Resurrecting Aquarius
Seven Years LaterShinteki Aquarius Remix
Should we resurrect Aquarius?
How much work would it be?What changes are needed?Would enough people play?
How much work would it be?
The creative work was mostly done already
The remaining work (graphic layout, clue construction, permitting, logistical organization, staffing) was just as much work as for a new event.
Existing puzzles & sitesNew funThe grind
What changes are needed?
The world had changed a lot since 2004. Would our original event still work in 2011? Not exactly.
Smart phones and GPS devices are now the normSolving apps are easy to access and useSome locations no longer exist
Location issuesHalf to Have It in 2004 Half to Have It in 2011
What changes are needed?
The Game community has grown and changed significantly since 2004.
Emphasis on the puzzles has increasedEmphasis on non-puzzle activities has decreasedDriving distances between sites have decreasedWe at Shinteki have learned a lot since 2004
Puzzle tweaksSunken Booty 2004
A much more complex puzzle for 2011
Would teams think these activities were just a waste of
time now?
Streamlined route We wanted to shorten
drive times if possible Some original locations
did not fit the water theme
Cut Gates of Hell, Sign Hill Park, Battery Godfrey
Add Headwaters, Battleship
Things we removedBig Fish clue didn’t work in daylight and had bunching
issues
RC boats are illegal in Stow Lake
Would enough people play?
There were (or had been) so many spoilers available, we could not make it a competitive event
We really had no idea if more than a few teams would sign up
We got so many teams, we had to add a second week. Thanks, Game community!
StatisticsOriginal Aquarius
May 8, 15 and 22, 2004 32 total teams Core GC of 5 people 110 mile driving course
Aquarius Remix
May 14 & 28, 2011 35 total teams Core GC of 2 people 80 mile driving course
Conclusion: mostly goodPros
Lots of new players Got a chance to improve
on the original (mostly) Shorter lead time than an
event from scratch Original players helped
us run the event. Thanks!
Cons Original players didn’t
get a new event Less creative work, but
still a lot of work
What’s next? Disneyland!