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Post by vermont on Nov 9, 2017 15:28:42 GMT -5
I found C&C right at the beginning of Volume 3 and loved it. Spread the word to friends and some subscribed as a result.
I've found Volume 4 uninspiring...to the point that I really haven't dug in and given it a fair shake. Fewer puzzles, seemingly less tied to an end goal, etc. Did anyone else has similar sentiments, dig in, and then be glad they did? I'm pretty tempted to just cancel and try another service. I just don't really value the nicer trinkets - I'd rather have nicer puzzles, personally.
To solve only five puzzles just to get a word ... vs. having more puzzles and unlocking a vault and then tying puzzles together in interesting ways, spread over issues - Volumes 3 and 4 are just not in the same ballpark, seemingly.
Thanks for advice/suggestions.
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Post by neutronstar on Nov 9, 2017 15:45:42 GMT -5
I cancelled Vol. 4 after Brain Butchers. I didn't find it interesting or challenging enough. My money is now going to 5 other subscription/experience type mystery boxes. Pleased with the change for me, but wish C&C would return in a form more closely resembling Vol's 1-3
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Post by vermont on Nov 9, 2017 15:55:05 GMT -5
Which one of those other services have you found the most enjoyable?
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Post by neutronstar on Nov 9, 2017 16:03:12 GMT -5
I'm really enjoying The Decoder Ring Organization, Hunt a Killer and Dispatch by Breakout. The one I am most anxious to receive is from The Armchair Detective Co. , but it seems they are behind schedule. The other is a very interesting set of puzzles from a member of this forum. It's called The Sound of Insanity. I've only received one mailing so far, but it is very intriguing.
Hunt a Killer and Dispatch are murder mystery puzzle experiences, Decoder Ring is also, but the puzzles are a bit different. All very enjoyable.
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Post by Todd on Nov 9, 2017 16:10:19 GMT -5
Volumes 1 and 2 were quite a bit different from Volume 3. If the Puzzle Hunt of Volume 3 is what you are looking for, then I don't believe there is anything in Volume 4 that will satisfy you.
That being said, Volumes 1 and 2 were much more like an ARG than a Puzzle Hunt. The Vault wasn't a real-time thing that you solved issue-by-issue but rather a cumulative thing that was solved after the volume was completed.
So far we have discovered at least two hidden messages in every issue of Volume 4 that hint that there is more going on than what we find on the surface. Whether there is actually a sub-plot and end game remains to be seen. I have tried, with varying degrees of success, to withhold my judgement of Volume 4 until it is complete and it becomes clear if it does have a Vault-style end-game, and what it will take to complete this challenge if it does exist. One of the hidden messages in Clockwork Mutineers really seems to crank things up a notch, IMO. There might be a very slow build going on, but if there it is it would appear to be much more in the vein of Volumes 1 and 2 than Volume 3.
My intent is to ride it out through Countdown to Oblivion, which for all intents and purposes is the end of Volume 4. Then, depending on my final feelings, wait until the first issue of Volume 5 to see what direction it takes next.
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Post by wortelboer on Nov 9, 2017 17:12:58 GMT -5
I am truly hoping that this Volume is just an "interlude" while MPC focused on FiS and other Experience development. Like Todd, I plan to stick with C&C through Issue 1 (or 2) of Volume V....if it doesn't pick up again, I will be cancelling.
Dispatch by Breakout is by far my favorite subscription service right now....followed by Decoder Ring Organization. Just started Sounds of Insanity too.
Simulacra Games looks like it is awesome! ...as good, if not better, than C&C earlier volumes. As soon as they launch the Kickstarter that is a "must" buy for me.
