeal to the masses. I'd like to add my name as well.
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soulspath
Assistant
Vault 1 - Open, Vault 2 - Open, Vault 3 - Open
Posts: 54
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Post by soulspath on Nov 1, 2017 19:16:14 GMT -5
I have to agree with Todd as well. I remember being excited to receive an email from the Curator, but now just wonder what they are trying to sell us now. The new experiences sound very intriguing, but I can't afford the Curios and Conundrums and the experiences as well. I also must wonder about the new experiences. Everyone speaks highly of the old ones. I find myself wondering if the quality of the experiences will lessen as has C&C.
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Post by lucasscooter on Nov 2, 2017 0:39:09 GMT -5
I add my signature (and voice), as well. While with Volume 3 (the only one to which I can compare), I couldn't stop delving deeper into where it was leading me, I haven't even bothered to read the Brain Butchers paper. While no solution can appease everyone, I am quite dissatisfied with Volume 4 so far. As flightoffancy said above, I used to recommend CnC to everyone who even uttered the word "puzzle". Now, I honestly can't recommend it to anyone in good faith. I'm at least sticking Volume 4 out, I guess. I hoped against hope that it would get better and that we just weren't finding the hidden secrets. But I've started losing hope. If Volume 5's quality and puzzliness does not improve, I'm afraid I'm going to have to bail. Some thoughts to add to Todd's thoughts, as well as some thoughts of my own: 1. "If the curios don't factor into the puzzles, I have no use for them. The pewter tchotchkes don't interest me." I agree wholeheartedly. However, in V.3, Motherland was one of my favorite Curios, as was the replica of Harry Houdini's handcuff key. And the bar of soap, I thought, was semi-interesting in the sense that it came from the serialized story. I guess what I'm saying is that not every Curio needs to be related to a puzzle IMHO, but it should at least serve a purpose other than "that would look nice on my shelf". I was supremely happy with the V.3 Curios, even if there were a couple that fell sort of short for me (looking at you, goat papercraft that I spent three and a half hours attempting to put together). 2. "Offer a Puzzler's Edition for say $50 a quarter that adds back in the Vault challenge and curios that are puzzle elements." Eek. I can't speak for others, but I would probably not be able to afford this. 4. "I understand that not everyone is a hardcore puzzler, and some people need the answers handed to them, but if you must put the answers online in the Codex, give us a couple weeks after the issue ships so that the community can do its "group-solve" thing." Someone else said this somewhere, so the idea is not mine, but perhaps the Codex could be for the "base level" of puzzles only? That being said, I personally do not understand why anybody who did not want to try to solve a puzzle would order a puzzle adventure subscription. Now my own thoughts/opinions. I would really like the olden days of Volume 3 back. I caught CnC toward the end of V.2 and decided to wait because 1) it seemed perhaps too difficult for a puzzler of my calibre and 2) I wanted to begin at the beginning. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think V.3 improved CnC for the better. This may be unfounded, though, considering I never actually experienced the previous volumes. What made me love this product so much was the in-depth puzzling, the community trying to figure everything out, and the general atmosphere. I actually somewhat felt like a member of a secret organization uncovering messages. It even inspired me to pen over 50 more More Equal Personas for the Motherland card game (that I will never play because I don't have enough friends) on a week off. I made pages and pages and pages of notes on trying to uncover secrets (most of which were just wild goose chases, but they were still fun!). Compare that to V.4. I have made five notes. Not five pages. Five notes. The longest of which is 21 words. And I've followed through on none of them. I prioritize and sort notes on my phone, and "look up a word that most closely matches the eerie feeling of listening to radio music that crackles or an old studio audience when you know they're all dead", "is Placebo Boy already a superhero", and "research how to fix the Windows Polish keyboard" all rank higher on Things to Research. Put simply, as many have said before me, V.3 felt like I was a part of something greater. V.4 feels like I bought a subscription to a deluxe puzzle magazine. Sorry if I went on too long. I don't normally like sharing my opinions, but I felt driven to. It honestly makes me sad that something I felt so passionate about has, in my mind, slumped so far.
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Post by craigrj on Nov 2, 2017 5:00:50 GMT -5
Volume Three was superb, but I like to show these things off and the boxes from v4 are great for this (and I am setup to display them) - the style of v4 combined with the puzzling from v3 would be my preference. Maybe they could offer two tiers of subscription - a paper-only one for those who just want the puzzling, and a curios-included box one for those who want the ephemera too? $50 would be the tipping point for me - I already pay a fair bit more because of international shipping, and putting the base price up to $50 with shipping on top would make me seriously consider stopping.
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Post by Todd on Nov 2, 2017 5:35:02 GMT -5
To clarify my suggested $50 Puzzler Extreme price point, that's only $200 a year, which, from a consumer perspective, is about the same as King in Yellow, with dozens and dozens of hours of more engagement.
No experience I've purchased has been remotely as enjoyable as the first three volumes of Curios and Conundrums for me. I would gladly pay experience level pricing for that.
In fact, I'd pay more than $50 a quarter.
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Post by wortelboer on Nov 2, 2017 7:07:22 GMT -5
To clarify my suggested $50 Puzzler Extreme price point, that's only $200 a year, which, from a consumer perspective, is about the same as King in Yellow, with dozens and dozens of hours of more engagement. No experience I've purchased has been remotely as enjoyable as the first three volumes of Curios and Conundrums for me. I would gladly pay experience level pricing for that. In fact, I'd pay more than $50 a quarter. I agree and feel the same.
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Post by kas814 on Nov 2, 2017 7:46:42 GMT -5
I agree Todd and add my name. I am not a great puzzler but the camaraderie on this board kept me at it until I reached the end. This year with C&C has been extremely disappointing. I hope against hope that they have heard our cries of frustration and this issue will begin the turnaround but I am realistic in saying I doubt that will happen. A final thought though is I detest paper crafts that have no function other than to take up my time and shelf space.
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Post by neutronstar on Nov 2, 2017 9:13:07 GMT -5
Todd, please add my name as well.
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Post by mkarrett on Nov 2, 2017 10:55:51 GMT -5
I approve of this, especially the Puzzler's edition.
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