This is my first sequential discovery puzzle and the biggest design undertaking I have embarked on so far. And, it has been awesome. The puzzle is really fun and very challenging. I hope a lot of people will get a lot of pleasure out of it. But unlike all my prior postings and designs, I am keeping the details a little more carefully controlled. I do not want to let the solutions to the puzzle be too readily available for the sake of those doing the puzzle.
I am not sure if I should be proud or embarrassed by the amount of time I have put into this design but it has been substantial. Definitely in excess of 100 hours. And, I do feel a little cheated that people will be able to solve it in much less time but I am not sure too many people would want to attempt a 100-hour puzzle. Instead, this puzzle should be expected to take 20 minutes to 1 hour from what I can see so far. A few people I tested early versions on did it in around 30 minutes but with the help of additional people and some clues. So I am very curious to see how fast people will generally do it without clues.
The idea is that you can complete the puzzle without anything other than what the puzzle provides. The rules are fairly straightforward…
Puzzle Rules
- Hands-Only:
- No external tools or objects are allowed or required. Use only your hands and the tools, keys or elements from the puzzle to solve the puzzle. Every move has a purpose within the design.
- No Excessive Force:
- The puzzle is designed to be solved with gentle manipulation. Do not attempt to take the puzzle apart by force or break it open. If something doesn’t move easily, reconsider your approach. Do not bang, shake excessively, pry, or drop.
- Inspect Carefully:
- Observe and interact with all parts of the puzzle. Pay attention to subtle details—they may hold the key to the next step.
- Keep Track of Removed Pieces:
- Any piece you remove may be essential to solving the puzzle. Set them aside carefully and remember to consider them as potentially part of the puzzle.
- Use the Clues Sparingly:
- Clues are available only if you’re truly stuck. Use them one at a time, starting with the most obscure. But know that there is a way forward at all times.
- Patience is Key:
- Solving the puzzle requires logic, exploration, persistence, trial and error and possibly even guesswork. Take your time and enjoy the challenge.
The puzzle is complex having approximately 28 components to it. It has hidden doors, sprockets, latches, and secret keys to name a few. It requires creative thinking and persistence to solve but in the end, it opens to a cavity in which you can put a prize, present or reward for the person opening it.
To keep the puzzle solution secret, limited details are available until you download the puzzle. Everything you need to know to print, build and solve the puzzle will be accessible after you download it. As well as instructions and clues for the person you give it to to solve it. The QR code tag on the puzzle links to instructions for the user. The QR code tag can be printed on paper or with an AMS.
Three levels of clues (obscure, indirect and direct) are available for each step of the puzzle if needed by the person trying to solve the puzzle.
This sequential discovery puzzle is available only to logicalplanet members on Thangs. Please consider becoming a member to support my design efforts and enjoy products like this one.
The entire model is 100% 3d printed. No hardware, fasteners, or adhesives are required. Multi-filament printing (AMS) is not required.
Printing and Assembly
I have created extensive documentation for printing, assembling and solving this SD puzzle, but to keep the solution secretive, I am only making the documentation available to people who have the design files from Thangs. If you have been given access you can find the portal to the documentation here.
Want to buy the Puzzle
If you are interested in purchasing the puzzle to do (rather than printing it yourself) please send me a message via my contact form.
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