Resurrecting Aquarius

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!