Is this a good enough prize for this puzzle? [ended]

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So I realize most of my previous puzzle prize offerings haven't been that great. But I happen to have a key for ABZU that I've no intention of using myself, and I can see from the community wishlist that it ranks in around #50, so surely there must be some interest to get that game, right? Or do you think knowing what the prize is beforehand spoils it? Like, just the mystery of finding out what the game is draws in more attempts to solve it?

It's been a while since I've done a puzzle and I'm getting closer to leveling up, so if this drums up enough interest, it could be the one that puts me over the top. Here's the aforementioned puzzle:

PUZZLE NOTES

Random characters on a grid, have to find coordinates for the characters that make up the giveaway code.

Grid shown without the two headers around the edges. These are used to map out the code.
 * Each one is composed of words seven letters in length, without repeating any character (important)
 * Words like apricot across the board might confuse up and down everyone trying to solve

Grid would have arrows adjacent to the characters, denoting their case.
They would all use the same connection, so an invalid arrow for one character means all connections of that type are incorrect.

Giveaway will be open for 3 weeks, so any hints can be given and people have time to get over being stuck.
No restrictions will be placed on the giveaway - solve it to enter it.

This is where hints will be posted, as they are posted. Reveal at your own discretion.

Both headers used are given to you in this post, no guessing required
The headers are also next to phrasing that describes which edge they go to
Since the headers don't repeat any characters, you can probably derive a sequence from them
The first in sequence from the top header plus the first in sequence for the side header line up to the first character. Repeat for the remainder
Characters are directly next to their respective arrows (north/south/east/west). And since characters all connect to them in the same direction, you should be able to know which direction to use from the first valid character
The right arrow is right next to the right characters, right?
The "4" is a red herring, there are no numbers in the final code

Also, if anyone is wondering - I've cleaned up this post a bit. The puzzle is the same, just not handwritten now. I didn't want you struggling through my scribbling and the clues.

View attached image.

7 years ago*

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71 Comments

IovoI

It's always nicer if you tell which game is the prize for solving the puzzle because some people might invest time just to find out they already own the game or they are not interested in it :) As to prize of the puzzle - it all depends on the puzzle. If the puzzle has nice concept many people will solve it just for fun, so you can give away even Tier 1 game. It will have less entries most probably but it is a prize for investing time in solving the puzzle after all, isn't it? :) Unless the puzzle is superhard, then the better prize is the more people will participate :)

7 years ago