Update from Revo HQ 2024

[prodigy]

Lites range (levels and prices) information - updated

INTRODUCTORY LEVELS

• Level 1 £40 (10/100) BLUE static - introductory level
• Level 2 £45 (20/100) GREEN static - easy level
• Level 3 £50 (30/100) GREY static - beginner level
• Level 4 £55 (40/100) PURPLE static - standard level

CHALLENGING LEVELS

• LEVEL 5 £60 (45/100) BLACK static (limited edition) - intermediate level
• LEVEL 6 £-- (--/100) CHRISTMAS BONUS - higher intermediate level
• LEVEL 7 £-- (--/100) CHRISTMAS BONUS - upgraded level
• LEVEL 8 £100 (65/100) TURQUOISE (limited edition) - challenging level
• LEVEL 9 £70 (70/100) RED static - hard level

ADVANCED LEVELS

• LEVEL 10 £100 (75/100 LIME (limited edition) - higher advanced level
• LEVEL 11 £100 (80/100) BRONZE static - very challenging
• LEVEL 12 £100 (85/100) YELLOW (limited edition) - expert level
• LEVEL 13 £70 (90/100) SILVER - master level
• LEVEL 14 £100 (95/100) ORANGE (limited edition) - grand master level
• LEVEL 15 £80 (100/100) GOLD - extreme level

[prodigy]

Black Lite's production progress and the results of the LE community sleeve poll

Hello everyone,

We are posting an update on where we're at on the status of the Black Lite’s and current items to fulfil. After a longer meeting and catch-up today, we can confirm that the foam will be delivered tomorrow for the boxes (March 25th) the components for the 125 will be in production, which will bring us into April to finalise. It has taken time to ensure that we reach the quality and standards that will be anticipated while also ensuring that the consistency is kept for each Black.

The poll was extended from Friday, March 22nd at 4:00pm until Monday, March 25th due to Rachel was out of office. With 29 votes, the core and sleeve anodised in the same colour was chosen as the limited edition set's sleeve colour, it was extremely close to the gold sleeves with coloured cores (difficulty level) with 28 votes.

The tasks that will be completed have now been laid out and are being worked on in stages, such as finishing the V4’s, pack 1’s for VAULTMAZE and returns. What we're working on with VAULTMAZE is making it more cost-effective and aiming to send more of the packs together. For example, the next priority would be pack 2 and 3 together, and while the Lite’s are in production, we'll be working on the next packs so that production can begin as early as possible. The testing sleeve (6-ring) and stand will be included in the remaining packs of 4, 5, and 6, completing the set; further information will be provided as soon as manufacturing begins.

Once the Black Lite’s begin to arrive, we will host a survey to discover what people think and if you would recommend the Lite’s to your family and friends, or kids who may like to give them a go. The different lightness may be noted, there was 5 different strengths, from very light to heavier. We’d like Blue to have a lighter spring, the advanced levels will be closer to tolerance with a heavier spring to work towards. The Lite's are currently made in-house on the main machine, and we are working with subcontractors like the anodisers and possibly engineers later in production, while taking this feedback into account to guarantee the mazes are enjoyed to their limit.

The items that are being worked on currently.

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Our two UK clients and enthusiasts who have given us really positive feedback in the past will receive the prototype mazes; we had previously described that they were testing the maze. We wanted to clarify after a Discord member brought it to our attention that, as Chris checked and solved the maze, they will be sent first for them to have an indepdent view that will take place before sending the pre-orders, to hear feedback on the Black's weight, feel, or knurling, for example, the feedback would be reviewed for future Lite’s.

The maze designs are three-quarters complete, and the introductory mazes will be finished first. The advanced and limited edition mazes must be designed to be ready following the introductory levels. People who ordered the 8 set or 8 set + pilot will receive the 4 introductory levels first, in a larger case with cut foam, followed by the advanced levels, either separately or all in 4. The limited edition set will be made and delivered throughout the year and will include 4 citrus colours: Turquoise, Lime, Yellow, and Orange. The Orange shade is currently available, and the remaining 3 colours will be worked on via request with the anodisers.

Thank you for reading and joining us on the Lite adventure, we will continue working towards ensuring the awaited Black’s are worthwhile and will be thoroughly enjoyed. Should you have any queries in the meantimes, the main email address would be helpdesk@thepuzzleworkshop.uk

Kindest regards,

Chris and Rachel

[prodigy]

Out of the office for Easter notice

CLOSED FOR EASTER

We will be away from Friday, March 29th, till Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.

Meanwhile, processing orders will continue to be worked on. V4’s have started being sent from this week.

If you require any assistance, please contact us, and we will be in touch once we return.

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[prodigy]

Dear all,

As we approach the end of the week, we wish to provide you with an update to let you know how things are going with the Black Lite's. You may read our blog article from just before this update from the day at the Mach show, along with an interview with Mike Evans, a puzzle enthusiast and maze tester.

To access the most recent blog updates, please visit the following link: https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk/blog please note, that if you are registered on the site you will be notified by email when we post a new blog.

From "Day at the Mach show 2024" blog post (https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk/post/d ... -show-2024) from April 19, 2024.

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Where are we with the Black Lite production?

It's been a few weeks since we last updated you on the status of the Black Lite (limited edition) that is now required to produce the pins, can, plug, and maze tool. O-rings must be applied to each maze, and labels must be placed on each sleeve, in addition to cutting out the certificates, signing them, and adding the holograms. The larger processes have been completed, and the final phases are the finishing touches to ensure they meet expectations and provide maximum enjoyment, especially since the wait time has been extended.

