Post by artofhiddenmessages on Nov 8, 2020 11:44:12 GMT -5
From Beth, The Art of Hidden Messages:
I wanted to write my thoughts about “The Secret Red Herrings” Treasure Hunt.
At first, I was disappointed that the puzzles were being solved so quickly. But I realized that the searcher community was acting together to solve each hunt. People from the East Coast were working with searchers on the West Coast and vice versa. People were sharing information, rooting for one another, having a relaxing time, and most of all, having fun. It made me happy to see that happening, and proud that my treasure hunt had the ability to bring that out in people.
I wondered why this occurred with my hunt, and not so much with other hunts. I have some ideas, and you are all welcome to add your thoughts too. I would love to hear them.
This hunt did not have an exorbitant prize. I was offering a painting and a gem. These are not life-changing items. Hence, people did not come into this hunt with a dog-eat-dog mentality. Rather than this hunt being a big competition, it was more of a fun game, an adventure. People were more willing to help one another out.
Also, without a huge prize at the end, I think people were curious to see the outcome. They wanted to know which painting went with which poem. They wanted to know which were the red herrings. Anyone who does puzzles or treasure hunts always wants to know the answer. People were willing to help other searchers in order to get that answer. The prize was not as important to them.
I also think that keeping up with posting the solutions and posting the winners helped. There were no looming questions about who won, or which puzzles were solved and which were not. I think it helps to have the hunt setter present. Kudos to Jenny Kile, as she kept the Mysterious Writings forum updated. Many hunts get put out there, and you never hear from that hunt maker again. You have no one to ask questions to, make comments, or find out the status of the hunt.
There are some who would deem this unsuccessful because it was solved in a week. If you would have asked me what I thought about that a month ago, I may have been in that camp too, but watching this hunt develop, and watching the interaction between players, I have to say that I believe this was a successful hunt. And that is because of all of YOU. You all came together, worked in groups, helped one another, made it a pleasant environment, and made it fun. That is what community is all about.
I thank all of you in the searcher community that worked on this treasure hunt!
I wanted to write my thoughts about “The Secret Red Herrings” Treasure Hunt.
At first, I was disappointed that the puzzles were being solved so quickly. But I realized that the searcher community was acting together to solve each hunt. People from the East Coast were working with searchers on the West Coast and vice versa. People were sharing information, rooting for one another, having a relaxing time, and most of all, having fun. It made me happy to see that happening, and proud that my treasure hunt had the ability to bring that out in people.
I wondered why this occurred with my hunt, and not so much with other hunts. I have some ideas, and you are all welcome to add your thoughts too. I would love to hear them.
This hunt did not have an exorbitant prize. I was offering a painting and a gem. These are not life-changing items. Hence, people did not come into this hunt with a dog-eat-dog mentality. Rather than this hunt being a big competition, it was more of a fun game, an adventure. People were more willing to help one another out.
Also, without a huge prize at the end, I think people were curious to see the outcome. They wanted to know which painting went with which poem. They wanted to know which were the red herrings. Anyone who does puzzles or treasure hunts always wants to know the answer. People were willing to help other searchers in order to get that answer. The prize was not as important to them.
I also think that keeping up with posting the solutions and posting the winners helped. There were no looming questions about who won, or which puzzles were solved and which were not. I think it helps to have the hunt setter present. Kudos to Jenny Kile, as she kept the Mysterious Writings forum updated. Many hunts get put out there, and you never hear from that hunt maker again. You have no one to ask questions to, make comments, or find out the status of the hunt.
There are some who would deem this unsuccessful because it was solved in a week. If you would have asked me what I thought about that a month ago, I may have been in that camp too, but watching this hunt develop, and watching the interaction between players, I have to say that I believe this was a successful hunt. And that is because of all of YOU. You all came together, worked in groups, helped one another, made it a pleasant environment, and made it fun. That is what community is all about.
I thank all of you in the searcher community that worked on this treasure hunt!
