Tag Archives: qchq

Do you accept the Cryptiq challenge?

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Normally, this would be a Follow-Up Friday post. But since Follow-Up Friday is all about continuing or expanding upon previous topics we’ve covered, and I suspect today’s post will be something we’ll return to in the future, it gets the nod this week.

I’ve written about puzzle contests plenty of times in the past, whether they’re single crosswords to solve or elaborate multi-step puzzle suites to unravel. Constructors are constantly innovating, and we’ve reached a point where you can tackle amazing puzzly challenges without even leaving your favorite chair.

So if you’re looking for a diabolical new puzzle series you can sink your teeth into from the comfort of your own home, Cryptiq fits the bill nicely.

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Cryptiq is a collection of puzzles — available both on their website and in book form — designed to test your puzzly mettle. There are dozens of logic, deduction, and visual puzzles involved, and the designers have clearly set a very high bar for solvers.

From the Cryptiq website:

To win the game you must solve all the puzzles on the given pages on http://www.cryptiq.com or in the book Cryptiq. Once you solve the puzzles you will be left with a code that has 6 values. Be the first to enter these 6 values, in the correct order, on the code input page and you will be moved forward to the verification step. The game can only be won through skill.

After you have entered the correct code, you will be prompted to supply a written solution showing that your solve of the puzzles was not by chance. Once your solve is verified as skill, you will be declared the winner and receive the prize.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a puzzle contest that requires written explanation of the solve in order to prove your skills, but when you consider that the winning purse is $5,000 — and there’s a chance that prize could increase — the team at Cryptiq wants to be sure that someone EARNS that prize, rather than getting lucky.

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[Kind of Cunning, one of Cryptiq’s many mind-bending obstacles.]

Best of all? There is no purchase necessary to enter or to win the game. Everything you need to play is right there online. (The book version costs $20, but has all the same information as the website.)

So, fellow friends and PuzzleNationers, will you accept the Cryptiq challenge? Let me know if you do! I’d love to hear about it!

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An Act of Puzzly Generosity

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[Image courtesy of Solutions for Change.]

Instead of the usual Follow-Up Friday post, in the spirit of the season, I wanted to talk about an act of generosity that touched my heart.

The puzzle and game audience is one of the kindest, most inclusive groups I can think of. Just this year, I’ve done several blog posts involving different donations and charity efforts spearheaded by puzzlers and game companies.

Back in January, I talked about StrataSphere, a Kickstarter game campaign that allowed supporters to use their contributions to donate copies of the game to schools.

Heck, just last week, I wrote about how all the proceeds from this year’s GCHQ puzzle book will be going to charity.

Those were only two of many generous campaigns. Today, I’d like to put the spotlight on another company doing good.

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The folks at Ceaco and Gamewright recently donated $3 million in games and puzzles to the Toy Industry Foundation’s annual Holiday Toy Drive!

According to Nora Meiners, Ceaco’s marking coordinator, “It is important for Gamewright and Ceaco to donate to the Toy Industry Foundation’s Toy Drive because we know that our puzzles and games are presents that kids can grow and learn from; it would be unfortunate if that wasn’t equally accessible for all kids regardless of the income barriers in their families. We are gifted to work in an industry that offers wholesome family entertainment so we donate and spread that joy further when we can.”

It’s an amazing gesture, one that is so incredibly typical of the puzzle/game community, a community I’m proud to count myself a part of.

For more information on the Toy Industry Foundation, click here.

And happy holidays to you and yours, my fellow puzzlers and PuzzleNationers!

Thanks for visiting PuzzleNation Blog today! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on everything PuzzleNation!

You can also share your pictures with us on Instagram, friend us on Facebook, check us out on Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr, and explore the always-expanding library of PuzzleNation apps and games on our website!