We are looking into ways to improve our timeline with the assistance of a supplier for smaller components; extra information will be supplied in the upcoming update. As soon as the Black pilots are finalised and delivery can begin, we will notify you via email with your tracking information.

We thank you all for your patience and loyalty as orders are being completed. We'll catch up again soon with further news; in the meantime, we hope you enjoy your weekend.

[prodigy]

Material arrived for the Lites and a monthly round-up from HQ

Dear all,

Chris and I had our weekly meeting on Friday 19th to go through tasks and goals to aim for the upcoming weeks, as mentioned in the previous forum update; additional information on progress at HQ would be shared in a follow-up post; we're wrapping up this month with an overview and current schedule. To view the last message, please visit the following link: https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk/forum/ ... og-updates

A bulk of material came on Friday to make the orders for the Lites, it was a happy surprise to see towards the end of the day. Now it's at the head office where production takes place, we're stocked up and will be for the processing sleeves and components for the Lite colour range. Chris will be taking a handful of sleeves to the anodisers for colour samples to get an idea of how they'll look before the batch of colours is due to be done. We look forward to sharing with you once received, the anodising firm has done a wonderful job on the Black's, the after-effects look and feel smooth and glossy after they were recently anodised.

Meet the lovely Toby (Revo dog) guarding the material for the Lite's

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In the previous forum post, it was mentioned we're looking into working with an engineering firm local to us, which could help boost the turnaround with the machining of the smaller components such as the pins, plugs, and cans for the Lite assembly, it could be done in the hundreds or even the thousands. Soon, the making of the mazes and sleeves will be reviewed with the engineers, to support with demand.

During this week it is catch-up mode and working on getting closer to the completion of the V4's and returns at HQ, we're hoping to clear the table down and free up the machine ready for the rings and the maze components to be underway.

We're working on continuing to fulfil these orders during this week following next. The list of priorities will be carried through in April, it is so satisfying to tick off those jobs you've been aiming to complete I'll be back in touch with responses to emails and messages this week, many thanks for working with us, that's a wrap for now from HQ until the next update that'll lead us into May, we appreciate your support while it's taken us longer than we'd hoped for from the January delivery aim, your dedication doesn't go unnoticed, where we would like to confirm the Black's are ready and we can confirm a delivery timeframe.

Please note: we had a temporary issue responding to emails from our new server to Google Mail accounts, please note after this was brought to our attention, this has been fixed with the help of our hosting company.

[prodigy]

Making rings at HQ and filming equipment

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On Tuesday, May 10th, the machine was set up for the VAULTMAZE rings, and I had the experience of being an operator for the afternoon. Chris showed me how to get it ready before we pressed go.

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We have camera equipment at HQ and are working towards filming live Q&A sessions on YouTube, Discord, and Facebook/Instagram, either simultaneously or individually. It has been a learning curve to navigate how it all works and ensure the video and sound quality are good when we are streaming or posting videos post edited.

In addition to showing you more behind-the-scenes of manufacturing and product development by Chris, as asked by the community, we are looking forward to sharing with you all.

I'll be reading your comments and suggestions for future content you are enjoying or would like to see more of, the technical side we would like to share more while maintaining the privacy of the mazes.

[prodigy]

Dear all,

We are posting a well-over due update on where we are at with the Black pilots and the next tasks to finalising them.

Since we last caught up the plugs for the pilots have been done and placed in the shafts, the next operations is to complete the pins and cans to ensure each puzzle is ready for use and each part works as intended for a good user experience.

During a meeting with both of us, it was brought to our attention the frustrations on Discord and we understand the delays in the anticipated new Lite’s haven’t been communicated well enough.

When we lost a key player, our machinist Josh, it has taken much longer than we expected to get to where we should be. We do hope to bring a machinist in due course. Over the months Chris has re-visited all the programs and learning the operations on the machine to make it more efficient. Since Covid, Chris was badly affected and has found long-term symptoms such as brain fog that has affected his concentration which haven’t helped.

The Black’s have been developed since last year to get them to a stage where we’re happy with the product and ensuring they meet the standard we were seeking. Ideally this should have happened a lot quicker and from this we have learned to set more realistic timelines or not promise a date until we are ready to begin delivery.

We want to reassure we do hear your feedback and take it into consideration and while it has taken longer to fulfil, we enormously appreciate everyone’s dedication to their order and belief in the new series, we’re committed to getting it to where it should be with the aim of delivering value for money products to get stuck into and provide a lot of joy for the foreseeable.

While the Lite series will continue to develop, we do have orders in the background that will be fulfilled such as the V4’s, some special editions like the Purple’s and Handmade’s, and the VAULTMAZE project this year that is still in talks and will be continued. The advanced and limited edition Lite designs have begun and Chris is designing them in the background to get them into a working state, that will be checked over before being sent out.

Production is continuing to happen and as soon as there are dates that are set in stone and we feel happy to confirm it, we will do so over the site forum and the Discord to ensure we can communicate more openly with you. Live-streaming equipment has been invested in by the company to share the production and the high and lows we can come across, as well as announcements on a more direct level.

We would like to say once again thank you for your belief in the products and we are here if there’s any concerns or questions, we will do our best to keep in touch and provide news as early as possible.

Kindest regards,

Rachel & Chris

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