Difficulty Ratings

[csexton]

I am sure everyone has noticed the difficulty ratings of the various puzzles. The Blue is 50, Green is 60, Bronze is 80, Silver is 90, and Gold is 100. I, however, find a couple things odd/frightening about this system. First of all, after solving both the Blue and the Green, I found that the Green was significantly, i.e. more than 10 points, harder than the Blue. Veterans should know of the certain part in the Green of which I speak and that same part is significantly less in the Blue. My first question is: Is the Blue truly a 50? Is the Gold really only assumed to be twice as hard as the Blue? Based on the apparent jump in difficulty from the Blue to the Green, I would surmise that the Gold would need to be closer to three times as difficult. Please give some thoughts on this.

Also, as an aside, it would be great to give ratings to the Limited Editions. If what is to be assumed about the Red is correct, for example, would it need a rating higher than 100 on the current scale?

-Cody

[ReVoRabbit]

Cody,
I think you have a great point here. Perhaps the scale is logarithmic. I assume each puzzle is rated individually and does not assume the end user has gained the knowledge of the previous lessons (puzzles). Could you imagine trying to solve the green without grasping the basic fundamentals presented to us in the blue?

It’s been over 10 years since I worked with logs, but if blue is rated a 50 and green is rated a 60, than wouldn't green be 100 times harder? I therefore assume that if one picks up the blue and solves it in 5 hours, than the same person having no other Revomaze experience would pick up the green and complete it in just under 3 weeks.

Having a solid knowledge and understanding of the blue significantly lowers the rating, maybe by a factor of 10 or 15. Just my theory; would love to hear others....

[csexton]

I completely agree with your assessment (and good work with your logs also). I also think, though, that even with experience on the Blue, the Green may still be harder than the difficulty rating would indicate. For example, the 100 point scale is arbitrarily large if every rating is going to be in increments of 10. Since every rating thus far is in increments of ten, it follows that the scale is arbitrarily large (a little deductive logic for the philosophy majors out there). So, a 50 and a 60 on this 100 point scale are essentially the same as a 5 and a 6 on a standard 10 point scale. I personally think that the Green is relatively harder than a basically 1 point jump would indicate. If that is true, then the last three puzzles must be harder than what some of us may be suspecting. Thus, we may be in for a troubling surprise.

[ReVoMaster]

Interesting ... I have been doing the Bronze (Yes doing most of today ) and it is significantly more difficult - and I have the map in front of me

The scale was designed before the puzzles ... so I think a reassessment will be required. The blue is my eaisest to open - the green is getting harder and harder to open - the Black I've done twice with Michael just once (he still has not opened the Green!)

Some have taken less time to open the Green than the Blue so depending on how you open it may indicate a colour to your style - no mention of poor Jazz ...

[ReVoRabbit]

I think Jazz is a whizz and already has both open. hes waiting for the gold to come out so he can show us all up and get that series code turned in first. he'll be the first person to solve a series code without 'opening' a puzzle