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Post by Yasoda Dei Conti on Nov 16, 2017 5:38:29 GMT -5
I'm also on Team IMissVolumeThree. I'm overseas so Clockwork Mutineers just arrived. My plan is to do it this weekend. If it does build, and I find that 'crank things up a notch' message, I may stick with it, otherwise, looking at other options. Hadn't heard of the Dispatch, Decoder Ring, or Sounds of Insanity, nor Simulacra games. I did just start funding Forgotten Folios on patreon, and started trying the nevercompletedgame, which is fun, if mind boggling and finicky as to its answers. I miss being able to spend weeks bumbling along from basic level to omgwtf. And I want my vault back
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Post by offsky on Nov 16, 2017 19:05:56 GMT -5
Its been almost a year since Vol 3 was finished, and only 87 people have opened The Vault. I think this is a really telling point. The amount of effort that MPC put into all those interconnected puzzles must have been tremendous, and fewer than 100 people experienced the full thing. Id wager a guess that fewer than 1000 people made it half way through the vault. So as much as I dislike the decisions (being one of the 87), I have to admit that it is a good business decision to redirect their efforts as we have seen.
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Post by lucasscooter on Nov 16, 2017 20:42:38 GMT -5
Its been almost a year since Vol 3 was finished, and only 87 people have opened The Vault. I think this is a really telling point. The amount of effort that MPC put into all those interconnected puzzles must have been tremendous, and fewer than 100 people experienced the full thing. Id wager a guess that fewer than 1000 people made it half way through the vault. So as much as I dislike the decisions (being one of the 87), I have to admit that it is a good business decision to redirect their efforts as we have seen. But couldn't they have changed publicity tactics? Instead of hiding the puzzles and somewhat glossing over them having second layers, advertise the heck out of that. It would kill the air of mystery and "we're part of a secret organization" intrigue, but I'd personally rather have a well-designed puzzly adventure. I don't know; I'm just sounding off. There are economic problems with my suggestion as well (namely: puzzles are quite a niche market).
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Post by wortelboer on Nov 17, 2017 9:54:29 GMT -5
Its been almost a year since Vol 3 was finished, and only 87 people have opened The Vault. I think this is a really telling point. The amount of effort that MPC put into all those interconnected puzzles must have been tremendous, and fewer than 100 people experienced the full thing. Id wager a guess that fewer than 1000 people made it half way through the vault. So as much as I dislike the decisions (being one of the 87), I have to admit that it is a good business decision to redirect their efforts as we have seen. Remember...we have no idea of how many people actually subscribed to all 4 Issues of Volume III (or Vol I-II for that matter). So 87 entrants into the Vault could be 5%....could be 95%. We have no idea of knowing. And it was not only a puzzle challenge it was part ARG too. It was meant to be an experience too, not just a puzzle fest. I have no idea how many subscribers they have or whether subscriptions have gone up or down...but with these changes MPC has left the cult following they developed (their most loyal customers) out in the cold and moving on to other products. Look at the number of participants in the forum from the delivery surveys..down 75%!! And where we were once avid fans trying to convince everyone we know to purchase subscriptions...not many do that anymore. I know I certainly don't. So they have lost a great number of people who talked up their product and convinced people to subscribe. This move may, in fact, not been a good business decision for them. They made it too easy...too simplistic and took away most of the ARG aspect. IMHO They went from one extreme to the other. From complex puzzles and involving customers in the story - to very simple puzzles with all the answers given and what few messages there only inform us, but do not involve us.
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Post by thegingerbarrister on Jan 15, 2018 19:42:11 GMT -5
Cancelled as of today. Sigh.
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Post by thegenii on Jan 17, 2018 20:04:24 GMT -5
Is there anyone reading this who thought volume four was anything other than a fiasco?
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Post by centaurofattn on Jan 17, 2018 20:54:06 GMT -5
The whole thing is pretty dead now. Pages pulled all over the place.
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Post by badwolf on Jan 17, 2018 21:27:43 GMT -5
Cancelled too
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Post by amanda on Jan 17, 2018 21:37:44 GMT -5
With the new website, I don't seem to have anything left to decide. I no longer have standing subscription orders--everything, including my CnC subscription orders, is marked as "fulfilled."
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